Peter Hallam MS FRCS (Orth), Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Rotor Cuff Repair
This is performed by keyhole or open surgery depending on the size of the tear. The torn tendon is re-attached to the bone utilising small bone anchors.
Patient Information Sheet for Rotor Cuff Repair
After surgery, you will awaken with your arm in a removable sling, which you need to wear (and sleep in) for 5 to 6 weeks.  For sleeping, a pillow to support the shoulder in a good posture is advisable.

Your physiotherapist will show you how to release your arm from the sling and do gentle, specific exercises with the arm.  When you go home, you should do these exercises 3 or 4 times a day.

You will be prescribed painkillers to take home which, in the majority of cases, are usually sufficient.

Wound dressings can be removed after 10 days.  Any stitches are dissolvable and will fall out after 3 weeks.

Mr Hallam will review you after 2 weeks.

Full recovery can take from 12 to 18 months.

Return to functional activities

Work - sedentary job:  3 weeks; manual job:  guided by surgeon
Driving - 6 weeks
Swimming - breastroke:  6 weeks;  freestyle:  12 weeks
Golf - 12 weeks
Lifting - 12 weeks
Extra Info