SLAP Tear - Surgical Recovery

Surgical Recovery

• Stage one – For the first four weeks the arm is typically kept in a sling. Some surgeons only have the patient in a sling for a week. Patients may find themselves in an immobilizer sling, which adds a waist support to prevent movement. The goal during the first stage of recovery is to avoid placing stress on the repair site. This is the initial healing phase of the recovery.
• Stage two – Initial physical therapy. The goal of this stage is to increase range of motion. Load bearing through the joint should be avoided to allow the repair to complete.
• Stage three – Increased range of motion and initial strength training. At this point, about eight to ten weeks after the surgery, the repair should be complete but not ready for full loading yet. Return to day-to-day activities is permitted, but not strenuous activity.
• Stage four – completion. About a year after the repair the patient should be strong enough for a return to full activity.

Note that this timeline is only approximate and will vary according to surgeon preferences and the extent of damage.