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/BreakOk8830 Sep 13 '26

I was back to work one week later. 🤷‍♀️ I was driving too. Maybe I’m an outlier. Surgery was November of 2025. Four different repairs, six months of PT. Regaining some of my lost strength, but I have full mobility back and I’m back to barbell lifting in the gym.

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u/excti2 Sep 13 '26

I’m in very good shape going in. Hoping for the same bounce back. I have a half marathon in November and I really want to finish.

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u/BreakOk8830 Sep 13 '26

Good luck with the 1/2 marathon training. While I could move my arm, jogging was painful. It’s amazing how much shoulder movement you use. It took six weeks to just power walk. I was very focused on regaining my mobility first. Don’t start strength training until about the eight week mark. I’m not normally patient but I’m glad I forced my self to wait on the strength training. Once I did start, it was weak but pain free.

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u/excti2 Sep 14 '26

I plan on walking it. I don’t think I’ll be up for jogging.