It's official: DH has torn rotator cuff- surgery scheduled!

[Mermaid02]

He will be out of work for 12 weeks. That's right, TWELVE ! After that he can go back to light duty (lifting 12-15 pounds at the most). He tore it at work pulling cable in the underground.... He said the minute he did it he said to the guy next to him, "I just screwed up my shoulder- bad" .

Anybody have any advice? He is scheduled for July 15th.....

 

[Pooh67_68]

No advice, just pixie dust for you dh and for you.

 

[Serena]

I'm sorry. No advice from me either. I hope he recovers fast.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I had a torn rotator cuff too! It takes a while to recuperate, and it's good to take it really slow during recovery too. Maybe he'll do some physical therapy as part of the recovery process. Hope that he gets well soon!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have a question for you rotator cuff vets. I'm going to have the orthroscopic surgery in mid-June after my California trip. From the MRI, I have what looks like a partial tear, but it may be a full tear.

My physician says that I'll be in a sling for 6 weeks, then PT after that. He said it would take about 6 months to heal completely. He's done a lot of these so I trust his statements.

Here's the question: When you or your friend/spouse/relative was recovering, could they wear T-shirts or did they have to wear button front shirts? I wear mostly polo shirts or tees during the summer months and think I may have to get some button front shirts. They told me that I wouldn't be able to lift my arm up for the six weeks I was in the sling. What about bras? (I'm just thinking ahead here. ) I wear mostly sports bras that go over the head.

Since this surgery is scheduled for four days after we get home from the West Coast, I won't have time to go shopping. I'll be trying to get caught up at work before I'm off again.

Thanks.

 

[Tamarap]

My husband had rotator cuff surgery a year and a half ago and was out for 6 months but he also had a job that required heavy lifting. He was in a sling for a couple of weeks. Yes, he wore alot of button down shirts initially. They really had him moving the shoulder pretty quickly. You have to keep the muscles moving if I remember correctly. I will ask him more about it when I get a chance. He will remember far better than I will.

 

[PrincessMommyof2]

I have a question for you rotator cuff vets. I'm going to have the orthroscopic surgery in mid-June after my California trip. From the MRI, I have what looks like a partial tear, but it may be a full tear.

My physician says that I'll be in a sling for 6 weeks, then PT after that. He said it would take about 6 months to heal completely. He's done a lot of these so I trust his statements.

Here's the question: When you or your friend/spouse/relative was recovering, could they wear T-shirts or did they have to wear button front shirts? I wear mostly polo shirts or tees during the summer months and think I may have to get some button front shirts. They told me that I wouldn't be able to lift my arm up for the six weeks I was in the sling. What about bras? (I'm just thinking ahead here. ) I wear mostly sports bras that go over the head.

Since this surgery is scheduled for four days after we get home from the West Coast, I won't have time to go shopping. I'll be trying to get caught up at work before I'm off again.

Thanks.

My mom just had this surgery last week! She's in button up shirts because she cannot life her arm up much. I think she's in her first bra after a week of "freedom." She was out of her sling after a few days for two reasons; 1. She favored her arm leading up to the surgery and the sling held it in an uncomfortable position. 2. She had a friend have the same surgery last year who didn't start moving the shoulder right away (within two days) and her friend's shoulder "froze up." The joint just stopped moving freely and it took extensive PT to get it back.

Ask your ortho about home exercises that you can do directly after the surgery and before PT. She's doing great, being a week after surgery. I hope your's goes as well as her's did!

 

[Mermaid02]

We bought some cheap t's and stretched the neck out a lot and yes he wore some button up shirts too.

My dh's recovery has been FANTASTIC. He did every thing the dr told him to. He was even released from PT early because he healed so well. He had a complete tear. The one thing he didn't do was take his pain meds from the beginning and he regretted it when the marcaine wore off. Take those meds if the dr gives them to you.

Good luck!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks, everyone, for the info. We'll see how it goes. I've ordered a few button up shirts which should be delivered in a week.

PrincessMommy: Maybe I'll enjoy that bit of freedom, too!!