Frozen shoulder.......recovery

Good luck Kerri. My rotator cuff was also torn. Not pleasent, but it will be ok. I had baggy tshirts and pyjama tops so that I could manage ok in a sling. Your arm will be numb due to a nerve block for a while after the op. A v shaped pillow helps you to sit back without pressure on your shoulder. also a god send for bedtime! My family left lids loose of tea/coffee jars, milk in smaller jugs in the fridge and lots of squash ready made to hep me be more independent when they weren't home. I had everything table height to avoid bending....which believe me is a struggle to begin with. A cushion for the shoulder when travelling home after the op...seatbelts hurt. 

My favourite home physio equipment is my walking stick! Your good strong arm helps your healing arm to move by rIsing it up as high as is possible. Best when lying on the bed initially. A wheat bag and ice pack are essential too.

wear baggy clothes to come home in as you're a little anaesthetic fuzzed when dressing and need to manage one handed. I wore a vest top pyjama top under a cardigan that was fastened over my poorly arm.

good luck and I wish you well. Some people are so lucky,  that they are pain free and mobile within 2 weeks. I hope that's you!!

i had 3 dressings. Front, middle and back from the keyhole. Hardly nori ingle scars now,  thanks to bio oil.

Ali

Oh thanks for your hints Ali......they will be most helpful 😊

i just can't wait now....I just want it to be done, over and on the path to recovery.

Were you in a sling after surgery?

i have to wear a sling for 6 weeks, 24/7 except for a shower

my husband is having the first week off to help me....although I reckon he will get me showered, dressed and fed then sit me in a chair and buzz off to work for most of the day 😊

thanks again for you advise and support Ali.....I really DO appreciate it ❌❌❌

Hi Kerri, you will wake up in recovery wearing your sling. Good heavy duty ones. Until you suss out releasing it at the wrist.....you may struggle with the bit across your neck. For a week I was asking everyone to sort it for me, then I released the two sections by my wrist and put it on and off that way. I wore mine for 7 weeks, but others were sling free after 3 weeks. It reduced the strain on my shoulder of the weight of my arm.i was sling free on day 2 after the second op. Sleepless nights were a struggle due to pain. I skipped off into the spare room ( son at uni) so I could watch tv to take my mind of it.....well I tried.

i bought strapless bras....the boob tube type, which are a breeze to put on one handed. You can step into them. Primark special!  I also had some baggy tshirts cut from the neck to arm and fastened with Velcro. All about ease. Wet wipes, dry shampoo. Showering was ok if shampoo was high up. Dressing changed after the shower. An eBay towel head wrap to dry my hair for a bit, as washing it was exhausting enough. I needed a break in between.

a back rest from home and bargain was brilliant for posture to stop sloping and putting pressure on the shoulder. Very comfortable.

you will be fine! Expect the worst and you'll find it a breeze. Rest, but make yourself do any physio advised as it really is crucial to get those muscles moving. Xxxxx if it's your writing arm, you may not manage writing for a while. It aches like crazy. The ipad /mobile helps. I also set the timer for tablets so I was constantly topped up. It's easier to remain topped up, than to suffer in pain and wait for the pain to ease. Don't try to be brave, it hurts! You will know when you need less pain killers.

once again, good luck. They look after you sooooo well in hospital. Nothing to worry about xxxx

I'm in Australia....but I will google some of the aids you recommend and source them over here. I have been told 6 weeks in sling they want no movement in joint until the tear has time to knit back onto the bone. I agree with the pain meds, got yo keep in front of the pain, don't let it creep in and then have to wait till the meds kick in....thanks Ali.....your a bit of a treasure 😘❌❌❌

For me, it was a day op. I had to agree that I had 36hr support. I was hazy  and numb. Good luck ' miss jeep'

kerri....Australia... Lucky you! Sunny Cheshire, England for me. I suppose it's the severity of the tear that determines the time in a sling. Wet wipes will be great because, although you shower, it's difficult to raise your arm. Shower jet from beneath is a relief. Your arm tends to sweat due to inactivity. Wet wipes were my solution.

its amazing how you will problem solve whatever problem you face. Eat well, drink plenty and sleep whenever you're able xxxx

Thanks Ali.....I'm going out tomoz to get some wipes, a boomerang pillow and some men's pyjama shirts cause I thought they would be big and baggy. Just wish it was here have been in a lot of daytime pain today 😘❌❌

It'll come soon enough. If you have long hair, get some hair fasteners...clips that can be put in using one hand. Putting your hair in a bobble/band will be impossible! Happy shopping! You're nearly there.😃👍💪 I had such a laugh when my husband attempted to put my hair in a  bobble! I looked like scary Mary!! .....# dragged through a hedge backwards!

No my hair is short. Yep husbands can be pretty useless at things like that. Mine is having some time off to care for me, I bet I'll be sending him back to work real damn quick....lol

But he will help shower me and get me dressed and fed....so I shouldn't complain 

Lucky re- short hair! Yes, don't complain.....you will need him soooooo much! 

My husband helps,with my physio too. I'm driving again now after 6 mths, so I feel quite free! # regaining independence! 

It's going to be so hard not being able to drive....I think I will definately miss my ability yo go where I want when I want 😊