[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Rotator Cuff Surgery..... (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 3/10/2016 3:05:23 PM EDT
Yep gotta have it done tell me your stories................
and yea thats why I.m not a member anymore  just sayin have to save everything there is no safety net for the self employed fuuuuu
enough whining so tell me what I'm in store for
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I'm looking at the same surgery....I had a cortisone injection last week that has done absolutely nothing, that, after nearly six months of physical therapy. Yea I had the same and now looking down the barrel of 4-5 weeks in a sling then 4+ months before i can swing a hammer.......thats my money arm The whole family is freakin the fug out No income ffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu |
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Had mine done last March , best advice I can give is to take it easy. I was angry and frustrated didn't seem like I was getting any better almost tore it again lifting a gallon of milk out of the fridge. The recovery time varies depending on severity of the tear but it's months.
Any particular questions ? |
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Yea I had the same and now looking down the barrel of 4-5 weeks in a sling then 4+ months before i can swing a hammer.......thats my money arm The whole family is freakin the fug out No income ffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Quoted:
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I'm looking at the same surgery....I had a cortisone injection last week that has done absolutely nothing, that, after nearly six months of physical therapy. Yea I had the same and now looking down the barrel of 4-5 weeks in a sling then 4+ months before i can swing a hammer.......thats my money arm The whole family is freakin the fug out No income ffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Sorry for your luck , I was in the same position last year. |
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Had mine done last March , best advice I can give is to take it easy. I was angry and frustrated didn't seem like I was getting any better almost tore it again lifting a gallon of milk out of the fridge. The recovery time varies depending on severity of the tear but it's months. Any particular questions ? my tear is over 50%..I'm not clear on what that means exactly, in terms of how to repair it. |
Detached my shoulder playing high school hockey throwing a big hit that missed  , damn near popped my whole shoulder and arm behind my back. The doctor popped it back in the socket and did tests and scans and it needed surgery for multiple things including rotator. I waited until the end of the season since he said I wouldn't really be able to hurt it any more than it already was Played the remaining 4 games and ended up getting 2 goals somehow.
Recovery sucked ass, had a giant metal and plastic brace that held my shoulder in place and my arm in a 90deg angle straight out in front of me, 24/7. Had to sleep sitting in a recliner since I couldn't lay on my back or sides for 3 months, could only take it off to shower. But here I am 12 years later and I wouldn't even know I had the surgery other than the scars and having a slightly wider range of motion. Do the rehab, its worth it 10000x over than not doing it. If you have a soft cast that holds your arm horizontally against your body in front consider yourself lucky. |
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Recovery takes several months.
After a couple weeks or so they bring you in and measure your range of motion. Then they start working with you VERY slowly in regaining you full range of motion. Lots of stretches and things like that. After 2-3 months of that and you have full motion or close to it then they start with very light weights and exercises. It takes awhile to build the strength back up in so whatever you do don't do too much or you will be right back at square 1. It's very easy to tear again after a repair. |
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Follow your restrictions
Ask for the anesthesiologist to perform a block, preferably with the catheter pump Be prepared for pain and boredom Do PT as instructed, 50%-75% of the success of the surgery is rehab. Make sure that you have done therapy before surgery, while it will not prevent additional tearing or reverse the tear, it can preserve function. Make sure that it's actually torn and needs surgery, seek a second opinion from a sports medicine fellowship trained or shoulder elbow fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon, make sure it's not your neck causing radiating pain. Check out orthoinfo.org this is reliable information for patients |
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Mine happened in a car wreck 3 years ago,, tried everything to avoid surgery...Nothing worked..mine had all sorts of damage from the drivers door trying to push my arm up as the door caved in while the seatbelt held my shoulder from moving..Ended up getting the knife(8 small holes and 1 big cut) in October of 14... 7 weeks after the shoulder work I went back into surgery to fix damage to the wrist on the same arm...wore a cast for that for 3 months which didn't help things either.......Started PT with a specialist 10 days after surgery and did PT up till the wrist surgery, been doing all my own PT daily since, but while I can now get my arm overhead, I still can't put it behind my back..still as painful as it was before surgery, praying it gets better someday........
First bandage change right after surgery.... 
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Oh man I hate these threads.
I was told there were 3 ways this surgery is performed. Arthroscopic/laproscopic, Mini-open and a full open. I had a full thickness supraspinatus tear after supermanning a fence to get away from 2 Rottweilers that had torn me up (mauled me) for 45 seconds then came back for seconds. My surgery was a full open where they detached the deltoid and biceps, ground down a few impingements, carved out the necrotic pieces, drove in a few anchors into the humeral head of my arm re-attached everything - then sent me home. When the nerve block wore off at 8 pm I wanted to die. On day 3 I was going to put a gun in my mouth. Seriously. Post Op was the WORST pain I've ever had in my life (And I've gone through more pain than most). PT REALLY sucked balls especially getting range of motion back but you have to do it. Resolve yourself to a really rough 3-5 post op recovery. STAY in the hospital if you can so they can give you meds that actually work. Get the cold pack shoulder cuff pump thing. Find a comfy chair and ALOT of small pillows. I pray your surgery is not a full open and your surgeon cares about helping you rather than abandoning you. If they do and you are suffering badly return to the hospital that discharged you. Hospitals and staff can get in serious trouble if you return for the same reason you were discharged. They get a serious financial hit. Had I known this I would have fucked my shithead Dr. that showed such a lack of concern or empathy for a patient. Get ready for a major suck event in your life. I have had orthopeadic surgeries since that rotator cuff repair (2 new hips and a comminuted scapula fracture and reconstruction ( very, very rare injury where I got 15 screws and 2 metal plates bolted into my back) All of these surgeries were a piece of cake to that F'n rotator cuff. Different procedures make this much easier but my tear was so bad they had to do a full open. God bless and I hope yours is easier than mine was. Remember ice, ice, ice, cold is your friend. Frozen corn and peas and a compassionate mate |
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Sleep in a recliner, get a Breg cooler, and do the fucking rehab like you are supposed to. I had it done and doing the rehab and pushing yourself is the best thing you can do. I really pushed myself hard and even my doctors were surprised with how much range of motion I have. I still have a little less strength in my left shoulder but I have about 98% of my range of motion that I used to have. |
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Oh man I hate these threads. I was told there were 3 ways this surgery is performed. Arthroscopic/laproscopic, Mini-open and a full open. I had a full thickness supraspinatus tear after supermanning a fence to get away from 2 Rottweilers that had torn me up (mauled me) for 45 seconds then came back for seconds. My surgery was a full open where they detached the deltoid and biceps, ground down a few impingements, carved out the necrotic pieces, drove in a few anchors into the humeral head of my arm re-attached everything - then sent me home. When the nerve block wore off at 8 pm I wanted to die. On day 3 I was going to put a gun in my mouth. Seriously. Post Op was the WORST pain I've ever had in my life (And I've gone through more pain than most). PT REALLY sucked balls especially getting range of motion back but you have to do it. Resolve yourself to a really rough 3-5 post op recovery. STAY in the hospital if you can so they can give you meds that actually work. Get the cold pack shoulder cuff pump thing. Find a comfy chair and ALOT of small pillows. I pray your surgery is not a full open and your surgeon cares about helping you rather than abandoning you. If they do and you are suffering badly return to the hospital that discharged you. Hospitals and staff can get in serious trouble if you return for the same reason you were discharged. They get a serious financial hit. Had I known this I would have fucked my shithead Dr. that showed such a lack of concern or empathy for a patient. Get ready for a major suck event in your life. I have had orthopeadic surgeries since that rotator cuff repair (2 new hips and a comminuted scapula fracture and reconstruction ( very, very rare injury where I got 15 screws and 2 metal plates bolted into my back) All of these surgeries were a piece of cake to that F'n rotator cuff. Different procedures make this much easier but my tear was so bad they had to do a full open. God bless and I hope yours is easier than mine was. Remember ice, ice, ice, cold is your friend. Frozen corn and peas and a compassionate mate If your surgeon says its full open find another surgeon. How long ago did you have your surgery ? |
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I'm 7months after having a front bicep, rotor cuff tears and rear tendon surgery..
2 anchors and 6 cuts..lots of narcos,sleeping up in a recliner, lived on ice and lots of pt.and I hope your p.t.people are good. My 1st.,pt person f.me up set me back at least 7wks..(workers comp.) I have almost all forward moution,but still hurts,No rear moution to speak of,And I got no strength in my right hand.. (same side of sugery).They are trying to push me to go to work..I ask the doc.How can i hold an airgun..... 
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I'm 7months after having a front bicep, rotor cuff tears and rear tendon surgery.. 2 anchors and 6 cuts..lots of narcos,sleeping up in a recliner, lived on ice and lots of pt.and I hope your p.t.people are good. My 1st.,pt person f.me up set me back at least 7wks..(workers comp.) I have almost all forward moution,but still hurts,No rear moution to speak of,And I got no strength in my right hand.. (same side of sugery).They are trying to push me to go to work..I ask the doc.How can i hold an airgun.....
this is why I either wont be getting it done ever or waiting until I can't use it anymore. I know what/how to live with what's going on now. But who knows if surgery will actually help or make it worse/the same. Hope you get it worked out. |
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Right shoulder 7 years or so ago, 2 dozen bone spurs cut the tendon almost in two. Had two anchor screws installed. Did not have the nerve block, was in agonizing pain when not on the pain meds. Recovery time was 2-3 months the worst part was the first 2 weeks after surgery. Do your PT even if it hurts and you will thank yourself. Left shoulder done 2 years ago rotator cut almost in two and holding onto the bone by several strands on either side center detached. Acromion had a big pointy spur that had to be cut off. Had to have 4 anchor screws put in this one. I had a nerve block and it was wonderful, could not feel anything for 26 hours. Pain after that again manageable with ice and hydrocodone. Recovery time still 2-3 months. All in all get it fixed as the pain only hurts a short time. |
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Good luck, no surgery for mine but it's been hurting for three years. I still do the stretches and exercises almost daily, the worst thing I can do is sleep on it wrong. That's me right now for past 10 months. Trying to take it easy so it will heal up on it's own...maybe that's just wishful thinking. |
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I had a large Rotator Cuff tear and an Impingement repaired about 7 years ago orthroscopically. I followed my doctors advice carefully. Did all of the PT and home exercises. 100% recovery since. I had almost complete motion in about 4 weeks. and it continually improved over about 5-6 months. My shoulder looked almost exactly like the previous photo immediately after. The catheter pump was very effective and I was able to get off the heavy meds within 4 or 5 days.
Looking back I'd say that having the surgery was a no brainer for me and I would encourage you to expect good results too. ETA: I had the ice pack machine and used it a lot. My doctor also sent a special chair machine to my house that moved my arm through a particular range of motion for 20 minutes three time a day. Every day or two he had me increase the range slightly. Made it easy to be sure i was doing exactly what he wanted. Funny thing, my doctors name is James Bond. Good guy and kinda famous orthopedic surgeon around Oklahoma. |
| 9 weeks post op on rotator cuff and bicep tendonesis. Ice is your friend. My PT intensified at week 6. OMG-it's brutal. I went back to taking Norco before PT after getting off it at day 8. Do your home exercises and ice whenever you feel you need it. Pretty much ache all the time now but I'm slowly getting more range. Good luck! |
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Do PT the weeks leading up to surgery. The stronger you are going into it, the better.
If your surgeon recommends a nerve block, consider it. It was a huge help in the first 12 hrs post op. Get the pain/ice pump. Use it. Ice religiously. No, seriously. Ice again. Like now. Find the best PT you can. The surgery is the tip of the iceberg. PT is clutch. Can't stress this enough. Follow your PT orders. Do the exercises. Get massage therapy on your neck, upper back as often as needed. You will be guarding like crazy and will be tense for weeks. All that tension starts to effect everything not just the shoulder in question. If you have to wear a sling with an abductor pillow, prepare yourself mentally because it's going to be a LOOOONG 30 days with that fucker on. Use pain meds but wean as soon as possible otherwise plan on using stool softeners/laxatives. Above all, be patient. It's a big surgery and takes time to heal. Good luck. ETA: Get some one to help you around the house for the first week if possible. Even the simplest task are a bitch post surgery. |
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That's me right now for past 10 months. Trying to take it easy so it will heal up on it's own...maybe that's just wishful thinking. Quoted:
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Good luck, no surgery for mine but it's been hurting for three years. I still do the stretches and exercises almost daily, the worst thing I can do is sleep on it wrong. That's me right now for past 10 months. Trying to take it easy so it will heal up on it's own...maybe that's just wishful thinking. I hate to say wishful thinking I havebeen on really light duty and still sucks |
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Had mine done last March , best advice I can give is to take it easy. I was angry and frustrated didn't seem like I was getting any better almost tore it again lifting a gallon of milk out of the fridge. The recovery time varies depending on severity of the tear but it's months. Any particular questions ? Definitely take it easy and be mindful of keeping your shoulder from being extended too far from your body. That's how I tore mine again two years after my first surgery. Yes, I've been there twice. Sucks. |
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Do PT the weeks leading up to surgery. The stronger you are going into it, the better. This was the biggest thing for me. Get your shoulder as strong as you can BEFORE the surgery. Do lots and lots of pulling movements. Those will indirectly strengthen your shoulder without causing more damage to your rotator cuff. The stronger you are before the surgery the faster you'll recover after the surgery. Ask your surgeon what type of pain meds he's going to give you. If he's planning on giving you an opiate you need to stock up on industrial strength laxatives. |
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Sleep in a recliner, get a Breg cooler, and do the fucking rehab like you are supposed to. I had arthroscopic surgery 3 wees ago on left shoulder. I was in fear that it was a cuff or labrum tear as the MRI didn't show anything but I couldn't raise my arm above my head for 3 months. Get a recliner, ice it and take ibuprofren and do the therapy no matter how much it hurts. I got lucky... |
| I had a partial tear in my rotator cuff after a head-on collision with another car, I saw several doctors, all recommended surgery. It was never ending pain, day and night. I fought my last MMA match while it was torn and suffered my only loss, never returning to the sport afterwards. I lost a good portion of muscle mass during this time. BUT, I did not get the surgery, since the doctors advised that results might vary too much for my liking. I simply toughed it out for about 18 months and it completely healed on its own. I began lifting once it healed and am now right back at 100%......been fine for a few years now. |
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Mine happened in a car wreck 3 years ago,, tried everything to avoid surgery...Nothing worked..mine had all sorts of damage from the drivers door trying to push my arm up as the door caved in while the seatbelt held my shoulder from moving..Ended up getting the knife(8 small holes and 1 big cut) in October of 14... 7 weeks after the shoulder work I went back into surgery to fix damage to the wrist on the same arm...wore a cast for that for 3 months which didn't help things either.......Started PT with a specialist 10 days after surgery and did PT up till the wrist surgery, been doing all my own PT daily since, but while I can now get my arm overhead, I still can't put it behind my back..still as painful as it was before surgery, praying it gets better someday........ First bandage change right after surgery.... <a href="http://s266.photobucket.com/user/AKSNOWRIDER_2008/media/denali/IMG_0088_zps8c0e8a67.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii265/AKSNOWRIDER_2008/denali/IMG_0088_zps8c0e8a67.jpg</a> same shoulder, same bruise |
| MRI says I have a tear, not sure how big, probably happened at least a year and a half ago, I guess the pain made me restrict my arm motion now I have a frozen shoulder, just started PT earlier this week, and that is painful, don't know if it will end up with surgery, I think if I get most of the motion back I can live with the pain I was having. |
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I have nothing good to say. I had 4-5 anchors put in, pain like you would not believe. A lot of pain meds for a week or two and tons of physical therapy after the operation. Took me two full years to feel normal and strong again. But it's fixed! fffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu 
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fffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Quoted:
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I have nothing good to say. I had 4-5 anchors put in, pain like you would not believe. A lot of pain meds for a week or two and tons of physical therapy after the operation. Took me two full years to feel normal and strong again. But it's fixed! fffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu My Doc's told me going in that most likely this would help but not put me back like I was..just to much damage from the wreck....same deal with my neck, lower back, wrist and brain..sometimes they just can't repair it enough to make it work right. After 300K in surgeries, PT, shots, and everything else I really don't feel any better now then I did a week after the wreck....the Brain stuff worries me the most, but I stay positive and plan on having a life again..somehow,someway... 
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| I'm a PT. Let me say that you need to do this: Get out a calendar. Circle your surgery date. Get a calendar for next year. Calculate 18 months from the surgery date. Circle that date. Study that day. Don't judge the success or failure of your procedure until that date. Most of the posters with this experience are saying the same thing. It is a loooong and slow process. I have never seen someone after just about any shoulder surgery that is fully recovered before 18 months. The shoulder is proof positive that man was never meant to walk on only 2 extremities. Gravity is a bitch! |
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Lots of good advice in here. One thing I did not see is fiber, lots of freaking fiber and stool softeners or that first dump will bring tears to your eyes. After all those pain meds, you will need it. There are few guarantees in life but this is one of them. I was not told this and that first dump was a total nightmare. I was also told the nerve block would last about 24 hours. It lasted about 14 and went away very suddenly. At 11 PM I was screaming for drugs. A reclining lift chair would have been very helpful as well. You will need to sleep in a chair for a while. |
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I had it done arthroscopic about 20 years ago. A year later had a car accident and had to have the full open surgery. It's true about the pain but it gets better. Do the PT!!!
Wait until your 5 year old boy throws you a baseball 2nd day after surgery when you're sitting in your chair half out of it on pain meds.
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I am almost 4 weeks post surgery. I had a full rotator cuff tear and haven't even started physical therapy yet. I start PT Monday. It has been a rough go and didn't think it would be this painful. I sleep in a recliner and am still in a fair amount of pain. My PT Dr said I won't be happy about getting the surgery till I am about three months post surgery.
Here is a pic of my shoulder. You can see the bruising in my bicep it was way worse a month ago. I also had surgery to repair an AC-3 type separation in the same shoulder. So you can see that I have had a lot of problems with my right shoulder. All my right shoulder problems were done while I was in the Army. Believe it or not VA has taken pretty good care of me. 
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If they need to use outside tissue for anything request the pig skin over cadaver. The cadaver is rejected at a much higher rate. Also if they can do it arthroscopically it's much better, sadly sometimes after they are in they must open you up. If you have back and chest acne it'd ask for a major dose of antibiotics after the surgery, because you are likely to get a propionbacterium acnes infection. 5 total surgeries on the left shoulder, 4 in two years.  https://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/article/1645
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I had surgery almost a year ago. Right shoulder around 70%, upper head of bicep torn as well. The open surgery, because I waited and was stupid. I had a great surgeon. The rehab will be tough. I was borderline tearing what had been fixed. I had no choice, only had what FMLA would allow for time off.So 3 months to heal and be back. I had heard all the horror stories and was worried.
A recliner for sleeping was required. The cooler/ice water pump was awesome. Line up getting the gear for the ice water pump. The pain pump build that was implanted in shoulder was good. The pain bulb thing lasted about 2 days maybe 3 and the tube was pulled out. Pain medicine helped, and I would say it would be hard not taking daily dosage. Practice wiping your bottom with the other hand now. Buy stool softener or fiber one bars, pain mess stop things up. Ensure for the first 5-7 days you have a helper/spouse. Buy your wife/helper something nice now. Talk about the plan for family matters. Discuss driving, chores, etc. A simple thing like slipping when getting up or down, and by nature trying to use arm, will set you back. Plan ahead and it will be fine. Have a back up helper to give wife a break. You will need help taking a shower, getting dressed, eating, pretty much everything for a few days or weeks. Find rehab that is close to home and flexible scheduling. The bath clothes in a bag/wet wipes help you not stinking. Don't cheap out on sling/brace/not getting the ice cooler/pump. A extra pad/straps for the ice pump was awesome. Research who the shoulder guy is in your area. And do not watch videos of open rotator cuff surgery. You can do it and you will feel better. |