Rotator cuff repair:
why it takes months, and what helps
What the operation repairs
The rotator cuff is four tendons that hold the head of the upper arm bone in place and turn the shoulder. When one of them tears, the surgeon fixes it back onto the bone, most often by arthroscopy1. It is the healing of the tendon onto the bone that sets the pace of recovery, and it is counted in months.
The repaired tendon has to heal back onto the bone, which takes months: in the studies, 88% of patients return to their activities, after 6.6 months on average. Gentle early movement improves range of motion without more re-tears. The Game Ready is used from the day you get home, in sessions of 90 minutes; in a trial of 200 shoulder patients, cold and compression halved the use of strong painkillers.
The first weeks: protect without freezing
The arm is protected in a sling at first. Moving the shoulder early and gently still helps. In the studies that compared early movement with later movement, the shoulder regained better range of motion, with no more new tears of the tendon2.
The nights are often the hardest part. Our article Shoulder surgery: getting through the first nights covers that period in detail.
Getting back to your activities
Studies show that 88% of patients get back to their activities, after 6.6 months on average. Daily life comes back for 97% of them, sport for 88% and work for 84%1.
The Game Ready and the Compex after a rotator cuff repair
In a study run in 5 Canadian hospitals with 200 shoulder surgery patients, those using the cold and compression of the Game Ready® took half as many strong painkillers, and had a more functional shoulder at 2 weeks3.
The Game Ready is used from the day you get home, in sessions of 90 minutes, as often as possible, at 4 °C, with low compression in the first week, then medium. The wrap sits on the shoulder, a strap passes under the other arm, and the session is done sitting up.
The Compex® SP 8.0 is used to strengthen the shoulder muscles while the arm is immobilised. The electrodes go on the deltoid, not on the repaired tendon.
We deliver within 24 hours, in Dubai as in the six other emirates. A member of the KOLDE team fits the shoulder wrap on the operated side and starts the first session with you. The KOLDE shoulder protocol then takes over, phase by phase, and a dedicated customer service team stays reachable throughout your rental.
Common questions
When do I start the Game Ready?
As soon as you get home, the evening of the operation or the next morning. Pain and swelling are at their highest in the first days.
Do I keep the sling on during a session?
No. The sling comes off for the session and goes back on afterwards, and everything is done sitting up.
How long does the rental last?
Two to three weeks for most shoulders. You set the dates, and the rental can be extended.
Do I need a prescription?
No. You book online, with no prescription.
Sources
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Return to physical activities after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology. 2023.
Kholinne E, Singjie LC, Marsetio AF, Kwak JM, Jeon IH.
DOI 10.1007/s00590-023-03490-5 · PMID 36792854 -
Early versus delayed mobilization for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (small to large sized tear): a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2023.
Hu CW, Tsai SHL, Chen CH, Tang HC, Su CY, Tischler EH, Yang YC, Chan YS, Chiu CH, Chen ACY.
DOI 10.1186/s12891-023-07075-5 · PMID 38049792 -
Cryo-pneumatic compression results in a significant decrease in opioid consumption after shoulder surgery: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2024.
Khan M, Phillips SA, Mathew P, Venkateswaran V, Haverstock J, Dagher D, Yardley D, Dick D, Bhandari M.
DOI 10.1177/03635465241270138 · PMID 39165152
This article is for information only. It does not replace the advice of your surgeon, doctor or physiotherapist. Always follow the recommendations of your medical team.