Rotator Cuff Surgery

[Schifference]

This would have been a better question had you not asked the day before surgery.

I have had rotator cuff issues in the past and have healed them without surgery.

I am not looking for an argument but if you are having surgery tomorrow there is little to discuss.

 

[Schifference]

I've been dealing with a frozen left shoulder since December of last year, and am finally getting over it bit by bit. Unfortunately that puts me back in the painful part of things (there's an area in the middle where you have impaired range of motion but it doesn't actually hurt too often). Depending on how, exactly, your motion is impaired you would benefit a great deal from physical therapy like oyarde mentioned. If there is debris and you're comfortable with the opinion, the surgery itself isn't that terrible but be prepared for it not to necessarily fix everything.

These can be of help and are not particularly expensive:

They are also good for setting on the floor and using to pedal with your legs (in case your knees are ever a little sore, too). If you "pedal" slowly with your hands, it puts your shoulder through its proper motions.

There are also a lot of exercises you can do at home with elastics or a handy doorjamb.

Many times each day do range of motion exercise. Simply move your extremity into a position that feels uncomfortable that you know you should be able to move into. Once you feel the discomfort, move your extremity a little bit more and hold it there for as long as you can. Keep repeating that every day often throughout the day. Soon you will regain your range of motion.

Example try to scratch your own back. Once you get to a certain point you recognize discomfort. Recognize the discomfort and move your arm a little bit more and hold it there for as long as possible. Then relax and forget about it. A little while later do that again. Before you know it your range of motion will increase and you won't even remember that your extremity used to hurt.

 

[heavenlyboy34]

Get well soon, amigo! Can't really relate cuz I'm double jointed and don't get injured in that joint easily. Prayin' for ya. ~hugs~

 

[KCIndy]

She said she's giving me 800 mg Ibuprofen. Thanks.

I was taking percocet some months ago and that stuff made me want to vomit. Made me sick to my stomach.

Percoset is F*****G worthless. I've had it prescribed before, and after the first couple of pills I gave up and threw 'em away... they did nothing for the pain, and just made me a bit queasy. Same for all those acetaminophen/opioid meds...

I read somewhere that a certain percent of the population is genetically resistance to opioids. If it's true, I fit the bill, and it sounds like you might, as well.

The good news? We're not likely to get addicted... bad news? When it hurts like hell, we're stuck with ice packs and Ibuprofen.... which, incidentally, also doesn't do squat for me.

 

[CaptUSA]

I had the surgery last year. Took about 4 weeks to recover, but it was WAAAY better. You'll be surprised how fast you go through the meds. (If you're like me, anyways)
I had the surgery on a friday and was back to work the following Tuesday. The worst part is trying to sleep the first couple of nights.

Definitely do NOT skip the therapy. Do the exercises. It makes recovery faster and more complete.

So, a year later...

I have full range of motion without the pain, however, there are still certain positions that I can't move to quickly. (You'll understand what I mean by that, soon.) I'm definitely glad I had the surgery, but it's still not 100%. I was swinging on some monkey bars last week and instantly felt the pain when I reached for a bar. I know, how often do I do that?! Not often, but there's a constant reminder that I'm old.

 

[ChristianAnarchist]

Had it done in February and I'm about 90% today. Quite satisfied really. I even to push ups again. You definitely want to do all the PT afterward that you can. Mine was a partial tear and I couldn't think of any specific injury that would cause it. When I asked the surgeon he said "Too many birthdays"...

My arm was in a sling for a week but even so you are supposed to remove the sling from time to time to move your shoulder around as tolerated. Now my other shoulder is acting up...

 

[euphemia]

Praying for the surgery to go well.

 

[Natural Citizen]

I've been dealing with a frozen left shoulder since December of last year, and am finally getting over it bit by bit. Unfortunately that puts me back in the painful part of things (there's an area in the middle where you have impaired range of motion but it doesn't actually hurt too often). Depending on how, exactly, your motion is impaired you would benefit a great deal from physical therapy like oyarde mentioned. If there is debris and you're comfortable with the opinion, the surgery itself isn't that terrible but be prepared for it not to necessarily fix everything.

These can be of help and are not particularly expensive:

They are also good for setting on the floor and using to pedal with your legs (in case your knees are ever a little sore, too). If you "pedal" slowly with your hands, it puts your shoulder through its proper motions.

There are also a lot of exercises you can do at home with elastics or a handy doorjamb.

She said I have to go back the day after and they're going to pu my arm in some kind of "machine" to rotate it all around. So that oughtta be a hoot. Probbly not the same thing you're talking about here. And, yeah, she did say like 6 or 8 weeks of therapy. Not sure I'll do all of that, though. I don't know will see, I suppose. I was thinking about just rotating with maybe a 2 or 3 pound dumbbell or something. Pride might get in the way of therapy. Which is likely stupid but I know how I am.

I don't know what you mean by yours being frozen. You mean you can't move it or something? You might have soem carpal tunnel or something.

 

[Natural Citizen]

I had the surgery last year. Took about 4 weeks to recover, but it was WAAAY better. You'll be surprised how fast you go through the meds. (If you're like me, anyways)
I had the surgery on a friday and was back to work the following Tuesday. The worst part is trying to sleep the first couple of nights.

Definitely do NOT skip the therapy. Do the exercises. It makes recovery faster and more complete.

So, a year later...

I have full range of motion without the pain, however, there are still certain positions that I can't move to quickly. (You'll understand what I mean by that, soon.) I'm definitely glad I had the surgery, but it's still not 100%. I was swinging on some monkey bars last week and instantly felt the pain when I reached for a bar. I know, how often do I do that?! Not often, but there's a constant reminder that I'm old.

Dang, you too? Hm. Good to know, though. Between you and oyarde, I'm feeling good about it. Anyone who hasn't felt it, it's freaking major pain. I'll be so glad to be rid of that.

 

[silverhandorder]

Mine doesn't itch but I wake up with my arm hurting just about every night. I think it's because I sleep on my stomach with my arms up. I'm trying to sleep on my back but Mr Animal says I snore - I guess he hates the competition. Getting old sucks.

I used to sleep on my stomach. Now I only sleep sideways. It sucks that the doctors don't know much, have to find a good one as far as spine is concerned.

 

[Natural Citizen]

This would have been a better question had you not asked the day before surgery.

I have had rotator cuff issues in the past and have healed them without surgery.

I am not looking for an argument but if you are having surgery tomorrow there is little to discuss.

Yeah, I was definitely going to have it anyway. I'd planned it months ago. I was just wondering if it actually worked. Seems like it does from what oyarde and capt are saying. And they both had it. so it's good to know.

 

[ChristianAnarchist]

P.S. Don't worry about it. The surgery is something they do over and over so they know it well. You will probably go home the same day as the surgery.

Also, don't skip on the therapy. They will likely give you some rubber bands to take home to do them at home as well. It really does the trick. They show you exactly the types of moves you need to do for your particular repair. Follow directions (yeah, I know that's almost impossible for me...)

 

[Origanalist]

Good luck NC, never had the surgery. Never needed it. My worst physical problems was bulging discs. Got through that without surgery though.

 

[MelissaWV]

She said I have to go back the day after and they're going to pu my arm in some kind of "machine" to rotate it all around. So that oughtta be a hoot. Probbly not the same thing you're talking about here. And, yeah, she did say like 6 or 8 weeks of therapy. Not sure I'll do all of that, though. I don't know will see, I suppose. I was thinking about just rotating with maybe a 2 or 3 pound dumbbell or something. Pride might get in the way of therapy. Which is likely stupid but I know how I am.

I don't know what you mean by yours being frozen. You mean you can't move it or something? You might have soem carpal tunnel or something.

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. Signs and symptoms typically begin gradually, worsen over time and then resolve, usually within one to three years.

Frozen shoulder typically develops slowly, and in three stages. Each stage can last a number of months.

• Freezing stage. Any movement of your shoulder causes pain, and your shoulder's range of motion starts to become limited.
• Frozen stage. Pain may begin to diminish during this stage. However, your shoulder becomes stiffer, and using it becomes more difficult.
• Thawing stage. The range of motion in your shoulder begins to improve.

For some people, the pain worsens at night, sometimes disrupting sleep.

The bones, ligaments and tendons that make up your shoulder joint are encased in a capsule of connective tissue. Frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint, restricting its movement.

There have been times where it's literally impossible to move it past a certain point, regardless of pain (and there is plenty of that). Some people swear by injections or manipulation under anesthesia but I'd rather just deal with limited use/mobility for some time than subject myself to that. This shoulder has always been wonky and most of my injuries in life have involved my left arm, so I figure this is just paying the piper for a bit.

Oh and prior rotator cuff injuries are a risk factor for frozen shoulder... just sayin'.

 

[euphemia]

Are you okay? Please post and tell us you are okay.

 

[tod evans]

I'm hoping he's zonked on the good stuff and oblivious to all discomfort...

 

[lilymc]

I talked to NC. His surgery went well. He's dopey from the pills, and in a little pain, but that's to be expected, I guess.

 

[mrsat_98]

I was in agony from what I thought was the same issue and a very old experienced chiropractor fixed me up with one adjustment a few months later I had a similar issue and one adjustment later I am having no issues what so ever.

 

[phill4paul]

Best wishes on a speedy recovery. This is something I need done and will have to talk to my V.A. doctor about.

 

[Kotin]

You'll be 100% in no time my friend!