After undergoing shoulder or rotator cuff surgery, patients face numerous challenges in their daily lives, especially when it comes to dressing. This blog aims to guide those recovering from such surgeries, highlighting suitable clothing options that can aid in comfort and independence during the recovery period.
What is Rotator Cuff Surgery?
Rotator cuff surgery is a procedure to repair a torn tendon in the shoulder. It's often required by individuals who have sustained shoulder injuries or have degenerative conditions. Recovery time varies but typically includes several weeks of limited movement followed by physical therapy that could last many months. During this period, patients must adapt their lifestyle, including how they dress, to accommodate their healing shoulder.
Things to Consider When Living with Rotator Cuff Surgery
Post-surgery life involves adapting to temporary limitations in mobility and independence. Patients are typically surprised by how much they realize they use their shoulder while completing daily activities and chores around the house. So it's important to think through your recovery and how you will manage your day-to-day life with these new physical limitations. Key considerations include:
Dressing Independently
The ability to dress oneself can be significantly hindered after surgery. Clothing that simplifies this process is essential to maintain independence. Post-surgery clothing, also known as adaptive clothing, is designed with innovative closures that will help individuals dress with reduced pain and strain. Depending on your mobility limitations, button-up shirts that use magnets instead of buttons, allowing for one-handed dressing, might be a wonderful solution. In case you do not have that type of mobility and will need help getting dressed from another person, you should consider clothes with an “open-back” design. Like a hospital gown, they open in the back, allowing the wearer to dress without raising arms overhead. They’re available as clothing options for both men and tops for women.
Washing
Personal hygiene, of course, is vital, but traditional showering or bathing routines may need adjustments to prevent strain on the healing shoulder. It’s highly recommended that you use a shower chair. The last thing you want to do is slip and have to use your injured shoulder to prevent a fall. So take a seat and take your time while showering. You might need to take a break from shaving, or learn to shave with a different hand. Brushing your hair will be a bit tricky, so like most things washing-related, give yourself a whole lot of extra time.
Housework
Performing household chores can be challenging when recovering from shoulder surgery. It’s important to either seek help or find ways to perform tasks without aggravating the shoulder. If you live alone, you need to really think through how you can safely maintain your home.
Standing/ Sitting
Movement like standing or sitting can be painful post-surgery. Clothing that doesn’t restrict movement and eases these transitions is beneficial.
Sleeping
Comfort during sleep is crucial for healing. Suitable nightwear and bedding that provide support and ease of movement can improve sleep quality. Many people prefer to sleep in a reclining chair as they recover from shoulder surgery, as this will put less pressure on their shoulder and limit their ability to toss and turn while sleeping.
Type of Clothes to Wear After Shoulder Rotator Cuff Surgery
Selecting the right clothing post-surgery can significantly impact comfort and mobility. Several years ago, the typical clothing recommendation from surgeons was an oversized t-shirt or tank top that can be modified by hand, by cutting open one sleeve to the shoulder to allow it to slip into the shirt. This is a nice, homemade way to create a functioning shirt, but it won’t look great, probably won’t last too long, and likely won’t even function how you’d like it to. That said, there are plenty of better options.
Clothes with Buttons on the Front
Front-buttoned shirts or blouses are easier to put on and take off, reducing the strain on the shoulder. The challenge, of course, with these shirts is not getting them on your shoulders, but securing all the buttons. If one of your arms is not mobile, buttons might become one of your biggest headaches. That’s why we suggest looking for shirts with magnets instead of buttons, such as Joe & Bella’s Everyday Magnet Button-Down shirt, allowing you to close your shirt easily with just one hand. This women's nightgown has front Velcro closures, making it a great all-day recovery option.
Loose-Fitting Clothes
Loose clothing allows for better airflow around the surgery area and accommodates swelling or bandages. So if you currently dress with more form-fitting clothes, find clothing options that are a larger size than normal.
Open Back Tops for Assisted Clothing
As mentioned earlier in this blog, for those requiring assistance with dressing, open-back tops can be more convenient and less painful to wear. Like hospital gowns, the back opening allows the wearer to dress without having to squeeze their head into a hole or raise their arms overhead, keeping your body in a safe position during the entire dressing process.
Pants with Side Zippers
But I thought this blog was about shoulder surgery? Sorry to break it to you, but your shoulder helps with pulling up and down your pants. So even though your surgery was at a spot far from your legs, you still might need some help here. Pants with side zippers allow for easier dressing, especially when bending and movement are restricted and make seated dressing with one hand easy.
Footwear with Velcro or Slip-Ons
Shoes that are easy to put on and take off without bending or using the arms excessively are ideal. There are some great new shoes out there that allow you to just step in them and not worry about laces or the back heel.
Front Opening Underwear
Underwear with front openings can be easier to manage during the recovery phase. Women should check out this brand for their adaptive undergarments.
Adaptive Nightgowns
For women who want an easy-dressing gown that they can wear throughout their recovery, this one is a great option. It employs Velcro to keep it closed, and is loos enough to dress with one hand.
How Does Adaptive Clothing Help People with Rotator Cuff Surgery?
Adaptive clothing is designed with the needs of individuals with limited mobility in mind. For those recovering from rotator cuff surgery, these garments provide ease of dressing and undressing, minimize pain during movement, and offer greater independence. The design features of adaptive clothing for post shoulder surgery address the specific challenges faced during the recovery period, making daily life more manageable and comfortable.
Conclusion
Recovering from shoulder surgery requires adjustments in many aspects of daily life, including clothing choices. By choosing adaptive clothing designed for ease of use and comfort, individuals can navigate the recovery period with greater independence and less discomfort. The right clothing choices not only facilitate physical healing but also support mental well-being by promoting autonomy and dignity during the healing process.
Your design team knocked it out of the park! I never thought adaptive clothes could be so fashionable.
