If you have had you rotator cuff repaired

 

There are two aspects 

1.  preventing unwanted scar formation

2.  protecting the repair

Protect your repair by being careful that your arm does not participate in lifting, pushing, or pulling and that it is not raised away from the side under its own power. Unless we tell you otherwise, you may use your hand for typing or writing as long as the elbow is kept at your side. Raising the arm even a small amount places demands on your repair and should be avoided. We will tell you how long these restrictions need to be in effect. During this time you should not drive!

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While your shoulder is healing, passive motion is necessary to prevent unwanted scar tissue formation. Passive motion means that the shoulder is moved, but not under its own power. These exercises must be comfortable for you-if you have problems doing them comfortably, let us know. Your operated shoulder is moved by your other hand while the muscles of the operated shoulder are completely relaxed

 

		Pendulums You can move your shoulder passively by standing up and bending over at the waist, allowing the operated arm to dangle down in a relaxed way
		Forward Elevation Passive motion is also easily done while you are lying on your back. Grasp the arm of your operated shoulder with the opposite hand and slowly help the arm up to a vertical position and then over your head. On lowering it back down you will need to concentrate on keeping the operated shoulder completely relaxed
		External Rotation A second exercise is performed while you are lying down with both your elbows bent to a right angle. Using a cane or dowel or yardstick, gently push the wrist of the operated shoulder out to the side while keeping your elbow at the side
		Pulleys and finger walking on a table are  good alternative ways of passively elevating the arm

 

These precautions against active use and the passive motion exercises are continued until your surgeon tells you it is time to start the next phase of exercises. Please do not change your program just because it seems time to do so. If you have any questions, please let your doctor know.

 

Further Exercises

 

 

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