Please note it can take 9 months following surgery until the pre-operative symptoms have settled!
Wound care as outlined on the Shoulder Arthroscopy Rehabilitation page
You have been provided with a sling.
You should wear this most of the time
You may remove the sling for washing and dressing
You may perform simple tasks (eating/ writing) out of the sling
You should not attempt any active lifting of the arm during this time
You will be seen in the clinic for a wound check at 2-3 weeks
The passive range of motion (PROM) of the shoulder will be assessed
You will be referred to start physiotherapy at 6 weeks postoperatively and should wear the sling as instructed until then.
The aim during this phase is to regain the passive range of motion of the shoulder with exercises to stretch it.
You may actively lift the arm during this phase but should not lift more than 2 Kg
You will be seen in the clinic at 8 weeks
At 12-16 weeks you will be instructed to start exercises to strengthen the shoulder (this may be under the supervision of a physiotherapist)
These exercises are specifically designed to strengthen the anterior deltoid muscle as the supraspinatus (main rotator cuff muscle) has been replaced by the graft.