Rotator Cuff Surgery

[Mongo]

Howdy all,
Yep.... title says it all. I need it. Unfortunately, on my dominant side. This couldn't happen at a worse time in my life either.... issues with my business is the cliff notes version. I am a solo practitioner, and 6-8 weeks in a sling aren't too conducive to successful practice.

What I am looking for is experience of those who have gone through with it. Just how bad does it suck? When can I realistically expect to do ANYTHING with my dominant side? I'm talking about things like showering, wiping my a$$, writing, DRIVING, sleeping, etc. What is the rehab like? I've had both my hips replaced, and that was relatively easy. This seems like it's really gonna suck.

 

[druid189]

Howdy all,
Yep.... title says it all. I need it. Unfortunately, on my dominant side. This couldn't happen at a worse time in my life either.... issues with my business is the cliff notes version. I am a solo practitioner, and 6-8 weeks in a sling aren't too conducive to successful practice.

What I am looking for is experience of those who have gone through with it. Just how bad does it suck? When can I realistically expect to do ANYTHING with my dominant side? I'm talking about things like showering, wiping my a$$, writing, DRIVING, sleeping, etc. What is the rehab like? I've had both my hips replaced, and that was relatively easy. This seems like it's really gonna suck.

AC and rotator cuff right here.....also dominant side....

Had the surgery about 5 years ago do to a fast impact on the blacktop while grappling with an unruly drunk.

The surgery itself is nothing.....they put a 'nerve block' in my neck to kill all pain from my neck to my waist / that side...knocked me out and woke up a few hours later.

I was in a sling with my arm wrapped against my torso for one full week, with a script for oxycodone for pain.

After that week, they dismounted my arm from my torso to begin moving it 1" in either direction [front and back]. Then also came physical therapy. that was a bit painful.

you will definitely know what you can and can't do in the time during your rehab....but suffice it to say "wiping" is out for about 3 weeks/a month. Get scent free baby wipes to augment your weak-sided wipe.

Driving - subject to the doctor's restrictions....but I was back driving within 2-3 weeks.

Sleeping....get a body pillow and while sleeping on your weak side, put it behind you to prop you up. You will NOT want to roll onto your back because trying to roll back over sucks the big one.

writing....eh....I think it was about 3 weeks later.

Rehab for me was almost 4 months, to include [beginning with] "walking" your fingers up a "miniature staircase" mounted on the therapist's wall, to Pinch/grip strength retraining, eventually to weight lifting/rowing machines.

Searing pain was gone in under one week, ache/pain after about 2-3 weeks but you will be susceptible to aches by dampness and eventually arthritis.

But remember....I had my AC joint done as well...so don't panic at what I'm telling you here.

 

[Mike157]

I severed my supraspinatus (one of the rotator cuff muscles) in a fall about ten years ago. Had to have it reattached. The surgery, a combination of orthoscopic (spelling?) and opening it up to get at the attach point, went well. Go under, and wake up when done. Sounds like what druid189 said is par for the course. I was given a "pain ball" for the first few days. The "pain ball" is a pressurized ball full of pain medication that slowly squirts the medication into the surgery site through a tube which seemed to help quite a bit. I was never in any really strong pain. I was also given some, if I remember correctly, Vicodin. Having never done drugs like that before, it was kind of fun. Only used/needed it for a few days.

I also had a shoulder cooling rig. It consisted of a harness that fit around the shoulder and had cooling tubes in it. It circulated through what looked like a small ice water filled beer cooler. It really helped keep the swelling and pain down. I highly recommend it if it is still a recovery option.

One of the most helpful items in my recovery was a LazyBoy recliner. Sleeping in a bed after serious shoulder surgery can be a real pain - literally and figuratively. I spent much of the first few days in that recliner and slept in it for at least a week. I know that it helped with my well being and comfort significantly. It is where I sat while using the cooler. If you don't have one, they can be found used for not much money. Make sure it is comfortable, has a foot/leg rest and reclines far enough that you can sleep comfortably. One Vicoden and I would sink about 20 feet into those cushions.

Be conscientious and consistent with your rehab. I think that kicks in after a few weeks? Don't push it too hard. Try to move slowly and deliberately to build strength but without causing pain and damage. When you can, try to start stretching and moving your shoulder in its full range of motion. You don't want any scar tissue or shortened muscles/tissue to limit you in the future. A good physical therapist definitely helps.

If possible, eat well. Don't eat or drink a bunch garbage. You may recover a bit faster and without as much inflammation.

Really good/skilled massage of the area, when appropriate, can help keep things loose and moving and flush out some of the congestion that can develop in healing tissues.

Later, I found that stretching all of the surrounding muscles and tissues helped keep things, like my neck, from getting tight and achy.
I could never really sleep on the surgery side and found that when sleeping on the "good" side supporting the repaired side arm with a big pillow or yoga type bolster was/is just about indispensable.

I cannot over emphasize how much having that recliner helped me. The shoulder cooler helped quite a bit also. The more attention you put into your recovery and rehab, the faster and better you will come out of it - but still, give it the time it needs. You don't want to be going back in because you re-injured your shoulder before it was completely healed. Hopefully, you'll be back to basics in a few weeks.

Hope this helps a bit and good luck. Mike

 

[Monofletch]

Been there X 2....Rotator cuff/labrum. They gave me the option for the nerve block- you are NUTS if you pass on that. Once it wears off you will know. Keep up on your pain meds even if you don't hurt!! It gets better about day 3-4 post op.
Too tell you the truth, I was in my treestand bowhunting 5 days after surgery. I am right handed and I had surgery on the left side. I had a good surgeon- he does the St. Louis Rams and Cardinals. That might have been the reason why I could do so much. Thinking back- I was pretty dumb.

Good luck- I hope all goes well.

 

[Krav]

6 to 8 weeks sucks but its better than 12 weeks. I ruptured my bicep tendon had surgery, it was 12 weeks. Could not use my hand, arm, shoulder nothing. What ever I was eating I should of just thrown it on the floor first and get that over with.

I lived alone, which was dificult. Bathing consisted of nealing down in a tub using a wrag and soap the best I could.
Youll get the hang of things.