You will not have complete use of your affected arm for a few months after surgery. You can use your affected arm for writing, eating, or drinking, but move it only at the elbow or wrist. Do not use it for anything else except prescribed exercises until the sling has been removed.
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.
You should not do any reaching, lifting, pushing, or pulling with your shoulder during the first six weeks after surgery. You should not reach behind your back with the operative arm.
It's important to note that during rotator cuff surgery recovery, you will likely be in a sling from 2 to 6 weeks. Until you're out of your sling, it is not recommended to drive.
You will most likely need to sleep in a semi-reclined position for at least six weeks after surgery, sometimes longer. If you don't own a recliner, it may be worthwhile to buy one or borrow one from a friend before you have your shoulder surgery.
You should wear your sling when you sleep. Driving: Operating a motor vehicle may be difficult due to you inability to use your operative arm. If you should have an accident or get pulled over while wearing a sling, the authorities may consider that driving while impaired.
You will not have complete use of your affected arm for a few months after surgery. You can use your affected arm for writing, eating, or drinking, but move it only at the elbow or wrist. Do not use it for anything else except prescribed exercises until the sling has been removed.
The best position to sleep in is the one that doesn't put pressure on your affected arm, which means sleeping either on your back or on the unaffected side. You might also be advised to sleep in a reclined position, as it puts less pressure on the injured rotator cuff and promotes healing.
Introduction: Pain can be severe during the first days after arthroscopic surgery, and acute pain is an important outcome in clinical trials of surgical technique or anaesthetic strategy.
Swelling and Bruising.
Tissue injury, whether accidental or intentional (e.g. surgery), is followed by localized swelling. After surgery, swelling increases progressively, reaching its peak by the third day. It is generally worse when you first arise in the morning and decreases throughout the day.
Arthroscopic Rotator cuff repair is a great operation that can decrease pain and improve shoulder function. However, it is important to realize that it may not make your shoulder feel 100% normal again.
You won't want to wear a bra for at least two weeks because of discomfort at the incision. Plain cotton panties are best.
One-and-a-half months after surgery, patients who did not wear a sling had increased shoulder motion, including external (outward) rotation and active elevation. Both groups showed continued improvement at three months, but shoulder elevation remained greater in the no-sling group.
Self-care. 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.
Think about all the things you do that require you to raise your arm or use it to push or pull because you'll need to avoid these movements while your shoulder is healing. Even the simplest daily activities like brushing your teeth or reaching into the kitchen cabinet won't be possible.
In addition to the intravenous (IV) tube in your arm that was inserted before the surgery for providing fluids to your body during your hospital stay, you may now also have a catheter tube (Foley Catheter) placed into your bladder to drain urine from your body.
Loose-fitting shirts that are easy to put on, like button-down shirts and oversized t-shirts, are best for post-surgery. You can also find post-surgical shirts made specifically for shoulder surgery patients at online retailers. When getting dressed, focus on putting the surgical arm in first.
You may be able to do easier daily activities in 2 to 3 weeks. Most people who work at desk jobs can go back to work at this time. If you lift, push, or pull at work, you will probably need 3 to 4 months off. Most people can start activities with low risk of shoulder injury in about 3 months.
In general, you'll want to avoid driving a car for at least six to 12 weeks, or until your doctor has indicated you no longer need to wear a sling. Driving with one arm is unsafe, and the shoulder that underwent surgery shouldn't be moved too far away from the body.