
How long after surgery before I can play golf?
Most people are back on the course playing with no restrictions anywhere from 4-6 months after surgery. Again, all of that depends on factors mentioned above – age, size of tear, quality of tissue, experience playing golf, other medical history that may affect your swing.
How long will I be out after rotator cuff surgery?
Because the golf game requires arm and shoulder movement, playing golf after going through rotator cuff surgery requires a number of things, chief …
Can you play sports and exercise after rotator cuff surgery?
· Every case is different and everyone’s response is different after rotator cuff surgery. Some can return to golf activities as fast a few weeks and others it may take a few months to return. It is all based on your case, how you respond, and if you have enough strength and range of motion required for golf activities.
When can you return to work after rotator cuff surgery?
After surgery, therapy can last between 3-6 months. Take care before your next golf swing Anyone with a rotator cuff injury, especially a tear, should not play sports like golf without medical advice. Based on the damage, playing golf is possible with the right conservative treatment.

How soon after rotator cuff surgery can you golf?
Most people are back on the course playing with no restrictions anywhere from 4-6 months after surgery.
Is golf hard on the rotator cuff?
A network of muscles, the rotator cuff connects the upper arm to the shoulder blade. The repetitive, intense stress of golf activity can damage the associated muscles and tendons, causing either a partial tear or a complete severing of the rotator cuff from the bone.
How long after surgery can you play golf?
Orthopedic surgeons typically recommend that you wait at least 3 months before returning to low impact activities like golfing. But as every surgery and patient are different, the amount of time you'll need before golfing again will be determined by your doctor.
What are your limitations after rotator cuff surgery?
You will not have complete use of your affected arm for a few months after surgery. You can use your affected arm for writing, eating, or drinking, but move it only at the elbow or wrist. Do not use it for anything else except prescribed exercises until the sling has been removed.
How can I play golf with shoulder pain?
Most patients sustaining a golf related shoulder injury will respond to nonsurgical treatment, such as rest and a physical therapy program including: (a) muscular strengthening and flexibility; (b) a pre-game warm-up routine; and (c) the adjustment of an individual's golf swing to meet their physical capacities and ...
How do you prevent rotator cuff in golf?
If shoulder rotation becomes limited, you may need longer clubs. Use a rolled up towel under your right arm during practice swings to keep the elbow close to your body and limit strain on the shoulder. Most patients who suffer a golf related shoulder injury respond successfully to non-surgical treatments.
Can I play golf with stitches in my arm?
Can I Work Out? “I hear this question a lot,” states Dr. Mamelak. “But in order to let the wound heal properly, it is best to avoid any extra pressure on the closure.” It would be unfortunate to be 10 minutes into your elliptical session and realize that you stitches are starting to separate.
How long after laparoscopic surgery can you play golf?
Normal aerobic exercise activity such as swimming and jogging or going to the gym can be resumed in 2 weeks. It is safe to play golf after three weeks but this may still be uncomfortable. Any heavy lifting should be avoided for the first month.
Can golf cause degenerative disc disease?
Why is degenerative disc disease so prevalent in golfers? The golf swing imparts a large amount of torque or twisting force on the spine. This can lead to an overload of the discs and small joints of the lower back as well as injuring the muscles of the lower back.
What happens at 3 months after rotator cuff surgery?
3 Months to 6 Months Post-Surgery In the past months, your rotator cuff has weakened due to the surgery and early phases of recovery, which required lack of movement. Once these parts of the body have adequately healed, you will engage in strengthening and restraint exercises.
What is the fastest way to recover from rotator cuff surgery?
5 Tips to Speed Your Recovery from Rotator Cuff SurgeryWear your shoulder immobilizer or sling. ... Participate in physical therapy. ... Eliminate pain medication as quickly as possible. ... Avoid certain shoulder positions and arm movements. ... Don't rush your recovery.
What happens at 12 weeks after rotator cuff surgery?
By 12-14 weeks, most patients have regained the majority of their passive motion and begin gentle strengthening that progresses over the next three months.
Is it OK to play golf with a rotator cuff injury?
Anyone with a rotator cuff injury, especially a tear, should not play sports like golf without medical advice. Based on the damage, playing golf is possible with the right conservative treatment. However, if surgery is required, the patient should have the operation before heading back on the green.
Why does my rotator cuff hurt after golf?
This stress on the shoulder is partially due to the limited pelvic rotation that takes place during the swing. With repeated use, the resulting damage to the shoulder components can lead to injuries such as rotator cuff tears—rips in the muscles that help stabilize the shoulder joint.
Can you play golf with shoulder tendonitis?
If you have a shoulder issue like tendonitis, you can make golf safer for your shoulder by taking the right precautions. Prevent further injury with strategies like: Modifying Your Swing: To avoid shoulder pain during golf, try reducing your follow-through or backswing.
What exercises help rotator cuff injuries?
What Exercises Can I Do With a Torn Rotator Cuff?Standing Row. A simple exercise to help strengthen your rotator cuff muscles is the standing row. ... Internal Rotation. ... Crossover Arm Stretch. ... Posterior Stretch. ... Pendulum swing. ... Chest Exercises. ... Dip Movements. ... Other Shoulder Exercises.
How many incisions do you need to make to repair a rotator cuff tear?
Depending on the size of the tear as well as any other injuries present, most rotator cuff tears are repaired arthroscopically by an orthopedic surgeon through 2-3 small incisions around the shoulder.
What happens when a rotator cuff tear occurs?
Most commonly, it is the supraspinatus tendon which is injured. A tear often results in pain and inability to reach or lift overhead. The ability to swing a golf club powerfully is also compromised. For large tears, surgical repair is often required to restore shoulder function.
What is a tear in the rotator cuff?
What is a rotator cuff tear? A tear in the rotator cuff occurs when one or more of the tendons of the cuff partially tears or fully ruptures. As a result, the capability of the cuff to keep the ball seated in the socket is greatly diminished. Most commonly, it is the supraspinatus tendon which is injured.
Why is the rotator cuff important?
The rotator cuff is important because it helps provide muscular support and stability to the shoulder girdle as well as rotate the shoulder. Consequently, the rotator cuff provides power and control in the golf swing.
How long does it take for a tendons tear to heal?
Most repaired tendons take six weeks to heal back to the bone, but 4-6 months to regain strength and function. Healing time can be variable depending upon the size of the tear as well as the quality of the repair. Your orthopedic surgeon will advise you on healing timeframes after completing the repair.
How many tacs does a rotator cuff need?
After debriding any loose bodies and shaving back part of the acromion bone (subacromial decompression) to reduce the likelihood of impingement, the rotator cuff is reattached to the head of the humerus with 2-3 ‘tacs’.
How long does it take to recover from rotator cuff surgery?
Even with today's arthoscopic surgery advances, recovering sufficiently for playing a game of golf requires roughly six months of rest and rehabilitation.
Where is the rotator cuff located?
Located on the back side of your shoulder, the rotator cuff is made up of muscles and tendons that connect the bone in your upper arm with your shoulder blade and keep your arm bone in the shoulder socket. Because the golf game requires arm and shoulder movement, playing golf after going through rotator cuff surgery requires a number of things, ...
How to strengthen shoulder muscles?
Increase your muscle strength to help support the shoulder. Resistance bands, weights and isometrics will help in this process.
Can I return to golf after having a rotator cuff surgery?
The answer is YES!!!! If all impairments are treated correctly and swing biomechanics are addresses, then there is no reason why you can’t return to golf.
When can I return to golf after shoulder surgery to fix a torn rotator cuff?
This varies per case and per individual. Every case is different and everyone’s response is different after rotator cuff surgery. Some can return to golf activities as fast a few weeks and others it may take a few months to return.
How do I return to golfing and playing 18 holes of golf after my rotator cuff surgery?
You need a structure program that is designed by the best clinician in order to return to golf after getting rotator cuff surgery. Not all people can return to golf after having rotator cuff surgery.
Rotator cuff tears are an unwanted handicap
Tendon tears are another common type of rotator cuff injury. These are more concerning than tendinitis and may even require surgery. The tendons connecting the muscles to the bone can stretch or tear. Tears can cause more intense pain, weakness, and stiffness.
Repairing the torn tendon
With full tears, surgery, followed by several weeks of physiotherapy, will be the only way to resume golf safely. Once a medical professional confirms a full tear, an orthopedic surgeon performs the procedure. Using arthroscopic means, the surgeon can view and repair the damaged tendon. The tendon is reattached with stitches and suture anchors.
Take care before your next golf swing
Anyone with a rotator cuff injury, especially a tear, should not play sports like golf without medical advice. Based on the damage, playing golf is possible with the right conservative treatment. However, if surgery is required, the patient should have the operation before heading back on the green.
jcjim
I can't tell you what the rotator cuff surgery will do...I have had rotator cuff problems for about 3 years...I can't raise my upper left arm more than a bit below parallel to the floor...I cannot reach to get a glass from a shelf without serious pain...so the right arm gets double duty..
jcjim
I am in the same boat as you as far as mobility and pain. However I don't have much of a choice. The MRI shows that mine is torn almost all the way through.
chspeed
Absolutely. I had open shoulder surgery to repair a torn subscapular tendon and remove a piece a bone. Surgery was in September 2013, and I was swinging a club by March and back on the course by April. Didn't even miss a season
oudrees
BTW, worst part of shoulder surgery for me was the two or three weeks after surgery. Sleeping lying down hurt too much, so had to sleep sitting up. Make sure you have a good LZ-boy or something to sleep on.
avmech
Had rotator cuff surgery (reattach a completely unattached tendon and removing a bone spur) toward the end of October 2013. Was cleared for golf and exercise early February 2014. Doc is one who believes in agressive rehab and I have zero problems and have full motion with my shoulder.
Posts
It is insane this is still being talked about. I read that people are saying he was the winner. Crazy!
