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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. !

5 likes, 315 replies

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  • Rotator17
    Rotator17 KJean

    Posted

    I wore the immobilizer part of the sling for 3 weeks and the entire sling was gone at 5 weeks due to the capsulitis.

    My surgeon usually has his patients wear the sling for 6 weeks.  I was driving at 6 weeks which was a little weird at first because I felt that I wouldn't be able to react quickly.  But, driving was actually good for the arm...forcing turning & stretching! 

    My PT started at 1 week so the therapist manually moved my arm which was no picnic either!

  • grammie48
    grammie48 KJean

    Posted

    I'm 2 weeks post op and  I too have a tendency to put a regular pillow on  my lap, lay my arm on my lap and unhook the sling to give my neck a break.  I do wear the sling and pillow when out of the house and the rest of the time  wear the sling without the pillow.  As much as that thing makes me nuts, I know  I have to  wear it.  I have also been in the recliner and decided to try the bed a couple of nights ago.  Woke up with new pain so I am back in the recliner.  Last night I stretched out on the couch laying on my good side of course and bracing my shoulder against the back of the couch.  That went pretty well and at least I'm not crunched up trying to sleep.  Might want to try that.  Can't help you on moving your arm.  With my surgery, I am not allowed to move it at all for 6 weeks.

    • mia98887
      mia98887 grammie48

      Posted

       Hello there. I am four weeks in today. I’m not quite sure what kind of a mobilizer you have, but my pillow does not remove. My doctor was specific saying he wanted my arm away from my body so I think that’s why I have this type of immobilizer. 

       I had a wedge pillow in my bed for a while with pillows on top of it. 

       Last night was the first time I decided to remove it and just use pillows. I slept really well with no pain. 

    • grammie48
      grammie48 mia98887

      Posted

      I have a  Berg Slingshot 2.  The pillow is attached to the sling with velcro.   Yesterday my doctor told me I could go without it, but every situation is different and every surgery different.  Good luck to you!
    • SaneXain
      SaneXain grammie48

      Posted

      grammie I also have the Berg Slingshot 2 but found the (attached) sling less secure and comfortable to wear for long hours each day. What I did was create a wrist and elbow 'band' out of velcro that attach right to the bolster (pillow). Not only is my arm more securely held in place, I have less irritation happening with the skin. Plus the reducing the bulk of the sling made it less likely that I would catch or bump that arm while wearing it.

    • Rotator17
      Rotator17 SaneXain

      Posted

      Ask your surgeon about the sling and the pillow.  It's my understanding that many failed surgeries result

      from not following the doctor and physical therapists instructions.  Each surgery is an individual event and you got that fancy sling for a reason.  

    • mia98887
      mia98887 SaneXain

      Posted

       I bet there’s a lot of different brands out there. Mine is called “top shelf orthopedics“ & was  very expensive. I believe it was $200. With insurance only paid $72. Knowing my surgeon, he wants the best of the best for his patients. 

       I only have nine more days and I get to take it off. I’ll be celebrating by burning this thing I don’t care how much it cost. But it is very secure I can’t move at all.  

    • grammie48
      grammie48 mia98887

      Posted

      Ha ha....that would be great...burn that thing so it can never come back.   9 days?  Bet you are counting down.  My best wishes for a very successful recovery!
  • grammie48
    grammie48 KJean

    Posted

    I'm 2 weeks post op and  I too have a tendency to put a regular pillow on  my lap, lay my arm on my lap and unhook the sling to give my neck a break.  I do wear the sling and pillow when out of the house and the rest of the time  wear the sling without the pillow.  As much as that thing makes me nuts, I know  I have to  wear it.  I have also been in the recliner and decided to try the bed a couple of nights ago.  Woke up with new pain so I am back in the recliner.  Last night I stretched out on the couch laying on my good side of course and bracing my shoulder against the back of the couch.  That went pretty well and at least I'm not crunched up trying to sleep.  Might want to try that.  Can't help you on moving your arm.  With my surgery, I am not allowed to move it at all for 6 weeks.

  • rita02829
    rita02829 KJean

    Posted

    I say listen to your body. My therapist told me to only lift mine as far as was comfortable but don't over do it. I slept in recliner until just recently, and my surgery was October 19, 2017. I am back at work but still have some internal soreness when I lift my arm. I am one of the lucky ones according to my therapist. I got the perfect surgery and they say that happens about 1 in 10 times. Just keep trying to do exercises. Yes you will have pain,but if it's to the point to where it's doing more harm than good, then stop.                                                              My surgery wasn't right in the joint. Mine was my clavicle. I had arthritis form on clavicle, which formed a bone spur, and every time I moved my arm the spur was cutting the supraspinatus tendon. So they went in, removed arthritis and spur, sewed up tendon and infraspinatus tendon had small tear so they repaired it as well and I am doing fine to this date.  Just do what you can do. Sure don't want to tear anchors loose and have to redo surgery. Will be praying for you!!! Hang in there! it does get better!!!!                    

  • HangingTen
    HangingTen KJean

    Posted

    I reported Raymond.  What he suggests is dangerous.  My therapist was specific in telling me not to do more that he said as the studies with professional football players indicate this.  Ignore Raymond .
    • grammie48
      grammie48 HangingTen

      Posted

      I did too.  It's inappropriate and dangerous and there is no reason to belittle people.  He's nothing but a bully

    • mia98887
      mia98887 HangingTen

      Posted

       Yeah I almost did the same thing. But I wanted to call him out first. Honestly he’s probably a young kid that’s p****d off at the world and needs to put everybody down calling us a bunch of wimps. On another note, I’m seven weeks out and feeling much better I haven’t taken any pain reliever today. Of course PT has it started yet. Fingers crossed 
    • cathy87114
      cathy87114 HangingTen

      Posted

      I did too. I have no way of knowing, but Raymond sounds like he may actually be on something. His rant is disturbing, in that he seems to be proud in doing everything that he's not supposed to do. He is not helping those who are reaching out for help, just like I was when I ran across the site.

  • robert98429
    robert98429 KJean

    Posted

    Again as a 4 time patient over 6 years they are all different. Do what you can and it all ends up good.... sometimes it just takes a bit longer
    • mia98887
      mia98887 robert98429

      Posted

      Good for you Robert!!!  But I hope to be a one time patient. If I have to get any kind of knee, hip or shoulder surgery again, I am going to look into stem cell procedure’s. This invasive surgery was horrific. 7 weeks in today and not as painful... but that constant ache is always there.  I hate pain.... ugh

    • robert98429
      robert98429 mia98887

      Posted

      Just give it time. There will be one day when you'll wake up and say this is better! It takes time!

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