OT- DH needs rotator cuff surgery

[simonsmom]

has anyone else had it? we've heard it's pretty bad. any advice on dealing with issues after? is it true he can't move his arm for 6 weeks after? does this include use of his hand? driving?

 

[ilovejack02]

DH had it in April. It is a rough rough recovery and there will be times he wished he hadn't done it. BUT there will be light at the end of the tunnel, as long as he does his PT religiously , he should have use of his arm.


I think a good lazy boy comfy chair is best for sleeping. They really have to sleep sitting up for a few weeks. He will be in a sling for awhile , can't remember how long dh was in it, but at least two full weeks, and then on and off as needed. With in the first cpl of days they would have DH take sling off and do exercises for a few minutes at a time. I thought he would pass out the first time he had to lean over and let his arm hang .

He will need help doing everything for a few days, DH bathed by himself after about 7 days, but he only did it when I was home to help if he needed something.

DONT ignore the pain meds, take them on schedule . No need to be a hero, this hurts alot.


If they offer a nerve block before surgery , I would say go for it. The nurses say they can always tell who got one before surgery and who didn't . Usually the ones that don't come out of anesthesia in lots of pain. The nerve block helps block the pain for up to 24 hours . Still need to take the pain meds during this time.

He can move his hand, but not much good when arm tied down in sling.

DH was back driving some with in about 4 weeks, but really not much because he was still taking meds due to pain and he still felt better in the sling, can't drive with the sling on . : )

Plan on being home with him for at least a week.

It is not a fun ride, but better to do it than be unable to raise your arm up for the rest of your life.

 

[magiclj]

It depends on the severity of the tear. I had a very small tear, a cyst removed and a bone spur shaved off.

I had surgery on Friday. I had something- I can't recall what is was called - I am thinking pain pump. It was a small tube that fed pain meds direct to the site for 24 hours. I was also on pain meds. I went to PT and they removed the pain tube on Monday and I asked if I could quit taking the pain meds - they made me feel like I was on the outside looking in on the conversations - kinda weird. After that I took Motrin for the pain.

Yes it is extremely uncomfortable - I slept in my daughter's bed as she was away at school. That way I could spread out to be comfortable. They had me sleep with my arm folded accross my abs -supported with a pillow. Or on my side with the arm supported by pillows.

I was driving on Tuiesday after my surgery - once I was off the pain meds. Yes my arm was in a sling, but it I had the use of that hand and 9 times out of 10 you usually only have one hand on the wheel. I only had the sling for less than a week and then only if I was out in public (like the mall or a Christmas party) - kinda so people would avoid my arm/shoulder. I was back to work in less than two weeks - no sling.

It is very uncomfortable and slow progress. It is amazing when you think you should be able to do something at PT and it hurts too bad to do it very well. I was amazed at how much better hanging my arm down and slowly moving it loosened it up. My movement was very small at the beginning due to discomfort. When I woke up in the middle of the night it would be really tight - not so much pain - but tight and umcomfortable. I would get up and hang my arm and slowly rotate it - it was amazing how it loosened up the discomfort.

I put up the Christmas tree three weeks after surgery. My husband tried and just wasn't getting it. Very limited usage of the right arm - but I still did it.

My surgery was in November and I was in PT three times a week until March. I formed scar tissue and had to have my shoulder manipulated to break it up. They put you under and just move your arm to break it up. Three weeks later I was done with therapy. I wish I had done that sooner, but we thought we could work it out in PT.

Now it DEFINATELY depends on the severity of the tear - but mine was not that bad. Mine was also done arthriscopically (sp). I had two little incisions and then one incision about 2 inches long.

I never needed any help bathing or doing laundry - it was comical trying to fold laundry one handed. I even changed the sheets on the bed by myself with one hand - that did take some creativity.

I am thinking that the previous poster must have had a more extensive repair than I did. Hopefully your husband's shoulder is not too severe.

 

[ilovejack02]

My surgery was in November and I was in PT three times a week until March. I formed scar tissue and had to have my shoulder manipulated to break it up. They put you under and just move your arm to break it up. Three weeks later I was done with therapy. I wish I had done that sooner, but we thought we could work it out in PT.

NOW I have a question LOL. We think DH will have to go in to have the shoulder manipulation also . Did you have much pain afterwards ? Dr says he will be able to go back to work with a day or two later and then of course therapy .

And DH tear had almost a complete tear, we weren't expecting quite that, but knew it was bad.

 

[magiclj]

NOW I have a question LOL. We think DH will have to go in to have the shoulder manipulation also . Did you have much pain afterwards ? Dr says he will be able to go back to work with a day or two later and then of course therapy .

Complete tear - his recovery will be more than mine.

The manipulation was a breeze for me. The anistesist (sp) gave me very little pain meds going in and was going to give me more after the manipulation - but I didn't need it at all. I would highly recommend manipulation - I wish I would have done it sooner. It loosened up the shoulder and the discomfort. The therapy advanced much faster after that. It was amazing how easy the manipulation made the movements afterwards.

 

[ilovejack02]

NOW I have a question LOL. We think DH will have to go in to have the shoulder manipulation also . Did you have much pain afterwards ? Dr says he will be able to go back to work with a day or two later and then of course therapy .

Complete tear - his recovery will be more than mine.

The manipulation was a breeze for me. The anistesist (sp) gave me very little pain meds going in and was going to give me more after the manipulation - but I didn't need it at all. I would highly recommend manipulation - I wish I would have done it sooner. It loosened up the shoulder and the discomfort. The therapy advanced much faster after that. It was amazing how easy the manipulation made the movements afterwards.

DH will be happy to hear that, he still has some issues, but with all the time he took off, he wanted to wait till new year to have it done.

Maybe he will be able to sleep on his right shoulder again soon, I am tired of looking at his back .