Recommended by surgeons & physiotherapists

Shoulder Sleeper

Surgery & recovery

Practical, UK-voiced guides to the weeks around shoulder surgery — how to sleep, what to prepare, when you can drive, and what recovery actually looks like week by week.

NHS waiting list

Waiting for Shoulder Surgery on the NHS: Your Rights, and How to Cope

What the orthopaedic waiting list actually looks like, the right to switch hospital that you have to ask for, and how to cope in the meantime.

12 min read

Daily life

One-Armed Living: Showering, Dressing, Cooking and Coping After Shoulder Surgery

Washing, dressing, kitchen tactics and what you're actually allowed to lift — the survival manual for the weeks in a sling.

13 min read

Recovery timeline

Shoulder Replacement Recovery: What to Expect (Anatomic and Reverse)

Hospital stay, sling, rehab phases and restrictions — plus what the National Joint Registry really says about implant longevity.

14 min read

Driving

When Can I Drive After Shoulder Surgery? UK Rules, Insurance and Manual Cars

The legal test is control of the vehicle, not a number of weeks. Here's how that works in practice — plus DVLA, insurance and painkiller rules.

12 min read

Recovery timeline

Rotator Cuff Repair Recovery: A Realistic Week-by-Week Timeline (UK)

Sling, physio, pain, work and driving — phase by phase, plus what UK trial data really shows about healing.

15 min read

Sling

Sleeping in a Sling: How Long, How to Cope, and What Actually Helps

Why the sling stays on at night, how long you'll wear it, and the practical fixes for neck strain, sweating and broken sleep.

10 min read

Sleep

Recliner, Bed or Wedge: Where Should You Actually Sleep After Shoulder Surgery?

Recliner, pillow stack or wedge — an honest comparison, including what hiring a recliner actually costs in the UK.

9 min read

Preparing for surgery

Preparing for Shoulder Surgery: The Complete UK Checklist

Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, wardrobe and paperwork — a week-by-week checklist for the run-up to your operation.

11 min read

Sleep

How to Sleep After Shoulder Surgery: Positions, Setup and Week by Week

Positions, bed setup and a realistic week-by-week progression — from the first night home to sleeping on your side again.

14 min read

Surgery & recovery | Shoulder Sleeper UK