How long does physiotherapy take to work for rotator cuff tear?

A rotator cuff tear can limit lifting, reaching and sleeping on the affected side. A smaller or partial tear may be managed with graded rehabilitation, while a larger tear or surgery can require a more protected early phase. Initial therapy may restore comfortable range and shoulder-blade control before resistance is added. Strength and overhead tolerance often return gradually because tendons and muscles need time to adapt. Pain alone does not show whether the tear is healing, so function and examination findings matter.

Follow lifting and movement limits given by your clinician, especially after surgery. Use the home programme regularly and keep the shoulder moving within the allowed range. Avoid adding weights, overhead work or stretches simply because a session felt better. Tell the therapist about night pain, catching, weakness or pain that lingers after exercise. Progression normally moves from mobility and control to strengthening, then task-specific reaching or lifting.

Seek prompt review after a new injury with sudden weakness, a visible change in shoulder shape, severe swelling or inability to lift the arm. After surgery, follow the surgical team’s urgent instructions for wound problems, fever or rapidly worsening pain. Contact your clinician if strength or function is deteriorating rather than slowly improving, or if exercises repeatedly cause sharp pain.

Is my tear partial or full thickness, and what does that mean for rehabilitation? Which movements are restricted now? When may I begin resistance or overhead work? What improvement should we measure at reviews?