Before and After Surgery.

Open shoulder surgery often requires a short stay in the hospital, whereas arthroscopic repairs are typically performed on an outpatient basis, and do not require you to stay in the hospital overnight. Patients who have an arthroscopic repair are generally discharged a few hours after the procedure wearing a sling and asked to rest the shoulder for several days.

Most people are able to return to normal everyday activities within the first two weeks after a successful rotator cuff repair procedure, and can typically return to work within a day or two. Total recovery time varies by patient, but most see complete recovery with improved range of motion and shoulder strength within 3 to 6 months post-surgery.

Rehabilitation plays an important role in the rotator cuff recovery process. Your doctor will provide you with a physical therapy program to be done at home to help regain motion and strength of the injured shoulder. Proper exercise can also play a role in your recovery. However, sports activities can put excess pressure on the shoulder, so it is important to discuss with your doctor before returning to sports that may put strain on your repaired rotator cuff.

Although rotator cuff repair surgeries are covered by most health insurance plans, you should contact your insurance provider for the specifi c coverage for your plan.