There is much more to rotator cuff surgery recovery than just the expertise of your surgeon. While it is true your physician and physical therapist must provide a good deal of science to the process you will have to provide a good understanding of how your body works and find a good deal of outside support as well. There will be normal daily activities that you will be unable to perform due to the surgery and you will need friends or loved ones to come along side you and help you out. When you bring all these elements together, you will have a winning team dedicated to your swift recovery.
Right after Surgery
The length of time you must stay in the hospital will depend on the type of surgery you have. For instance if you have an arthroscopic surgery you can be back home sometime the same day, however if you have open surgery you had better pack at least an overnight bag as you will be spending one to two days as an inpatient.
Regardless of the type of surgery, however, you will be required to wear a protective sling. This will aid in faster rotator cuff surgery recovery precisely because it will keep the arm and shoulder muscles as relaxed as possible. Keep in mind, however, that your physical therapist will help you perform passive exercises almost as soon as you get out of the hospital. This will ensure that your muscles do not atrophy and form debilitating scars.
During Recovery Exercises
There are four distinct phases of recovery, passive motion, active motion, strengthening and full activity. During each of these recovery phases, you will have specific exercises to do. Your physical therapist will provide you with the details for each area of recovery and the proper exercises you must do, they will generally fall into one of three categories, beginning, advanced and strengthening.
First, beginning exercises can be done with and without the help of your physical therapist. You can alternate between forward elevation of the arm, external rotation, and elbow flexion and extension and grip exercises, to name a few. Ask your physical therapist whether you are allowed to perform these exercises in the passive and active ways. This is an important step since exposing your shoulder muscles to stress before these are ready can adversely affect your rotator cuff surgery recovery.
Within about 6-8 weeks of your surgery, you should begin advanced exercises. Your physical therapist will expect you to allow your shoulder to do its full range of motion through exercise. These exercises will be performed around 10-15 times per day. Advanced exercises such as cross body adduction and internal rotation will be outlined by your physical therapist.
The last exercise phase is the strengthening exercises. Muscles become weakened after the surgery and long recovery period. In a short amount of time, however you can be back to your normal routine even playing sports.
During the strength training phase you will be required to life weights however you should remember not to stress the should muscles. In fact, your physical therapist should plan out a personal training program that includes internal and external rotations in addition to pressing exercises.
At any phase of exercise, you should consult with your doctor if any of the following occurs, redness, oozing fluid, fever, unaccustomed warmth or pain. Any of these can be a sign that your rotator cuff surgery recovery is not moving along as quickly as it should.
Right after Surgery
The length of time you must stay in the hospital will depend on the type of surgery you have. For instance if you have an arthroscopic surgery you can be back home sometime the same day, however if you have open surgery you had better pack at least an overnight bag as you will be spending one to two days as an inpatient.
Regardless of the type of surgery, however, you will be required to wear a protective sling. This will aid in faster rotator cuff surgery recovery precisely because it will keep the arm and shoulder muscles as relaxed as possible. Keep in mind, however, that your physical therapist will help you perform passive exercises almost as soon as you get out of the hospital. This will ensure that your muscles do not atrophy and form debilitating scars.
During Recovery Exercises
There are four distinct phases of recovery, passive motion, active motion, strengthening and full activity. During each of these recovery phases, you will have specific exercises to do. Your physical therapist will provide you with the details for each area of recovery and the proper exercises you must do, they will generally fall into one of three categories, beginning, advanced and strengthening.
First, beginning exercises can be done with and without the help of your physical therapist. You can alternate between forward elevation of the arm, external rotation, and elbow flexion and extension and grip exercises, to name a few. Ask your physical therapist whether you are allowed to perform these exercises in the passive and active ways. This is an important step since exposing your shoulder muscles to stress before these are ready can adversely affect your rotator cuff surgery recovery.
Within about 6-8 weeks of your surgery, you should begin advanced exercises. Your physical therapist will expect you to allow your shoulder to do its full range of motion through exercise. These exercises will be performed around 10-15 times per day. Advanced exercises such as cross body adduction and internal rotation will be outlined by your physical therapist.
The last exercise phase is the strengthening exercises. Muscles become weakened after the surgery and long recovery period. In a short amount of time, however you can be back to your normal routine even playing sports.
During the strength training phase you will be required to life weights however you should remember not to stress the should muscles. In fact, your physical therapist should plan out a personal training program that includes internal and external rotations in addition to pressing exercises.
At any phase of exercise, you should consult with your doctor if any of the following occurs, redness, oozing fluid, fever, unaccustomed warmth or pain. Any of these can be a sign that your rotator cuff surgery recovery is not moving along as quickly as it should.
About the Author:
Tom Nicholson has spent years caring for sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome. You can click here to find out more aboutrotator cuff surgery recovery.
No comments:
Post a Comment