Normally you are allowed to have a bath 10 days after surgery when suture removal is done. If suture removal has been delayed then you must also delay the bath.
Always use cold pack / ice packs for the first six weeks after surgery. Hot packs immediately after surgery can cause aggravation of inflammation and stiffness.
Those in supervisory / sitting jobs can resume between 5th day to 10th day after surgery depending on how strong and comfortable they feel. It is advisable to wear the sling while attending work as chances of sustaining a jerk to the operated shoulder are high. Also the sling is an ideal deterrent for colleagues who are in a habit of back slapping.
The rotator cuff muscle is placed between two bones in the shoulder joint. Due to the swelling in area of rotator cuff repair, the distance between the bones is less. In the day time gravity is of assistance & helps distract the bones allowing the rotator cuff to breathe easily. After sleeping horizontal this advantage is lost & the rotator cuff is under pressure between the two bones. Hence some patients prefer to sleep in the arm chair with their arm hanging down.
Half shirts are ideal. The operated arm should be placed in the sleeve first followed by the unoperated arm which can be raised above the shoulder to access the other sleeve. Avoid T shirts as one can strain the operated arm & the repair. Open jackets or open sweaters with front buttons are ideal to wear on top of the shirt. Ladies may prefer to wear a top with front buttons or borrow a shirt for the first few days after surgery.
