What's the recovery like after a rotator cuff tear for non-athletes?

[AlexanderIJ]

I’ve been dealing with a stiff and painful shoulder for months, and my doctor mentioned the possibility of a rotator cuff tear after an MRI. I’m trying to understand what the recovery process is actually like for someone who isn’t an athlete, just trying to get back to normal daily tasks without this constant ache.

[Nora3]

I’m not an athlete either. After months of shoulder ache, physical therapy helped more than I expected. It was slow and uneven, but by around week six I slept a bit better and could reach overhead a little more. A small win like being able to slice veggies without that sharp catch felt big.

[Ava68]

The MRI hinted at a rotator cuff tear, but recovery wasn’t linear. I did about 8–12 weeks of guided PT with some home exercises. Pain dropped from a 6/10 to about 2–3/10 on good days, and I could cook or wash dishes without bracing. Surgery wasn’t forced; we kept with PT and careful activity.

[Hannah43]

Sometimes I’m not sure I’m answering your question properly. I wonder if the tear is the real culprit or if stiffness and weak shoulder muscles are driving the daily ache. I tried heat, gentle stretches, then backed off when it flared. Progress was real on some days, but the pattern stayed inconsistent.

[AndrewJ]

I did drift a bit off topic once thinking about sleep setup. I swapped to a supportive pillow arrangement and tried not to sleep on the bad side. On a week or so that helped, but a new flare could set in the next night. Progress felt slow and non linear, and I kept adjusting.