Worried I am lifting my Shoulder 9 days post op?
Posted , 7 users are following.
I had my rotator cuff repair on 12th June. Very pleased as I was expecting a patch
Saw Physio yesterday just for wound check. I am just doing a few basic hand and lower arm exercises neck etc
I am finding getting in and out of the sling very difficult Going to buy anew one getting dressed is a nightmare for me
My problem is that I had failed surgery 15 months ago Rather the surgeon was unable to repair it at that time
My main worry just now when trying to use only my left arm I find I am tensing the repaired Shoulder and maybe raising it .Any idea how I can avoid this or is it harmful
Can I use the fingers on that hand when the sling is in place
I feel this is my last chance I live alone Any advice would be appreciated Sue
1 like, 64 replies
mia98887 Susan1942
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Ill join the "difficult sleep" convo~ I am tall, 5'9". I wasn't about to sleep in a dang recliner chair. I borrowed a big V shape pillow wedge, added about 5 pillows and slept in my king size bed with my little dog. The immobilizer was tucked in front of me with a pillow under that too and this was how I could feel cozy. My legs were able to move all over so I didn't feel so restrained. I still woke up every 2 hours, and not being able to go side to side or move during the night was very nerve wracking. Today marks my 5 month and 1 week post op. I'm in PT, still doing very well and only occasionally have ache and tiny bit of pain. But very minimal. Good luck with the sleep, I promise, it WILL get better!
Susan1942
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Thanks for all the updates I think I am thenow doing well or quite well Just a bit concerned that the improvement in my pain is not a negative thing. I suffer from neuropathic pain and also have a neuro stimulator
I take Meptazinol plus amitriptyline for this pain Icontinued to take it but stopped the Meptazinol and took the liquid morphine only at night given just 20mls I took the codeine plus paracetamol during the day
I expected much worse but I have had chronic pain for 47yrs when my son was born
I am sleepling better for the past 2 nights broken but that's ok
I am using a mountain of pillows and l am upright I am not moving from that position.
I spoke to my Physio on the telephone yesterday am he is happy with how things are going He has told me must keep the arm and shoulder etc close to my body BUT I must do the exercises x 4 a day a This is to avoid frozen shoulder.
I am doing exactly as I am told
We are having a heatwave 30 today
Dressing remains a problem but realised I had 2 sleeve less dresses cut on the bias great I just stepped into it
Couple little strappy night dresses so likewise so much easier
I have ordered a new sling so should get it tomorrow I sit in front of a mirror and that is helping me sort the sling out. The current one is very hot and I will manage much better .
Got a scare this am was getting back in to bed and I thought my shoulder clicked Panic for me. Later getting dressed sitting down thought that's it again when realised the noise was from the sling
I get stressed when I have health issues and there have been many many .I thing in some respect this added to my initial panic
I sat out for a short period but it was just too hot but it was good to get some fresh air
Just very happy with how things are going Clinic next Wednesday 4 th July
Thanks for all your help Sue
arj50436 Susan1942
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Susan1942 arj50436
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No I didn't Looked at them online
I live in UK and think I am ok What is the main purpose of the ice
Reduces swelling and reduces pain My surgeon and physio don't make a big thing of it Thanks this from this site
Sue
arj50436 Susan1942
Posted
They didn't? Did they give you a protocol? Mine says ice, ice, ice, ice. And it really did help me sleep but if you're doing ok, great!
My daughter and her husband are headed to London tomorrow to take the baby to meet his great grandmother. I hope the weather stays warm. It's been almost chilly here in New York some days.
Susan1942 arj50436
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No I didn't. What I bought are gel packs the size I bought are ideal as they have a dip in the middle
I sits over the top of my shoulder
They come with a bit to fit into by I don't Like that part particularly
The side of the can be a bit achy
So I put in that area
Swelling has down I have had the problem for 2+ years Initially I thought it might be using my laptop or smart phone.But when I went to my GP He said RC Typically the pain at night lying on my bad side
I had some private physio but told it is not a case of no pain no gain
Rather pain is there to warn you something is not right The pain was made worse
Iwas then seen by an Orthopedic surgeon (2) in my hospital who specialises in shoulders and elbow
I will see him next Wednesday
Susan1942 arj50436
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Weather is so hot 31:today where I live Scotland and Ireland same
It will be hotter in the south
Not sure where they are going
April records were broken May hottest from way back and June the same I can't remember such prolonged good weather It is set to last until. weekend I live in Yorkshire My Son lives in Ireland and Sisters 2 in Scotland safe journey to them
grammie48 Susan1942
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31C? Oh my I long for those days. I live in Arizona and it will be 111F or 44C today! Last year on this date it was a record breaking 122F...that's 50C ! That's why I used a lot of ice. ha ha. I agree with you about no pain no gain. My therapist told me it's ok if doing something in therapy hurts a bit but as soon as I stop the pain should be gone. It is his job to see that I am not in pain. I saw my surgeon yesterday. I am 4 1/2 months from my surgery. He was pleased with my progress. No pain anymore, good range of motion. He said I will never be able to lift more than 10 pounds overhead. At this point I will always be careful for the rest of my life. This is the 3rd shoulder surgery in 2 1/2 years and I never want to do this again. Continued good healing to you Susan
arj50436 Susan1942
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They are going to London. 31C sounds good. The weather shifted in New York to 33C and it's supposed to get up to 37+ by the end of the weekend.
I agree. If I feel pain, I refuse to go on. I've been stubborn about that. Even taking a break from p/t if I'm in pain. One therapist is a lot more aggressive than the other one, he's got all kinds of certification and knows a zillion exercises but I like the Mrs who is very gentle with me. In retrospect, I realize that a lot of what he was having me do were just stretches but I told them point blank that he was pushing me too hard. Now at 10 weeks, I can handle him better. I still laugh when he asks me to do 40 wall crawls.
Susan1942
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henpen1980 Susan1942
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Loosen the sling a bit. Wrap thumb and first finger around sling to stabilize.
Are you icing?
henpen1980
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arj50436 Susan1942
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Susan1942 henpen1980
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No protection whatever Will be going back This one is really thick and warm but good support
Susan1942
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Had a bad day today Sleepling really badly Getting maybe 3:hrs in 2:lots
I just wake up and that's me I am sitting upright with well supported pillow tend to sleep that way with my knees bent I am slim and little padding on my bottom so now my bottom is really painful I have got neuropathic pain in my perineum and bottom from damage done 47 years ago when I had a Kielands forceps delivery 47 years ago I have a neuro stimulator I have been feeling sorry for myself tiredness etc When I am tired my pain threshold goes down
I am icing my shoulder but when I am in bed at night I feel my arm is not as well supported by the sling Going to rearrange my pillows again and maybe adjust the neck part of the sling ignore me I am just having a moment Thanks Sue
henpen1980 Susan1942
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Argh it's all part of the filthy rotor cuff recovery and rehab i.e. highs and lows.
My PT after my revision surgery was an angel. She focused on massage and well being. She doesn't believe in no pain no gain. Slow and steady. She presented challenges but never pain. Complete opposite of the first PT aka the flaky sloth.
Today I took my 88 yr old mum on her errands. She sat on her eyeglasses snapping the frame. The optician was funny informing her that she has discovered "hindsight" as her found another frame to fit the lens into... It twas the highlight of the errands.
I turned on cable news during my recoveries. I left it on softly 24/7. Somehow it helped hearing the voices ( and news).
I learned how to use the built in microphones on my laptops and cellphones. My friends and family attributed my text messages to pain pills lol no really that how I sound!!
I watched movies on Netflix and Amazon. Lots of movies. I listened to audiobooks via Amazon.
Listen to music!! I did and belted out vocals that scared away the wildlife (birds not siblings wearing crotchless panties) for hours.
I froze water bottles and cans of Coca-Cola to use as ice...drank them afterwords.
I played candy crush and made it to level 1087 before forgetting my password!! Lol
I whimpered sometimes pity partying is ok once or twice a day for 15 minutes each.
You'll be okay. Slow and steady.
Susan1942 henpen1980
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Thanks for your message I don't know how many times I started to write but had to leave it and I don't know save I am very fortunate that the Physio works with my Surgeon Does the clinic with him. He is fantastic is Su who also work with him My surgeon specialises in shoulder and elbows
Both Joe and Su were on a week Shoulder course He called me Monday He was my Physio previous surgery April 2017 but it was not repaired delaminated bursectomy and whatever they do to the bone
Can't remember been I will go in the hydrotherapy some weeks down the line
I had a better night but sore BUM Sitting up nicely last thing I had the ice pack draped over the shoulder Soft towel where the strap doubles over Knees up and sitting on a pillow
The bed was like a bouncy castle so many pillows Today I.am using the V pillow on sofa really supports my back and shoulders I was a midwife and we often recommend ed breast feeding mother's use them My Daughter used one Lots of glasses of water
Isn't it strange that everything we know and makes sense fly out of the window having slept I feel much brighter today My 21 year-old Granddaughter spent 4 bhrs this pm She is the best medicine ever so funny Going to Charleston South Carolina 14 August for a year showing me the plan of her room Very very excited We spoke about anything and everything She now knows who will share with and been in touch She will be in her 3rd yearso a year ahead
Got her buddy will take her to buy what she needs
Will miss her so much .. I have a hairdresser coming in twice a week look like I am going somewhere but it does make you feel better
I listen to a lot of music classical Irish Folk and traditional I amIrish and mg son lives there He is an Oboist but teaches woodwind He is 47 and he talks to me about music Introduction I have learned a lot from him
He plays Saxaphone in big band and adores his job.
I do go around singing but sometimes they are my own words I live alone but when family are around they say MUM!!
STILL in a good bit of pain dye ice pack Seeing my Consultant We'd.
Thanks for all the ideas I am an avid reader and I watch TV check what's on. I am not handy so fixing things is no good
I have chronic neuropathic pain and when t aam out of sorts that becomes complicated tooThabjs again. Sue nun