| Having a torn rotator cuff is extremely painful. It will | | | | surgeon will discuss the entire process with and explain |
| interfere with daily routines often times to the point of | | | | the procedures that will be used. If you have any |
| preventing you from being able to do normal everyday | | | | questions or concerns do not hesitate to ask, the |
| chores. There are treatments available for damage, | | | | surgeon will answer all of your questions. |
| however, if all other treatments have failed to work or | | | | The surgery requires you to be put under a general |
| if your physician has recommended surgery to repair | | | | anesthesia, which means you will be asleep. In addition |
| the tear there are 5 things you must know about | | | | to this after being sleep you will most likely be given |
| rotator cuff surgery. | | | | additional medication to block the pain of surgery. The |
| First, is recognizing certain symptoms alerting you | | | | surgery will last approximately two hours. Following |
| surgery is necessary. If you have pain that it constant | | | | surgery will go to a recovery room for a few hours. |
| especially when raising your arm over your head, | | | | When you are alert the surgeon will come in explain |
| problems sleeping on the side that is hurting, when lifting | | | | what was done, the extent of damage and what to |
| your arm you notice weakness in your muscles, and | | | | expect over the next few days. You will then be |
| when you move your arm you hear sounds from the | | | | released from the hospital and sent home. There is not |
| shoulder area such as a grinding sound. | | | | an overnight stay required in most cases. |
| Second, surgery is usually recommended if the injury is | | | | There are some risks during the surgery, however, |
| severe and additional damage will occur if the surgery | | | | they are minimal and apply to all surgeries. Including a |
| is not completed, the pain has become severe enough | | | | reaction to the anesthesia, infection and/or permanent |
| to prevent you from doing daily activities, all non | | | | damage to the nerves. These are all minor risks that |
| surgery treatments have failed and if the damage | | | | are explained to you prior to the surgery. |
| was done due to an unforeseen accident such as a | | | | The fifth and final thing of the 5 things you must know |
| dislocated shoulder. | | | | about rotator cuff surgery is the most important. |
| Third is to prepare yourself for the surgery. You will be | | | | Taking care of yourself following the surgery. There |
| required to take time off work until the surgeon thinks | | | | will be physical therapy required in order for you to |
| you are ready to return, in most cases it is several | | | | regain control of your shoulder. This is extremely |
| weeks depending on the type of work you do. There | | | | important for you to follow up with. The therapy could |
| will be tests done prior to the surgery to determine if | | | | be painful the first time you go, however, do not stop |
| you are healthy enough for the surgery and to | | | | going as this is what will get your shoulder back to |
| determine the extent of the surgery involved. You | | | | doing what it is meant to do. |
| usually will not have to check into the hospital until the | | | | When you are released from the hospital, you will be |
| morning of the scheduled surgery. They night before | | | | given pain medications for when you get home. If |
| you will need to get rest and not eat or drink anything | | | | possible someone should stay with for the remainder |
| after a certain time. | | | | of the day and night as you will be sore and unable to |
| Fourth is the day of surgery. You will be required to | | | | do a lot on your own. Someone will also have to drive |
| check in the hospital several hours prior to the | | | | you home from the hospital. Do not try to overdo |
| scheduled time of surgery in order to be prepped for | | | | yourself as you could do more damage. Most |
| the surgery. You will talk with an anesthesiologist who | | | | importantly go to all of your scheduled therapies and |
| will explain the sedation process to you, such as what | | | | follow up surgeon visits. |
| you will be given and what to expect afterward. The | | | | |