Labral Repair | Be Recovery Ready

I had a labral repair after I dislocated my shoulder playing rugby. I tried conservative treatment including Physical Therapy for several weeks which did get my shoulder strong however, the instability was persistent and opted for a labral repair.

Early on I was in a sling for about 4 weeks which made sleeping very difficult. Setting up a reclining chair so I could sleep elevated and prop a pillow under my elbow was essential. I started physical therapy at about 1 week post-op starting with some gentle passive range of motion before eventually starting to strengthen at about 4 weeks post-op. The entire process was about 12 weeks before I had full ROM and near full strength.

If you're heading into labral repair surgery I recommend, protect the repair early, follow the protocol for sling use as outlined by your surgeon, take sleep setup seriously and make sure to schedule your physical therapy evaluation which is essential for full recovery.

Comments (1)

Recovery Ready TeamOfficial

about 1 hour ago

Thank you for sharing this, Jack, this is exactly the kind of post that helps someone heading into labral repair know what to expect. The sleep setup tip (recliner + pillow under the elbow), protecting the repair early, sticking to the sling protocol, and getting PT scheduled are especially helpful details. A clear timeline like yours also makes the process feel more real for people still deciding or just getting started. If you’re willing to share a bit more for others reading: What surprised you most in the first couple of weeks? Anything you wish you’d set up at home before surgery? How did return to activity / sport feel after those ~12 weeks? Answer whatever you’re comfortable with. We’re here for support and shared experience.

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