Post Operative Instructions:

Dressings – Wound Care:

  • You may remove your dressing in 48 hours.
  • Leave the skin tapes (steri-straps) in place
  • You may re-dress with a light dressing or band-aid daily after dressing change for one (1) week.
  • You may shower in 48 hours.
  • Call our office if you experience sighs of increasing skin redness or drainage. You should expect some drainage from arthroscopy fluid for the first few days.

Routine Activity:

  • Wiggle your fingers
  • Bend and straighten your elbow, do not immobilize your elbow

Rotator Cuff Repair:

  • You may no use your operated are to life or reach away from your body.
  • A family member or physical therapist can help you passively move your operated shoulder.
  • Do not elevate greater than 60°, i.e. keep arm at or below waist level for the first six (6) weeks.
  • No resistance exercise until 10 weeks post-op.

Instability – SLAP – Labral Repairs:

  • Immobilizer (4-6 weeks)
    • Perform pendulum excercises and shoulder shrugs during this time
  • Week 3 to Week 6
    • Begin progressive range of motion
  • Week 6 to Week 16
    • Continue progressive range of motion
    • Begin overhead flexion
  • Month 4
    • Continue above exercises
    • Begin cuff and scapular rehabilitation
  • Month 6
    • Continue above exercises
    • Begin throws from the mound
  • Month 7
    • Return to full activity

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