Surgery is sometimes required to treat rotator cuff tears,
especially more serious tears. It can take a while for the rotator cuff to
fully heal after surgery, but the majority of patients can return to work at a
desk job within a relatively short period of time.
The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and tendons in the
shoulder. It is responsible for moving the shoulder overhead and for
stabilizing the shoulder.
Rotator cuff tears are most common among athletes who
frequently put weight on the shoulder or move the arm overhead. Examples
include weight lifting, swimming, and tennis. Tears may occur suddenly, as a
result of acute trauma, or develop slowly over time due to overuse.
Overtraining is a significant risk factor in the development of rotator cuff
tears.
Moderate to severe rotator cuff tears often require surgery,
especially in athletes. On the other hand, mild tears may be treated
non-surgically, especially in older, more sedentary individuals.
Rotator cuff surgery is generally performed
arthroscopically. This means that the doctor does not create large incisions to
open up the shoulder. Instead, several small incisions approximately the size
of a pen are made around the shoulder. Through these incisions, the doctor
inserts tools and a camera and is able to repair the tear.
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is performed in an outpatient
setting, so patients can return home the same day as the surgery. Local
anesthesia and sedation are used, but there is no need for the use of general
anesthesia.
Recovering
from Rotator Cuff Surgery
Activity is fairly restricted for the first few days after
surgery. It will be important to walk around for a few minutes each day, but
most patients do not feel up to much more than that, and it is important that
patients do not push themselves. Each successive day after surgery, activity is
easier and discomfort is more easily managed.
Within a week, most patients are ready to return to work at
a desk job. However, people with jobs that involve lifting or other shoulder
movements will need to wait longer to return to work, or else return in a
limited capacity. It can take about 6-8 weeks for these patients to return to
work.
Making a complete recovery from shoulder surgery is a
lengthy process. Although most normal activities can be resumed within a couple
of months, it can be much longer until the shoulder is able to perform at its
previous level.
Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about
treatment for your rotator cuff tear. To schedule a consultation today, please
click below and enter your information or call OC Orthopedic at 714.979.8981.
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