Post rotator cuff surgery tips needed!

[Jeannie]

My DH will be having rotator cuff surgery next month. We have recommendations for an ice machine and a wedge pillow for sleeping from his doctor. I was wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks for his recovery time. What about clothing? I'm assuming sweatpants will be easiest, but what about shirts? Would it make sense to buy him some oversized zip front sweatshirts or flannel shirts that he can wear over his 'bad' arm? Just trying to have everything in place...

 

[bjscheel]

DH has had both done, most recently his right last February. I got him button down shirts (at the thrift) a size larger than his usual. Zip sweatshirts will work too. And he wore sweatpants. Make sure you bring one of the big shirts to surgery to wear home. There will be a massive bandage on his shoulder at first.

Put the shirts on starting with the bad arm. For outerwear, once he has his sling on, he'll probably just have to wear it on his good arm and let the coat drape over the other.

Get shampoo and body wash that come in a pump bottle so he can get some out with one hand.

We had an ice machine that they sent home with us the first time but he didn't use it much. For this latest one, it was just ice packs which was fine with us as the machine was unwieldy.

He slept in the recliner for the first few weeks rather than in bed.

Skechers slip-ins shoes.

 

[Dug720]

Biggest tip is DO THE PT both at PT and at home. My dad had had hip replacement and knee replacement, and because he is religious about his PT, he's "graduated" before schedule both times. The hip in particular, there was a guy who had been in PT for hip replacement about 2 weeks longer than my dad, and when they said it was going to be Daddy's last week, the other guy was like "How is he doing so much better?" and the PTs said "Are you doing your exercises at home?" to which the answer was "Um...not really." And the PTs said "That's how. He does his exercises at home."

 

[Snowflakey]

Good timing - my DH will be having a total shoulder replacement soon. Great tips! Thanks everyone!

 

[John VN]

I have had minor RoCuff injuries and did not follow PT's instructions and am paying the price. Do the PT and healing will be quicker. Good luck.

Good timing - my DH will be having a total shoulder replacement soon. Great tips! Thanks everyone!

I had a total shoulder replacement at 66yo on Monday Oct. 10, 2016 and had the sling removed on Tuesday and given clearance to return to bicycling on Wednesday. Waited until Thursday because I am a klutz. Hope things go well.

 

[Moliphino]

My mom had rotator cuff surgery 5 years ago. She also slept in a recliner for the first few weeks. I don't think she could shower for about a week after and then needed some help in the shower when she was able (it was her dominant arm). You really can't use the arm at all for quite a few weeks after surgery.

 

[DisneyHardin]

My DH had it a couple years ago. The ice machine is a life saver because it stays cold so much longer than traditional ice packs. DH slept in the recliner for the first week or so and then when he did transition to the bed, he used a "dorm" type prop up pillow and slept sitting up with his arm on a extra bed pillow.

If you have to go back to work quickly and he is going to be home by himself, make sure that any food he needs for lunches is easy open at least for the first few days. I had to go back to work after just 1 day when DH had his. The first day, I made him a sandwich and put it in a Rubbermaid container with a lid. He couldn't get the lid off because his bad arm didn't even have the stretch to hold the container still while he opened it with his good arm. After that, I made him sandwiches and just put them on a plate with saran wrap over it.

 

[leebee]

Everything @DisneyHardin said. DH used the ice machine, did the PT, slept in a recliner for weeks, kept his upper arm supported while sitting/lounging (pillow under the forearm and elbow). Make sure whatever you leave for him to eat while you are working is in something he can open with one hand.

 

[Snowflakey]

I had a total shoulder replacement at 66yo on Monday Oct. 10, 2016 and had the sling removed on Tuesday and given clearance to return to bicycling on Wednesday. Waited until Thursday because I am a klutz. Hope things go well.
[/QUOTE]

WOW - so why are they telling us it is a 6 month recovery?

 

[Travel60]

For the first several days, make sure he stays ahead of the pain. DH had the surgery several years ago. We stopped at pharmacy on the way home and picked up pain pills. There were 8.

As ordered, he took one when we got home then 4 hours later and 4 hours after that. He only had 5 left so he started rationing - waiting 6 hours. Lots of pain but he had heard stories about people getting hooked so was trying to tough it out.

Surgeon called the next day to check on him and DH mentioned pain. Dr. said why pain? Are you taking pain pills? DH said yes, but there were only 8 and I only have 4 left. Dr. said prescription was for 80!

DH never used 80 - more like 25 and I'm sure no Dr. would prescribe that many in today's environment. But, get ahead of the pain.