rotator cuff tear experiences

[xjillianpaige]

Hi folks!

My dad fell on ice recently and it sounds like the MRI indicates a tear of the rotator cuff, which is repaired through surgery. I'm wondering if folks here have had a similar injury and what the recovery post-op can look like? I know that recovery isn't one size fit all, but it'd be nice to have an idea of the could-be's.

For some context. My dad is a hairdresser, so use of his shoulder is important, and we expect he'll be out of work for some time. He's also going away for two weeks, so part of the question is surgery before or after travel. He isn't in pain, except for when he tries to raise his arm too high.

Thanks

 

[sonnyjane]

Hi folks!

My dad fell on ice recently and it sounds like the MRI indicates a tear of the rotator cuff, which is repaired through surgery. I'm wondering if folks here have had a similar injury and what the recovery post-op can look like? I know that recovery isn't one size fit all, but it'd be nice to have an idea of the could-be's.

For some context. My dad is a hairdresser, so use of his shoulder is important, and we expect he'll be out of work for some time. He's also going away for two weeks, so part of the question is surgery before or after travel. He isn't in pain, except for when he tries to raise his arm too high.

Thanks

I wish I had better news for you, but shoulder surgery is a really tough one. DH had both shoulders reconstructed 6 months apart. After each surgery, the first 2 weeks were really bad... sleeping on a recliner b/c he couldn't do bed, unable to drive for a while, etc. Being the stubborn guy he is, he pushed forward a lot faster than his doctors recommended, but his physical therapist was progressive and of the opinion that she didn't want him to sit inactive too long or else he'd lose range of motion. His surgeries were in 2015 and he still has bad days, but not really sure what the alternative would be other than having two torn rotator cuffs. Super, super important to stay on top of the meds and DO THE PHYSICAL THERAPY! I do not think that I would recommend traveling in the immediate time after recovery. You're just so incredibly miserable, it would ruin the trip.

 

[luvsJack]

I haven’t but ds did. Of course he was a teen and a ball player so that may have made a huge difference but he really wasn’t sidelined for long. He couldn’t pitch for awhile though so that may be more in line with what your dad does.

Could waiting make it get worse? I would want that answer before deciding to wait.

 

[Pooh2]

This is not an easy surgery. The shoulder is in a sling 24 hours a day to immobilize for 6 weeks.
I would suggest surgery after his vacation.
I slept in a recliner with for a month after each shoulder repair to keep the shoulder positioned correctly. Getting comfy in bed was difficult.
Physical therapy started less than a week after surgery. The PT gently moves the shoulder several times a week to keep it from "freezing". At 6 weeks, Pt works to recover the range of motion and strength. PT is about 3 months.
Good luck to your dad!

 

[xjillianpaige]

I wish I had better news for you, but shoulder surgery is a really tough one. DH had both shoulders reconstructed 6 months apart. After each surgery, the first 2 weeks were really bad... sleeping on a recliner b/c he couldn't do bed, unable to drive for a while, etc. Being the stubborn guy he is, he pushed forward a lot faster than his doctors recommended, but his physical therapist was progressive and of the opinion that she didn't want him to sit inactive too long or else he'd lose range of motion. His surgeries were in 2015 and he still has bad days, but not really sure what the alternative would be other than having two torn rotator cuffs. Super, super important to stay on top of the meds and DO THE PHYSICAL THERAPY! I do not think that I would recommend traveling in the immediate time after recovery. You're just so incredibly miserable, it would ruin the trip.

I haven’t but ds did. Of course he was a teen and a ball player so that may have made a huge difference but he really wasn’t sidelined for long. He couldn’t pitch for awhile though so that may be more in line with what your dad does.

Could waiting make it get worse? I would want that answer before deciding to wait.

Bolded = a great point. Something for my parents to consider.

This is not an easy surgery. The shoulder is in a sling 24 hours a day to immobilize for 6 weeks.
I would suggest surgery after his vacation.
I slept in a recliner with for a month after each shoulder repair to keep the shoulder positioned correctly. Getting comfy in bed was difficult.
Physical therapy started less than a week after surgery. The PT gently moves the shoulder several times a week to keep it from "freezing". At 6 weeks, Pt works to recover the range of motion and strength. PT is about 3 months.
Good luck to your dad!

Thank you all for letting me know your experiences and for the well-wishes!

When my dad was young he broke his shoulder, but the body heals so differently in youth vs ... a certain age. My mom is a nurse and she thinks he should wait until after vacation, but of course my dad wants to have surgery sooner rather than later so he can get back to work.

A difficult situation for him to be in, indeed!

 

[AllyBri]

I fell and broke my shoulder, the doctor told me that there is only 20% success rate with shoulder surgery, he advised me against it.
Forever grateful to him.

 

[rwdavis2]

As a general rule, if the doctor recommends pain meds (of whatever type) after surgery and for PT, he should take them. Too much pain inhibits PT. A rotator cuff has to be repaired.

 

[nkereina]

My hairdresser had rotator cuff surgery on both of her shoulders. She was out of work for 9 months each time. The good news is that she did fully heal.

DH recently had ACL surgery (knee) at an ambulatory surgery center, and everyone around him was there for shoulder surgery, mostly rotator cuff. Everyone was able to go home same day, and they had their arms in slings post-surgery to stabilize it. They also needed assistance in the restroom in some cases. DH also had travel plans after his injury and opted for surgery after our travel, and it worked out ok. He wasn't in pain but a little limited on what he could do. Post-surgery, he wasn't able to get around comfortably for about 4-5 weeks. Good luck to your dad!

 

[cvjw]

My dh fell off his mountain bike and broke his shoulder. His dr said he could have surgery or not - his choice, as neither were guaranteed. He opted for no surgery, it instead doubled down on physical therapy.

His therapist said it usually isn’t a great outcome with shoulders because folks won’t stick with the therapy and then their shoulders freeze up. I know this is a different scenario than your dad, it just want to emphasize the physical therapy part. It is vital to regaining full range of motion!

 

[Denise W]

Hi folks!

My dad fell on ice recently and it sounds like the MRI indicates a tear of the rotator cuff, which is repaired through surgery. I'm wondering if folks here have had a similar injury and what the recovery post-op can look like? I know that recovery isn't one size fit all, but it'd be nice to have an idea of the could-be's.

For some context. My dad is a hairdresser, so use of his shoulder is important, and we expect he'll be out of work for some time. He's also going away for two weeks, so part of the question is surgery before or after travel. He isn't in pain, except for when he tries to raise his arm too high.

Thanks

I tore my right rotator cuff 3 years ago at age 60, after a fall down the stairs. I had successful surgery, then PT for 6 months. I had a complete recovery and have 100% use of my right arm and shoulder. Recovery was easy, I had very little pain.
Denise