What is a rotator cuff repair?

This procedure involves the repair of the rotator cuff tendons that help to keep the ball of the shoulder joint in its socket. These tendons are prone to damage occasionally through an injury, but more commonly as part of the ageing process.

This procedure can usually be done via a type of keyhole surgery using small cuts which means you will get better quicker. This is called arthroscopy. Or occasionally the surgeon will need to make an incision on the outside of the shoulder in the deltoid muscle.

Skip straight to exercises after surgery.

Skip straight to frequently asked questions.

 

What happens after surgery?

Your arm will feel numb when you wake due to a nerve block being used in addition to the general anaesthetic. This will wear off in around 24 hours.

Your arm will be supported in a sling.

You may return from theatre with an extensive padded dressing on your shoulder, below this there will be a small dressing protecting the wound. You MUST remove the large dressing within 2 days of the operation to avoid skin irritation but leave the small dressing below this undisturbed.

You will return to the outpatient clinic for review within 2 weeks of the surgery, during which your stitches will be removed.

If for any reason your outpatient appointment is delayed, then you must arrange to have your stitches taken out in your local GP surgery.

 

Ward physiotherapy

Your ward physiotherapist will demonstrate the appropriate exercises to be completed from after the nerve block has worn off until your initial outpatient physiotherapy appointment. These exercises are to be completed 2-3 times a day.

It is important to wear your sling day and night until instructed otherwise. This period of time will vary according to the advice of the surgeon and is dependent on the quality of the repaired tendons (anything from 2 – 6 weeks).

You can remove your arm from the sling in order to wash and do the exercises.

 

Shoulder precautions

• If your arm is in a sling with a cushion, you must not take your arm in towards your stomach.
• You must not try and take your hand behind your back initially as this may damage the repair.
• You must not rotate your arm outwards excessively, or lift your arm sideways away from your body initially as this may also damage the repair.
• You must not try and lift your arm away from your body without support as this tensions the repair.

If you have any problems on discharge, please contact the ward physiotherapist. Telephone Neath Port Talbot Hospital on 01639 862652.

Exercises after your surgery

The physiotherapist will encourage you to complete the following exercises after your surgery. 

These exercises should be done from day one until full recovery. 

Do exercises 3-4 times a day.

 

• Stand or sit. Lift your operated arm up and away from your chest using your other arm as far as comfort allows - not past shoulder height. Repeat 10 times. DO NOT RAISE PAST SHOULDER HEIGHT AND KEEP YOUR OPERATED ARM TOTALLY RELAXED. Image shows a physiotherapist demonstrating the exercise. Both arms are at chest height with the forearms across the body pointing towards each other. The left hand is supporting the elbow of the right arm. The right hand is resting on the left arm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Stand or sit. This exercise can be done when your arm is in a sling. Move your shoulder blades gently back and down (small movement). Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Image shows a physiotherapist demonstrating the exercise. They are stood up straight with their shoulders gently moved back and down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Stand. Bend your elbow and then straighten your elbow. Repeat 10 times. Image shows a physiotherapist demonstrating the exercise. They are stood up, with their right arm bent at the elbow and their forearm pointing upwards with the palm of their hand facing towards their shoulder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Move your wrist back and forth. (Can be done in and out of the sling.) Repeat 10 times. Image shows a physiotherapist demonstrating the exercise. They are stood up. Their right hand is turned outwards from the wrist.