Shoulder Surgery, Update Post #18

[Engineer1911]

My favorite orthopedic surgery group will repair the torn rotator cuff on my right shoulder early in the morning on 9-10-19. This is my third surgery (both knees, right shoulder) with this group of Doctors. I'm on my third retired army surgeon. Both knee surgeries were trouble free.

Rehab therapy is agonizing at best after shoulder surgery. I've seen 20+ patients doing it during my knee rehabs. My therapist worked with me on my second knee operation. I have full confidence in my surgeon, I believe my physical therapist is the best one in his group, and I'm not worried.

I learned from my knee surgeries. When there is pain, something is wrong. My right shoulder started bothering me in November 2018, started to hurt in July 2019, I will be fully recovered for Florida vacation in mid-November.

Engineers plan ahead. I'll be off the Forum until 9-14. My newly retired wife is going to give me expert care so sometimes I just have to follow directions to stay out of trouble.

 

[soFlaNative]

Take care, good luck and glad you'll get your wing back.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Prayers for a successful surgery and a record-breaking rehab time.

 

[75Vette]

Who's going to load the bullets while you're gone?? Praying for a speedy recovery.

 

[Watchdog]

Best Wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

 

[Doug627]

Full rotator cuff surgery recovery takes about 1.5 years. You can get by eight weeks after but you will not have fully recovered. getting your wallet out and putting on belts are the worst.

 

[Jimmyjones]

Full rotator cuff surgery recovery takes about 1.5 years. You can get by eight weeks after but you will not have fully recovered. getting your wallet out and putting on belts are the worst.

And I got slip on shoes, cause I couldn't tie laces one handed.

 

[lkabug]

Engineer1911 sounds as though you got It all covered. And you're right, sometimes you gotta do the right and follow orders. The shoulder can be a tough one, keep up with the physical therapy. Folks from the Forum will send out a prayer for you.

 

[D Brown]

Prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

 

[woodsltc]

Prayers sent that all goes well and you have speedy and complete recovery.

Don

 

[bearman49709]

Good luck with your surgery today.
I've had my right shoulder operated on three times now, the last time was 11-15-18 for rotator cuff repair plus some other minor stuff.
When the DR came out of the O.R. the last time he told my wife that everything went well and hopefully I could get 18 months to two years out of it before he would have to do shoulder replacement surgery on me.
I've never found P.T. agonizing after shoulder surgery, in fact it rarely causes me any discomfort at all.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I sometimes think that physical therapists are working very hard to qualify for positions in CIA black-hole interrogation sites.

Best of luck on the surgery and recovery. Had my left shoulder done March, 2018; bone spurs, arthritis complications, damaged bicep tendon and bursa. Before the surgery my doc and I discussed the rotator cuff issues, and because I am retired and not expecting to engage in heavy work ever again the decision was made to leave that alone, making my recovery much less difficult. I recovered full range of motion and am now pain free, but I will have to avoid heavy lifting and other such efforts permanently (a great excuse at times!).

 

[ldausmc1369]

Good luck! Almost two years out on rebuild and fully functional. PT focus is the key! 4 days a week PT for 4 months and home PT I still do today to stay loose in upper back and shoulders. Hurts like a mother, but truly no pain, no gain!

 

[The_Truth]

I'm only 33 years old and have some pretty serious pain in my left shoulder. I fear I will need rotator surgery but have no insurance. It causes me a lot of stress. Wakes me up at night. I am no longer at 100% strength.

 

[dmn57]

Had both of mine done - both massive tears - one two years ago, the other last year. The first is now about 95% and the second is probably around 80%, but both are much better than before and getting even better. As other have said, rehab is the key. Not fun but it has to be done. Good luck.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

A friend of mine , we both had multiple back surgeries , had that done . He swore up and down he'd rather have another back surgery than another rotator cuff surgery . It's funny , but it's not . My buddy lost an arm in Nam . So when he had his surgery and him and his wife went anywhere , guess who had to help him in the bathroom when he had to go . I think he got to liking it , walking in a bathroom with his wife , and watching the shocked look on the old ladies faces .

 

[bearman49709]

A friend of mine , we both had multiple back surgeries , had that done . He swore up and down he'd rather have another back surgery than another rotator cuff surgery . It's funny , but it's not . My buddy lost an arm in Nam . So when he had his surgery and him and his wife went anywhere , guess who had to help him in the bathroom when he had to go . I think he got to liking it , walking in a bathroom with his wife , and watching the shocked look on the old ladies faces .

I've had three back operations and three operations on my right shoulder.
The worst pain was my second back operation, I believe swelling pinched the sciatic nerve the day after and I had to use both my canes to walk in my house for four or five days.
The last shoulder operation was for a torn rotator cuff repair didn't hurt near as bad, the worst part was using a sling with what they call a "pillow" 4 1/4" thick between the sling and my body for eight weeks.

 

[Engineer1911]

Well, I'm on the down hill ride. I thank everyone for prayers and concerns. A nerve block, general anesthetic, pain meds made Tuesday after surgery a breeze, Wednesday afternoon was painful until my doctor approved 4 hour medication instead of 6 hour intervals for pain pills. You don't change medication times without permission when Mrs Engineer (Terri) is the druggist. Today, Thursday, the sling is off, I'm doing two exercises slowly as directed by post-surgery instructions, and feel ok if I move the right arm slowly.

Terri is monitoring my medication, reminds me of exercise, and the arm is not swollen. The doctor showed her pictures and video of the torn tendons, how it was reattached, and incisions before my arm was wrapped in bandages. She said I was correct to have the surgery before I injured myself more. She said my recovery time is 4 to 6 months so "no shooting, no reloading" or I will tear out the new stitches. Ok, I have enough ammo, I'll shoot a revolver left handed after I'm off pain pills.

Thank you for your prayers I'm on the road to recovery.

 

[muddocktor]

Glad to hear you are doing well, Engineer1911.

 

[Doug627]

Were you told to stop using the sling after one day!!!!????????