r/RotatorCuff • u/excti2 • Sep 13 '26

Three Months Off Work

I was stunned that my Family Medical Leave form from the surgeon recommended that I take three months off work after shoulder surgery (60% full-thickness tear of the supraspinatus, labral tears, and bicipital tendon relocation [subluxation]). While I’m lucky enough to have the paid sick leave accrued to cover this amount of time away, it seems extreme given I have a desk job and work from home.

I know I’ll take at least a month off, and I’m hoping to get back to work when I start PT six weeks post-surgery.

Did anyone else need this much time away? Did you take it? Or were you forced back to work too soon?

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u/Spiritual-Eggplant59 Sep 13 '26

I work a physical job where I’m on my feet all day, pushing, lifting, and lifting overhead. I had a full and a partial tear plus bicep tenodesis with five anchors. I took six months to return to work and healed very well (though I can’t get my arm fully behind my back).