Navigating Daily Life After Rotator Cuff Surgery: A Focus on Women’s Concerns
Addressing Common Concerns About Rotator Cuff Surgery
Patients, especially women, often have various concerns when facing rotator cuff surgery. While some questions are openly asked, others might be more embarrassing to bring up. One such concern is the ability to perform everyday tasks, like putting on a bra, especially when online sources suggest a strict sling usage for six weeks post-surgery.
Debunking the Myth: Sling Usage and Arm Movement
Our extensive experience with thousands of rotator cuff repair surgeries, many of which involve women, has led us to develop helpful tips and tricks for navigating post-surgery life. Contrary to some information, we do not restrict our patients to keeping their arm immobile. We allow for reasonable arm movement immediately post-surgery.
A Simple Trick for Putting on a Bra Post-Surgery
Here’s a handy method, shown to me by one of my Physician Associates, Haley, for women to put on a bra after shoulder surgery:
- Prepare the Bra: Start with the bra unbuckled.
- Buckle in Front: Flip the bra so the buckles are in the front, and then fasten it.
- Rotate and Wear: Once buckled, spin the bra around so that the cups are in the front and then slide your arms through the straps.
This method does require some shoulder movement, but it’s within the safe range we recommend post-surgery.
Maintaining Normalcy Post-Surgery
Our approach to post-surgery care is designed to allow patients to resume most of their daily activities quickly, including driving, typing, and other essential tasks. The goal is to enable patients to live their lives with minimal disruption.
Empowering Patients with Practical Solutions
We understand that small tasks like putting on a bra can be a significant concern for many women post-surgery. Providing practical, easy-to-follow advice is part of our commitment to ensuring a smooth and comfortable recovery process.
Conclusion
For women undergoing shoulder surgery, it’s important to know that with the right techniques and guidance, managing everyday activities like putting on a bra is entirely possible. Our practice focuses on patient education and empowerment, ensuring that recovery is not just about healing but also about maintaining independence and comfort.