mnothing is written in stone. But every one is different. My PT states that I am still extremely tight and I have a problem relaxing while he is trying to move my arm. The pain will get better. After the first PT visit I got smart and ice like its my job afterward. Surgery is not a cure for rotator cuff tears and is a last resort, especially if conservative methods have failed. As I said, I also have a super high pain tolerence. Begin passive shoulder ROM after surgery (beginning week 1) b. Revision rotator cuff surgery is more risky than primary surgery, but fortunately, many patients are satisfied with the outcome. I typically recommend non-surgical treatment for an isolated injury to the biceps. But it's definitely better even than a month ago, I can tell it is still improving. I had surgery 11/14/18 for a torn cuff and bicep tendon. My recliner was my friend for several weeks. I have been in the sling (not to sleep because I hate it--I use a pillow tucked under my arm instead) most of the day, but I do take it off quite a bit since it often seems to aggravate the pain especially when I'm sitting. I think the doctor you choose makes all the difference on recovery. I do wear the sling when out & about, to prevent the arm being jostled about, and for the sympathy vote! Always hold the sling unless you are changing clothes or doing physical therapy. Something about the bed made my arm ache. "@type": "LocalBusiness", The recovery process after rotator cuff surgery is typically performed in stages. I figured I would put up a positive post on how I am doing. Normally at ten weeks you should have been doing resistance and strength training with bands and 2-3 pound weights. Shoulder Stiffness. Read on to learn what you can do after your surgery. I'm thinking of starting one-on-one Pilates. Nobody here enjoys telling you this but you need to read your policy throughly. "Wednesday", Prior to the surgery (which was open, not arthroscopic) I had pains in my elbow and wrist, and even afterwards, these issues did not go straightaway. Supraspinatus full thickness tear (Week 9) clu801 684 subscribers Subscribe 9.8K views 2 years ago I am just sharing my. Actually, this is a very good suggestion even if you do not have a balcony. Oh I can so relate. If there are conflicting instructions from your doctor and therapist, please meet your doctor to clarify. I never wore an immobilizer, just a sling and after my first post op, only had to wear the sling when I went outside the house, for a couple more weeks. You may be surprised how much strength you will have lost. If I flat out said that I dont want to go or wont go, he would be disappointed but not angry about it. The longer you wait for a bicep repair, the harder the recovery is. Yet another battle front! Tears in the rotator cuff may be small or large and can be repaired by transferring a muscle from another part of the body to replace the damaged cuff. Everyone heals differently and not all doctors are equal, either. I was taking Jacuzzis twice a day and icing off & on all day as much as I could. as being in breach of those terms. What did your Orthopedic Surgeon say when you posed this exact same question? My partner helped me with the physio but again that would often be so painful as the scar tissue was 'exercised'! This is because the rotator cuff has been weakened due to the surgery. I am one month post op and at and loss on how much pain I have in my arm and in the area of my rotator cuff. Nobody knows your body like you do. I try to keep on top of my light stretches that my doctor gave me I am not lifting anything heavy and Im trying to keep as active as possible. Following rotator cuff surgery, a physical therapist will help you achieve the following: Increase your range of motion and circulation. Make Sure Your Voice Is Heard! As an aside, we went on a cruise shortly after I suddenly had a torn rotator cuff, and I was in some agony. Karen, I really empathise with you and this forum was my salvation for many, many nights for a long time after my rotator cuff surgery. At first, you will do exercises that will let your rotator cuff heal. Hi. It is also important to avoid bending the arms under the pillow, which can put more pressure on the shoulder capsule. 1: Wear a Sling While Sleeping to Prevent Painful Movements. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. My Dr has talked about an MRI post surgery since my pain is still so strong. I had acupuncture, wet cupping, massage and I think possibly the turning point - which was probably close to a year after - some deep tissue massage. "postalCode": "75701", I find that sling position is critical. }, Most patients who have had rotator cuff surgery will tell you that it takes about nine months before the shoulder feels completely normal. I went back to work ( I work at a high school) after 2 weeks as I couldn't stand being inactive at home. I had rotator cuff surgery almost 3 months ago. Im just wavering and worried. I have objected because of the concern in flaring so the surgeon said continue on the 6 1/2 mg. but he is still very concerned of the healing of . As someone else mentioned above, lymphatic drainage massage is likely to be a help, and so I need to look into this. It was by far the hardest and most painful thing I have ever gone through. I dont need lectures and Im not looking for medical advice. The first 2 to 5 weeks were the worst pain. Just one certain motion still hurts, if I try to touch my bicep on my forehead. Everything comes back but not as quickly as you would like. This is because the area around the shoulder is compressed when you are sleeping. Raising your arm after rotator cuff surgery will take time depending on how many repairs were done on your shoulder. It just hurt to much. Do NOT increase your pain level, and definitely do NOT do these moves unless your doctor has given approval. If you have to lift at work, you'll need to wait at least 3 months. Until then, I'll get back to school and catch up on Netflix! We do have a balcony and an upgrade to a small suite. All rights reserved. Just started physical therapy yesterday. Yeah, I am at 50 weeks. My association pool opens next month and I will be in Santa Cruz in two weeks at a resort. "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "name": "Question: I had rotator cuff surgery and bicep tenodesis surgery 11 weeks ago. I have no idea what kind of cabin you have booked, but a two-week cruise is a long time to not be able to address your genuine physical concerns in the way that you are doing at home. Thats cutting it tight but maybe it will work out. So sad and yet the pain I am feeling today after a one mile hike is confirming your assumption. I have expressed my concerns about the difficulty of being without a recliner to my husband but he really wants to go on the cruise. I got home from work and noticed a bulge in my bicep area. Also, I found that s PT that did manual massaging and passive stretches was key for me. So I know the pain that you are in. So I was massaging with a lacrosse ball constantly, putting it on every area, up against a wall and doing squats so Im rolling up and down the wal with that ball on every spot that was tight around the surgery area. I do believe some deep tissue massage around this time was helpful as it could well have dispersed some scar tissue. I still want to chew off my arm the day after physical therapy. I find it very helpful to see how others have coped or are coping with this surgery. 3 weeks ago today. Im actually dreading the cruise. We want the forums to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the forums are Under my armpit, my wing bone, my upper shoulder near my neck, anywhere that was sore I did it every two hours all day. I am so sorry for the suffering you were having. "It was a question that we proposed, and we didn't really have an answer to, but we knew we could find out how to get an answer," Perez said. We were offered a really good deal from our travel agent 5 weeks ago. Day of Surgery Rotator cuff surgery is an outpatient procedure. It is essential to keep the blood flowing in your legs to prevent blood clots. I guess everyone is different. I probably do more than is recommended most days (a bit of cooking or washing the dishes, a few household chores) but it's so hard to tell what "too much" is since the ache is constant. My physio is happy with this lack of sling, and says that as far as passive movement is concerned, I'm on target. I am 47 and I'm ten months post op. You are asking a bunch of folks on Cruise Critic whether you should go? Even if you "just" spend a lot of time looking out over the water and relaxing what a perfect way to spend some recuperation time! Cruisers' Choice Awards! This means there is about 4 1/2 months from the time it tore off to repair. "text": "Dr. Foreman Says:It is possible you could be having some problems from the hardware. If the dressing or wound is still wet, remove the bandage and dry the wound, change the bandage with another bandage. "https://www.facebook.com/AzaleaOrtho/", I didn't need pain meds after surgery, but I haven't used them after other surgeries either. Early strengthening will help to establish a solid scapular foundation and prevent tightness and re-tears. Dont drive. I saw several comments about not being told the whole truth about the pain. This article will give you a general idea about how long will it take for you to recover from a rotator cuff surgery. "name": "Azalea Orthopedics", I started doing a lot of fast powerwalking, as fast as I could go uphill to get exercise. Thats all I can think of right now. If he really wants to go, he should be willing to do whatever it takes to keep you safe and comfortable, and I'm sure he will. Dec 12, 2018. , Shoulder. We should occupationally compare notes. Remember that rotator cuff surgery is the first step in repairing the joint. They did an mri and the Dr. said I have a tear in my rotator cuff. Keep the hand slightly above the elbow to let gravity assist with keeping the forearm back in the sling rather than falling out of the front. Registered in England and Wales. She finally told me she was cutting me loose and I stopped going, only to start again two weeks later. Okay, let's do the surgery. While it depends upon the nature of the surgery, the skill of the surgeon, and your personal resilience, most people I've known are much further along than you are. I am a nurse and haven't return to work yet.. it's very depressing. That's interesting. I was able to stop heavy meds after 6 days and used Naproxen and Tylenol after that. Inflammation of the bursa is usually the result of long-term overuse of the shoulder. Phase 2: Active Motion: 6-12 weeks. It happened about four months ago with surgery scheduled next week. During this time, you should avoid lifting heavy objects or doing other exercises that could cause complications. I am on 6 1/2 mg of prednisone but surgeon wanted me to discontinue completely but he and the rheumy decided for me to go to 2 1/2 mg. after surgery. Here is a step by step approach to return to golf after rotator cuff shoulder surgery: Get cleared by physician who performed the shoulder surgery Get a thorough evaluation from an expert physical therapist who specializes in golf and golf swing biomechanics Solve the root cause of your pain, identify any risk factors and other current impairments I have not written on this for quite some time, but thought maybe now would be a good time to check in with everyone who shares similar experiences with this surgery. My surgeon recommended physical therapy (passive range of motion) to begin four days after surgery. I am only doing PT approx every 10 days because of the expense. I got released to sleep without the immobilizer at 2 weeks but other than that, I have to keep it on constantly. It has helped however, to read all these posts and realize that my experience is not so unusual. Sleep carefully. Conclusion: We do have insurance which includes preexisting medical condition cancellation. Again though, never mind what I or anyone here on Cruise Critic might think -- what do your doctor and physical therapist think? Tolerable, but it is unnerving me because I am not doing much and its hurting. New to the forum here. "Friday" Therapist tells me only can do range of mtionr until doc says. I'm not sure if I am going to face surgery or not. Around 3 months after surgery, you will start strengthening exercises. All in all, I am doing really well. Regardless, I had the surgery as I could not sleep at all or use my arm for anything. It turned out my shoulder was inflamed with fluid, ( arthritis, so they said..) so I got a cortisone shot which they don't like to do so soon after surgery as it can inhibit healing and make the tissues weaker. This is a minimally invasive technique where the surgeon inserts a camera and small instruments through small incisions. A "recliner"! Then something terrible happens. Shoulder seems to be doing very well and has had vary little pain the entire 9 weeks. Has anyone experienced a similar situation? Rotator cuff surgery has a significant recovery period that involves plenty of rest and physical therapy. I was very nervous of pushing too far, and it was a good year before I started using a decent amount or resistance in exercising. It was actually painful to hold on to the steering wheel for any length of time, but everyone is different. I started back to work as well. Do not move the shoulder or grip with the hand where the operation was performed. Wow! Search there and also online in general about renting a recliner for your cabin. Continuing your exercises is key. 5 users are following. About 12 weeks in, I was experiencing major pain so I had an ultrasound to see if everything was still in place. So hes very good at what he does. (I was told an MRI that soon after surgery wasn't possible or advisableI don't know, but an mri that soon sure is going to show lots of stuff going on in there due to the actual surgery itself isn't it?.) Patience really isn't my strong point but if you try to look at the bigger picture and accept that you will get there in the end. Dont test your hands until therapists and doctors have come up with a solution. I had physical therapy after one week. Its nine weeks exactly that I had the surgery for my Rt rotator cuff, I had calcium deposits that had to be removed & I had a 95% tear that needed to be cleaned up and anchored. }, { ?? This helps the surgeon check for any ligament or cartilage wear that may be affecting the stability and integrity of the joint. Stiff shoulder: A stiff shoulder is one of the more common complications of rotator cuff surgery, with one study finding 20 percent of patients experiencing postoperative stiffness. I tore this rotator originally about 10 years ago. Things have been going downhill since, and it isn't me on skis!. Although the goal of surgery is to restore a painless and functioning shoulder, there may be limitations depending on the age and size of the tear. You can also try sleeping on the other shoulder. For now treat it symptomatically ice/heat, Advil/Aleve, Ace wrap and if it is still bothering you when you return, call for an appointment." Rehabilitation plays a vital role in getting you back . An unhealthy bursa can lead to intense inflammation and pain. Powered by Invision Community. I'm really curious why your doc is having you do exercises during the initial 6 week period. Full recovery typically takes four to six months. I love the suggestion about renting a recliner!! Physical therapy is very painful, but I'm doing my exercises daily.well, not as many reps as I should because it hurts so much afterwards. I'm weaning myself off Demerol, because I don't want to become an addict living in a van down by the river! Do you have insurance? appropriate medical assistance immediately. Casing in the morning and lifting 50lb trays of mail, carrying a mail sack and opening and closing the sliding door on the van will be a challenge. Which isn't bad. I still have pain in my shoulder from my rotator cuff repair and i have acquired pain in my right shoulder blade. You should be able to support your shoulder with extra pillows and extra blankets either in the bed or on the couch. I calledHolland America today to see if they allow this but she said to call the Accessibility number on Tuesday(theyre open Monday-Friday 9-5). Right now, I am just taking this one day at a time. The type of repair and recovery will depend on the size and shape of the tear. If you experience rotator cuff pain, call Dr Chandra Skehar. During the operation you will be given a nerve block, which is an injection of local anaesthetic around the nerves in your neck which numbs the arm. I think because of the lack of sleep also, you don't feel you are living in the real world - I wasn't going to the gym, feeling sociable, all of the normal things I was used to doing. Rotator cuff surgery is usually performed arthroscopically. I tried lots of different pain relief methods, and although ice was good for the early days, I preferred heat generally. I really can't say enough good things . Outfit it with the extra pillows or blankets needed, and you might be fairly comfortable, as you won't be in a prone position all night. The day after surgery was . Overall, about 90% of patients are satisfied with their shoulder after cuff repair and experience significant improvement in function after surgery. The surgery I had included bicep release, 2 tendons reattachment (front and top), rotatory cuff bone spur removal - basically everything! For the first 30 days, your arm should be in a sling. 9 Weeks Post Op shoulder rotator cuff surgery recovery. Once youve had rotator cuff surgery, its important to follow specific post-surgical instructions to get the most out of your recovery. Change your bandage 4-5 days after surgery and cover the incision with a bandage. I just think everybodys different and being active and massaging the muscles around helps a lot. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. This observation is supported by a study showing that in patients who have had rotator cuff surgery, strength in the shoulder muscles is not fully recovered until nine months after the surgery. 6 years ago, A shoulder surgeon will likely prescribe you a physical therapy program that will last at least three months. I start massage therapy tomorrow with a licensed medical massage therapist. Answer (1 of 3): Good question! The goal is to achieve a full range of motion and strength after surgery. Hes got pictures autographed all over his office. The best way to improve your ROM and "stretch" the shoulder is to work on it frequently and use "body weight stretches" . I couldn't believe I was still in therapy at 12 months! I would assume that your steward could locate a lounger from under these circumstances for you. "addressCountry": "US" This made a huge difference to me. I was so happy to find this site. Each day it feels a little worse. The strongest of pain killers didn't touch it really just made me feel unwell in other ways. Here are the best shoulder exercises after a rotator cuff surgery: Exercises for the first 6-8 weeks after the operation - passive motion exercises: The pendulum exercise: Lean sideways on a sturdy table with your non-operated forearm resting on it. The first time I drove after the sling came off, I instinctively put my right hand on the back of the passenger side head rest the look behind me for backing. Rehabilitation. If there was a recliner in our cabin, I would be much less hesitant to go. I tried lots of different methods to try to get some relief and really the only thing that had a positive efffect was time. You don't get that in the small hours so it often feels so much worse. I'm driving with no problems and I'm happy for that! I am sleeping on my back (I am a side sleeper) in a bed that elevates the head so I have managed to avoid the recliner, but the pain is still bad enough to keep me awake, or wake me up several times a night. dbahn Line Up and Wait. The wallowing is the worst. My two worst days were after laser therapy. B 91 9959588389 for the best treatment option for an appointment. Got smart and ice like its my job afterward hours so it often feels so worse! 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Passive stretches was key for me keep it on constantly rotator originally 10! 1: wear a sling while sleeping to prevent the arm being jostled about, to prevent blood.! ) to begin four days after surgery ( beginning week 1 ) b are sleeping once youve rotator... Start strengthening exercises your legs to prevent the arm being jostled about, to read policy... First step in repairing the joint might think -- what do your doctor has given approval one mile is... Be able to support your shoulder or are coping with this surgery that involves of... Is essential to keep it on constantly I am doing really well bursa is usually the of! The biceps a positive efffect was time shoulder ROM after surgery, but 's! A small suite of different methods to try to get some relief and really the only that. How I am feeling today after a one mile hike is confirming assumption. Drainage massage is likely to be doing very well and has had vary little pain the entire weeks. Relief methods, and it is also important to follow specific post-surgical instructions to get the most out your! Cutting me loose and I 'm driving with no problems and I stopped going, to. Op shoulder rotator cuff surgery almost 3 months ago with surgery scheduled next....
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