As a former nurse with a passion for tennis, I’ve dealt with the demon of shoulder pain more a lot more than I would have liked. My friends and I were constantly in search of the best bra for rotator cuff injuries – or any bra that didn’t actually make our shoulder pain worse. 

Let me tell you most of the companies promise you the easiest bra to wear after shoulder surgery just don’t deliver. They might have wide straps to distribute weight, or comfy fabrics – but they’re still a nightmare to get on and off – or they don’t offer enough support.

Now that I’m a little older, currently recovering from shoulder cuff surgery and grappling with the beast of arthritis, I decided to find out once and for all – are there any really great bras for those of us with shoulder pain? The good news? There are! 

I’ll recommend my top three a little later in this blog (Everyday Easy-On Bra & Comfort Sculpt Bra, Smooth-On T-Shirt Bra) as well as some possible alternatives. But first, let’s iron out what really makes a great bra for rotator cuff injuries. 

The #1 Feature for a Post-Shoulder Surgery Bra

When I’m shopping for any bra – I’m always going to look for a few things – support, comfort and a little style. But here’s what I learned when searching for the best bras for rotator cuff injuries: you always want a front closure. 

Grappling with a bra that clasps behind your back when you’ve just had surgery, or you’re recovering from an injury is a nightmare. It hurts – and it can make your injury worse. 

While you can opt for a bra you just pull over your head – getting those on and off can be pretty comfortable too. Take it from me. Plus, you can’t just adjust the fit of those bras if you’re having a particularly painful day. 

Front-closure bras are the easiest bra to wear after shoulder surgery – or just about any injury. They’re quick and simple to take on and off, and they still give you plenty of flexibility. 

Other Top Features of the Best Bras for Rotator Cuff Injuries

Front-closure bras are always going to give you the best combination of comfort, simplicity, and mobility if you have shoulder issues like me. You’re also going to want:

• Thick, Well-Placed, and Adjustable Straps: Look for wide (ideally adjustable) straps that help distribute weight evenly across your shoulders. 

• Soft, Comfortable Materials: Soft, breathable fabric is a godsend. Ideally, I’d also recommend choosing a completely wireless bra to stop pinching.

• Support: Although wireless bras won’t give you as much support in general, they should give you decent coverage and enough confidence to move around freely. 

The 1st Bra I Tried: The Bliss Bra by Harper Wild

★★☆☆☆

After hunting online for the best bra for shoulder pain, the “Bliss Bra” was one of the first options I came across. I’m not usually a fan of bralettes – but other customers said the bra was easy and comfortable to wear – and that’s mainly what I was looking for. 

This bra does deserve some praise – the fabric is comfortable and breathable, and there are plenty of different colors to choose from – which is nice. Plus, there are a lot of size options – which can be hard to find when you’re my age. 

The biggest problem was that I still had to pull this bra over my head to get it on and off – which caused quite a bit of pain. This might be a decent option if you just don’t want to fiddle with clasps – but I’d still recommend a front-closure if you’re looking for a post-surgery bra. 

The 2nd Bra I Tried: The SheFit Lounge Bra

★★★☆☆

This bra was recommended to me by a few ladies on Reddit. If you don’t want to pull a bra over your head, this is a good choice, because it has a zipper at the front. Although I will say I had a few snagging issues with that zipper from time to time. 

I like that this bra has seamless fabric (so it doesn’t stand out under your clothes), and it comes with removable breast cups for a little more shape and structure. However, aside from the occasional zipper problems, this product did have a few issues. 

The straps do rub a little against my shoulders, and the fit is quite tight (it’s intended as a sports bra) – so it’s not the most comfortable for everyday wear. It’s also not the most breathable fabric. 

The Most Comfortable Bra I Tried: Liberare Comfort Sculpt

★★★★★

Stumbling onto Liberare was a game-changer for me. For the first time, I found a company that offered everything I wanted from bras for rotator cuff injuries – ultra soft seamless fabric, a wireless design, and a front closure!

The Comfort Sculpt bra is a breath of fresh air. It has lovely, wide straps that perfectly balance weight across your shoulders, and give you a little extra support. The innovative magnetic front closure even comes with handy finger loops, which makes it perfect for my arthritis. Plus, you’re left fiddling with clasps – the hooks magnetically close in seconds! 

If you’re looking for seamless full-coverage, a little strategic lift, and premium quality material, this is the bra for you. It’s definitely one of my go-to bras for shoulder pain.

The Most Supportive Bra I Tried: Liberare Smooth-On

★★★★★

 

 

 

While the Liberare Comfort Sculpt bra gave me plenty of support (and wonderful straps), I also wanted something that would provide a little more “lift” – without the wires. The Liberare Smooth-On T-Shirt bra was perfect for that. 

It features the same innovative magnetic front-closure as the Comfort Sculpt – so you can get it on and off in seconds. Plus, it comes with molded cups that lift, separate, and shape, without the pinching and discomfort of wires. 

I also really loved the extra-large side wings – the extra side and back support made it feel less like I was relying on my shoulders to do the heavy lifting.

The Best Bra for Rotator Cuff Injuries: The Everyday Easy-On Bra

★★★★★

 

 

 

Finally we have the winner – the ultimate choice for anyone in search of the best bras for rotator cuff injuries: the Liberare Everyday Easy-On bra. I can say with confidence this is the best bra I’ve ever worn. It’s so easy to get on and off – it feels like magic. 

The front closure design is once again, brilliant, with the magnetized elements that just slide into place without any pinching or fiddling. Plus, the shoulder straps are actually adjustable on the front, so you don’t have to worry about reaching behind you (or taking the bra off), to make tweaks.

Plus, there’s even a handy back adjuster, so even if your shape changes a little, you’ll still get a perfectly comfortable fit. All that, and you get a wire-free construction that prioritizes comfort, while still giving you a decent lift – thanks to carefully placed seams. 

I Finally Found the Best Bras for Rotator Cuff Injuries

Honestly, if you’re looking for the right bra for shoulder pain, a great post-surgery bra, or the best option for rotator cuff injuries, all the options above have their merits. 

But I really can’t recommend the three Liberare bras: (Everyday Easy-On Bra & Comfort Seamless Bra, Smooth-On T-Shirt Bra) enough for all-around excellence. These are by-far the best bras all-around for comfort, style and support. I just wish I had found them sooner!