Surgery and plastic How long after rotator cuff surgery can you sleep in a bed?
Avoid sleeping flat on your back. Bolstering yourself up in your bed with several pillows or with a 45 degree wedge that you can purchase at a medical supply store will help you rest. Often, patients have to sleep with an incline for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
How should I sleep after shoulder surgery?
To maximize your comfort and protect your shoulder while it is immobilized, look over at your surgical arm when you are lying down and check to see if you can see your elbow. If not, have someone place a few pillows underneath the back of your arm, between your arm and the bed or recliner.
Can I sleep on my side after rotator cuff surgery?
Sleep on your back: It’s best to have pillows on either side of you to prevent you from rolling onto your healing shoulder. Also, popup your arm on a pillow to maximize blood flow and promote faster healing.
Do and don’ts after rotator cuff surgery?
Don’t…
- Don’t drive. Period. …
- Don’t do any lifting, pushing, or pulling.
- Don’t move your shoulder or reach with the arm that your surgery was performed on.
- Don’t remove the sutures.
- Don’t travel until cleared by your doctor.
- Don’t place any creams, ointments, Neosporin/Polysporin on the incision. THINK DRY!!!
What happens at 3 weeks after rotator cuff surgery?
3 weeks to 6 weeks- Post-acute recovery
Therapy should not be “painful”, but you will have some discomfort with getting the shoulder out of the sling and having it moved around more. You are still not allowed to actively lift your arm at this point.
What is the average recovery time for rotator cuff surgery?
Recovery can take 4 to 6 months, depending on the size of the tear and other factors. You may have to wear a sling for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Pain is usually managed with medicines. Physical therapy can help you regain the motion and strength of your shoulder.
Can I take my sling off to sleep?
It is important you wear your sling in bed for the recommended period, unless you are instructed otherwise. We recommend you sleep on your back or unaffected side. When lying on your back we suggest you use a pillow underneath your injured arm for support.
What is the fastest way to recover from shoulder surgery?
To ensure optimal results and the quickest possible recovery, follow these key tips.
- Wear your shoulder immobilizer or sling. …
- Participate in physical therapy. …
- Eliminate pain medication as quickly as possible. …
- Avoid certain shoulder positions and arm movements. …
- Don’t rush your recovery.
How long does it take for pain to go away after shoulder surgery?
This is normal and will go away in a few days. Depending on the medicine you had during the surgery, your entire arm may feel numb or like you cannot move it. This goes away in 12 to 24 hours. You will have sutures (stitches) and a bandage on your shoulder.
Why can’t you take ibuprofen after shoulder surgery?
DO NOT take any NSAIDS (anti-inflammatory medications) such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and/or Celebrex for 6 weeks after your surgery. These drugs slow bone growth and this may lead to poor healing. If you were taking aspirin before your surgery for cardiac reasons, it is OK to resume this.
What happens at 12 weeks after rotator cuff surgery?
The next phase of recovery, from 8-12 weeks after the surgery, is focused on getting the shoulder to move normally again, while still not doing any lifting that could pull apart the repair. Around 3 months after surgery, you will start strengthening exercises.
How long does it take to raise your arm after rotator cuff surgery?
You should not do any reaching, lifting, pushing, or pulling with your shoulder during the first six weeks after surgery. You should not reach behind your back with the operative arm.
Why is shoulder surgery so painful?
The other major reason patients have pain after rotator cuff surgery is due to stiffness of that shoulder. It is common after rotator cuff surgery to have some stiffness due to the fact that the operation caused the arm to be held without motion for some time.
Is rotator cuff surgery worth having?
Surgery may be a good idea if you tore your rotator cuff in a sudden injury and the tear is making your shoulder weak. But surgery can’t fully reverse problems that occur over time with wear and tear of the rotator cuff.