Rehabilitation

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is one of the most common, most successful and safest orthopaedic surgical procedures undertaken. Aarthroscopic subacromial decompression is very successful in relieving the pain of rotator cuff tendonitis and allowing a return to daily activities and sports. The recovery is usually rapid within 6-12 weeks. The incidence of any post-operative complication is low and usually less than in 1% of cases.

Arthroscopic surgery usually requires you to be in hospital for only 8-10 hours, unless the shoulder is opened in order to repair a torn tendon. In these cases an overnight stay is usually advised. Arthroscopic surgery, compared to open surgery, causes very little disturbance to the shoulder joint and consequently the post-operative discomfort is much less. While the degree of discomfort felt is variable, in general only slight pain will be experienced for a few days. This will not prevent you driving after a few days. If you notice any numbness or pain in the hand or forearm following arthroscopy please inform the nurse on duty. Exercise with a physiotherapist is usually commenced immediately following arthroscopy and continued several times a week for between 2 and 6 weeks.

If your job is sedentary and mostly sitting you may wish to return after only a few days. If your job is physically demanding and requires lifting, your return to work may take up to 6 weeks.

Driving can usually be performed after 2 to 5 days providing that the shoulder is pain free and you are able to control the car. Light weight training may be undertaken after several weeks. Lifting weights above the head or racket sports may take a little longer. Exercises and gym training will speed up the rehabilitation and should be performed prior to undertaking more vigorous sports.

The first follow up appointment following surgery is usually arranged for 2-3 weeks after surgery. Physiotherapy should be started soon after surgery, usually 3-5 days later and continued 2-3 times a week for 2-6 weeks depending on the individual patient's progress.

How to make an appointment

Contact us directly:
An appointment may be booked directly though Miss Jane Woodhead, Mr. Johnson's secretary by telephoning (44) 0117 970 6655 or via our e-mail contact form.

Appointments by referal::
Where a referal is from your GP or physiotherapist a letter will ususally be provided including the details of any previous treatment recieved or other relevant medical details.

Useful information to bring to your appointment:
It is helpful if any previous X-rays or scans which are available are brought to the consultation, and the general practitioner may wish to provide the details of previous treatment received and other medical conditions.

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