Recovery after orthopedic surgery, week by week
After surgery, week by week: what to work on, what is normal, and the warning signs that mean you call your surgeon.
Exercises after rotator cuff surgery move in three phases: the arm is moved for you, then you move it yourself, then you add resistance. What to do in each phase, what to avoid early, and how pain should behave.
Most people wear a sling for 2 to 6 weeks after biceps tenodesis, avoid lifting with the arm for about 6 weeks, and are back to full activity at 4 to 6 months. What to expect week by week, and how likely the Popeye bulge really is.
After Brostrom ankle ligament surgery, most people are off the foot for 2 to 3 weeks, in a boot for a few weeks more, and walking normally by 8 to 10 weeks. Return to sport usually takes 3 to 6 months, and balance training decides how well the repair holds.
Most broken shoulders heal in a sling in about 6 to 12 weeks, and for many older adults surgery gives no better result. Here is what recovery looks like week by week, how to beat stiffness, and when you can drive and work again.
Most broken collarbones heal in a sling in about 6 to 12 weeks, and plate surgery is kept for breaks that are badly out of place. Here is what each path looks like week by week, and when you can drive, lift and play sport again.
After ankle fracture surgery the bone heals in about 10 to 12 weeks and most people are back to normal activities in 3 to 4 months. Swelling and stiffness last much longer, often 6 months to a year.
Most people manage everyday tasks within about two weeks of a total shoulder replacement, and the shoulder keeps improving for a year or more. Here is the timeline week by week, the six-week rules that protect the front tendon, and when to call your surgeon.
After ACDF neck surgery, arm pain often eases quickly, most people return to a desk job within a few weeks, and full activities usually return by three to four months. Swallowing trouble and a hoarse voice are common early and usually settle within weeks.
After lumbar spinal fusion, most people go home in two to three days, return to desk work at around four to six weeks, and take six months to a year to feel fully recovered while the bone knits. Many surgeons limit bending, lifting and twisting for about three months.
After a lumbar laminectomy or other spinal decompression surgery, most people return to work at around four to six weeks and to usual activities by about three months. Leg pain and walking usually improve more than back pain.