Recovery Week 1-3 After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery

You’ve just had rotator cuff repair surgery; what are the do’s and don’ts in the first few weeks following the procedure?

To begin, first check with your surgeon to ensure you are clear to do these exercises.
It is important to wear your sling as directed by your surgeon. Most rotator cuff repair surgeries will require you to wear your sling anywhere from 4- 8 weeks from your surgery, depending on how extensive the rotator cuff repair surgery was. This means wearing it at all times, including sleeping. The only exceptions are bathing (showering), when you’re doing post-op exercises, or getting dressed.
Dr. Amy and Ashley advise against doing any active shoulder range motions on your own, especially what’s called “internal rotation”. Be sure to avoid internal rotation, which is the action of putting your hand behind your back (to scratch your back, stretch, etc.). Avoid internal rotation for at least 4-8 weeks.
Weeks 1-3 following surgery are focused on passive movements. In order to keep your repair safe after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery, the exercises are all passive in nature. Here are the exercises you should do as demonstrated in the video.
1:34 Exercise 1: The pendulum
2:37 Exercise 2: Passive external rotation with a golf club
3:56 Exercise 3: Ball squeeze
5:05 Exercise 4: Passive abduction with a golf club
5:52 Exercise 5: Shoulder shrug

Recovery Week 1-3 after Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery