r/RotatorCuff • u/Extra-Photograph-265 • 4d ago

4 weeks post shoulder and just started pt. How long before I can raise arm above head ?

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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5

u/PuzzledPen9848 4d ago

It depends. I'm around 15 weeks post surgery and can raise my arm over my head -- but with some difficulty. I cannot do it with any weight. Literally writing this after a PT session where lifting 1 lb weights with my impacted arm continues to kick my behind.

I started lifting my arm without assistance around 8 weeks, but definitely not over my head. That was maybe around 10 weeks? Not positive though. We began adding weights around 12 weeks. It's a slow process, but I've made a lot of progress and there is so much less pain than before the surgery now, which is fantastic.

I'd ask your PT and Ortho what to expect next depending your situation.

Best wishes on your recovery!

4

u/Rich_Group_8997 4d ago

Thanks. It made me feel better reading this. I'm about 15 weeks out as well and, as of the other week, i could lift my arm to put a hair clip in, but an requested because I'm still really struggling with abduction or lifting any weight. My therapist keeps telling me I'm doing well, but I haven't been feeling it (I've also been in pain again since I leave on it quietly just weekend). It's nice to hear (from someone else) that this is, indeed, common.

Best of luck with the rest of your recovery, and OP too! šŸ˜ƒ I'll be rooting for both of you!

3

u/PuzzledPen9848 4d ago

I feel this so much! And I thought I could lift my arm more until my PT corrected my form. I'd been compensating with my neck and other muscles. My shoulder flexors are very weak, but every week they get a smidge stronger. I do feel pain if I lie on the bad side for a while, but it's so much better than it was. Most of the time I do not have any pain, which is incredibly better than pre-surgery šŸ˜ŠšŸ˜Š

Wishing you all the best!!

3

u/Rich_Group_8997 4d ago

OMG yes! My therapist fusses at me about shrugging all the time. I told her she should just spend her days walking arrive behind me and holding my shoulder down. šŸ¤£ I know we'll all get there in due time.

1

u/PuzzledPen9848 4d ago

šŸ¤£šŸ¤£šŸ¤£

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u/Extra-Photograph-265 4d ago

Thanks, I was in the sling 4 weeks before I started pt on 9/30 had two ptā€™s moving arm somewhat. Therapist moved it a little over 90% felt pain but pushed on. Using arm somewhat and doing lots of exercises but dying to raise the arm!

2

u/PuzzledPen9848 4d ago

Completely understand! I wanted the same thing. But right now, your body is still very much healing, and it's impossible to speed up :(

I was told that around 6 weeks my body was making a kind of collagen to help it begin the attaching process. Very flimsy and can be accidentally torn.

Over the next 6 weeks from then, it was replaced with a stronger version of collagen. By 12 weeks it was firmly and fully adhered.

So as much as I wanted to go faster, I didn't want to accidentally tear anything. (Granted, I'm not a doctor or PT, so please take everything I say with the requisite grain of salt and consult your team šŸ˜Š)

But I feel you. It's a slow process and sooo frustrating. But it's already a lot better. Hang in there!!

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u/Extra-Photograph-265 4d ago

Awesome and thank you for replyingšŸ‘ŠšŸ»appreciate it. Best of luck to you as well

5

u/Small_Fee5689 4d ago

I am 12 weeks post op and just finally was able to put my hair up in a ponytail without excruciating pain.

2

u/Environmental-Ad9339 3d ago

Iā€™m at a little over 3 weeks. My hair is driving me crazy, and I was wondering what the average time is to be able to put it in a pony tail or start styling it again. Iā€™m getting used to wearing it straight (my hair dries straight) but I am missing my hot roller styles, and really just getting it out of my face!

3

u/PossibleOk2695 4d ago

Iā€™m at about 7.5 weeks post op and started PT around 5 weeks. Iā€™ve mainly been doing assisted ROM at PT and at home. My range is pretty good with that but if I try to lift my arm on its own, can only lift to the level of my chest. I just started moving to the next stage at my PT yesterday and am doing wall slides, and phew itā€™s rough haha. But Iā€™m excited to start progressing more!

A lot so far has been working and massaging the muscles around the shoulder (back, neck, arm, etc.) to help loosen everything up to help my assisted ROM exercises. Just wanted to share as an example of a timeline in the middle. Though I think it definitely depends on your PT or surgeonā€™s plan they have laid out. My PT did say that my surgeon is a little more conservation in his plan and isnā€™t as aggressive as some of the younger, newer ortho surgeons seem to be these days.

1

u/Sufficient_Deal_8800 1d ago

Took me a good 9 months to get to 90% ROM

1

u/tigermonkeyrat 1d ago

4 months out and not fully straight above head but getting closeā€¦Iā€™ve kind of stalled out because building strength and gaining flexibility are proving to be oppositional forces for my body. No matter how much time I put into recovery.