Carpenter with rotator cuff tear seeks recovery timeline and treatment options.

[Sofia_P]

I'm a 45-year-old carpenter who suffered a likely rotator cuff tear in my dominant shoulder about three weeks ago after a heavy lifting incident at work. The pain and weakness are significant, making my job nearly impossible. My doctor ordered an MRI, but the results are a week away, and I'm trying to understand my options. For those who have been through this, what was your recovery timeline like, and did you opt for surgery or aggressive physical therapy? I'm particularly worried about the long-term impact on my ability to return to a physically demanding trade if I don't get the surgery.

[KennethW]

Two quick notes up front: the MRI result will drive the plan, but in the meantime try to protect the shoulder—avoid heavy lifting and sudden jerking motions, keep to gentle passive ROM as advised, and monitor for increasing weakness or numbness. If pain or function worsens, seek urgent care rather than waiting for the appointment.

[GregoryNR]

I had a similar situation: a rotator cuff tear in my shoulder that turned out to be a full-thickness tear. I ended up having arthroscopic repair. Post-surgery I wore a sling for about 4–6 weeks, started PT slowly around week 2–3, and hovered around 4–6 months before I felt solid back to heavy lifting. It was a long road, but I eventually returned to full duty with more conservative gear and technique.

[Avery55]

I chose nonoperative care after a smaller tear and a strong PT program. I stuck with twice-weekly PT for about 8–12 weeks, focused on scapular mechanics and strengthening the rotator cuff with low loads. I gradually returned to full activity by around 3–4 months, with some residual weakness that improved over the next several months. Every tear is different, so your mileage may vary.

[Aubrey_M]

What actually matters in your MRI is size and retraction. If it’s a large full-thickness tear with significant retraction, surgery is likely to offer the best chance of restoring strength for heavy labor. If it’s smaller or partial, a structured PT plan might do nicely and help you avoid surgery. Ask your surgeon how they view tear type, tissue quality, and the expected rehab curve for your job.

[GraceXM]

If you’re leaning toward surgery or PT, prepare a short list of questions for your surgeon: expected timeline for work return, the risks of recurrent tearing, the rehab milestones, and what activity level is reasonable at each stage. Also ask about prehab options to maximize outcomes and whether they recommend injections to ease PT or bridge to surgery.

[Sofia.L]

For workplace planning, discuss a staged return with your employer and consider PT-guided technique changes or protective equipment to keep you moving. If PT isn’t giving enough relief, or the MRI shows a tear most surgeons would fix, a surgical plan with a clear rehab calendar usually offers the most predictable route back to full duty.