Day 100 Post Op (14 weeks 2 days)

If you want to know how long it takes for the shoulder to stop aching and to really turn the corner after rotator cuff surgery, it takes exactly 12 weeks and 2 days!

Now you know.

At 12 weeks and 1 day I went to a party, had a few drinks and was dancing to the DJ.  I thought for sure the next morning I would pay for it, but it really felt fine the next day.

That was the turning point in the recovery.  It feels pretty good, and I can use it for most daily activities (except for carrying things).

I saw the doc last week and he says I am now right where I should be with range of motion.  I can lift my arm straight over my head (passively using a pulley or wall slide).  The external rotation is still lacking, but it is not stuck - it's progressing, but just slowly.

In the last week I started strength training with  rubber tubing.

The only part of my shoulder that really gets sore now (especially from strength training) is right above my AC joint.

My theory on why the rotator cuff and biceps tendons tore so easily is that years ago I fell with my arm outstretched and separated my shoulder (AC joint) and never had it treated.

Eventually it caught up with me...