Recovering After Surgery

After surgery, the patient is taken to a recovery room for an hour or two. The injured arm is kept in a sling, often with a pillow behind the elbow.

Patients initially drink only clear liquids before eating regular food. Ice is applied to the shoulder for comfort.

Patients are encouraged to get out of bed with the arm in a sling. The sling can usually be released but not removed, allowing the elbow to straighten without moving the shoulder.

Patients who had open surgery usually stay in the hospital for a day or two. Patients who had arthroscopic surgery can often return home on the same day.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy plays an extremely important role in the recovery process. A physical therapist teaches the patient exercises designed to help regain flexibility and strength in the injured shoulder.

Most patients begin physical therapy before leaving the hospital. The physical therapist is an educator. The therapist's role is to teach the patient appropriate exercises that can be done safely at home to speed the recovery process. He or she will also teach the patient how to avoid re-injuring the surgically repaired rotator cuff.

Because physical therapy can be difficult and physically demanding, therapists usually like to meet with members of the patient's family in the hospital so they can learn to help the patient with physical therapy at home.