Getting dressed after rotator cuff surgery can transform from a simple daily routine into a significant challenge due to pain, limited range of motion, and the necessity of keeping the arm immobilized in a sling. The primary goal during this recovery period is to protect the surgical repair while maintaining as much independence as possible in daily tasks. Safely navigating the dressing process requires specific adjustments to both your wardrobe and your technique to prevent any unwanted strain on the delicate healing tendons.
Essential Clothing Modifications
Loose-fitting garments are highly recommended, often meaning selecting items one or two sizes larger than your normal fit to easily accommodate the sling and any post-operative swelling. Choosing fabrics with inherent stretch, such as soft cotton blends or jersey knits, further simplifies the process by requiring less effort to pull them over the body.
Prioritizing front-fastening clothing significantly reduces the need for overhead or rotational movements that are restricted after surgery. Shirts with snaps, Velcro closures, or zippers are preferable to pullovers, as they can be managed with one hand and avoid raising the operated arm. If adaptive clothing (designed with features like side-seam openings) is not an option, temporary alterations like cutting a favorite shirt down the side and adding simple closures can make a standard garment functional.
Mastering Shirts and Tops
The most fundamental rule for upper-body dressing is to always dress the injured arm first and undress the injured arm last (DIF/DOL). This technique ensures that the operated shoulder is never forced into a position of strain or active movement. The process should begin with the shirt laid out flat, with the injured side’s sleeve bunched up and ready.
Use your uninjured hand to gently feed the operated arm, which should remain relaxed and supported, through the bunched-up sleeve until it is fully covered. Once the injured arm is in place, bring the shirt around the back and over your head, taking care to avoid lifting with the operated arm. Finally, insert your uninjured arm into the remaining sleeve, using the good arm to adjust the shirt down over your torso.
For those who wear a bra, managing the closures can be difficult due to the restriction on reaching behind the back. A front-clasping bra is the easiest solution, but a standard bra can still be worn by putting it on backward. Fasten the clasp in the front, then rotate the bra around your torso until the cups are in the correct position. The straps can then be slipped onto the shoulders, starting with the one on the operated side, using the uninjured hand to guide it.
Handling Pants, Socks, and Undergarments
Dressing the lower body requires specific movements to prevent bending, twisting, or reaching that could indirectly strain the operated shoulder. It is highly recommended to remain seated for the entire process to maintain balance and minimize the risk of falls. Choose pants that are loose-fitting and feature an elastic waistband, as these do not require difficult one-handed buttoning or zipping.
To put on pants and underwear, gather the fabric down the legs and use your uninjured hand to feed each foot through the respective opening while remaining seated. Pull the garment up as high as possible past your knees before you stand up to finish pulling them up over your hips. When standing, use a stable surface, like a grab bar or the back of a sturdy chair, for support to ensure stability.
Adaptive tools, such as a dressing stick or a long-handled reacher, can reduce bending and reaching. These tools allow you to hook and pull up socks, shoes, and pants without excessive movement of the upper body. Footwear should consist of simple slip-on shoes or those with elastic laces to eliminate the need for tying, further simplifying the process and protecting your healing shoulder.