The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons which help to keep the shoulder blade in place and support it during movement. When the rotator cuff is torn, it can result in pain, tenderness, popping/clicking and weakness in the shoulder joint. These symptoms can often be resolved through conservative treatment methods. However, surgery is sometimes necessary to completely heal a rotator cuff tear. Before committing to this procedure, it’s important to know how to prepare for rotator cuff surgery. Good preparation will help set you up for a smooth, successful recovery.
How to Prepare for Rotator Cuff Surgery
Here are a few crucial steps every patient should take to get ready for surgical rotator cuff repair:
- – Practice doing everyday tasks without using your affected arm. After surgery, your operated arm will be immobilized in a sling, likely for around 4-6 weeks. During this time, you will not be able to use this arm. Because of this, it’s important to get used to doing daily activities, such as brushing your teeth and bathing, using only your uninjured arm.
- – Make post-surgery meals in advance. This is another essential tip for how to prepare for rotator cuff surgery. Without the ability to use your affected arm in the weeks after undergoing surgery, you will be very limited in what you can cook. Therefore, it’s wise to prepare your meals for the weeks after surgery ahead of time and store them in the fridge or freezer. This way, you can focus on relaxing and healing following surgery instead of worrying about shopping for and preparing food.
- – Place commonly used items in easily accessible locations. To make things easy on yourself, you’ll want to put items you use often in easy-to-reach places. These items might include things like clothing and dishes. Doing so will prevent you from having to reach or bend excessively after surgery. These actions can interfere with the healing process.
- – Set up an area for sleeping and resting. It is not uncommon for patients to find a reclining chair or sofa to be more comfortable than a bed after rotator cuff surgery. With this in mind, you’ll want to prepare a chair or couch in your home where you can sit, eat and sleep in comfort as you recover.
Following these guidelines on how to prepare for rotator cuff surgery is essential to encourage healing and minimize your recovery time so you can resume your normal routine as quickly as possible.
Dr. Soffer Can Help You Get Rid of Shoulder Pain & Discomfort
If a rotator cuff injury is interfering with your life, come to Dr. Stephen Soffer for the quality care you deserve. Dr. Soffer is a preeminent specialist in diagnosing and treating rotator cuff issues of all types. He will help you decide if surgical rotator cuff repair or another treatment option is most appropriate for you.
If you and Dr. Soffer come to a consensus that surgery is your best option, he will provide you with individualized instructions on how to prepare for rotator cuff surgery as well as go over what you can expect after the procedure.
To learn more about how Dr. Soffer can help you get relief from persistent shoulder pain and other unpleasant rotator cuff tear symptoms, call our office at 610-375-4949 and set up an appointment. We look forward to helping you get on the road to recovery.
