Work Return following Rotator Cuff Surgery The timing of your return to work from a rotator cuff surgery recovery can differ dramatically depending on the nature of your job and how your healing process is going. Here’s a detailed analysis:
Recovery Timeline Overview
Desk Jobs (Sedentary Work): The majority of patients can anticipate returning to desk jobs in 2-3 weeks after the surgery. This is from tasks such as writing, typing and in meetings where you do not typically move your shoulders extensively12.
Jobs Requiring Manual Labor: If lifting, pushing, or pulling is part of the job requirements a longer time frame for recovery will be needed. Physical requirements Not suitable for physically demanding roles Recovery Usually 3 to 4 months before returning to work12
Post-Surgery Care
For the initial 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, you must also wear a sling to immobilize your shoulder and thus help it heal. You can take it off for things like showers but you must keep your arm at your side13.
Rehabilitation: Physical therapy to rehabilitate begins within the first month after surgery and typically lasts 4–6 months. This step is necessary to restore strength and range of movement53.
Factors Influencing Recovery
Size of Tear: The size of the rotator cuff tear will dictate how long something like this will take to heal.rotator cuff surgery recovery (ad) Lesser size tears can lead to faster healing while on the other hand larger injuries might take up to 6–12 months24.
Rehabilitation Protocols: You must do your physical therapy — as prescribed by our medical team, obviously! This can lead to faster return of full function in the patients who participate in their physical therapy24
There are of course some people with desk jobs who might be able to return sooner, but if you have a job where heavy lifting is close to certain, I think it is fairer to say 4 months before returning to work. If one follows a strict post-op care along with some rehab regime they could return to work very fast.
