Returning to Activity Post Surgery

Your surgery and rehabilitation go smoothly. Muscles and joints are repaired and strengthened. Though you are feeling great and think that it’s time to take off your brace and resume daily activities, you may want to think again.

After months or years of being sidelined with an injury and pain, you are ready to get back in the game. However, returning too soon can be disastrous. You could strain the same joint that was just repaired and cause the same injury, requiring another long duration of treatment and rehabilitation.

Doctors at Summit Orthopedics see patients with rotator cuff injuries, in particular, often reinjure themselves after successful surgery. Patients can sometimes have unrealistic expectations on how soon they can resume activity or they don’t follow instructions for post-op healing.

Generally, we should not pattern our return to activity after professional athletes, who seem to heal and resume play quicker than most. For various reasons, yes, professional athletes do get back in the game quicker than most.

First, professional athletes get prompt treatment when an injury occurs, which can lessen swelling, stiffness, and loss of muscle tone compared to not being treated right away. Second, professional athletes work extremely hard with a physical therapist and/or certified athletic trainer during their recovery. And third, most professional athletes bring to their recovery what they bring to their sport — a positive attitude.

Patients can learn from athletes by working hard during rehabilitation and staying positive. But most importantly, patients should listen to their doctor and physical therapist, and be cautious about knowing when to resume an active lifestyle.