Rotator cuff surgery

How long does it take to fully recover?

Depends on what you mean by 'fully' and how much effort you put in, nature of the injury, method of repair, how you expect to use your arm and such. I'm assuming you mean maximum medical improvement including range of motion and the therapy to get it. I'd allow at least 3 to 6 months including physical therapy, though. Varies based upon the noted factors and more. That doesn't mean it will take that long to use it again, though. You will start to gradually work into that after about 2 weeks, though slowly.

Well I know I can't drive for at least six weeks.

http://www.brighamandwomens.org/pati...0therapist.pdf

Try this link.

Well I know I can't drive for at least six weeks. Originally Posted by Lubeman

Same here 3 times, went from Labor Day till week after Thanksgiving not working. Last time from Feb 14th till end of June but they had to put in a patch,

Sorry Bart, but you're a bit light on your answer. He asked: "fully recover"

Recover to do what? You'll have at least a few months of serious rehab. Followed by a few more months of more rehab for muscle tone, etc, for getting used to new “motions”, as they almost always have to rearrange how things are bolted together. So, no sports stuff for several months, and heartbreakingly, no picking up gals (physically that is) for maybe a year. For driving, yeah that's the deal. People simply do not realize how much lateral effort comes off the shoulder assembly to turn a steering wheel, let alone even more effort if there's a "situation". Follow the surgeon’s instructions, specifically his physical therapy instructions. There's vids of the op all over the net, find one that matches the type of damage your doc mentioned. There are several variations depending on what exactly is torn. And, of the variations, note that some are "only one chance to fix it" type deals, so it's on you to follow "mom's" instructions. And, you'll have a built in weather barometer for the rest of your life. Last, you’ll want to sleep with your good shoulder down, so figure out which side of the bed you prefer, in advance, if sharing it.
And I note that OT apparently tore something afterwords. So take that as a warning to listen carefully to the Doc/PT/Mom/etc.

I have a physical job. I pick up 50 lbs to my chest and push 400#s so it's probably going to be a while before I fully recover.

depends on how much you continue to masterbate

Everyone is different Lubeman. I have had 2 of those myself and I have a somewhat physical job myself. The most important thing to remember is you will probably have physical therapy 2-3 times a week. DO WHAT THEY TELL YOU AND THAT MEANS YOUR HOME PROGRAM AS WELL!! So many patients just go to their appointments and then go home and sit on their butt til the next appointment. Good luck buddy.

When I was in physical therapy for my ACL, the only guys I saw cry were shoulder guys.

When I was in physical therapy for my ACL, the only guys I saw cry were shoulder guys. Originally Posted by Enchanterlingum

Shoulder surgery sucks, no doubt about it. I see alot of these guys go to their PT appointments 1 or 2 days a week and go home and do nothing with their home program and their recovery takes so much longer than it needs to and is painful longer than it needs to be. Getting that ROM (range of motion back asap is the most important part, as the strengthing will come later. Believe me, I have been thru it twice and it's not fun, BUT DO YOUR HOME PROGRAM that your therapist gives you and your recovery time will be alot shorter and less painful in the end. Just my 2 cents worth

It's been a week now and it's getting old. How long was it before you could drive? Thank you gladiator .

Johnson County Ortho, did mine, I had a complete open of my shoulder. The Dr. removed an inch of my clavicle, then reattached three complete tears in my shoulder, along with a pig patch. Three weeks later staff infection set in, and almost lost my arm. All because he gave me the wrong antibiotic during recovery at Olathe medical hospital. He ended up going back in cleaning out everything he fixed, and damaged tissue. I can't lift crap, but my arm over my head.
Sleeping was the biggest problem, I just ended up letting my arm hang off the side of the bed. This helped relax and re-stretch the muscle.
It's a good 6 months of hard work.
Take your time do a little every day, don't rush, build the tissue.
When I drove I kept my arm in the sling, so I wouldn't use my arm.
I did this until I could lift my arm over my head,
I worked the hell out of the rubber band exercise.
I don't like pain pills.

It's been a week now and it's getting old. How long was it before you could drive? Thank you gladiator . Originally Posted by Lubeman

Til you are off the heavy pain meds at least. I HATE the loopy feeling of the meds worse than the pain so I was off my meds within a few days..took alot of tylenol tho. My brother went thru it recently and was like me except he did take perscribed meds at night to help him sleep better. If your head is clear (off pain meds) and you feel up to it DRIVE! Just remember you will feel each and every crack and pot hole in the road like never before. If you have a manual transmission you might have to wait awhile. The worst part is that damn sling you have to wear. The day they told me I could take it off I went home and burned it in the firepit!! Good luck to you Lubeman. PS I did still hobby while I recovered tho, can't let that get in the way of the good stuff!!

I'm going to try and hobby at the end of the week. I don't know how yet but I'm going to.