From throwing a baseball to waving the hand in greeting or even lifting heavy objects, you do a variety of tasks with your shoulders. However, sometimes a sudden injury or repetitive movements can damage the muscles and tendons in your shoulder and cause the rotator cuff to tear.

Your shoulder joint is made up of a group of muscles and tendons called a rotator cuff that helps hold the ends of your arm bones in the socket and facilitates various movements in your shoulder. If this muscle or tendon is torn or strained, doctors may recommend rotator cuff surgery to repair the damage.

In most cases, this can get treated with home care, but if the pain persists, it is time to see a shoulder surgeon. At Hyderabad Shoulder Clinic, Dr Chandra Sekhar. B first listens to your symptoms and performs an examination. Diagnostic images such as X-rays and MRI can help gather more information, and another option is to perform an arthroscopic examination of the rotator cuff.

Rotator cuff surgery is usually performed arthroscopically. This is a minimally invasive technique where the surgeon inserts a camera and small instruments through small incisions.

Dr Chandra Sekhar. B  offers several types of surgery, including minimally invasive arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff and superior capsule reconstruction if necessary. Each procedure includes a recovery time, but these tips can help you.

Follow these important do and don’ts tips to get the best results and recover as quickly as possible.

Do’s after Rotator cuff surgery:

• Move your fingers and thumbs in and out of your fist 5-10 times an hour. Try to put your finger right on your fist.
• Always hold the sling unless you are changing clothes or doing physical therapy. If there are conflicting instructions from your doctor and therapist, please meet your doctor to clarify.
• Take a shower, but make sure to cover your shoulders with something protective like plastic from getting wet. It may be easier to take a sponge bath until the suture removal.
• Change your bandage 4-5 days after surgery and cover the incision with a bandage. The incision can remain open when it stops flowing.
• Move your shoulders while walking as much as you can. It is essential to keep the blood flowing in your legs to prevent blood clots.
• Use your hands to write. 
• Move your elbows up and down and close to your body when not in the sling.
• Sleep carefully. Avoid sleeping on the side of your surgery hand.
• Watch for complications
• Do physical activity, as suggested by a physical therapist.
• Feel comfortable
• Watch your hand movements.
• Check diet
• Manage by taking medicines and by ice therapy
• Take care of your surgical incisions.

Don’ts after Rotator cuff surgery:

• Don’t drive. Doctors discuss this topic at your first post-operative meeting.
• Don’t lift, push or pull.
• Do not move the shoulder or grip with the hand where the operation was performed.
• Please don’t remove the sutures until the wound healsDo not travel until you have your doctor’s permission.
• Do not apply creams, ointments, Neosporin / Polysporin to the incision. Keep it dry
• Don’t rush for recovery to get well.
• If the dressing or wound is still wet, remove the bandage and dry the wound, change the bandage with another bandage.
• If you find that the wound is very red and swollen, contact the hospital. 

If you have a nerve block, it is normal for your hands and fingers to be numb for some time after surgery. Usually, the fingers become slightly stiff after surgery. The more often you move your fingers, the less stiff your fingers will be. If your pain is not controlled with a pain reliever, or for any reason, you cannot tolerate the medication, contact doctor. If you have a problem or concern, please contact the doctor.

Complications are rare, but knowing the signs is essential. Call your doctor if you have a temperature of 101 degrees or more, redness or discharge from the wound, sudden and severe pain, or numbness or tingling in your fingers or hands.

Conclusion:
Although the goal of surgery is to restore a painless and functioning shoulder, there may be limitations depending on the age and size of the tear. Overall, about 90% of patients are satisfied with their shoulder after cuff repair and experience significant improvement in function after surgery.

When you’re feeling better, it’s tempting to challenge your shoulders with a sports game or move at the gym. Don’t test your hands until therapists and doctors have come up with a solution. Too soon will likely cause the injury 

Remember that rotator cuff surgery is the first step in repairing the joint. How you care for the shoulder in the weeks and months that follow will also affect the success of the operation. Follow the tips of the doctor to get well as quickly as possible. If you experience rotator cuff pain, call Dr Chandra Skehar. B  91 9959588389 for the best treatment option for an appointment.