Posted , 7 users are following.
I am 6 weeks post op and frustrated at lack of progress. I have not yet been able to reduce pain meds and although having physio & hydrotherapy have very little movement. My physio says progress is ok & everyone is different but I did not expect it to be this slow. I am desperate to start driving but don't feel able at the moment. Any advice appreciated!
0 likes, 20 replies
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krista25398 ruth64822
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ruth64822 krista25398
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Thank you Krista-I am so glad I found this forum-your advice & support is greatly appreciated!
henpen1980 ruth64822
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ruth64822 henpen1980
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I haven't used ice since the op as have been following the advice of the surgeon/physio & it wasn't suggested. I found it very helpful pre op. I guess what I am feeling could be described as extreme discomfort but as soon as I try to reduce the meds the pain returns. Confidence is also a big issue. I had full thickness tear of the supraspinatus which has been anchored, removal of bone spurs & bursa. Thanks for your support.
henpen1980 ruth64822
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I encourage you to use ice. I am now nine months into my injury 12/26/16 ripped three of the four rotator cuff muscle tendons. Two completely off the humeral head and one near full tear. Supraspinatus and infraspinatus ripped completely off requiring surgery to reattach with anchors/screws. The first surgery was 1/27/17. On 5/11/17, my (then) PT ripped the supraspinatus completely OFF IT'S ANCHORS requiring another surgery to re-repair the mess. That surgery took place 6/2/17. The second surgery was performed by the same surgeon and surgical team. The second time around surgery took FIVE hours instead of three hours. The surgeon used a "double row" of anchors and crisscrossing sutures. The original injury 12/26/16 occurred from an epic unbalanced sail through the air (outside) and crashed down to the frozen pavement with my arm extended in an attempt to catch myself and avoid smashing the back of my head on the frozen pavement. I dislocated my shoulder and ripped the tendons. It was horrific.I did not return to the same PT after the second surgery. I fired the first one and found a new one based on recommendations. The second PT is FANTASTIC!! I improved rapidly with a full range of motion 180 degrees passive and active. Both rehabs were not always pain-free. In fact, there was a lot of discomfort during both. More pain during the first PT-who I believe was only interested in the $$ and billing. The second PT is patient-centered. I cannot say enough about the importance of having a patient-centered PT.I use(d) ice more during the second recovery and rehab. I have been discharged from PT for now. I needed a break after from PT. I will see the surgeon again in October and probably see the second PT for a quick check in as well. I am still working on regaining strength overhead/above the shoulder. It is a slow and steady process.I missed 27 weeks of work due to the injuries, surgeries, rehab...all without pay. I am back at work and teach physical education. I have to be mindful of not reinjuring my shoulder. It is going well. I hope you are successful with your recovery. The shoulder surgeries suck, period. Cry when you must, but stay positive and use ice or heat as a pain manager. Talk to your doctor and PT. Do some research online. Good luck.
Amac1218 ruth64822
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Hi Ruth,
Sounds like the same surgery I had July 31st. So I'm just over 9 weeks post-op and still in pain but only using Tylenol. I had same surgery in 2006 on right shoulder. The one thing I remember thinking at 8-10 weeks out was the doctor must have done something wrong. I didn't think it could still hurt that bad. Really stiff and bicep pain.
It will get better, just takes time.
Ice and heat both work.
Good luck.
PT is awful. Went yesterday and had terrible pain all day. I did nothing all day. Luckily, I'm retired.
ruth64822 Amac1218
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Thank you. I am retired too or for sure I wouldn't have been able to function.
henpen1980 ruth64822
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DJG7 henpen1980
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I'm 11 week's in in a struggling tremendously as well. Feel afraid that my PT may have had me go to fast as I'm experiencing so much pain in my back shoulder blade. So afraid I the surgery is ruined. Waiting to hear back from my surgeon, should I get another MRI?
scrapbooker56 ruth64822
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Hi, I am at 4 months next week. I am just now weaning off pain meds, I have a very low tolerance. When I was 6 weeks, I would cry every day from pain and frustration. It occupied my every thought. Then about 2.5 to 3 months I started noticing, hey I could do so and so, and I couldn't last week. Each few days after that, I was able to notice thing I could now do. I still have 2 months before he said I could do what I wanted but that's ok.
I saw him last week for my 4 month check up and he asked me if I quit thinking about it all the time. I had to laugh because I noticed I wasnt!!
The one thing surgeon's don't tell you is how painful and time consuming this is. I was really mad for a while because I never ever thought it would be this hard. Point is, we have gone through this and what your feeling is normal,don't give up, but do everything they say. It takes a long time, but it will happen. Sorry to go on and in lol. Good luck and let us know how it is progressing.
ruth64822 scrapbooker56
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Thanks for your help & advice. It is great to have found this forum. Family & friends have been great but unless you have experienced this you wouldn't understand the pain & frustration.
scrapbooker56 ruth64822
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Hi, I am at 4 months next week. I am just now weaning off pain meds, I have a very low tolerance. When I was 6 weeks, I would cry every day from pain and frustration. It occupied my every thought. Then about 2.5 to 3 months I started noticing, hey I could do so and so, and I couldn't last week. Each few days after that, I was able to notice thing I could now do. I still have 2 months before he said I could do what I wanted but that's ok.
I saw him last week for my 4 month check up and he asked me if I quit thinking about it all the time. I had to laugh because I noticed I wasnt!!
The one thing surgeon's don't tell you is how painful and time consuming this is. I was really mad for a while because I never ever thought it would be this hard. Point is, we have gone through this and what your feeling is normal,don't give up, but do everything they say. It takes a long time, but it will happen. Sorry to go on and in lol. Good luck and let us know how it is progressing.
ruth64822 scrapbooker56
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It's so good to hear what I am feeling is normal! Thank you
ricochetred ruth64822
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Hi, Sorry you are struggling. It is not an easy surgery! You are smart to not drive if you are still on the pain meds. driving requires a clear head and to be able to have full control over the vehicle. Ice is great for getting pain and swelling down. doing the self passive range of motion exercises daily is the best thing to regain your range and always stay to your tolerance. Forcing the range won't help and may harm. Do everything slowly. It's better to focus on holding your end range for 10-15 seconds than it is to rush through 10 repetitions. slow and sustained gentle stretching...and the strength will come along once you get the range. I am now 8 months post rotator cuff repair and bicep tenodesis and also a PT. Everyone progresses differently. healing the tendon repair as strong as possible is the goal. I hope you have some help at home. I was fortunate and had my Mom for first 3 weeks. Even though I took sling off at 6 weeks I still used it without the pillow if I went out for a hike or walk or shopping for extra protection. 8/10/12 weeks saw new milestones being reached and then again at 16 weeks. Each week brought something new. the aches and pain and sleep had ups and downs. Try to keep your chin up. It won't be like this forever...although it seems that way now. I hope your recovery will speed up soon.
ruth64822 ricochetred
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