Recovery
In the case of regional anesthesia (numbing the area between your neck and the end of your torso), you may not be able to move your shoulder and hand, your eyelid may droop, and you may feel numbness in your shoulder and hand for 12 to 20 hours after the surgery. This is normal. After this anesthesia has worn off and you feel some pain, you will be able to take medication for pain relief. In the first few days after surgery, keep your shoulder in the cuff or brace provided and apply ice to relieve swelling and prevent further inflammation. Ensure your incisions are kept clean and dry, and follow your surgeon’s instructions about bathing, changing the dressing, and follow-up visits.
You can expect to stop wearing a sling after 4 to 6 weeks. Repair of a rotator cuff tendon usually takes 4 to 6 months to heal well enough for a return to full activity. A formal physical therapy program, or a regimen of exercises to strengthen your shoulder, is necessary and make take several months to a year to ensure a complete recovery.