You will feel tired for several days. Your shoulder will be swollen. And you may notice that your skin is a different colour near the cut (incision). Your hand and arm may also be swollen.
First Week After Surgery
You'll be able to use your elbow, wrist, and hand- but need to rest your shoulder. You can use ice to help with pain, as well as any painkillers as directed by your doctor.
Day 2 Post-Op Shoulder Surgery Recovery: For me, I think Day 3 was the hardest. I was trying my darndest to compartmentalize the pain, but the pain was making me nauseous and my brain and body were getting antsy from laying around all day. I did not eat as much as I probably should have, my stomach was still upset.
Most people who have rotator cuff surgery can expect to feel some level of pain for at least six months after their procedure.
You may notice pain and swelling for at least several weeks. Ice and pain medication can help with pain relief. You can also try sleeping propped up in a chair or bed for a few days after your surgery. Your surgeon may recommend a sling to protect your shoulder.
You should keep ice on the shoulder for the first 48-72 hours after surgery. Ice your shoulder two to three times per day for the first week, especially before sleep. We do recommend that you put a t-shirt or a thin towel between you and the sleeve so that it doesn't injure your skin.
Wearing Your Sling
Slings relieve tension and elevate your arm to the optimal healing position. Many patients wonder if they can take their sling off to sleep. Nearly every doctor will tell you this is not advisable. Wearing a sling is what keeps you from overworking your shoulder or moving it too much while it heals.
A rotator cuff surgery is a major surgical intervention in the shoulder, and the reason that there is pain after surgery is the amount of normal surgical trauma. Cutting, drilling, cauterizing, and suturing tissues create pain and inflammation.
In terms of the period, you will most likely need to sleep in a semi-lying position for six weeks or more, depending on the type of surgery you underwent.
Getting To Sleep With Rotator Cuff Pain
Before heading to bed, try icing your shoulder (or using a heat pack, if you prefer) for between 15 and 20 minutes. This helps to reduce inflammation and ease pain, but remember to wrap your ice/heat pack in a towel; this helps to prevent burning and damage to the skin.
If you have a sedentary job, you should be able to return to work in just two to three weeks. If you have a job that requires a lot of pushing, pulling, or lifting with your arms, you may need to take three to four months off from work to focus on your rehabilitation.
If you have a desk job, you may be able to go back to work or your normal routine in 1 to 2 weeks. If you have a more active job, you may be away from work for a few months.
Patients who are recovering from rotator cuff surgery know all too well that surgery on the shoulder is often painful. Some patients have very little pain after shoulder surgery, but most have significant pain for a few days to a few weeks.
There are various reasons why patients have difficulties sleeping after shoulder surgery: when we sleep, we may curl one or both hands underneath our pillow, lie on one side or instinctively go to the fetal position. Your shoulders are put under a lot of pressure in these positions.
Wear the sling or immobilizer at all times, unless the surgeon says you do not have to. It is OK to straighten your arm below your elbow and move your wrist and hand. But try to move your arm as little as possible. Your arm should bend at a 90° angle (a right angle) at your elbow.
Patients are often advised to wear a sling or brace for the first 4–6 weeks after rotator cuff repair surgery to prevent them from performing any physical activities involving the affected shoulder (3). However, there are advantages and disadvantages regarding early mobilization after rotator cuff repair.
Light housework may resume after 6 weeks. More strenuous housework should be avoided until 3 months after your operation. After approximately six weeks you will be given permission to resume light activities of daily living. Always maintain a good posture and avoid hunched or drooped shoulders.
First and foremost, it's important to rest after surgery. You should avoid any lifting or strenuous activities, as these can place too much strain on your shoulder and slow the healing process. Get plenty of sleep to help your body heal and allow yourself time to relax. Managing pain after surgery is also important.
No motion such as that required to wash your hair, do laundry, wash dishes, or clean windows with the arm is allowed in the first 6 weeks.