how long to return to work after shoulder surgery (heavy lifting)

by john sevilla
(paradise ca)

i work for a freight co. my job consists of driving a semi. pushing pallets with a pallet jack up to 2000lbs, and lifting heavy objects. i am having subcromial decompression and maybe a repair of a slight rotator tear. i am 50 years old but i am in very good shape.

i went to a physical therapist and have been working out at the gym doing the exercises i have been told to do for the the shoulder. i have a very good range of motion and shoulder is feeling pretty good. with physical therapy and consistant working out at the gym. what time frame can i expect to be able to be fully able to do my job.

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how long to return to work after shoulder surgery (heavy lifting)

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Oct 05, 2008
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return to work
by: Bart - SII

If you have a subacromial decompression only, you should likely be able to return to work fairly soon, once your motion and strength are restored - most people recover completely from an SAD in 6-8 weeks.

A rotator cuff repair is a different matter. Most physicians will keep you immobilized in a sling for 4-6 weeks, working only on passive range of motion in therapy during this time frame. This is to allow the rotator cuff to heal and avoid stress on the repair caused by active motion.

After that time frame, it is then a matter of restoring motion and strength before returning to activities - most rotator cuff repairs are able to return to strenuous activities in 3-5 months.

So, the different procedures will have very different timelines.

Bart