ROTATER CUFF SURGUREY

Just had it done Tuesday, its a bugger. Any sugestions for getting over the pain hump? I asked for nerve block they refused because of my heart. I took one oxyi that was more then I could bear.

I'm just over four weeks post surgery. They did the block but it wore off that night. I used about half of my prescription of oxy and I'm off them now. I've iced it plenty, especially after therapy. That's been a huge help. I've been pretty fortunate that the overall pain hasn't been as bad as I had expected. Hopefully it turns around for you.

Do your therapy and push yourself harder that the therapist says. It sucks but it works.

Use a much icing as you can stand. Like every 20 minutes.

Thanks DGorman, I had a full tear and small bicep tear. Its been a real challenge the ice machine I have hooked up has been my only saving grace I think. How is your rehab going and how long after op did you start

Yep..Deal with the pain..I hope you have already started your therapy like the next day after surgery..Do all of home exercises..Do not do more than you can handle..only work up to the threshold of pain..If you don't continue on a daily basis to continue to achieve as much range of motion that you can possibly recover you will end up with a "Frozen Shoulder"...I know exactly how you are feeling..When I first started day one..I could move my bent arm out from my body maybe a 1 1/2"..pain..pain..The next morning I had to start all over again..pain..pain..to get back to where I was the day before..It's going to take time..I had such tremendous pain that I had three theropist..What was amazing to me is how pain moves n the body..from one shoulder to the other and then in the neck..etc..I know your hurtin..

Ok how was one pill more than you could bear. Did it make you sick? Some people makes them throw up. Are you afraid to get hooked? LOL takes more than one. Or even more than one bottle. You do know your body will heal faster with the pain meds.

They make an ice water pack that goes around your shoulder area and has a hose where you hand pump ice water out of a thermos type jug that works wonders.

Yep...I did all mine without the narcotics...The reason being I wanted to know what my body was telling me..I didn't want to "Mask" the pain..especially in my daily theropy..I paid a heavy price for that..

Rehab is coming along. I started pendulums the day after surgery. Several times each day. At six days I had post OP visit with the surgeon and started physical therapy the same day. Three times a week for the first 3 weeks now only twice a week. Started pulleys at 3 weeks and cane exercises at 4 weeks. The first time I ran my arm up with the pulley I had my elbow bent and couldn't lower it. I told the therapist to help me get my arm down before I puked from the pain. Ever since then it's been a lot better. I've been doing more at home than the minimum but making sure to not push it too hard. They said I'm ahead of the average with motion so that's good. I had a complete tear and a small tear of bicep tendon as well. They put four screws in to anchor the fancy spiderwire to pull it back together. Amazing what they can do anymore.

I feel your pain. Never had a rotator cuff. But a broken back, TWICE!! That Oxi is nasty stuff. I couldn’t handle it. So I just dealt with the pain. Best of luck to you

Deal with the pain, you can do it. Toss the drugs.

Osky

Thanks all, I think I am on the down hill side of he pain tonight. It is much less then earlier and seems to steadily decline. I did start pendulum swings first day. I may not of heard doc right I go back Tuesday but I remember her saying I cant move shoulder for 6 to 8 weeks she said she didn't care about frozen shoulder that it was imperative that tear reattached to the bone. Seem to be able to move elbow, forearm and hand fine.

P.S I should of practiced wiping my arse with my left hand.

*You* can't move your shoulder but you can bet your therapist will. It's very odd laying there while someone moves your arm around. Glad to hear the pain is getting better.

Thanks DGorman, I start PT March 4th hope I survive it. As far as the Oxy goes the stuff should be outlawed.

^^^This^^^
I had the surgery 3-4 years ago.

I feel for you. It's been just a little over a year since I had my left shoulder rebuild. Just now getting to where it is pain free. I had put it off to long and made it worse, swore I'd never do that again but now my other one is acting up and I'm doing the same thing...lol
Good luck and I hope you have an Iceman, that's the cooler system. Be glad you didn't get the block shot as my lung collapsed and had a heck of a time with that.

Have had both shoulders done. As has been said by others push hard with the therapy In the long run it is worth it. Good luck!

Rotator

I took on Oxy and no more too. Way too much for me. I was able to have some other pain meds but the thing that helped the most for the first 3 day was the ice water system that they had for me.
After the 4th day the pain was tolerable. Those pills are hard on the organs.
I followed through with the full rehab program. Be sure to work on getting 100% or full range of motion. The strength will come back once you get full motion and full use. It will take awhile for strength but w/o full motion your strength will not come back well either.

Bryce

Full tear, bicep and all. 4 screws. There is a difference between moving your shoulder by pendulum or having a therapist move/stretch it for you. You aren't using muscles to pull on things. Let the therapist push you to almost tears on the stretch/rehab and do only as much as they say. Tendons take a while because of minimal blood circulation there. I was lucky with the pain as I only took Ibuprofin for a couple of days post surgery. But then I didn't fill any pain prescriptions after a total hip replacement either. I'm not a grin a bear it guy. Just fortunate.

It was just on the news the other day they are not recommending that surgery they say it's not worth it but take that for what it's worth!

Rotator cuff surgery is definitely worth it. For about 13 or 14 years I tried to live with my left shoulder being in constant pain. I am left handed. It got to the point I could hardly lift my arm above my head. I finally had an MRI which showed a complete tear. Did the surgery, pushed hard with therapy, and my shoulder has been pain free ever since. I can't throw a baseball 95 miles per hour but I couldn't before the surgery either!! Fell down the basement steps right after I finished therapy for my left shoulder. In the process of protecting my left arm I tore my right rotator cuff. Was able to get that one done with arthroscopic surgery and I was smart enough not to wait 14 years.

I did my left shoulder completely 1 time completely and 3 time partly an my right shoulder 3 times do pt and do what they tell you an you will get it all back

I had the surgery,was told I was unrepairable !!!?? I had the ice machine thing and a morphine pain pump that lasted a few days, couldnt do much therapy as the pain was too much and I wasnt repaired.I get some steroid injections and can use it some.

Similar. I was in an accident just over a year ago that tore my shoulder completely apart. They tried to rebuild a cuff. Found out a week ago it didn't turn out well. I was told replacement and rebuild again is on the horizon, I am taking injections from here on out until it has to happen.

I didn't mean to sound cavalier about the drugs. I took them for three days after the first surgery and ended up clipping door jambs while walking thru them twice. That was enough. After 3 days or so the pain became manageable.

I wish you luck.

Osky

Just a dull steady ache this morning like a tooth ache. Did get about 4 hrs of restless sleep. Thinking about a little walk then a shower.

Yep..For awhile I had to sleep in a recliner..sitting up

Had four of those rotator cuff surgeries, two per side. All four were complete separations.

Helped me to sleep in a recliner. Another trick is to find a heap cloth sling that snuggles your arm. Get rid of the big black padded sling the hospital provides. My favorite was a blue nylon sling I founf at the drug store. I changed the adjustments at least every hour.

Dont do things you know you shouldnt do because you will pay for it at bedtime. Watch where you walk. Dont trip and fall. Be very carefull.

Do the rehab every day.

Enjoy the next six months. Get a small bell to ring we you need your wives services.

I had my left rotator cuff surgery done the day after Christmas. Still in a sling, but hopefully not much longer. The "ice machine" or "ice man" as I've heard it referred to - is great. As far as the pain and discomfort go, I used up the oxycodone prescribed to me and also Tylenol very regular. After the pain block wore off, I could have bit the hind end out of a snake for some time. This is one of those things where one must grin and bear it.
Been living in my recliner as well, sleeping, etc. Had my right rotator cuff done about seven years ago. Hope this is the final time.
Best wishes.........I truly feel your pain.

Little update, not sure which was more enjoyable two mile walk our thirty minute shower. Just dull pain in shoulder and side of my neck, it was way worse before surgery. I can move hand, fingers elbow with no pain what so ever. I was wrong when I said I did one oxy my wife said I did two one at midnite after surgery and one 4 hours later. Think I am good till rehab starts.