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Rotator Cuff Surgery-4 weeks post-op

Posted , 82 users are following.

KJean
KJean

First two weeks after surgery the pain was intense and I could not sleep unless I was in a recliner. Have been wearing the immobilized  but have a tendency to remove it when I know that there is no risk of injury. I do wear it at night but find I can't sleep good because I am not a back sleeper. If I try sleeping on my side with a pillow under my arm my shoulder hurts more. My other problem is that I am 4 weeks post-op and I can only do 2/3 passive exercises. The one where you hold the wrist of your bad arm and raise it above your head is impossible! I can only raise it to my waist because of the pain. My surgeon told me I have to do it! Easy for him to say! Any advice would be helpful. By the way, at this point my pain is manageable with extra strength Tylenol and Tylenol PM's at night. It sounds as if that will all change when I start P.T. !

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  • denise73251
    denise73251 KJean

    Posted

    I am about 8 weeks post op. I don’t know if the PTs went too fast or what but I have went backwards. They actually had me using light weights at 3 weeks!  I thought I was Wonder Woman!  At 5 1/2 week Check up all was well and I had full ROM.  Now I’m in almost constant pain and the PT says I should have worn sling more to relax my arm. 

    In any event, they say I have a habit of “guarding” with right shoulder and holding it up slightly-like shrugging on one side. They surmise it could be either from carrying purse on that arm or NOT wearing sling and letting arm relax. 

    I can’t help but wonder if they pushed me too far too fast.  I felt like I held shoulder rigid more while wearing sling!

    • christine_61665
      christine_61665 denise73251

      Posted

      Hi Denise. I'm no expert but it sounds like you're doing well at 8 weeks. I'm nearly 6 mos and it still aches. I am very careful not to do anything that might jerk it. I don't want to do this again. I won't carry my purse on that arm. And I try to share any load with both arms. It takes a surprisingly long time to heal from what I understand. Just be careful. Good luck.

    • The_JA
      The_JA denise73251

      Posted

      I just replied to another post, saying I'm on my third surgery on my dominate shoulder. I remember being constantly being worried, but that is largely due to me not taking what the doc and PT said literally. I hurt after doing something I that was not on the "allowed to do" list. I suggest getting rid of the purse and start doing exactly, and no more, what they tell you to do. If for nothing else but to stop worrying and ease the pain.

      Ask questions, I found I misinterpreted a lot of what I was told and consequently put myself in a position where my surgery failed twice.

    • mia98887
      mia98887 denise73251

      Posted

       It sounds to me like they pushed you to fast. I haven’t started PT yet, I’m only 12 days after surgery. But my doctor is starting me on PT until five weeks postop. 
  • HangingTen
    HangingTen KJean

    Posted

    I’m 12 days pre-op for a full tear on my dominant shoulder and probably shouldn’t be reading this!  But I wanted to thank you all for the great information.  I currently ice my shoulder 4-5 hrs a day and take Aleve and/or ibuprofen for the pain.  Based on doctor instructions, the medicine will switch to Tylenol in a few days.  I work with a few people who’ve gone through this so that helps.  Hopefully I can start the new year in a better place.  Thanks again for everyone’s comments!
    • christine_61665
      christine_61665 HangingTen

      Posted

      Happy to help. This website cheered me a lot. If you need moral support I think we are all here. Luck! Remember patience is a virtue!!

      .

    • mia98887
      mia98887 christine_61665

      Posted

       I sure do! No one seems to understand if u complain, except my grown daughters. They help with everything! Even feeding me in the beginning

      12 days in today and painful be tiny bit better each day. Been off pain meds since day 5 after surgery. Now x-strength Tylenol 2xa day. And ice ice ice!!!  I was told  to expect pain for up to 12 months. Physical therapy for 7 to 10 months. One person that played tennis a lot and service, said it took him 14 months before he was able to do either sport without pain. PT is the key is what I’ve heard. Reading all of this thread is freaking me out but making me realize this is a long haul. And I’ve had both of my knees meniscus repaired. So far the pain in my shoulder is worse!

  • rita02829
    rita02829 KJean

    Posted

    I am at 5 weeks and have no pain. Sometimes exercises are a little uncomfortable. Take your tylenol when you do exercises and use ice pack after exercises. Ice helps a lot!! 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Hope you get to feeling better soon.
  • deb07746
    deb07746 KJean

    Posted

    I just had full repair and bicep done day before thanksgiving.  I’m in pain big time.  People keep telling me that I can go back to work within 2-3 weeks.  Get real nervous about that as I live alone and don’t know how I’ll dress, drive or really function at an 8.0 workday.  

    I answer phones and type all day.  Any thoughts???

    • HangingTen
      HangingTen deb07746

      Posted

      I too live alone and my full tear surgery is next week.  I have worked at a pretty large employer in my area for almost 25 years.  I’ve lined up 5 of my friends/co-workers for driving duty to/from work.  For physical therapy, I have 5 other friends/co-workers.  My employer is providing an accommodation by making my keyboard sit lower.  Can yours do that and maybe get a headset for phone calls?  A couple of my good neighbors will be filling in some driving gaps.  I’ve cried because people have been so accommodating - just ask them!
    • The_JA
      The_JA deb07746

      Posted

      Hello, I just replied to your post in the wrong spot. But my advice after my third surgery this Thanksgiving is to stay off it, give yourself time, and do NOT do anything more than the doc or PT says.

      You will start feeling better, wether by meds or your healing nicely, and you will be tempted to use it just a little more than doc says too.... DON'T.

      I hope this helps.

  • The_JA
    The_JA KJean

    Posted

    Hi, I to just had rotator cuff surgery before Thanksgiving. Except this is my third. The two before failed. I would like to emphasize to you, STAY OFF IT. I felt I had to go back to work 4 weeks after my first. I'm a teacher, I should be able to stay off my shoulder and go back to work. But I got bumped by a colleague, and coached soccer and couldn't resist running around....I felt good, so why not.

    My second time I went back after 2 weeks, but I was never sure why it failed that time. The key is to give yourself time.... Lots of it. You can't afford the time? Well consider having to do it all over again, the extra time and pain!

    Every surgery my pain varied, but it is PAINFUL. I always doubted my surgery, but that was because I went back to "life" to early and I stayed up nights worried about it.

    Please, do not try to push yourself. If you are an over achiever, this is not the time to do more than the doc or PT says.... You WILL over achieve yourself to a failed surgery!

    Oh, I always got my full range of motion back through PT, and it does hurt.

    • cindy75646
      cindy75646 The_JA

      Posted

      How did you know the first 2 surgeries failed?  My Ortho Dr.  released me after 3 months. He said it was healing just because I was lifting it some what.  About 22 weeks post op I made an appointment concerned ssomething wasn’t right due to pain and swelling and he give me an injection which helped but now is worn off and the pain and discomfort has returned. I have some mobility but very little strength. He tells me it is ok, it will just take time.  
    • The_JA
      The_JA cindy75646

      Posted

      Unfortunately everyone is so different and the severity of surgeries is different, which makes it hard for docs to speculate. And, regardless if you re-injured yourself, the PT will likely be the same.

      On my first, I went to month 8 before they seriously evaluated me for a failed repair. IT TAKES TIME! Month 3 is early... Although when you try to compare yourself to others who are doing better at month 2, you tend to worry.... If worrying keeps you doing exactly what the doc and PT says and no more, then good. Otherwise, take heart, there is a reason why all the docs says it is a complicated healing process..... And it is painful!

  • henpen1980
    henpen1980 KJean

    Posted

    KJean, how are you doing now?  This has been one of the best threads...how is everyone doing??  Hope everyone is progressing and recovering.  Happy Holidays!!
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