How to Care for Yourself After Rotator Cuff Surgery

Caring for yourself after any surgery can be a challenge. With rotator cuff surgery, you will need a lot of patience and a personal assistant. Recovery starts at the hospital and will continue for many weeks, and perhaps months, of home care and physical therapy. The success of recovery will depend on how well you adhere to the treatment program.

Things You'll Need

• Ice pack
• Shoulder sling/immobilizer
• Plastic wrap
• Heating pad
• Pain medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your physician and physical therapist before being discharged from the hospital. They will give you instructions on how to care for your shoulder and what to do or not to do. Ask questions and be clear about all the instructions.

• 2

  Request assistance for personal care when at home. You will need help with dressing and undressing, bathing and other personal routines. When bathing, protect the incision with plastic wrap; do not soak the area. If bandages get wet, replace them with a dry dressing. Do not submerge the shoulder in water until the stitches have been removed. Do not drive or lift the shoulder or heavy objects until given the okay by your doctor.

• 3

  Use an ice pack and ice the shoulder for the first 48 hours after surgery. Emedicinehealth, www.emedicinehealth.com, recommends that icing be done three times per day for 15 to 20 minutes each time to help with any swelling. Wear a sling or a shoulder immobilizer to rest and keep the shoulder stable. If you have been prescribed pain medication, follow the instructions and use the proper dosage. Use heat treatment after 48 hours. Alternate your ice treatments with heat therapy by using a heating pad. This will promote healing by drawing blood to the area.

• 4

  Make an appointment with a physical therapist during the first week. Obtain instructions for a stretching and exercise program. Start off slowly with the stretching routine, as prescribed by the therapist. This will keep the shoulder joint from becoming stiff. When you have no pain, start doing shoulder exercises to strengthen the muscles. Stretching and exercising will need to be done daily.

• 5

  Make an appointment with your doctor 10 to 12 days after surgery to have any stitches removed and to get an update on your recovery progress. Discuss any concerns you may have and the next steps needed to continue recovery.