CINCINNATI, OH · FORT THOMAS, KY

(513) 354-3700

ROBERT PETTIT, MD

Restoring Function. Maximizing Performance.

Orthopaedic Sports Medicine · Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Fellowship-Trained · Board Certified (ABOS) · Mako Robotics Certified · Cincinnati Reds Team Physician

Shoulder · Preparing for Surgery

Preparing for Your Rotator Cuff Repair

A Guide to Your Surgery

Procedure

Shoulder surgery

Setting

Typically outpatient — most patients go home the same day

Anesthesia

General or regional — reviewed with anesthesia

Recovery

Personalized week-by-week protocol

Rotator cuff (supraspinatus) tear, shown in red where the tendon pulls off the bone. Repair reattaches the tendon to its footprint with anchors and sutures.

01A Message From Dr. Pettit

Thank you for the opportunity to take part in your care. Our number one goal, along with our team at Beacon Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, is to improve your quality of life through our knowledge, skill, experience, and — most importantly — compassionate care. Rotator Cuff Repair is a highly effective procedure, but we recognize that surgery can be stressful, and we hope to make this process as smooth as possible.

This guide is a resource to help you and your loved ones understand your rotator cuff repair, prepare for the day of surgery, and know what to expect during your recovery. Please keep it with you up to your date of surgery and beyond. Our team is always here to answer your questions — please do not hesitate to contact us about anything.

Sincerely,
Robert J. Pettit, MD

02About Your Rotator Cuff Repair

Procedure Illustration

Shoulder anatomy · for education; your anatomy may differ

The rotator cuff is a group of tendons that lift and rotate the shoulder and hold the ball centered in the socket. A torn cuff is repaired arthroscopically by reattaching the tendon to the bone with small anchors and sutures. Because tendon-to-bone healing is slow, early rehabilitation is deliberately protective. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair reattaches a torn rotator cuff tendon to the bone using small anchors and sutures, performed through small incisions with camera guidance. PRP may be used as an adjunct to support healing in select cases.

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair reattaches a torn rotator cuff tendon to the bone using small anchors and sutures, performed through small incisions with camera guidance. PRP may be used as an adjunct to support healing in select cases.

Want to see how the procedure is done? Watch an animation and read more at Orthopedia patient education.

03Is This the Right Procedure for You?

Why it may be recommended

Full-thickness rotator cuff tear with pain or weakness
Persistent symptoms despite physical therapy
Tear affecting function in an active patient

What it is intended to achieve

Restores shoulder strength for overhead and lifting activity
Reduces pain associated with a torn cuff
Minimally invasive, outpatient procedure with a well-established recovery path

04Risks to Understand

Risks include infection, stiffness (including frozen shoulder), incomplete healing or re-tear, and nerve irritation. Dr. Pettit will discuss factors specific to your tear, such as size and tissue quality, that affect healing potential.

05In the Weeks Before Surgery

Complete your pre-operative clearance. Depending on your age and health, you may need lab work, an EKG, or a visit with your primary care doctor or cardiologist. Our surgery scheduler will tell you exactly what is required
Review your medications with us. Blood thinners (such as warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, or aspirin) and certain supplements may need to be stopped before surgery
but never stop a prescribed medication without instruction from the prescribing doctor
Stop nicotine. Smoking and vaping slow healing. Stopping even a few weeks before surgery improves your recovery
this is especially important for tendon, ligament, cartilage, and bone healing
Arrange a ride and a helper. You cannot drive yourself home after anesthesia. Plan for a responsible adult to drive you and to stay with you the first night
Prepare your home. Set up a comfortable recovery area with everything within reach, clear tripping hazards and loose rugs, and stock easy meals. If you will use crutches, a walker, a sling, or a brace, practice with it ahead of time
Fill prescriptions early. If Dr. Pettit sends pain medication or other prescriptions before surgery, fill them ahead of time so they are ready when you get home.
Stop NSAIDs and blood thinners as directed
Arrange help at home, since your arm will be in a sling
Follow fasting instructions before surgery

06The Day of Surgery

Sandy Evans, our surgery scheduler, will give you your exact arrival time and location, and will tell you when to stop eating and drinking — generally nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before, unless you are told otherwise. Take only the medications we tell you to take, with a small sip of water. Leave jewelry and valuables at home, wear loose, comfortable clothing, and bring your photo ID, insurance card, and this guide. Most of our procedures are outpatient, meaning you go home the same day. You will meet the anesthesia team before your procedure to review your anesthesia plan and answer any questions.

07What to Expect After Surgery

You will go home in a sling, worn at all times for the first 2 weeks and then as directed by Dr. Pettit; avoid actively lifting the arm overhead for about 6 weeks
Physical therapy begins with gentle motion done by the therapist (passive), progressing to active motion and then strengthening over several months
Return to full strength and activity is typically 4–6 months
Wear your sling as directed, removing only for approved exercises
Perform passive motion exercises as instructed, avoiding active lifting
Ice regularly to control pain and swelling
Attend your follow-up visit and begin formal physical therapy Recovery timeline
Weeks 0–6: sling immobilization with passive motion only
Weeks 6–12: active motion progression
Months 3–5: strengthening
Months 5–6+: return to overhead sport and heavy lifting

Recovery timeline

Weeks 0–6: sling immobilization with passive motion only
Weeks 6–12: active motion progression
Months 3–5: strengthening
Months 5–6+: return to overhead sport and heavy lifting

Your detailed, week-by-week recovery instructions come in your post-op protocol, which Dr. Pettit and our team will review with you and provide in print and online at robertpettitmd.com/protocols/arthroscopic-rotator-cuff.pdf

08Post-Op Quick Reference

Keep this section for after your surgery. These highlights are drawn from Dr. Pettit's Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff post-operative protocol — your procedure may use a different variant, so always follow the copy you receive at surgery.

Medication management

You have been given a regional anesthetic block prior to your operation; this will wear off in the evening following your surgery. We recommend taking pain medication once you feel the block wearing off. You may find it beneficial to sleep in a recliner or propped up with pillows in the days following surgery.

Pain Medication: Tylenol 1000mg every 8 hours and, unless discussed otherwise, you have been prescribed a narcotic pain medication (Oxycodone 5mg) to take every 4-6 hours as needed.

DO NOT drive/use any heavy machinery, drink alcohol, make any life-changing or legal decisions (i.e. sign a will), or participate in activities that require a lot of physical skill, as narcotics may change your mental acuity. On rare occasions they may cause confusion or disorientation, we advise you to discontinue this medication should that occur.
Narcotics can be addictive. Dispose of any excess medication at a police/fire station.
Take a stool softener (e.g. Colace) while taking narcotic medication, as narcotics may cause constipation. If this does not help alleviate your constipation, you can try adding miralax or milk of magnesia. Please call our office if this regimen does not alleviate your constipation.
If you have any questions or concerns about narcotic strength medications, please contact us.

Anti-nausea: Zofran (Ondansetron): Take as prescribed if needed for nausea

Anti-Inflammatory: Unless contraindicated due to other health reasons, you have been prescribed a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Ibuprofen 800mg) for use postoperatively. If you have no personal history of adverse response to anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), take as prescribed: Ibuprofen every 8 hours with food to help reduce swelling and pain. Do not take other NSAIDs (Celebrex, Advil, Aleve, etc) with Ibuprofen.

Muscle relaxer: Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) for muscle spasms. Take this as needed, it will make you drowsy.

Antibiotic: You will be given a prescription antibiotic, IF you do not stay overnight in the hospital, as a precaution for 7 days. Take twice a day with food.

Tylenol and Celebrex/Ibuprofen are the foundation for your pain control regimen. Example dosing: 1000mg Tylenol then 4 hours later 800mg Ibuprofen then 4 hours later repeat — every 4 hours alternate between Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Oxycodone as needed for breakthrough pain. *You should not exceed 3,000mg of Tylenol or 3,200mg of Ibuprofen in 24 hours.

Sling & Weight Bearing Status

With a Rotator Cuff Repair you will be placed in a sling
You should wear the sling at all times, except for hygiene and prescribed exercises, for the first 2 weeks, and continue sling use as directed by Dr. Pettit. Do not actively lift your arm overhead until about 6 weeks after surgery, or until cleared. No lifting/pushing/pulling >5lbs with the surgical hand/arm

Follow-up appointment

Your first post-operative appointment will be scheduled ~10 days following your surgical procedure. If you do not have a post-operative appointment scheduled when you leave your surgery, please call 513-354-3700 to make the appointment. ***

*Signs & Symptoms to Immediately Report*
Call 911 and go to the nearest hospital if you are having chest pain or trouble breathing.
Call the office at 513-354-3700 to report any of the following:

Persistent fever (101 or greater)
Sudden increase in pain and swelling
Wound redness or drainage (besides blood)
Increased skin temperature around incision
Deep calf pain and swelling
Severe abdominal pain

Your home exercise program. Dr. Pettit will guide you through a staged exercise programme after surgery. The full Shoulder Home Exercise Program, with photographs and dosages for every exercise, is available at robertpettitmd.com/exercise-programs/shoulder.pdf — follow the specific instructions you are given at your visits.

09Common Questions

How long will I be in a sling?

Full-time for the first 2 weeks, then as directed by Dr. Pettit — you will avoid actively lifting the arm overhead for about 6 weeks, depending on tear size and your specific protocol.

When can I use my arm again?

Light use for daily tasks often returns gradually after the sling phase, with full strength returning over several months.

10Questions & Scheduling

Once you and Dr. Pettit decide on surgery, Sandy Evans, our surgery scheduler, will handle your surgery date, insurance authorization, pre-operative clearances, and exact arrival instructions. Maria Dodd, PA-C helps manage your recovery — medications, imaging, and questions — throughout.

Surgery scheduling & direct office line: (513) 441-5639 · Main office: (513) 354-3700

Scan for the latest version online

robertpettitmd.com/handouts/prepare/rotator-cuff-repair.pdf

This guide is for general patient education and does not replace personalized medical advice. Always follow the specific instructions given by Dr. Pettit and your care team.