Rotator Cuff shoulder surgery

[hivel37]

Do the rehab and all will be well.
I’ve had both sides done 10 years apart.
Knowing what was ahead, pulling the trigger on the
second one was tough.

 

[__steve__]

Make sure you have a recliner. Impossible to sleep without it.

I had labrum repair (tenodesis, orthoplasty, and 3 staples). Doctor had to drill 3 holes to rebuild everything. It's not like a knee or hip surgery where you are up and walking in a week, these take months to even use your arm again. Listen to the surgeon and PT. Proper recovery is vital for successful surgery. I was in sling for 6 weeks and it took a year to surpass where I was prior. I destroyed my shoulder competing in masters swimming overzealously. Rotator surgeries do have shorter post-op times than labrum repairs, but tend to hurt a little more. Ice is your friend. Get some bands and use them for now on to avoid future issues with other shoulder.

Good luck

Any questions after the procedure this thread might help

 

[Model 19 6"]

Make sure to practice cleaning up after you use the toilet if it is your normal hand for the job.

 

[hemiram]

The toilet deal is a major thing. I messed up my right hand and using my left was a nightmare for about 2 weeks.

 

[Doug627]

hemiram is correct. If your shoulder is on your dominate hand side, practice taking care of your personal needs with your other hand. It is awkward at first but necessary. Good luck. As for the discussion of pain above, it is not exaggerated. I found the PT exercises mimicking getting your wallet out of your back pocket the most painful.

 

[tripledipper]

My wife had her right shoulder rotator cuff large tear repaired on 9/24. Surgeon used plastic screws in the repair procedure. Nerve block worked for a day, the pain pump worked for two days, first narcotics made her ill, now acetaminophen and a very mild narcotic allows her enough pain relief to get some needed rest. Brace stays on for 6 weeks, PT begins in maybe 4 to 6 weeks, already had the left one done previously so she knows the drill. Is adjusting to using left arm for everything. Knowing her, she will be back doing physical chores she should not do. A tough cookie.

 

[Doug M.]

Don't be surprised if the surgery gets postponed once or twice, or more. I have had two hospitalizations in the last 5 weeks. The first required a 13 hour wait in the ER due to a lack of staff and other issues - most of the staff in the hospital were reassigned to ICU care. The second was planned surgery that had to be out-patient even after it got more complex; I was darned lucky to even keep the date when all "non-emergency" surgery was cancelled. Most of the OR staff are being redeployed in the same manner to the ICU. The additional prep for my surgery was interesting, and new.

 

[Chubbo]

Rotor cuff surgery

Fordson; I’ve had three rotor cuff operations. All of them were quite painful.

They all required cortisone shots for pain management, and much orthopedic, and self-therapy.

I believe, your recovery, depends on you, and how hard you push yourself in your exercises, and self therapy.

Before my last operation my surgeon informed me, that I wouldn't regain much use of my arm, but the operation would alleviate, most of the pain. Nevertheless, through extensive exercise, I gained full recovery of my arm. It totally amazed my surgeon.

My methods might not work for everyone, but they certainly did for me. I still have near normal use of both arms.

 

[Engineer1911]

1] Before surgery understand and know how to correctly wear the sling. Make sure your wife also knows.

2] Don't be stupid. Eight hours after surgery you will be in PAIN ! Know what max dosage is and take the pills if the pain is bad. 12 hours of relaxed sleep beats 12 hours of pain and agony. I called my doctor -- my wife was WRONG.

3] Know and understand the therapy information. My surgery (more severe) did not match my post-surgical instructions or therapy instructions. I called and asked what is going on? I started slow careful movement of my arm on a supported counter top on day 3. My wife started a gentle massage on my shoulder as I could tolerate it. Her gentle massage eliminated 75% of post surgery discomfort and therapy pain.

I used a sling for 2 weeks, but had my arm supported for 4 weeks by recliner arm rest and desk chair arm rest. This helped my range of motion.

I had my first post-surgery exam. My recovery at 4 weeks was at 7 to 8 week level. Doctor said "Raise your arms above your head." I did full extension with both arms, right shoulder surgery. He started yelling at me. I was OK, he calmed down. I told him everything I had done for home therapy. At that point we realized that my surgery did not match my post-op instructions, but I had not injured my surgery sight, I was cleared for physical therapy.

Day #1 of physical therapy for me was the same as starting week 3 for most patients. My therapist was amazed at my range of motion and lack of pain. I requested Dave, because he worked with me on my knee replacement. We followed the standard exercise plan, but day 1 was normal, day 2 was day 4 plan, and day 3 was day 6 of plan. After 2 weeks my recovery matched week 4 of therapy play. I finished physical therapy 3 weeks early with 98% range of motion.

Again, I emphasize that my wire's massage therapy contributed 75% to my rapid recovery.

 

[jeffrefrig]

5 years ago I had a total tear of right shoulder, workmans comp case. I was operated on end of Jan. and was back to work by mid Sept. Therapy twice a week. Opioids first 5 weeks. Now I'm in therapy for left shoulder rotator cuff, plus they had to cut and re-attach my upper bicep. I think he took a Metabo to clean up inside the cuff. This was back in June. I still don't have good movement, it hurts like all hell, and I believe I'll be in therapy till January. I also exercise some at home. It hurts alot.They took me off opioids about 3 weeks after operation. (Just lousy 5mg Vicodin.) Wakes me up at night.
Do what the therapists say to do and don't miss any appointments.
If you have a tear , all the therapy in the world won't fix it. Do it, and good luck to you.

 

[jeffrefrig]

BTW, they have these cold water machines now that you put on and run the water through it. Use it. Better than ice packs. Drink a boatload of water and take a bunch of ibuprofin 1st thing in AM.
Aspirin too.