Your rotator cuff is composed of four muscles that help you move the arm in a variety of directions. Rotator cuff surgery can repair damaged tendons and muscles in the shoulder, or removes bone fragments or other diseased areas following surgery. Following surgery, your physician likely will recommend physical therapy to improve range of motion and regain strength post-surgery. While the recommended treatments may vary based on the severity of your injuries and surgical approach, physical therapy can reduce pain and the risk for re-injury.
Limitations
Following surgery, your physical therapist and physician will evaluate your shoulder and set forth any limitations for exercises and movements to avoid. For example, surgically repaired rotator cuff tendons and muscles may require an immobilization period of four to six weeks before activity is resumed. You may wear a brace or swing at this time to restrict movement, which allows your muscles and tendons to heal. Also, you may need to restrict driving and lifting objects heavier than 1 to 2 lbs. to avoid straining the shoulder. Although your arm may be immobilized, your physical therapist may advise using a squeeze ball throughout the day to encourage circulation.
Range-of-motion Exercises
When your rotator cuff has healed enough to begin range-of-motion exercises, your physical therapist may begin assisting you through gentle stretches to relieve muscle tension. Your physical therapist will help you lift the affected arm away from your body and slightly forward, working the muscles in the front of your shoulder. Your physical therapist is adept at recognizing your muscular limits following surgery -- do not attempt to perform these stretches until your therapist gives you the go-ahead.
Targeted Therapies
Anywhere from 10 weeks to six months following surgery, your therapist may clear you for exercises on your own. At this time you will discuss difficulties you are having using your shoulder in everyday life so your therapist can offer solutions. For example, if you feel a twinge of pain when driving, your therapist may recommend stretching exercises for the front and side of the shoulder. You also may use assisting devices like a resistance band or light hand weights to begin strengthening exercises, such as arm abductions, where you lift you arm to your side, reaching toward shoulder height.
Increasing Strength
As your pain and muscle weakness begins to diminish following surgery, your physical therapist may recommend additional exercises to increase strength, using light- to medium-weight dumbbells. Examples include holding weights and shrugging the shoulders up and down. Punches while holding a resistance band can strengthen the rotator cuff. Another exercise involves looping a resistance band around the balls of your feet and holding the ends of the band in each hand. Pull the elbows toward the wall behind you to work the back of your shoulder muscles. Continuing these exercises can help you return to full functioning following rotator cuff surgery.
