How long before i can drive after rotator cuff surgery

Q: How long after torn rotator cuff surgery can you drive?

Post-Surgery In general, youll want to avoid driving a car for at least six to 12 weeks, or until your doctor has indicated you no longer need to wear a sling. Driving with one arm is unsafe, and the shoulder that underwent surgery shouldnt be moved too far away from the body.

AN ORTHO-PINION

Patients seem to suffer from amnesia after shoulder surgery in one specific area: driving. I tell my patients before they undergo shoulder surgery that, if I perform a repair, they will be in a sling for a minimum of four weeks — and this means no driving. I realize how difficult this is, but there is no way around it.

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Take control of your shoulder recovery with Reflex Health
How long after torn rotator cuff surgery can you drive?
What happens 2 weeks after rotator cuff surgery?
How many days after shoulder surgery can I drive?
How long do you wear a sling after rotator cuff surgery?

Many times, patients don’t realize the enormity of their predicament until they find themselves stuck at home. Luckily, I practice in New York City where many patients have easy access to public transportation and taxis which makes the no driving rule easier to follow. However, most patients live in suburbs where no driving is equivalent to house arrest.

Specific comments I often hear are that there are people with only one arm who can drive. While this is true, these people have specific modifications to their car and steering wheel making driving “one armed” safer.

The bottom line is that, if you need to be in a sling, you cannot drive. It isn’t safe, especially if you encounter any surprises on the road. Prepare for this time by setting up carpools, stocking up the house in preparation for surgery and stockpiling lots of work that you can get done with one hand to keep yourself busy.

Learn more: Shoulder Surgery Exercise Guide

You should avoid driving for at least 6 to 12 weeks after rotator cuffThe rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that attach the shoulder blade to the upper arm b More surgery. This is to allow your shoulder time to heal and to prevent any further injury. You will be advised by your doctor and physiotherapist when it is safe enough to drive. After the surgery, your arm should be kept close to your body, which you cannot do while driving.

Driving with one arm is dangerous as you do not have full control of the car. Additionally, you may have to react quickly to conditions on the road which could put immediate and destructive strain on your vulnerable shoulder.

Take control of your shoulder recovery with Reflex Health

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How long after torn rotator cuff surgery can you drive?

Post-Surgery In general, you'll want to avoid driving a car for at least six to 12 weeks, or until your doctor has indicated you no longer need to wear a sling. Driving with one arm is unsafe, and the shoulder that underwent surgery shouldn't be moved too far away from the body.

What happens 2 weeks after rotator cuff surgery?

First two weeks: Most surgeons will instruct the patient to remove the sling for pendulum exercises and elbow straightening exercises only. At this point, there should be no active movement of the shoulder, and there should be nothing placed in the hand while the arm is in the sling.

How many days after shoulder surgery can I drive?

After surgery, one of the most popular questions patients ask the shoulder surgeon is, “When can I drive again?” In general, you should avoid driving for at least six to twelve weeks or until your doctor says you don't need to wear the sling any more.

How long do you wear a sling after rotator cuff surgery?

Patients are often advised to wear a sling or brace for the first 4–6 weeks after rotator cuff repair surgery to prevent them from performing any physical activities involving the affected shoulder (3).