Is it normal to still have pain 3 months after rotator cuff surgery?

It can be. One NHS leaflet says it’s not unusual to have as much pain at 3 months as before surgery. Another, covering several shoulder surgeries, says most people’s pain eases a lot by then.

When can I go back to heavy or overhead work after rotator cuff surgery?

In New Zealand’s ACC guidance, heavy work or lifting overhead takes 5 to 8 months, and very heavy work 6 to 12 months. Your surgeon sets your own dates.

My shoulder pain is lower. Does that mean I’m better?

Not if the pain dropped because you’re doing much less. Real progress looks like doing the same or more activity with the same or less pain.

Rotator cuff surgery · Months 3 to 6

Rotator Cuff Surgery Recovery, 3 to 6 Months: What’s Normal

You’re back on lighter tasks, the pain’s down, and you’re itching to grab the heavy stuff off the truck again.

Yes, it can still hurt, and most people have useful motion and adequate strength by months 4 to 6. Less pain isn’t a green light: overhead and heavy work often come back at 5 to 8 months.

What’s normal now

In AAOS’s usual rehab order, most people have useful motion and adequate strength by months 4 to 6. Source
In one study of 474 people, sleeping on the operated side improved fastest between months 3 and 6. Source
At one Swiss hospital, desk workers were back in about 3.8 months on average, very heavy workers in 5.8. Source
In a study of 1,502 repairs, at six months about 3 in 4 were working in some form, but only about 4 in 10 at their old level. Source
Less pain means things are calmer. But everyday movement asks much less than lifting heavy. 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

Overhead and heavy work, like pulling wire, ladders and lifts, often comes back at 5 to 8 months. Source
A 2016 international consensus describes return in stages: modified training, then your sport, then your old level or better. Source

Questions to bring to your surgeon or PT

What has to be true before I go overhead? One protocol, for small to medium tears, wants rotation strength at least 85% of the other arm before strenuous work. Source
Can we measure strength, range of motion or a task test, not just pain? Source
Can I climb a ladder or crawl into a tight space yet? Source
When will each of my limits be reviewed? Source

Don’t wait for your next visit

Pain that suddenly spikes after a lift, slip or pop. Source
You lose strength you’d already regained. Source
A snap after a fall or a jerk on the arm, then sudden weakness. A repaired tendon can tear again. 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

Is it normal to still have pain 3 months after rotator cuff surgery?: It can be. One NHS leaflet says it’s not unusual to have as much pain at 3 months as before surgery. Another, covering several shoulder surgeries, says most people’s pain eases a lot by then. Source
When can I go back to heavy or overhead work after rotator cuff surgery?: In New Zealand’s ACC guidance, heavy work or lifting overhead takes 5 to 8 months, and very heavy work 6 to 12 months. Your surgeon sets your own dates. Source
My shoulder pain is lower. Does that mean I’m better?: Not if the pain dropped because you’re doing much less. Real progress looks like doing the same or more activity with the same or less pain. Source