Rebuilding Strength: Your Road to Recovery After Shoulder Surgery!

RECOVERY

10/28/20242 min read

Shoulder Surgery Recovery: Timeline and Expectations

Shoulder surgery can be a crucial step in alleviating pain and restoring function for various conditions, such as rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, or arthritis. However, recovery can be a complex process that varies significantly from person to person. Understanding what to expect during the recovery journey, especially when combined with physiotherapy, can help ease anxiety and set realistic goals.

Immediate Post-Surgery Phase (0-2 Weeks)

What to Expect:

  • Pain Management: After surgery, it’s common to experience pain and swelling. Doctors typically prescribe pain medications and may recommend ice therapy.

  • Limited Mobility: You’ll likely have your arm in a sling to immobilize the shoulder. Limited movement is essential to allow healing.

  • Initial Follow-up: A follow-up appointment within a week or two will allow your surgeon to assess your recovery and remove any sutures if necessary.

Physiotherapy:

Depending on your surgeon's guidelines, Physiotherapy usually starts around two weeks following surgery, focusing on gentle range-of-motion exercises to prevent stiffness. The focus is around ensuring that you can move safely.

Early Recovery Phase (2-6 Weeks)

What to Expect:

  • Gradual Increase in Activity: Pain and swelling should gradually decrease. You may start to regain some mobility, but expect to perform activities with caution.

  • Resuming Daily Activities: Light, daily activities may become manageable, but heavy lifting or strenuous movement should still be avoided.

Physiotherapy:

Tailored Exercise Programs: Your physiotherapist will design a program that progresses from passive to active range-of-motion exercises. Strengthening exercises may be introduced as healing allows.

Mid Recovery Phase (6-12 Weeks)

What to Expect:
  • Improved Functionality: Most people notice significant improvements in shoulder mobility and a decrease in pain. You may be able to return to light physical activities, but high-impact or overhead movements should still be limited.

  • Increased Independence: Daily tasks like dressing and personal care may become easier, allowing for more independence.

Physiotherapy:

Strengthening Focus: Therapy sessions will increasingly incorporate strengthening exercises. The goal is to restore shoulder strength and stability, laying the groundwork for a return to full activity.

Late Recovery Phase (3-6 Months)

What to Expect:

  • Enhanced Strength and Range of Motion: By now, you should see considerable improvements. Many individuals can resume most daily activities, though some may still feel discomfort during certain movements.

  • Return to Sports or Work: Depending on the type of surgery and your profession or athletic involvement, a return to sports or heavy lifting may be possible around this time, but this should be determined with your surgeon and physiotherapist.

Physiotherapy:

Advanced Rehabilitation: Your physiotherapy sessions may now focus on advanced strengthening, proprioception (balance), and functional movements. The goal is to prepare your shoulder for the demands of your activities.

Long-Term Recovery (6-12 Months)

What to Expect:

  • Continued Improvement: Many patients continue to experience improvement up to a year post-surgery. It’s essential to remain committed to your rehabilitation exercises.

  • Potential Setbacks: You may experience occasional discomfort or setbacks, especially if you push yourself too hard too soon.

Physiotherapy:

Ongoing Maintenance: After achieving a good level of recovery, we will provide you with a maintenance program. This will include exercises to prevent future injuries and to maintain strength and flexibility.

Recovery from shoulder surgery is a gradual process that requires patience, commitment, and the right support. By understanding the general timeline and expectations for recovery, including the critical role of physiotherapy, you can better navigate this journey. At Restorativ Physiotherapy, we have years of experience helping people to rehabilitate following surgery. We are the Physiotherapy Practice of choice for a number of the Gold Coast's top surgeons.

woman in black tank top and black leggings lying on black floor
woman in black tank top and black leggings lying on black floor