I am a 56 year old female who usually has a high tolerance for pain. I had rotator cuff surgery on 12/15/16. I had one anchor placed during arthroscopic surgery for a full rotator cuff tear and bone spur removal. I'm having lots of pain, especially at night. I slept in a recliner for one week. Now I'm sleeping in the guest room propped up on pillows. And by "sleeping" I mean a few hours here and there. I miss my real bed and my real life. I'm weaning myself off Demerol, because I don't want to become an addict living in a van down by the river! No offense to drug addicts; I just don't want to join them.
Physical therapy is very painful, but I'm doing my exercises daily....well, not as many reps as I should because it hurts so much afterwards. About a week ago a "therapist" we'll call Hitler just about yanked my arm from my body. Things have been going downhill since, and it isn't me on skis!😣
I'm really over this whole experience!
I want my right arm back...the one I use for everything!
I'm hoping to return to school to teach 95 seventh graders in four days. Too ambitious? I did practice driving left-handed for a month before my surgery,
Sounds like we are pretty similar. I am a 55 year old female and had my surgery on 12/02. Full tear and bone spur removal and extrememly high pain threshold.
I don't have any advice but my thought is about your "exercises." I'm surprised you are in physical therapy already. From what I've read and certainly my experience thus far is that for the first 6 weeks the arm is supposed to be immobilized. My dr. has limited me to doing the "dangle" twice a day and that's it. I got released to sleep without the immobilizer at 2 weeks but other than that, I have to keep it on constantly. I am allowed to type and do small things with my hand but that is only while keeping the sling on and the shoulder immobilized. Sometimes I forget and try to do too much and I can feel the shoulder get achy later in the day.
As I said, I also have a super high pain tolerence. I have been off any pain meds since day 3, BUT I also have kept the straight-jacket, I mean immobilizer on all day. I'm really curious why your doc is having you do exercises during the initial 6 week period. Most of the info I have found in the internet seems to be consistent with keeping the arm immobilized for the first six weeks. I go back to the dr. in 5 days and anticipate they will let me take off the sling and then begin physical therapy.
Also, even though I have been relatively pain free, I just moved back into my bed 4 nights ago. I tried it a couple times before and kept going back to the recliner. Something about the bed made my arm ache. I've talked to others that have spent months in the recliner. It still aches some and I don't sleep great but I'm able to get fairly comfortable and like you.. I really missed my bed.
Hate to be the bearer of bad news but you may have a way to go yet. I have read posts from people saying how quickly they recovered from rotator cuff surgery, but that certainly wasn't my experience.I had the bone spur removal and a rotator cuff tear repair in August 2015 and I can honestly say it was many months before I eventually had a reasonable night's sleep. I followed the PT instructions to the letter and on reflection I wonder if maybe that was such a good idea because I was always in so much pain afterwards. However on the plus side, I have full mobility back in my arm, and pain free days. I still have the occasional ache at night, especially if I lie in an awkward position. Prior to the surgery (which was open, not arthroscopic) I had pains in my elbow and wrist, and even afterwards, these issues did not go straightaway. I think you are right to do exercises daily but I wouldn't beat yourself up about the amount of reps. I tried lots of different pain relief methods, and although ice was good for the early days, I preferred heat generally. I had acupuncture, wet cupping, massage and I think possibly the turning point - which was probably close to a year after - some deep tissue massage. Not sure if maybe it released some scar tissue that had built up, or maybe just coincidence and it was all about time. Hang in there though, it does get better, just not yet.
I too was surprised when I was instructed NOT to use the immobiliser by the surgeon. I even telephoned to query it. I was referred to physio very quickly (2 weeks) and the instructions were to use the arm normally with NO resistance. Apparently some doctors favour this approach as it prevents frozen shoulder occurring. The PT guy said that only the surgeon knew what he had done during the procedure and therefore his advice should be taken. I did use it at night though for a bit as I was worried about turning over in my sleep but overall, I have had an excellent result.
Hmmm.... That's interesting. We do have lots of similarities.
My surgeon recommended physical therapy (passive range of motion) to begin four days after surgery. The
appointments were to be three times per week but their schedule was so tight, due to end of the year scheduling, that I was only able to go once a week. I also have passive range of motion and stretching exercises 3-5 times per day at home.
They told me to take the pain medication an hour before going.
Thank you for the information! I truly appreciate you sharing your experience with me. I'm sorry you had such a hard time, too. Thank you for the great advice.
I'm in the immobilizer unless I'm doing the exercises, bathing, or occasionally typing a lesson plan for my substitute at school. For this website, I can type on my phone with my left hand! My doctor told me last week that I could remove the pillow attached to the immobilizer, but I found the sling by itself caused lots more pain. I do hate trying to sleep in it, but I'm afraid I will wake up crushing my arm by tossing and turning.
I've been using ice, but like you, I prefer the heat. At the PT appointments, they always start with heat and end with ice. I started the pulley today and think it will be really helpful.
I guess everyone is different. I have an old boyfriend who is a fabulous skier. He had both shoulders repaired (at separate times) with rotator cuff surgery and only took one pain pill. I wish I could say the same for myself.
I cannot wait to have a deep tissue massage. Until then, I'll get back to school and catch up on Netflix!
Best wishes to you, Jaycee. I'm glad you achieved full mobility.
I know that every individual is different than the next. I did my therapy according to my docs and therapists advice, but learned to only go as far with the exercises I could handle in "my" time.
I am 9 months out from my rotator cuff surgery. Sounds very much like yours. 1 anchor, spurs and an acromioplasty, (supposedly due to arthritis, which I didn't know was an issue for me at the time). I started therapy 2 weeks after my surgery. I slept in my recliner for weeks! I couldn't lay flat on my back, as I believe the repaired tendon was still healing and it seemed to take forever. I DID take my pain meds before my therapy sessions for quite a while.( Although I was aware of the possibility of becoming dependant on them, I did not have an issue getting off of the meds.) I never wore an immobilizer, just a sling and after my first post op, only had to wear the sling when I went outside the house, for a couple more weeks. (Unless I wanted to wear it just to be more comfortable ). About 2 months after my surgery I went to a different physical therapist due to us going to another state for a few months. The "new" therapist used the concept of manual passive massage. This made a huge difference to me. Huge! In a good way. Although I did remain faithful with the pulley and bands for my daily exercises. Well, I still am having a fair amount of discomfort with "certain" motions, like swimming and some nights I will wake up with pain, but can usually "adjust" my sleeping position and get comfortable again. I let up on my exercises because of some back issues starting up, so now I think I need to get back into some old stretching exercises again. All in all, I am doing really well. I feel fortunate that I was able to have my surgery as I had terrible pain beforehand. The pains in the elbow and wrist are gone, but occasional bicep pain can still be felt. Shoulder aches with weather change. :o( I turned 58 one month after my surgery. Patience is key and doing your stretches. The strength training for me only started a few months after the surgery. Best wishes.
I believe recovery can definately take up to a year. Just don't be too hard on yourself. I didn't drive for a long time after my surgery. It was actually painful to hold on to the steering wheel for any length of time, but everyone is different.
Range of motion is a "forever" thing. I believe stretching is the key to recovering your range of motion (ROM). I think strength training should come after the ROM is good, but again, I'm sure there are different opinions on how ROM should be pursued, and everyone is different. Patients AND therapists. Using common sense is key to healing I believe. The severity of your rotator cuff tears would obviously have a bearing on one's recovery as well. Best wishes.
This is all new to me. mnothing is written in stone. I don't know what to expect. I only know that it takes time and I did have a bad cuff.m thx for the wishes
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me. I really appreciate it. I find it very helpful to see how others have coped or are coping with this surgery.
Right now, I am just taking this one day at a time. Working when I feel up to it, and doing my best to feel better. The pain is intense at times and I still take pain medication at night. I'm still in the immobilizer unless I'm doing my excercises, visiting PT, or taking a bath. I'm just starting week 5 post surgery. I'm driving with no problems and I'm happy for that!
Buy a V pillow... and bank up with 2 other pillows... best thing for shoulder comfort.. Broke mine approx year ago - no surgery as too difficult to pin n plate pieces and bones are a bit fragile. but they were so impressed with healing they were speechless.. I made up my own daily goal list as in reaching certain points or items in kitchen etc(never over reached) and rested for healing time.. I am having problems at present due to spasms in arm - this being connected to muscle and tendon damage which was never looked at initial start of treatment.
I also had rotator cuff repair surgery in January of 2017, I am at about 10 weeks post op. I wish someone had told me what to expect- the pain that never subsides, and the inability to sleep at all at night! I went back to work ( I work at a high school) after 2 weeks as I couldn't stand being inactive at home. My PT started at 4 weeks and has been a roller coaster. I appreciate the stretching however excruciating it is as I feel like I can move again afterwards, but the throbbing pain at the same sight of one of my tears has me concerned. The surgeon will not MRI it until 12 weeks to see if it has retorn. My therapist is afraid to do much as it hurts so much- I have great range of motion but at what cost...
Anyway it's the worst pain I have ever felt and I am wondering if I am going ceazy or if I am just impatient?? I am up all night with my tens unit and ice. Will it ever end?
Karen. I am so sorry for your pain. The pain will get better. You are just going to have to do what feels right to you. Take your time. Do the icing and heat if you need to. My recliner was my friend for several weeks. I couldn't lay on my back for the LONGEST time. Keep doing your stretches to tolerance. Nobody knows your body like you do. My therapist was very good with acknowledging my pain threshold. Continuing your exercises is key. Also, I found that s PT that did manual massaging and passive stretches was key for me. But every one is different. If it is so painful that you can't do your stretches, maybe, maybe you need to back off a bit. Keep me posted. Best wishes. (I was told an MRI that soon after surgery wasn't possible or advisable...I don't know, but an mri that soon sure is going to show lots of stuff going on in there due to the actual surgery itself isn't it?.) ??
Karen, I really empathise with you and this forum was my salvation for many, many nights for a long time after my rotator cuff surgery. It was reassuring to know that others had gone through the same and come out the other side. I found the pain unbelievable and was so unprepared for it being so unrelenting. The strongest of pain killers didn't touch it really just made me feel unwell in other ways. I used ice for the first few weeks then I preferred heat. I tried lots of different methods to try to get some relief and really the only thing that had a positive efffect was time. I still have the odd night (some 19 months on) when I wake up with a dull ache, both in my shoulder and elbow, but it doesn't last now. I think because of the lack of sleep also, you don't feel you are living in the real world - I wasn't going to the gym, feeling sociable, all of the normal things I was used to doing. I also went back to work but more for a distraction than anything else. You don't get that in the small hours so it often feels so much worse. After a good few months, I did get some deep tissue massage which helped immensely and made me realise I was ready to be a bit braver with exercise, but up to that point I was nervous of overdoing it, and also because of the pain that followed. I got the throbbing pain too, but on reflection I guess given the type of surgery it would be odd for no reaction to exercising.
I can at least confirm, as will many others, you are NOT going crazy.
I haven't visited this site in quite a while, but I just read your entry. Your experience sounds a lot like mine. I am so sorry for the suffering you were having. How are you doing now?
I was released by my surgeon May 5, 2017. My shoulder is still pretty sore and it gets stiff sometimes. Hot baths and stretching help. I'm curious to see what the one year mark will bring in December.
I'm thinking of starting one-on-one Pilates
work with a professional one day per week. Any thoughts on that?
I wish for you the very best and hope you are enjoying a break from school and your healing has improved!
Thank you for your post, I am post op 15 weeks from rotary cuff and still in therapy 3x a week still unable to lift my arm up over my head and still have some aches and pain. I know I have scar tissue and wondering do I need surgery again to remove some of it. I don't feel this is normal am young and healthy. My surgeon wont do a repeat MRI to check for issues since am still having pain. I am a nurse and haven't return to work yet..... it's very depressing
Fractured mine mid-Feb 2016 and still have pain in upper arm and shoulder, still restricted in movement, (cant do my bra up from back) every night I have to take painkillers to get me through the night. Sometimes it feels that it is going to "pop"out... but I just et on with it. Drs are useless and just refer to Physios, which I decline.
Hi Latonya. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you probably have a long way to go yet. I consider myself to be a quick healer and very much a cup half full person in general, but the length of time to feel better after surgery was a real shock to me. The upside is that you DO get there. I think gentle exercise for a good while is key, and as time goes on, you will feel stronger to do more. I was very nervous of pushing too far, and it was a good year before I started using a decent amount or resistance in exercising. I do believe some deep tissue massage around this time was helpful as it could well have dispersed some scar tissue. Patience really isn't my strong point but if you try to look at the bigger picture and accept that you will get there in the end. Both arms are as strong and mobile as each other, but it doesn't happen overnight.
Hi everyone I had a partial rotator cuff tear right shoulder . I had surgery aug. 2017 iam still in a lot ! Of pain!!. It was a work injury and after surgery about 3 months later everyone said your done go back to work , my dr. Was upset that I had 3months off he wanted me back shortly after surgery no limitations except 20# lifting restrictions.That’s it . Well I’ve been back to work for awhile and the pain is unbearable .sleep? Huh , l2 hours up for 2 and so on. My dr. Who has since retired says “you shouldn’t be in that! Much pain”🤔🤔🤔😏😏, well I
go see a dr. Tomorrow I need something done I can’t take it. I’m going to see if I can go to a pain management clinic?. Wish me luck . I’d also welcome any advice Thank You.
on all day. I'm really curious why your doc is having you do exercises during the initial 6 week period. Most of the info I have found in the internet seems to be consistent with keeping the arm immobilized for the first six weeks. I go back to the dr. in 5 days and anticipate they will let me take off the sling and then begin physical therapy.