ColbyBruce
Member
On my left arm. Anybody had this surgery? What sort of a time am I in for? I have been told two months recovery time at a minimum, due to my age, 56. Any input would be appreciated.
Rotator cuff surgery next Friday
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10mmauto
Member
I've had it. Personally, I couldn't be happier. Before the surgery, my shoulder ached every day. Haven't had that since the post-op. Just make sure to be diligent with the physical therapy afterwards.
You won't want to be doing any wrestling for a couple of months, though.
You won't want to be doing any wrestling for a couple of months, though.
BigCityChief
Member
doublesharp
Member
I've torn my left a couple times over the last 40 years but have healed without surgery. Just did it again about 2 months ago and got a cortisone shot a week ago last Thursday. It helped me enough that I'm not going to have surgery. I've torn my right also. My mobility is limited a bit but I'm strong as an ox and half as smart. 
mc5aw
Member
CB ... I had rotator cuff surgery in June 2012 for a large calcium deposit termed "calcific tendonitis". In addition to removing the calcium deposit, the surgeon also took out the bursa sac and put a couple anchors in place. I was in sling for 2 months, then did numerous weeks of PT. I'm in good health, but my range of motion was not fully restored for nearly a year. Discomfort lasted for several months at various levels. The biggest post-surgery problem was trying to sleep in the upright position ... not happening. I also was surprised by the level of pain I was experiencing before and immediately after. It was not pleasant.
The greatest advice I can offer is this: After surgery, your arm will be in a sling probably with a pad between your elbow/forearm and waist. The doc will tell you to keep your arm completely immobilized, but the angle with the pad can cause excruciating discomfort in your elbow. Simply loosen the sling several times a days and let your arm hang, extending from the elbow down, without putting any pressure on your shoulder. This simple stretch will prevent the nerve in your elbow from becoming inflamed.
Interestingly, my doc instructed me to wear the sling for 8 weeks, which I did and suffered an alarming atrophying of the muscles in my bicep, tricep, and shoulder blade. Several months after my PT, I visited a chiropractor for a different issue, and he told me that he starts PT for shoulder 'scopes a week or two after surgery. I'm not sure I could have done it so soon, but just something to inquire about.
Good luck and fast healing.
The greatest advice I can offer is this: After surgery, your arm will be in a sling probably with a pad between your elbow/forearm and waist. The doc will tell you to keep your arm completely immobilized, but the angle with the pad can cause excruciating discomfort in your elbow. Simply loosen the sling several times a days and let your arm hang, extending from the elbow down, without putting any pressure on your shoulder. This simple stretch will prevent the nerve in your elbow from becoming inflamed.
Interestingly, my doc instructed me to wear the sling for 8 weeks, which I did and suffered an alarming atrophying of the muscles in my bicep, tricep, and shoulder blade. Several months after my PT, I visited a chiropractor for a different issue, and he told me that he starts PT for shoulder 'scopes a week or two after surgery. I'm not sure I could have done it so soon, but just something to inquire about.
Good luck and fast healing.
Good luck
Hope you get good results.
Hope you get good results.
Yup, both sides. Big incisions both times. As mentioned, sleeping comfortably was a big problem. The big bolster on the sling to keep my arm outwards was also a major nuisance--about wore a hole in my side. Used the same doctor on both operations. Told him I would behave on the second arm and faithfully follow instructions and rehab, but that damn bolster had to go.
Pain minimal on both but recovery does take time. I had a very good doctor and did what he told me. It is months but like everything else, time heals all wounds. Or wounds all heels, or something.
Good luck with yours.
Pain minimal on both but recovery does take time. I had a very good doctor and did what he told me. It is months but like everything else, time heals all wounds. Or wounds all heels, or something.
Good luck with yours.
OP
ColbyBruce
Member
I am not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling about this surgery.
EQGuy
US Veteran
I have had surgery on both shoulders. The first one 3 years ago at age 65 and the second one a year later. The first one was arthroscopic surgery and I went home the same day. The second one, on my right shoulder, required a large incision with an anchor stud for the stitches required. This required an overnight hospital stay. My problem was bone spurs that were tearing my tendons. The Dr. told me it was like taking a cheese grater to my tendons every time I moved my arm. I also had a narrow opening in the shoulder bone for the tendons to pass through. He enlarged the opening. Prior to the surgeries I was in constant pain. Now I seldom have to use pain killers. I had to use a sling for about 6 weeks and my Dr. told me to loose the sling as soon as possible. He also did not prescribe physical therapy as his opinion was that they messed up his work. He just had me do the butterfly exercise and at first that was quite painful but it did work. He prescribed Hydrocodone and as long as I was taking it I could not drive. I weaned myself off of it within a couple of weeks. If you do not have one now get a recliner as I could not sleep laying down for the first few nights and was able to sleep in my recliner quite well. The hardest part of my surgery was the nurse getting the IV inserted. I remember joking with the nurse as they were wheeling me into the OR and the next thing I woke up in the recovery room. They operated on me for over 3 hours both times. The pain was manageable with the pain meds and ice packs. Since the surgery on my right shoulder I have been sensitive to recoil. When I asked the Dr if I could shoot a rifle or shotgun he told me he was more concerned with my holding the gun up rather than recoil causing a problem. Now it is a year and a half later and I am able to shoot rifles and shotguns with just a little discomfort. I am very satisfied with the results and am happy that I had it done. I wish you the best of luck and hope your surgery goes as well as mine did.
Be patient with your recovery. Be very, VERY patient. I know half a dozen men that have been through this and every single one of them took a year or longer to get back to normal. It's a slow go but you should be alright when it's all said and done.
Good luck and I wish you a speedy and complete recovery!
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It's complex surgery. I had a coworker who had to have it done twice on the same shoulder and even then it was only partially successful. He had to retire on disability.
Another co worker had it done, came back to work, reinjured it, and then had to retire.
That being said, don't put it off. My mother had a rotator cuff injury and her idiot primary care doctor advised her not to have it repaired. I think he was actually trying to save her the pain of recovery at her age, but it only got worse and at the time of her death, her right arm was all but useless.
Get it done, follow through with the OT, and don't try to do too much too soon. Chances are you'll recover fully, but as others have noted, it will take about a year before you are totally "healed".
I have had both my shoulders repaired. I have some hardware in both. I promise you it will hurt like the dickens for three days, then magically get way better.You will have to sleep in a recliner, because it will hurt even worse trying to lie flat. It takes a solid year to get everything back to where it was beforehand. Your range of motion will be much better. The strength returns, but do whatever your Physical Terrorist tells you to do in PT.
Pain is only temporary, but temporary can be a loong damned time.
Pain is only temporary, but temporary can be a loong damned time.
LVSteve
Member
My late wife had it done some years ago. I will back up what everybody said about not rushing the recovery.
The biggest "problem" in her mind was that she could not do her own hair. Hence the family joke that emerged, "Dress by Dior; shoes by Jimmy Choo; hair by Steve?"
The biggest "problem" in her mind was that she could not do her own hair. Hence the family joke that emerged, "Dress by Dior; shoes by Jimmy Choo; hair by Steve?"
EQGuy
US Veteran
I just wanted to add to my previous post. The Dr. had me wear a sling 24/7 for the first week to 10 days including to bed. After that he told me to loose it as soon as I could but to wear it for 6 weeks when I was out of the house so that no one would come up and try to shake my hand or horse around.
Never been shot (so far, anyway) but I had large incisions with both RCs. I think I've been fairly lucky on those surgeries.
But I sure do marvel at the movie heroes who shrug off "flesh wounds" and hop on a horse in the next scene...guess I'm just a wuss.
But I sure do marvel at the movie heroes who shrug off "flesh wounds" and hop on a horse in the next scene...guess I'm just a wuss.
But what you DON'T see is the stunt man limping off the set off camera...
Ain't no "do overs" in real life. 
J. R. WEEMS
Member
Had to have this when I fell against the door jam coming in from the garage a couple years ago. It got so bad I had trouble driving. There was some bone scraping as well. Do what they tell you and don't push it. Been told some never fully recover-- I have a high tolerance for pain, but this was pretty tough, to say the least. Can still bother me when the weather change is forthcoming.
Straightshooter2
US Veteran
I had my right shoulder worked on in 2008 and the only thing I can say is do your physical therapy. My doctor started me on therapy at one week after surgery. Physical therapy will be painful but it's the only way to get range of motion back and physical therapists will make you go beyond where your body says "Quit doing this to me!"
CW
CW
had both shoulders done and after it was all over, had to stop shooting trap. can't shoot the big rifles either. if you need it, do it. things will get better but dont' try to hurry it and take your pain meds . good luck to you.
OP
ColbyBruce
Member
I had the surgery about 32 hours ago. Pain has jumped on me with both feet. I am only taking a half dose of oxycodone every four hours in order to stay lucid. Thanks for all the input and encouragement.
Get well soon. Keep us updated if you can.
