How to Get Rehabilitation After Rotator Cuff Surgery

The rotator cuff, located in the shoulder, consists of tendons and muscles. This determines the shoulder range of motion. The rotator cuff connects the humerus, a bone found in the upper arm, securely to the shoulder blade.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Evaluate options. Injury and surgery to the rotator cuff are very common. This type of injury can occur to an active or inactive person. The most frequent causes are repetitive movement, stress to muscle or tendon, trauma from a fall or brittleness of bones (osteoporosis). A special regiment of treatments involving surgery, therapy or both are usually prescribed methods of rehabilitation.

2. Use a sling. Generally, after rotator cuff surgery, the arm is placed in a sling to immobilize or limit movement. The sling is in place for four to six weeks. Depending on the healing process or degree of injury, the movement is introduced in progressive stages.

3. Get exercise therapy. The most common form of rehabilitation treatment after cuff surgery is medically supervised exercise. The exercise will increase movement, range and flexibility of the muscles and tendons. The effectiveness depends on the severity of the injury. Improvements may take weeks or months.

4. Use physical therapy. Physical therapy is performed by a licensed physical therapist. The role of a physical therapist is to examine and create a rehabilitation treatment plan that will promote movement, decrease pain, improve function, and lessen the possibility of a permanent disability.

5. Try water therapy rehabilitation. Sonic or whirlpool therapy is used in conjunction with other types of therapy. The warm water eject jet pulses. The water relaxes, reduces pain and allows a larger range of movement.

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