Re: Rotator Cuff surgery, so far, so good

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Re: Rotator Cuff surgery, so far, so good

Checked in this morning at 9:00am, was discharged at about 3:30pm. My Dr. said everything went very well. I was given some type of nerve block, still can't feel anything in my right arm. Probably a good thing at this point.

Just wanted to make a quick post while I am pain free. Will post again as soon as I am able. Will be here, reading for sure.

Best Regards, Bob Ratliff
 
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1) Do the rehabilitation procedures religiously. Otherwise, it was a wasted effort and you will be no better than before.

2) Don't get discouraged but it will take 1 year before you are back to 100% function and strength. The payoff is that it will be better than ever.

Bob
 
Hey Bob, hope you do well healing from the surgery. Was thinking abt you today, wondering if you had the surgery yet. Make sure you are better on Sept 23rd so you can attend the next S&W bunch at NOSC.

Yea, the therapy will help in recovery. Glad you enjoyed the symposium, they are a blast. Maybe see you at Berea early July, will you be there?? Larry
 
Went through it about two and a half years ago. Hang in there, it'll be worth it. As said above, took about a year to feel 100% again. Keep up with the therapy.
 
Had both sides done a few years back. Not much fun--getting enough sleep with the sling, etc was my problem. The advice about doing the rehab religiously is right on. The good news is that it all worked out fine.
 
Good luck on your recovery. I had the same surgery 15months ago. Everyone who says one year recovery is absolutely right.
 
I hope you have your hiking boots on because Recovery Trail is a long, slow climb. Depending on your age, a year may not be long enough. As others have said, Physical Terrorpy is your salvation. Lack of sleep will wear you out, so be innovative to get as comfortable as possible. Also, pay attention to the subtle signs of your recovery as these boost your confidence and attitude.

I had a SLAP repair on my left shoulder 1/03/14 at age 57. I was out of work 10 1/2 months.

Best wishes to you.
 
The nerve block wore off sometime during the night. Not feeling nearly as pain free as yesterday. Not unbearable however, perhaps a 5 on a 1 to 10 scale.

Many thanks for the advise and well wishes, I sincerely appreciate them. My Dr. echoed what many have advised. Stay the course on physical therapy and that my age, 57, will work against me.

Will try to chime in from time to time.

Larry, will try to make both Berea and the next meeting of the ''NE Ohio Bunch" depending on how I feel.

The "Bunch" was well represented at the Symposium. I counted no less than nine members. Several members asked where we got the cool t-shirts. :cool:
 
Feel better soon. do the rehab exactly as rx'ed, and keep your shoulders, back, and chest muscles strong.

I had extensive shoulder surgery in the 10th grade (sports injuries). With the proper mindset and persistence, I built up to a double bodyweight bench press.

your shoulder should be good to go when it heals
 
I tore my right rotator cuff to shreds exactly one year ago and have been unable to have the surgery. Other health issues intervened and I've got to get them out of the way first. I seem to have recovered 75-80% use of the arm: my internist buddy said my body began to heal the shoulder the moment I injured it. Still haven't figured out how I would deal with an immobilized shoulder after surgery while living alone.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
Even someone missing an arm....

kaaskop49 said:
I tore my right rotator cuff to shreds exactly one year ago and have been unable to have the surgery. Other health issues intervened and I've got to get them out of the way first. I seem to have recovered 75-80% use of the arm: my internist buddy said my body began to heal the shoulder the moment I injured it. Still haven't figured out how I would deal with an immobilized shoulder after surgery while living alone.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Click to expand...

Even someone missing an arm can use a prosthetic. A dead arm is just......dead. I've been there and know that using the arm to do ANYTHING is not only excruciatingly painful, but futile as your arm just won't move like it should without the joints and leverage they give.

OK, I'm exaggerating. I could lift a half gallon of milk as high as my waist IF it were pressed up against my body, but that was as far as it would go without the other hand/arm taking over
 
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rwsmith said:
Even someone missing an arm can use a prosthetic. A dead arm is just......dead. I've been there and know that using the arm to do ANYTHING is not only excruciatingly painful, but futile as your arm just won't move like it should without the joints and leverage they give.

OK, I'm exaggerating. I could lift a half gallon of milk as high as my waist IF it were pressed up against my body, but that was as far as it would go without the other hand/arm taking over
Click to expand...

Appreciate your reply! Doing OK actually. I reiterate, I still haven't figured out how I would deal with an immobilized right shoulder after surgery while living alone...

Good shooting and thanks! :)

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
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"Appreciate your reply! Doing OK actually. I reiterate, I still haven't figured out how I would deal with an immobilized right shoulder after surgery while living alone..."

Usually the shoulder is taped to the torso for 7-10 days. The arm can move slightly side to side, up and down, six inches or so. Use pain meds sparingly, have food prepared in advance, and do everything ahead of surgery that may require you to travel (doctor/dentist, grocery shopping, other prescriptions you may need, etc.). Putting off the surgery is hurting your chances of a successful recovery.
 
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I tore my right rotator cuff on the 4th Feb 2012 (my brothers birthday) while on duty. Thank God I was working at the time because I got gold standard service as the department and their injury specialists paid for it all.

Had first surgery in June 2012. For 6 weeks I couldn't even lie on my left side due to pain. I never realised how much strain even walking places on shoulders until then. Went back to work on restricted duty in August and on the second day I was doing some stretching exercises when I felt something tear in my shoulder. A day or so later I tripped over something on the floor and the pain in my shoulder was overwhelming. A few days later I was informed by the surgeon that over 50% of the time the first surgery does not fix the injury.

I had a second surgery in December 2012. While waiting for it I was in a station when I heard my brother on the radio responding to a mentally unfit person trying to jump off a bridge. He grabbed her as she jumped and when he come to pick me up he said he couldn't raise his arm which was aching. I told him right then he had torn his rotator cuff.

2 days after the second surgery I could lie and sleep on my left side. Wonderful recovery. (My brother had his surgery 6 weeks later and it was sucessfull first time.

All told I was 18 months recovering. Yet in 2009 I had a spinal fusion which basically broke my spine and left it to fuse the vertibrae back together. I was back in uniform in 9 months, 3 months before the surgeon told me I would be fully recovered.
 
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