Injuries and Conditions : Shoulder : Rotator Cuff Injury : Treatment : Surgical :
Rotator Cuff Surgery
Evaluation of Patient for Surgery
Patients are given a complete physical examination that provides an assessment of the patient's overall health.
The degrees of flexion, extension and the range of motion is established for each shoulder.
Diagnostic imaging studies will be performed to pinpoint the exact location of the rotator cuff injury.
Expectations for Recovery
A full recovery is achieved when the injured shoulder has reached the post operative maxium range of motion without pain and has regained normal strength compared to the uninjured shoulder. This may take up to one year or more depending on the severity of your initial injury. It is important to note that it may not be possible to obtain complete range of motion in the injured shoulder.
Participation is a customized physical therapy program which measures improvements in motion.
Good or excellent results are achieved in 80 to 90 percent of patients undergoing surgical repair.
There is a chance that the cuff may re-tear after repair. Most people that experience a re-tear do not require repeat surgery.
Post Operative Recovery
Immediately after surgery, as anesthesia wears off, patients will usually feel tired, slightly disoriented and nauseated, though the after-effects of anesthesia can vary greatly from patient to patient.
Post-operative pain will be present and may require over-the-counter or prescription medication to control the pain.
Passive range of motion exercises are begun on the first post-operative day to regain shoulder flexibility.
Postoperative instructions:Activity
Follow general post operative guidelines.
Be wary of any signs of infection which are fever, redness at the incision site and severe pain.
No driving until instructed by your physician.
Do not engage in activities which increase pain or swelling that are not part of the physical therapy program.
Maintain your arm in a sling at all times until instructed otherwise by your physician.
Ice Therapy
Begin ice therapy immediately after surgery.
Use a cryocuff continuously or as tolerated for the first week after your operation or until your follow-up appointment with your doctor. If you have not been instructed to use a cryocuff, manual icing should be performed every two hours for twenty minutes until your swelling is controlled.
Rehabilitation Program The initial rehabilitation includes sling immobilization with short periods of passive motion. Passive motion moves the shoulder without muscle contraction. Following the initial post-operative period, active assisted and solo exercises should be started. Participation in activities that strengthen, tone and condition the shoulder is critical to a successful recovery and the prevention of future injuries to the shoulder. Strong shoulder muscles reduce the strain on and help stabilixe the other structures of the shoulder.
Medication and Medical Products
Hot/Cold Pack The use of hot and cold packs to relieve pain and inflammation is a common method of treatment for many conditions. When the soft tissue groups become strained or irritated the rotating application of hot and cold can be beneficial.
Cold therapy numbs the nerves to reduce pain and combats swelling by constricting blood vessels and by slowing blood flow to the site of injury. The application of heat to an injury after a few days of cold therapy and after swelling and redness has been reduced promotes the healing process.
Heat therapy speeds up healing by increasing the flow of blood to the site of injury. Heat will also restore flexibility, relieve muscle cramping, and arthritic symptoms.
Possible Complications and Risks
Risks during and after surgery include problems that may develop in relation to bleeding, infection, and/ or anesthesia.
Injury to blood vessels and nerves within the shoulder.
Full motion of the shoulder may not return.
Continuing pain may be present within the shoulder.
