Will I get back to my old job after rotator cuff surgery?

Across 13 studies of 1,224 people, about 6 in 10 got back to their previous level of work. It took about 8 months on average.

Will I ever sleep normally after rotator cuff surgery?

In one surgeon’s study of 250 people who slept badly before surgery, about 6 in 10 slept comfortably again by 6 months, and about 8 in 10 by 2 years.

Rotator cuff surgery · 6 months or more

Rotator Cuff Surgery Recovery, 6 Months and Beyond: What’s Normal

You’re back on the tools for most of the day, but the shoulder still isn’t the one you trusted before.

Slow and uneven is still normal: very heavy work can take 6 to 12 months, and in one study more people slept comfortably at 2 years than at 6 months. A turn for the worse or a new symptom is a phone call.

What’s normal now

Across 13 look-back studies of 1,224 people, about 6 in 10 got back to their previous level of work, taking about 8 months on average. Source
In New Zealand’s ACC guidance, very heavy work takes 6 to 12 months. Source
In one records review of 474 people, about 2 in 3 could sleep on the operated side years later. Source
Slow and uneven is normal. A turn for the worse, or a new symptom, is a phone call. Source

Free milestone map

Where are you in recovery?

Pick your surgery and your week. Your map opens right here: what’s normal now, what usually comes next, and the guides for each stage. No email needed.

What usually comes next

Function often improves while pain is still around. Confidence usually lags behind both. Source
Building back to full load? Check the next morning: worse means drop back a step; same or better, move up. Source

Questions to bring to your surgeon or PT

If my job needs overhead strength, does my plan include overhead work? Source
If my pain doesn’t fit the usual pattern, does it deserve a second look? Source
If I’m not improving, what’s the next step: imaging, a specialist or a different approach? Source
Which lifts, like overhead pressing, are still off-limits, and until when? Source

Don’t wait for your next visit

A snap after a fall or a jerk on the arm, then sudden weakness. A repaired tendon can tear again. Source
You lose strength you’d already regained. Source
Swelling or pain that gets worse week to week. Source
Your weekly measures are clearly going backward over two or more weeks. Source

Chest pain or trouble breathing: call 911.

Questions men ask at this stage

Will I get back to my old job after rotator cuff surgery?: Across 13 studies of 1,224 people, about 6 in 10 got back to their previous level of work. It took about 8 months on average. Source
Will I ever sleep normally after rotator cuff surgery?: In one surgeon’s study of 250 people who slept badly before surgery, about 6 in 10 slept comfortably again by 6 months, and about 8 in 10 by 2 years. Source