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Dr. Shurland: Rotator Cuff Repair

Post-Operative Instructions

Download printable Rotator Cuff Repair Post-Op Instructions

Diet

Begin with liquids, then resume regular diet as you can tolerate.

Activity

You have had a rotator cuff repair which must be protected to allow healing. Wear your sling at all times except in the shower for the first 4 to 6 weeks. Sleeping with your upper body slightly propped up may be more comfortable for you. You may shower without the wound covered on the third day. Just let your arm dangle at your side in the shower. For your own safety please do not drink alcohol, operate hazardous equipment or make important decisions for 24 hours. Do not attempt to use the shoulder because it will stress the repair. Do not lift anything with that arm.

Wound Care

It is important to keep your wound dry for the first 3 days, keeping it covered with plastic wrap for showers. You may change your dressing if needed. Please apply band-aids to the incision if it is small. If it is larger, use small gauze dressings. Remove the dressings before you shower and put a clean one on the wound afterwards. If there are steri-strips on the incision do not remove them. In the shower, after three days, just let the water run on the shoulder and pat it dry afterwards. You should not scrub the shoulder. Please do not take a bath, go in a Jacuzzi or go swimming until this has been approved by your surgeon during your first follow up visit.

Pain Control

After shoulder surgery you may notice there is a significant amount of pain and swelling. This is normal and usually diminishes after the first few days. The pain will respond best to rest, ice, elevation and the pain medicine you were given. Apply ice or use the circulating ice cuff regularly (20 minutes every 2 hours for as many days as it helps you).

Use the medication as prescribed and DO NOT DRIVE, DRINK ALCOHOL OR PERFORM DUTIES THAT REQUIRE CONCENTRATION OR MANUAL DEXTERITY WHILE ON THE MEDICATION. Take the medication with food or milk. Additionally aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may be taken for swelling and/or pain if there is no history of allergy or ulcer disease. Some patients have found Benadryl to be an effective alternative for pain control and nausea. I recommend one to two Benadryl tablets (25 to 50 mg) every 4-6 hours as an adjunct to your prescription. These can be used in combination with either or both the pain medication and ibuprofen. if you do not have any allergies to or difficulties with these.

Driving

You will not be able to drive for the first few weeks after rotator cuff repair. Ask your doctor when you may begin driving. Do not drive under the influence of narcotic pain medicine.

Work/School

You may return to work/school as soon as you are comfortable to do so. You will not be allowed to do any lifting or over head activity for at least 3 months. You must wear your sling for the first 4 to 6 weeks. If you require a note, please ask your surgeon at the time of your visit.

Follow-up Appointment

You should have a follow-up appointment scheduled 10-14 days after your surgery. If you have not scheduled this appointment please call our office at 781-279-7040 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Physical Therapy

Begin doing the following exercises the day after surgery. Complete them at least 3 times a day. Start gradually and work your way up to 3 sets of10 for all the exercises each time you do them.

Hand – make a tight fist and then straighten your fingers out all the way.

Wrist – Bend your wrist forward and backwards as far as you can in each direction.

Elbow – Bend and straighten your elbow as far as it will go in each direction.

Shoulder – Pendulum Exercises- Bend over and use your good arm to support your body with the back of a chair or a table. Let your operated arm hang down and make circles with your hand. Move your torso to create the movement, not your shoulder.

Use your good arm to elevate the arm that was treated. Elevate it no higher than shoulder height.

Signs & Symptoms

If you have persistent fever greater than 102°, wound redness or drainage, numbness and/or tingling in the affected extremity, or calf pain, please contact our office to speak with your doctor or the covering physician during the off hours. The 24 hour office number to speak with your doctor is 781-279-7040.

What Our Patients Have to Say

I can not stop raving about how good this place is for healing and getting your mobility back after an injury. You will make a good decision to attend this place of business and you will be in good, qualified hands to regain your strength back. Everyone is extremely nice and professional. I would recommend it to anyone who is in need of physical therapy. They do a terrific job and leave you feeling as though you can overcome any obstacle.

Kristen B.

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If you’re an athlete this is the place to go. These people really know what they’re doing. I went here for a torn MCL a month ago. They x-rayed my knee as soon as I got there. Dr. Zahner is as professional as they come, very straight forward and helpful. Would’ve been a very long road to recovery had I not found this place.

Austin S.

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Agility Orthopedics are great! I followed Dr. Zahner to Agility from where he was before at North Suburban Orthopedics! Everyone at Agility is very professional and very nice and are willing to answer any questions you may have! This was not the case at the other place! I would recommend Agility to anyone!

Judy W.

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I was treated by Chase Conway for an issue with my elbow, and I can confidently say he was extremely professional throughout the entire process. He was direct and focused on exactly what I needed, always demonstrating precision and a clear understanding of what he was doing. He took great care of my elbow, which was a major concern for me, and his expertise made all the difference.

Kesia L.

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First visit. Dr. Sherman was kind, compassionate, an active listener to my concern/issue, and had excellent patient/provider relations. He discussed the treatment plan and walked me through the whole procedure. Above and beyond his knowledge, his exemplary bedside manner should be an example to others.

Rob Q.

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As always, I enjoyed my visit with Dr Kapassi. He took the time I needed, to listen to my issues, from the last visit I made last year. After asking several questions related to my health, he gave me a few options regarding treatment. I told him I'd like to consider those options. He agreed. At no time did he rush me or made me feel as if I wasting his precious time.

Janice H.

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Very pleased with the prompt scheduling and medical guidance from Dr. Zahner, I've been having left hip issues for some time now, 3 months ago I visited a different Dr and was not happy so I went to Dr Zahner for 2nd advice. He was very thorough and offered several helpful scenarios, (not a potential hip replacement) 5 Stars and 2 thumbs up from this 63 year old triathlete!

Bob B.

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I have been going to Agility Orthopedics for years now. As a Disabled Veteran, I refused to be seen at the VA. These are the people I trust to complete their due diligence when helping patients, taking our concerns to heart and ensuring patients safety/health are priority 1!! Highly Recommend!!

David B.

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Dr. Anderson was able to see the actual problem I had within minutes that other doctors I had seen were unable. He's super friendly and the physical treatments he had me doing has helped me enormously. I can't say enough nice things about the man.

Brian R.

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