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Our shoulders perform a lot of basic yet essential physical functions. A vital part of the shoulders is the rotator cuff, which is a group of tendons and muscles right by the shoulder joints.
If you have just undergone rotator cuff repair surgery, one of the first things you may be curious about is how long after rotator cuff surgery you can drive and resume your other normal activities.
The rule of thumb is you should not operate a vehicle for about six to 12 weeks after the surgery. However, since every patient's case is different, there are no standard guidelines to determine when driving after shoulder surgery is advised.
There are essential considerations you can follow when it comes to rotator cuff surgery recovery so you can resume driving and other daily activities.
The answer will depend on several varied factors. Furthermore, you may get varying recommendations from different surgeons because every patient’s situation is unique.
The rotator cuff keeps the top of the upper arm bone securely contained in the shallow hole of the shoulder. These collections of tendons and muscles work to make way for a massive assortment of physical motions.
As a result, the shoulders, including the rotator cuff, bear the burden of many of our daily activities. It’s more at risk of exertion, injuries, and tears.
A damaged rotator cuff will significantly weaken your shoulders. It’s one of the most common causes of chronic shoulder pain and muscle weakness.
Many physical activities, including driving, reaching for things, getting dressed, or combing your hair, will prove to be painful and difficult if you have a rotator cuff tear.
Torn rotator cuffs are standard among many adults across the country. In fact, up to two million Americans consult their doctors due to a rotator cuff issue. The condition is common and can worsen with age.
Furthermore, people with jobs that require consistent overhead motions (carpenters, roofers, painters, etc.), active individuals, and athletes are more at risk of suffering rotator cuff tears.
If they need surgery, one of the primary concerns is when to resume physical activities such as driving after shoulder replacement surgery or rotator cuff repair.
If you have minor rotator cuff injuries, your doctor may suggest non-surgical treatment options.
These include stretching and strengthening exercises, physical therapy, over-the-counter pain medication, steroid injections, and getting plenty of rest.
However, if these treatment options don’t relieve your shoulder pain, your doctor may consider rotator cuff surgery.
Following a rotator cuff repair, the initial healing of the bone may take about six weeks.
After those six weeks or so, a solid and sturdy attachment to the bone will need to occur; this will take about three months.
For the tendons and bone to completely heal, you may need to wait about five to nine months.
Most rotator cuff surgery patients have reported that it took about nine to ten months before their shoulders felt completely healed and normal.
Either way, it’s crucial to maintain honest communication with your orthopedic surgeon following the rotator cuff repair. It’s normal to experience continued pain and soreness following the rotator cuff repair for several months.
Generally, the procedure may take up to three hours. However, this doesn’t include the pre-operative prep time and post-operative recovery time and healing process. Patients are advised to stay in the recovery room for about an hour or two after the surgery.
How long after shoulder surgery can I drive? Can I drive after rotator cuff surgery? How soon can I drive after rotator cuff surgery?
There are more variations to the frequently asked questions above rotator cuff repair. The answer to these queries will fundamentally depend on the type of orthopedic treatment and procedure you undergo. While there is no standard regulation that excludes you from operating a vehicle immediately after orthopedic surgery, it’s your utmost responsibility to prioritize your and others’ safety while on the road.
Recovery from arthroscopic rotator cuff repair may take anywhere between one and six months. Your doctor may require you to wear a shoulder sling for the first week or longer after the procedure.
Returning to work, playing sports, driving, and other activities after an arthroscopic shoulder injury will depend on how much repair you had done during the surgery.
Every patient is different. Thus, the duration of rehabilitation will vary. Whether the recovery period is a week or several months, you need to consult your doctor before doing anything that requires physical exertion.
On the other hand, the subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair recovery time may take up to two months. Your doctor may recommend not a shoulder sling after a few days to avoid post-operative stiffness.
Driving, in particular, should wait until you can confidently and comfortably get behind the wheel and operate the vehicle. Make sure your pain levels are at a minimum or none at all. In general, driving may have to wait until the right side has fully healed. This is because the right arm has increased activities (shifting gears, etc.) than the left.
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is performed to correct the following shoulder problems:
Every patient’s case is different. The rotator cuff repair recovery period for one person may differ from another. The degree of pain and symptoms will depend on several various factors, such as the patient's age, lifestyle, activity level, and the severity of the shoulder damage.
In general, you can safely return to your daily activities following a rotator cuff repair as long as you don’t feel pain anymore. Listen to your body and the symptoms, and let it guide you on what activity level you can do. As always, it’s best to consult your doctor to ensure that you are on the right track.