CALL US BOOK ONLINE PATIENT PORTAL Returning to Sports After Shoulder Surgery: What You Need to Know Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow Blog Returning to Sports After Shoulder Surgery: What You Need to Know Tweet Returning to sports after undergoing shoulder surgery is a high priority for most athletes, regardless of the sport you play. But you need to be prepared for downtime and avoid pushing things too fast during recovery and reconditioning. A re-injury could keep you benched for even longer. At Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow, our experienced orthopedic surgeons have the same goal you do: to get you back to your preferred level of competitive activity as smoothly and swiftly as possible. That means allowing time for recovery after your shoulder surgery. Typical recovery time after shoulder surgery Most orthopedists agree that you can expect to return to playing sports around six months from the date of your shoulder surgery. It all depends on the severity of your injury, what your surgery entails, how well your body heals, and what sport you play. Some of our patients are able to go back to the sports they love in as little as eight weeks, while others may need a year of recovery time. One study showed that MLB players were the slowest to return to the field and had the shortest postoperative careers, while NBA players returned more quickly and played for longer after having shoulder surgery. NHL and NFL players typically had a falling off in performance their first year back, but by the second postoperative season, they had returned to their former level of competitive play. Improving your chances of full recovery Your recovery time and success depend in large part on whether you listen to your doctor and follow instructions. If your coach and doctor disagree, listening to your doctor is the right choice. Driving yourself too hard or pushing through the pain puts you at risk for a more serious injury and possibly ending your ability to play your sport at all. Typically, we ask our shoulder surgery patients to keep the shoulder immobilized outside of physical therapy for the first four weeks. We can fit you with a sling to help you prevent inadvertent damage to your shoulder while it heals. Follow our recommendations for rest and limited motion to the letter. Physical therapy can help you regain a broader range of motion and build strength in the muscles surrounding your shoulder joint. It’s important to keep up your rehabilitation routine consistently to help your shoulder joint heal properly. If you experience pain, contact us right away to discuss if you need to switch your rehab regimen or explore pain management options. Have you undergone shoulder surgery and want to know if you can return to sports? Contact our location nearest you or book an appointment online today. We have locations in Atlanta, Marietta, and Watkinsville, Georgia. You Might Also Enjoy... Treating Dupuytren’s Contracture: Know Your Options Your hand hurts, and you have trouble stretching out your fingers, making it difficult to accomplish many household tasks. You may have a condition called Dupuytren’s contracture. Learn about your treatment options. How Do I Treat Tennis Elbow? Elbow pain can be disabling. If you’re having discomfort in your elbow, you may also be experiencing difficulty in everyday movements that require its use — for example, brushing your teeth. You may have tennis elbow. 2020 Continuing Education Conference We hope you will join us at our 2019 Continuing Education Conference at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center in Atlanta, GA. Fingers That Frequently Feel Cold May Indicate a Vascular Problem If your hands and fingers persistently feel cold, even when the weather isn’t, you may have issues with your vascular system. Chronic cold fingers may be the result of decreased blood flow to your hands. 2019 Continuing Education Conference We hope you will join us at our 2019 Continuing Education Conference at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center in Atlanta, GA. GHSE Hosts Hand2Hand Atlanta 2019 On November 9, 2019, Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow will be hosting a day of surgery at Georgia Surgical Center on Peachtree located at 2061 Peachtree Road in Atlanta. Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Nondiscrimination Policy Accessibility Notice Contact Us Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow, Atlanta, GA Phone (appointments): 404-352-3522 Phone (general inquiries): (404) 352-3522 Address: 2061 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30309 Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow, Marietta, GA Phone (appointments): 770-795-7979 Phone (general inquiries): 770-795-7979 Address: 620 Cherokee Street, Suite 200, Marietta, GA 30060 Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow, Watkinsville, GA Phone (appointments): 404-352-3522 Phone (general inquiries): 404-352-3522 Address: 1305 Jennings Mill Road, Building 300, Suite 110, Watkinsville, GA 30677 4.85/5 (983 reviews)