Physical Therapy for Rotator Cuff Recovery
Physical therapy is an important part of the recovery process after rotator cuff repair. A rotator cuff repair is a surgical procedure to repair a torn rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint and help to keep the humerus (upper arm bone) in the glenoid fossa (socket of the shoulder).
Rotator cuff tears can occur due to a number of factors, including overuse, trauma, and age. Symptoms of a rotator cuff tear can include pain, weakness, and decreased range of motion in the shoulder. At FLEX Physical Therapy UWS, we are ready to help.
If you have a rotator cuff tear, your doctor may recommend physical therapy as part of your treatment plan. Physical therapy can help to:
- Improve range of motion: After surgery, your shoulder will likely be stiff and have limited range of motion. Physical therapy can help to gradually increase your range of motion, which will help you to regain your full range of motion and function.
- Increase strength: The rotator cuff muscles are responsible for stabilizing the shoulder joint. After surgery, these muscles will be weak. Physical therapy can help to gradually increase the strength of these muscles, which will help you to regain your strength and function.
- Reduce pain: After surgery, you may experience pain in your shoulder. Physical therapy can help to reduce pain by using techniques such as ice, heat, and massage.
- Prevent re-injury: After surgery, you are at risk of re-injuring your shoulder. Physical therapy can help to prevent re-injury by teaching you how to properly use your shoulder and avoid activities that put your shoulder at risk.
Physical therapy for rotator cuff repair typically begins a few weeks after surgery. The physical therapist will start with gentle exercises to improve your range of motion. As you progress, the physical therapist will add more challenging exercises to strengthen your shoulder muscles. The physical therapist will also teach you how to protect your shoulder from further injury.
The length of time you need physical therapy for rotator cuff repair will vary depending on the severity of your injury and your overall health. However, most people need physical therapy for several weeks or months.
Here are some of the specific exercises that a physical therapist may use to help you recover from rotator cuff repair:
- Active range-of-motion exercises: These exercises are performed by you, with the help of the physical therapist.
- Passive range-of-motion exercises: These exercises are performed by the physical therapist, who gently moves your ankle through its full range of motion.
- Proprioceptive exercises: These exercises are designed to improve your sense of balance and coordination.
- Strengthening exercises: These exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles in your lower leg, including your calf muscles.
The physical therapist will gradually increase the difficulty and intensity of these exercises as you recover. It is important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard. With patience and hard work, you can recover from rotator cuff repair and return to your normal activities.
Here are some of the tips that you can follow to get the most out of your physical therapy:
- Be consistent: It is important to attend all of your physical therapy appointments and to do your exercises at home as instructed.
- Listen to your body: If you are feeling pain, stop the exercise and consult with your physical therapist.
- Be patient: It takes time to recover from rotator cuff repair or tears. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
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