Shoulder blade pain at night post op.

Posted , 8 users are following.

Hello. I am 2 weeks past a THR and doing OK so long as I take the painkillers! What is really beginning to puzzle me is the fact that I get woken up every night with extreme pain in my left shoulder blade. This does recede if I then move to a semi sitting position for the rest of the night. Has anyone else experienced something similar?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    I have not experienced this maybe you are on an angle and this is causing the pain. I am 3 weeks post op today and doing okay I had no idea it would be so hard. Anyway I keep going with my exercises and hope all will improve as time goes by. Good luck.
  • Posted

    If you do not have previous health problems with your shoulders, it is almost certainly laying in one position on your shoulders too much. It is a common problem and I had it too, that combined with using crutches every day will put a lot of pressure on your shoulders.

    I slept semi sitting up to alleviate this problem.

    Heat patches on your shoulders will also help, ask someone to give them a rub for you in the morning if possible to take out the tension and loosen the muscle. Otherwise just moving around as much as possible and try and keep the pressure away from that area whilst sleeping and resting.

    What fun it is sometimes! I always thought my hip must be getting better when I could feel other aches and pains smile

  • Posted

    I to had the same thing and I can sympathise with you its horrible. I can now sleep on my non op side which is more confortable 
  • Posted

    Hi  Steph, 

    warm welcome to this freindly forum of friendly hippies where we share perosnal stories and experiences -

    as we love to say here, you are so early in recovery and taking painkillers to stay on top of hip pain is good - no need to be in pain and not being able to move, because that is what is needed ... 

    Are you on crutches -- I agree with Rose that it might be coming from an overworked shoulder or laying crooked in bed - is your neck supported? 

    When we start learning to walk again after this major surgery, all kinds of muscles are demanding attention - I was so rigid in my movements (still am at times) even had severe pain in wrists and hands (holding on for dear life to walker ) and lower back , also too rigid because of fear of dislocating joint ... 

    take deep breaths and relax your shoulders -

    please let us know how you are getting on otherwise.

    big warm hug

    renee

  • Posted

    Hi. I know this is a little left field but are you taking lots of pain meds? These can irritate your stomach which can then irritate diaphragm and cause referred pain in your shoulder.

    More likely to be muscular as others have said though.

  • Posted

    Hi Steph,

    ​Immediately after my op I had severe pain in my left chest area at night.  This has been happening on and off but I think its gone now.... The nurses thought that it was proably from being hauled about during my surgery which I can quite believe as I have curious bruises apearing everwhere.

    ​I hope it gets better.

    David.

  • Posted

    Is this on the opposite side to your operated leg?

    I had a RSI type injury to my 'non operated side' shoulder by thumping my one walking stick (cane) down repeatedly.  The answer for me was to use shock absorbing hiking poles (see picture below), the hand grip is different, and the antishock springs ease any 'thumping' of the sticks.  

    See my website for more information.  Website address is here

      https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

    and in the moderators thread at 

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

    Best regards

    Graham - 🚀💃

  • Posted

    Thank you everyone for your support and suggestions. Thinking about it as I moved around yesterday, I think it is probably an RSI as suggested as I am now doing a lot of walking using one elbow crutch only and am now aware how much I thump it down on the pavement! I am due to see a physio on Monday and will see what they have to say. I will maybe also have a go at using a sprung walking pole in the house, as Rocketman suggests.

    One day I will be stick free!

  • Posted

    ​I had the same problem and one day i was on youtube a pherapist was instucting on how to have your walking sticks at the correct hight if too  high

    ​that puts pressure on your shoulders it worked for me hope it helps you

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