Tell Me About your Rotator Cuff surgery.

[DawnCt1]

Specifically if you had a complete tear of the supraspinatus tendon. I am back from vacation. I could only dog paddle, I couldn't kayak, body surf or anything else that requires strength and the ability to elevate my right arm (without using the left arm, ) I have made an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon for next Wednesday to book the inevitable surgery. There is no good time. I like mowing the lawn, etc so that won't be a possibilty after surgery. I will probably close the pool before the surgery because no one really uses it after school starts. I know I will have to be in an immobilization splint but what else is involved in the recovery. I think the whole thing is going to suck!

 

[poohandwendy]

Bummer...I have no personal experience, but I have heard that is awful. Yep, it is going to suck. But, I am sure it sucks pretty bad now anyways. Good luck with it and I hope it heals quickly!

 

[Shugardrawers]

I had it 7/10 and the pain has finally started to subside this week. Sorry to tell you that it's a grueling recovery and may take you MUCH longer than you anticipate. I thought I'd be back to work in a week or 2. 7 weeks later I'm still not. You'll be in physical therapy and for me the first month of it was very painful. It's only now getting much better. Everyone I've asked about it said pretty much the same thing but of course, YMMV.

If you don't already own a recliner GET ONE! I spent almost a month sleeping in it. The arm rest supports your arm and takes the strain off the shoulder and it was so much more comfortable for me. Now I'm sleeping in the bed again on one of those wedge pillows with another pillow under my elbow. On the upside, your Dh and boys will have no choice but to carry, lift and fetch for you. Dh did pretty much everything for the first 3 weeks. He still does everything that requires more than light lifting or reaching. My best wishes for a quicker recovery than I've had. Oh, the other good thing is the copious amounts of percocet I was on for several weeks.

 

[DawnCt1]

I had it 7/10 and the pain has finally started to subside this week. Sorry to tell you that it's a grueling recovery and may take you MUCH longer than you anticipate. I thought I'd be back to work in a week or 2. 7 weeks later I'm still not. You'll be in physical therapy and for me the first month of it was very painful. It's only now getting much better. Everyone I've asked about it said pretty much the same thing but of course, YMMV.

If you don't already own a recliner GET ONE! I spent almost a month sleeping in it. The arm rest supports your arm and takes the strain off the shoulder and it was so much more comfortable for me. Now I'm sleeping in the bed again on one of those wedge pillows with another pillow under my elbow. On the upside, your Dh and boys will have no choice but to carry, lift and fetch for you. Dh did pretty much everything for the first 3 weeks. He still does everything that requires more than light lifting or reaching. My best wishes for a quicker recovery than I've had. Oh, the other good thing is the copious amounts of percocet I was on for several weeks.

OH NO!! This is NOT going to be good. This is worse than I thought. Thanks for being honest with me. I have a feeling I will be missing another year of skiing. I am somewhat vain. How big is your scar?

 

[Shugardrawers]

I had laproscopic surgery. I have 3 small scars about an inch each. One in front, one on the shoulder and one in back. If you go to surgery soon you may be able to ski this winter. I'd say you should expect to be somewhat limited for 3 months, more or less depending on whether you have open or lap and also the size of the tear. Wish I had better news for you.

 

[mhutchinson]

December 15th last year I had mine. Saw the doctor after the MRI on 12/10 and he said I had no option but to go in for surgery (which happened to be on the 15th). The surgery (initially) was suppose to be for bone impingement utilizing laproscopic surgery. I was left with the traditional 3 small scars (instead of the one promised ) each being about half to an inch. One in front, one on the shoulder and the largest one in back. Initially I went in for bone impingement (after a really bad fall) and that was all they were going to do in the about 20 minutes of surgery. Almost four hours later they were done and turned out that they had to completely shave the rotator cuff and re-attach a bicep tendon in addition to what they thought. I had no full tears in the rotator cuff, but it was pretty much shredded and they said was the most work. The surgeon said he did as much as could be done to any shoulder without adding parts.

After the operation I spent 6 weeks in a sling and 4 months in PT 3-4 times a week to learn how to reuse the shoulder and to mostly learn how to stretch everything out correctly (they shorten the tendon when they re-attach). I still have some minor pain from the procedure or injury but most of this (except the bone part) has subsided and I can easily sleep through the night. The relief of pain from the surgery was almost immediate (unless that was the morphine ) and the surgical bruising went down fairly quickly. The most painful area that was done initially was the spot in the back that they cut through for the rotor cuff and scope. The plus side was this pain washed out most of the other pain.

My mobility is better than they had hoped at just over 85% and this summer I was able to swim again (more than just the doggy paddle). The shoulder will take time to heal and it is really important not to push it, trust me when I say that you'll pay for pushing it too fast. And after some time should be about as good as new, but don't expect it to be overnight or even after a month or two.

Other things I learned was that my wife does know how to shovel the driveway and can use a snowblower , the first time she did this she asked me if I knew how much work it was too clear our driveway . And milking it just right kept me from having to spend too much time with the in-laws .

Mike

 

[DawnCt1]

A couple of more questions. What did you all wear while you had the splint? Was there any way possible that you could drive? I have an automatic but I still need to put it in gear and start it with my right arm. Could I have someone else put it in gear??? I can't imagine staying home for 3 weeks.

 

[mhutchinson]

Wow this is getting personal. Okay I had bath robe and Mickey slippers on with a sling (arm was mostly up on a pillow).

As far as driving I really had no desire for at least the first week or so, plus I was pretty well medicated and it would not have been a good idea. My surgery was on the left shoulder, so shifting was not the issue. Closing the driver's door, putting on the seat belt, and using directionals were my big issues when driving. I also kept a small Moshie (one of my DDs) under my elbow to help support it. The one time I did drive earliest to the surgery I had my DW with me to help with the door and things. By the second week (or so) I was driving again, but it seemed like a chore and was actually physically draining.

But yes, there would be no reason someone in the passenger seat could not shift the gears on the automatic or change the radio staions on you when you told them too.

Mike

 

[Shugardrawers]

I have a stick shift. I could not drive for the first 10 days or so. Firstly, you will be on a LOT of pain meds and secondly it really did hurt to move my arm that much. If there is any way to avoid it, don't try to drive for a couple of weeks.

Button down shirts will be your best friend. Also, if you are too self conscious to go braless in public pick up a couple of those sleep type bras that hook in the front. You'll thank me later. The extra wide straps will not rub on your incisions and the front hook will be the only one you can get in and out of by yourself. Also, anything with any real support will be too constrictive and uncomfortable mainly on your shoulder. If you can stand it, just plain go without. I don't have enough to worry much about and it was most liberating! Avoid any shirt or bra you have to pull over your head. If you are alone you'll never get in or out of it. Very loose things like nightgowns didn't give me a problem because I could put them on and pull them off one handed.

 

[Jpgirl]

Make sure you're religious in doing the PT and keep doing it forever. I had a slight tear (no surgery) 6 years ago and I still do the exercises to keep the shoulders strong. I used to work for a PT and I can't tell you how many patients wouldn't do the exercises and would be back in the PT's office 6 months later with more injuries!! Good luck-I hated not being able to use my arm when the tear was healing-no cycling and dh had to help me dress.

 

[DawnCt1]

Thanks everyone. Good suggestion about the sleep bras. I will get a couple. I don't have that many button up shirts, but I can wear DH's if I run out. I don't know what is bothering me more; the prospect of the pain or being confined to my house!

 

[AZKathy]

The surgery is not laparoscopic surgery, but ARTHROSCOPIC surgery. See if your surgeon is good at repairing the rotator cuff that way.

Talk to your anesthesiologist about an intrascalene block preop. It does have a needle in your neck area, but you will be MUCH more comfortable post op with the block. If not, see if your doc can at least give you a pain pump in that goes home with you with Marcaine or something similar for a few days.

You should not drive with a sling. You should not drive with pain medications on board. Follow through with your physical therapy and do it at home every day. If you do that you should do well, but this is a surgery that does not get better over night. My mom did not start feeling back better for around 4 or more months. Very important to do your physical therapy!

I work in an orthopedic ambulatory surgery that does these cases almost every day and I would prefer to have the surgery done arthroscopically rather than open if I had to have that surgery. Post op course is same, just smaller incisions.

Good luck,

 

[DawnCt1]

The surgery is not laparoscopic surgery, but ARTHROSCOPIC surgery. See if your surgeon is good at repairing the rotator cuff that way.

Talk to your anesthesiologist about an intrascalene block preop. It does have a needle in your neck area, but you will be MUCH more comfortable post op with the block. If not, see if your doc can at least give you a pain pump in that goes home with you with Marcaine or something similar for a few days.

You should not drive with a sling. You should not drive with pain medications on board. Follow through with your physical therapy and do it at home every day. If you do that you should do well, but this is a surgery that does not get better over night. My mom did not start feeling back better for around 4 or more months. Very important to do your physical therapy!

I work in an orthopedic ambulatory surgery that does these cases almost every day and I would prefer to have the surgery done arthroscopically rather than open if I had to have that surgery. Post op course is same, just smaller incisions.

Good luck,

It is arthroscopic and this surgeon's specialty is shoulders and joints. Thanks for the great suggestions with regard to pain management and PT. I haven't gone back to PT since I have returned from Hawaii. I should. I am having more pain and found that the iontophoresis was really helpful. And, as much as I hate to admit it and as much as I hate needles, the cortisone injection was very good.

 

[MsDisney23]

Dawn, I just want to wish you good luck, I have been told that is very painful. I will keep you in my Prayer's and also good luck with looking at those 2 babies this afternoon!

 

[mhutchinson]

Dawn,

AZKathy is correct it is arthroscopic surgery, left hardly any scarring at all. Good luck with the surgery, in the end it will be worth it.

Mike

 

[yeartolate]

I can hardly see my scars -- my surgery was about 8 years ago.

My best friend was the cryotherapy unit.

Hope all goes well.

 

[Mom2Angels]

I also have to have this surgery, so thanks to the OP for asking this. I'm going on a cruise on October 22 and was having surgery at the end of this month, now after reading your posts, I'm not to sure if I should. I know either way I won't be able to do the zip lines and snorkling I originally wanted to do on the cruise, but did any of you still have a lot of pain a month later?

Thanks!

Debbie

 

[Shugardrawers]

I also have to have this surgery, so thanks to the OP for asking this. I'm going on a cruise on October 22 and was having surgery at the end of this month, now after reading your posts, I'm not to sure if I should. I know either way I won't be able to do the zip lines and snorkling I originally wanted to do on the cruise, but did any of you still have a lot of pain a month later?

Thanks!

Debbie

YES! I've been in pain a shocking amount of time, although my doc isn't so shocked. It's just a few days shy of 2 months for me and I'm finally weaning off the pain meds. I'm only taking 1 or 2 a day which is down from every 4 hours like clockwork. And no, no zip lines or snorkleing for you!