Upcoming Surgery

[bigstick509]

I just found out today that my sore right shoulder will require surgery. After the MRI and no improvement in the range of motion the tear in the rotator cuff will have to be fixed. Just thought I'd ask if anyone has any experience in this type of injury.

[Ed62]

I never had that type of injury, but I do have a lot of problems with my shoulders (arthritis?). How soon will you be having it done?

Ed

[bigstick509]

I checked my calender before my appointment today and decided that April would be good, so I go in on Monday the Seventh.

[cgallery]

Competitive swimmers often require RC surgery, but their injuries are probably worse than yours. I think a lot of it has to do with how bad the injury is. I've heard horror stories from swimmers, and "no big deal" from people that had more limited injuries.

[Pappy]

Had it done on my left shoulder 2 years ago. You should start PT a few days after surgery. Painful at first but it gets easier quickly. The healing process is slow, don't try to rush it too much.

[MilDoc]

I'll second what Pappy said re: PT. It hurts, you won't want to do it as often as needed (4-5 times a day), but you have to for best recovery. PT exercises help prevent formation of scar tissue that can drastically limit future shoulder movement.

Other than PT, do not stress the shoulder. You'll probably be in a sling. Wear it as long as you are told to. Don't rush it. At first the arm should be used only for exercise, writing, eating, moving it only at the elbow and wrist. Never use it for lifting or reaching until you are fully recovered, which may take weeks.

Basically, do whatever the therapist tells you and no more.

[eccentrictinkerer]

Good luck with your surgery! I've had both done, the left one 12 years ago and the right just 2 years ago. I'm 61 and and I feel I have 100% range of motion in both.

The guys are right. Don't rush it. I was lucky, as I was back to work in 3 weeks (light duty), but I think that it was because I was in pretty good shape. I retired 6 years ago from sales management (desk job with lots of travel) and started a handyman business. Running steps, up and down ladders and 10 miles a day in the BORG aisles does wonders for the physique.

The best advise I got was to sleep in a recliner if you can't get comfortable in bed.

And do everything your physical therapist tells you to. They know there stuff and it will speed recovery. I dogged it after the first procedure and it slowed my recovery.

Somebody else posted this on this board, but it bears repeating:

What's the difference between a PT and a terrorist?

You can negotiate with a terrorist!

[TB Roye]

I know a number of family and friends who have had that surgery. They are recovered and are in great shape. The PT and not over doing it is the secret. Good luck.

Tom

[Uncle Cracker]

Good luck to you. I need similar surgery on my right shoulder, but cannot deal with the down time from my job (I use CAD). So I just pop a few Ibuprophens and try to pretend I'm not busted up.

[iceman61]

I had the same sugery a year and a half ago. Everybody is giving you some correct info. Better get used to slepping on your back for awhile after the surgery. If that's not your thing, it will be. lol Just eat a hydro & hit the recliner for the night. lol

PT will help you out tremendously. It hurts like heck at 1st but it gets better. Also the Doc may offer a cortizone shot at some time if you reach a plateau during PT that you're not making any more progress.

UC....a fellow CAD man here since 1988.

[bigstick509]

Thanks All

Thanks everyone for the great advise, the PT part of the process seems to be the most mentioned and in my past experience I'm a big believer in it. Taking it easy might be the more difficult part, but the pain should help that along. As to sleeping on my back, I guess I will have to hit the recliner and VICODIN.

[lrogers]

Yep, I've had it too. The recovery period was much longer than I expected, but it was worth it. I expect I'll be having the other shoulder done before too much longer.