| Have you just started physical therapy for your rotator | | | | one thing upper most in your mind: "Physical Therapy is |
| cuff surgery? If so, it will be good to know that you | | | | not supposed to hurt." It may be uncomfortable, but it |
| are not alone in your situation. All over the nation there | | | | shouldn't be painful, regardless of how much of a man |
| are thousands of people who are starting their physical | | | | you are!! |
| rehabilitation programs today. | | | | Your physical therapist will begin with passive motion |
| Rotator cuff surgery is a pretty common operation | | | | to your arm. This means that you allow them to move |
| these days and it's pretty easy to rehab from. But still, | | | | it and not help them. This will be difficult to do as most |
| that doesn't mean that it's not painful. And it certainly | | | | people don't like other people moving their body parts |
| doesn't mean that it's going to be a quick process | | | | around. But it is necessary to allow your shoulder to |
| either. Most people who have rotator cuff surgery are | | | | relax. This will lessen the discomfort. |
| looking at least 3 months of rehabilitation. | | | | After a couple of weeks of passive motion, your |
| After surgery, your doctor will probably keep you | | | | therapist will start having you move your own shoulder |
| 'immobilized' for several weeks. What this means is | | | | with the help of your other hand. This is called active |
| that you are probably wearing what looks like an arm | | | | assisted range of motion. Remember, this is not about |
| rest off of an easy chair or sofa. These can be pretty | | | | 'getting strong' it's about 'learning how to move' with as |
| annoying at times but they are essential. Your | | | | little pain and discomfort as possible. |
| physician placed you in it right after you were sewed | | | | After a few more weeks of this, you will be free to |
| up to give your muscles and tendons time to heal. | | | | start actively moving your arm and shoulder on its |
| Don't worry; you won't be in it for the whole rehab | | | | own. No! You won't be lifting weights or throwing a |
| time, just the first few weeks. It's really important that | | | | Frisbee yet, but you will be moving it on its own. Once |
| you don't try to lift your arm as this may rupture the | | | | you get to this point is when the real rehabilitation |
| sutures used to repair your muscles. The rotator cuff | | | | starts with you trying to get as much range as |
| muscles are the primary muscles used to lift your arm | | | | possible and gradually strengthen your upper body |
| away from your body. Any tension on these recently | | | | muscles. |
| repaired tissues may ruin the surgery. If that happens, | | | | But, try to remember, rehabbing from a surgery is a |
| you'll probably be going back under the knife and it | | | | marathon and not a sprint. Take it slow and measure |
| starts all over again. | | | | your pace. You'll be fine. |
| Once you start your physical therapy you should keep | | | | |