New office location: 11713 Shadow Creek Pkwy, Pearland, TX 77584
Rotator Cuff Repair
Rotator cuff repair requires patience — the tendon-to-bone healing process takes 3–4 months, and full recovery may take 6–9 months. Protecting the repair in the first 6 weeks is critical.
Sling
- Wear your sling when out of the house for 6 weeks.
- While at home, the sling may be removed as tolerated for comfort and light activities, unless otherwise instructed.
- You may sleep in the sling if you are an active sleeper or tend to toss and turn. Otherwise, sleeping out of the sling is acceptable if the arm can remain protected and supported.
- No active lifting of the arm away from the body (no shoulder abduction, elevation, or reaching overhead for the first 6 weeks.
- Avoid sudden or forceful shoulder movements.
What to Expect
- Pain and swelling in the shoulder and upper arm are expected. The arm may feel worse before it feels better.
- Bruising down the arm, into the upper chest, toward the elbow, and hand is normal and concerning-looking but normal part of recovery.
- Some numbness or tingling in the hand can occur from positioning and resolves over days.
Ice & Elevation
- Ice the shoulder 20 minutes on/20 off for the first 72 hours, then as needed for comfort.
- When sleeping, a small pillow under the elbow and behind the shoulder blade within the sling improves comfort.
Physical Therapy
- Elbow, wrist, and hand range-of-motion exercises begin immediately.
- PT begins at approximately 6 weeks for passive range of motion.
Call Us If You Experience:
- Fever above 101.5°F
- Increasing wound drainage, redness, or wound separation
- Worsening numbness or tingling in the hand (not improving after the first week)
- Sudden complete loss of ability to move the arm that was previously moving, calf swelling/pain, or tenderness, altered mental status, sudden shortness of breath or chest pain (call 911 immediately)
Shoulder Labral Repair
Full recovery and return to sport typically takes 4-6 months. Sling compliance in the early weeks is essential for graft healing.
Sling
- Remain in the sling while out of the house for the first 3-4 weeks.
- While at home, the sling may be removed as tolerated for comfort and light activities, unless otherwise instructed.
- You may sleep in the sling if you are an active sleeper or tend to toss and turn. Otherwise, sleeping out of the sling is acceptable if the arm can remain protected and supported.
- No active lifting of the arm away from the body (no shoulder abduction, elevation, or reaching overhead for the 3-4 weeks.
- Avoid sudden or forceful shoulder movements.
What to Expect
- Pain and stiffness in the shoulder are expected for several weeks.
- Bruising in the arm and chest wall area is normal.
- The shoulder may feel stiff and restricted — this is expected and resolves with therapy.
- Contact sports are patient dependent and generally permitted around the 4-6 month mark post operatively.
Activity
- No lifting, pushing, or pulling with the operative arm until cleared.
- Typing and computer use at a desk with the arm supported is generally acceptable following the operation.
Physical Therapy
- PT begins at 6 weeks post op focused on passive range of motion.
- Return to contact sports/overhead activities is patient dependent but typically at 4-6 months.
Call Us If You Experience:
- Fever above 101.5°F
- Increasing wound drainage, redness, or wound separation
- Worsening numbness or tingling in the hand (not improving after the first week)
- Sudden complete loss of ability to move the arm that was previously moving, calf swelling/pain, or tenderness, altered mental status, sudden shortness of breath or chest pain (call 911 immediately)