“How long will it take for me to recover from a shoulder surgery?”
I am supposed to have shoulder surgery very soon. But how long is the recovery normally after it? I need to tell my job so I'm able to recover at home.
4 Answers
The length of recovery depends on what all was done in surgery. Typically shoulder surgery can take anywhere from six weeks to six months for full recovery. Most of the time you should be nonweightbearing of the operative arm for the first 4 to 6 weeks. If you have a desk job you could go back to work within the first week as long as you are off pain medication and not lifting with that arm. You would also have to find a ride to work if your arm is in a sling. If you have to go back to work when you can lift it may be at least six weeks to three months. Depending on how heavy you will have to lift.
This is very dependent on the type of surgery. In general, a sling is worn constantly for 2-4 weeks followed by progressive therapy.
Good luck with your surgery.
Dr. Louden
Good luck with your surgery.
Dr. Louden
This depends on what you are having done. A couple of examples: a small rotator cuff tear will take at least 4 months until you're released; a large one will take longer. Labral (cartilage) repairs are also four months. If you're a throwing athlete, it will be 6 months until you should throw again. Shoulders can take a full year until you feel great again.
It depends on the type of surgery you are having and what your job is. If it is an office job with no physical demands many patients can return in 2 weeks. If it is a very physical job that requires alot of lifting it may take 4 months to return for surgeries without a rotator cuff tear and 6 months with a rotator cuff tear.
