Rotator cuff tear surgery, how does it recover?

General averages..: Patients move their elbow, wrist and hand immediately. No active shoulder motion for about 6 weeks. Between 6 weeks and 3 months patients are in therapy working on getting motion back to normal. After 3 months motion is close to normal and primary therapy is for strength. These are general and vary with patient age and size of tear sometimes. Return to heavy lifting and sports at 6 mos

6 months.: Our protocol calls for 3 weeks in a sling, then we initiate physical therapy. Our patients participate in physical therapy for about 4-6 months before being released to all activities.