My experiences 1 week after rotator cuff surgery. Please consult your doctor before using any of these products. I had surgery on my left shoulder even though I accidentally said right -the camera I used reversed the image of myself.
Having Surgery sept/24 This is a very important video. So informative and good to know the things that make the recovery easier. Thank you for helping and for caring. Bless your heart.
Since there are so many comments, I doubt anybody will see this, but if I can help just a single person, it'll be worth taking the time to do this. STARTING 2-3 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR SURGERY, begin practicing things you normally do with your soon-to-be unusable arm. For example, once you start driving again, if your left shoulder was the one repaired, you won't be able to use that arm to shut your car door after you get in. Think about that. My solution was to get my crow bar, rubber band a sock around the curved end so I don't scratch anything, and then use that with my right arm to grab the door handle to shut the door. Practice brushing your teeth with your other hand if your dominant arm will be the compromised one. Practice wiping with your other hand after going #2 if the hand you usually use is the one being disabled. Practice eating with your other hand - and see which foods are easy or hard to eat with one arm disabled. See what you can or cannot cook with one arm. Start using your computer mouse with your other hand. I could go on and on. What I did was dedicate an entire day where I basically kept my soon-to-be unusable arm behind my back and forced myself to use the other arm to see what I'd have trouble with, and then use the next 2-3 weeks to get used to using the other arm. Trust me on this, folks...you will thanks me a million times over. Good luck to you. Btw, I've had this surgery four times, so I know the drill. And one final piece of advice: your physical therapy is the only opportunity you have to control your own destiny in terms of the quality of your repair. You can have the best surgeon in the nation (mine certainly is one of them), but his or her work will be rendered useless if you don't work your ass off on the PT. The surgeon's success is largely determined by what you do at PT, not their ability.
❤❤Thank You So Much!❤❤ I'm having a couple of areas on the rotator cuff and other things operated on October 10th, 2024. This is EXTREMELY helpful! I don't have that much time to practice. I am ambidextrous, even Down to writing in cursive...😂 I will be doing all of those things. Other than tying my arm back, I would 😢cry. Thank you... mission accomplished!! ❤❤
Thank You Donna for the video. My wife goes into surgery this Tue 5/7/2019 for.... 1) Full Thickness tear of supraspinatus 2) SLAP tear / Torn Labrum 3) Large Calcium deposit in Deltoid 4) countless tendinitis :( But we're all set thanks to you and others like you sharing your stories.
I purchased the following items to help me through my rotator cuff surgery....a heated throw for cold nights and a terry bathrobe for drying off after surgery. Both helped me a lot. Also, after a few weeks I was able to wear a bra by stepping into it rather than put it over my head or fastening behind my back. Thank you for all your suggestions as it really helped.
Had rotater cuff surgery in February 2023 not sure how I tore cuff 1st 2 weeks weren't nice sleeping in a recliner was a joy either but I got through it..... currently rehabbing right now..... thanks for sharing
How is your shoulder now and what degree of movement do you have? I had reverse total shoulder replacement 7 weeks ago. So far it’s going fairly well, recovery is slow and overall I’ve been pain free since leaving hospital although I am driving now and able to carry out minor chores around the house. I do have physiotherapy appointments every day and movement is gradually improving although I’m unable to lift my arm above horizontal. What’s your experience?
Thank you SO MUCH for the great tips. I’m about to embark on this journey myself & knowing what things to get in place is a BIG help. (And it helps take some of the trepidation away)
I had 9 surgeries on my R shoulder for a rotator cuff that could not be paired. I had the best of Boston too ! It ended up needed to be fused. I am R handed person too. This past September I injured my L shoulder...my mistake..overuse...I am 65..lots of degenerative arthritis, bone spurs....partial bicep tear. Oh the pain...in spite of pain med...I start PT Tuesday. I had injections and PT prior to surgery as well. I really hurt. Sounds like we had some similar stuff.My R surgeries were in the 90's...I had a shattered labrum..nothing went well. I wish you well...It does take time. My suggestion...lots of ice...do NOT overuse...I am mother and a grandmother. My grandson is here everyday after school. It is not easy. Keep in touch. Diane Anderson..You can find me on FB. God Bless.
Thank you so much Donna. Very helpful. I'm scheduled for surgery on Dec 11 and after reading recovery times and personal capabilities after surgery online, I'm going to postpone my surgery and just continue physical therapy. I live alone and don't have anyone to help me at home and had no idea the surgery would be this debilitating. Showering, not driving etc. I'll talk to my doc soon and see if he's ok with it. He did offer to just keeping with the P/T instead of surgery but I opted at first to get the surgery until reading about what a fiasco post surgery is and the duration of recovery. Thank you so much. Very helpful...What a lovely home you have! Get well, Steve.
Stephen Cecere, I hope that you get success out of PT. If you need surgery, I would ask your surgeon if there are agencies that can come to the house and help you that first week!
Thank you Donna. I watched your video before I had Rotator cuff surgery. I had mine done May 31st 2019 and it's been 18 days now I see my doctor today and I have so many questions for her. I have stayed on top of the pain and asked for a block also. Thanks to you and your videos I haven't had any pain, yes a twin chair and a spasm their butt nothing terrible at all
I appreciate your advice, I’m totally living this life right now, I love advice from a patient and not necessarily a doctor. God bless your kind heart ❤️
Thank you for showing us the BREG Wrap, it is a life saver. I used frozen water bottles, easier to recharge with ice. I am getting my other shoulder repaired next week, my second time now for the dominant arm. So funny, I use to live in KODIAK, AK courteous of USCG HC-130 Aviator.
I am also getting the nerve block. Thank you for giving me a good idea of what to expect when it comes to pain. Sounds like you were given the same meds I have been given. I love it when you say you had no severe pain ever. I am hoping I have the same experience. I am also right handed. My left shoulder will probably also require surgery soon-I hurt them both when I fell.
thank you for the video from 2016 I hope you are well now. My husband fell down the stairs also in Feb 2020 and now is going to have his Rotator Cuff Surgery in Sept 2020. So thank for the ideas, I will order the pillow and we have the ice machine ready but never thought of the water bottles and doing it that way so that's awesome I wont have to keep running to the store to get ice and also I am still healing after my surgery in Feb 2020. So thank you and hope is well with you.
Thank you very much Donna, Your presentation is very helpful! I also agreed to have nerve block included within the surgical procedure which was successfully fulfilled earlier today.
I hear allot of people get thoes injection and l never hear anything Positive...l am gald your on your way to healing...Thank You for sharing.. Be safe...
I'm 9 days post-op and thank you so much for the prep info. Definitely get a shower chair for anyone getting ready for surgery. You'll be a little wobbly and will need your leg to rest your arm on for the first few days. I had my dominant arm done so not sure if this next tip will be necessary for everyone - wear a bib while you eat! Heal well friends.
Thank you for this video. I have rotator cuff surgery in a couple of months so I am getting prepared because of your video I have a kodiak ice therapy machine and the pillow. It has helped me alot to prepare myself for this surgery.
Your story sounds like mine. 12/23/'22 slipped on wet leaves in back yard. Didn't want to fall down, so arms like windmills to regain balance, OK, Felt pain in rt. shoulder. 12/27 after holidays went to primary care P.A. who prescribed muscle relaxers. Next wk. no better, then X-ray=no bone damage; prescribe P. T. for 12 wks. Extend 4 wks, + 4 wks. = 20 wks total. Insurance cnx. PT = no progress. Primary care P.A. recommend Orthopedist who ordered MRI= torn rotator cuff = repair required. Nerve block surgery 1 wk now = not easy. Difficult idea this will take months to heal @ senior years. Glad wife can help. Thanks for encouragement + ideas.
Your story is very similar to mine! Just keep telling yourself that it could have been worse- what if you had had a head injury! Look for what to be grateful for and that helps you get through it.
What you covered was REALLY helpful and I thank you. I have a full tear of the rotator cuff and doing cortisone injections for now until I can get to a place where I can feel comfortable about having the surgery. My spouse died this past Sept. so I'm all alone,right handed and can't imagine how I'm going to get dressed, bath myself, wash my hair, even going to the bathroom will be a challenge.(Not to get to personal, but a real concern). I need a new lazy boy chair any ways and this is R-handed so I'll look for a L-handed one or a push button.Someone else recommended sleeping in one during the first week or two of recovery, Did you? Sorry to ramble, I'm just scared about all the things I'll have to do alone. Thanks for the video's.~Dolly
Dolly, being right handed and needing that shoulder repaired is going to be tough but there are a lot of people that do it and manage. Is there someone else who can stay with you initially when you decide to have the surgery? I loved the recliner and stayed in it for 6 weeks. It was way more comfortable than my bed. And even when my physical therapist told me to start sleeping in the bed, I wanted so badly to go back onto the recliner!
Thank you very much Donna ! I’m about to go through the very same day that about three weeks or so mine too is my right shoulder I have a full tear and my surgery is also going to be laparoscopic. Please keep me informed with another video on the second week I don’t look forward to doing this but it’s got to be done enjoyed it very much and I thank you so much and I hope the rest your day recuperation goes well thank you again God bless
Thank you! So much for all the information. I had surgery 2 weeks ago in my left shoulder and yes I agree with you on the nerve block it works wonders. I love that idea about the ice pack. I don't have one but, I plan to get one soon.
Thank you for the video I. Gonna be having surgery three complete rotator cuff tears gonna be brutal but week later you seem good there is light T end of tunnel now
Thank you so much Donna, for making this and your other videos . I'm in that same boat Pre-Op . I just had an MRi done and awaiting diagnosis or a surgery schedule . but , had no clue of what to expect .or what happens after the surgery etc. It's my rt. Shoulder as well . Thank again .
Thank you, My Docs are talking pain killers and so on. And on another note, did you see or hear about Nikki Sixx the Bass player for Motley Crue , just had surgery on his shoulder but it was after 10 yrs. of pain and cortezone shots. And, we showed the video of the actual surgery.
Going for 1st check up too see if in fact my rotator cuff is damaged. Its been painful for sometime now just looking to see if sugery will be in my future. Thank you dear.
Thank you for your informative video especially for recommending arnica and your excitement bag. I have a 4mm tear on my right shoulder and considering not to have surgery. How are you doing now with your shoulder?
I am on day 6 and I am struggling. My doctor won’t allow me to take off my sling for any reason: not to shower, not to change clothing, not to straighten my arm. Pain was bad for 1.5 days after the nerve block wore off, but otherwise the pain has been tolerable. Agree with everything you said: recliner, staying in pain meds, deodorant, etc... but just don’t know how I am going to get through 6 weeks of this. I am losing my mind after 6 days. Anyone else have pain on the non surgery neck side from the sling?
@@dmcfilms9562 I am three years out. It has been worth it for me. I strictly listened to the doctors orders, yes it was hard, but I am back to playing tennis 3-5 times per week and the shoulder is great.
Thank you I've watched them all, it's helpful info . My surgery is a week away this will help with prep ... I like my surgeon but they give vary little information in advance ... Thank you you have helped ease my mind more then you could know..... The fall,was on sept. 3 and was bad enough to brake number 2 rib rage big one .. I've been in a chair and couch sleeping now for 6 weeks...how did you deal with sleeping ...
Well I slept in a recliner the first 6 weeks after surgery and didn't want to give it up but my physical therapist said it would be better to switch to a bed. Honestly, I still have discomfort with sleeping and I sleep on my back because it hurts more on my side. It's not extreme but more of a nagging feeling. Everyone is different though so don't use my experience as the way yours will be. Interestingly, my husband broke a rib and spent 6 weeks in a recliner as well and still prefers the recliner at times. And, we even got a new bed (Sleep Number bed) thinking that would alleviate the need for the recliner. The recliner is still the winner!
Hi Donna thanks for sharing your experience, am very scare of getting that surgery hehe but will see , I hope you're doing so much better now, God bless 😊
Thanks Elizabeth, I am doing better but still have some work to do! There isn't anything that I can't do but I do believe it will be a full year before I am completely unaware of any discomfort.
Thank you for your video, it is very very helpful. I am due to have shoulder rotator cuff surgery here in France on Tuesday 15 December....but there is one thing I would like to know. What did you wear under your sling? Does the nurse help you redress etc? It is winter here at the moment and am not sure if wearing a sweater under the sling is alright?....is it too bulky for the sling?
I’m so sorry that I didn’t answer this sooner. I wore a tee shirt and then a wool wrap over everything on the way home. I had my surgery in the winter has well. I hope you are doing well 1 week after your surgery. Where in France do you live?
I had my surgery yesterday. They also did the pain blocker. It was supposed to be without for 3 days but a have been hurting since 11 am today. What's the name of that sling you are wearing. Where can I find one?
Hi Donna one more question,Does your ice machine plug in,I am looking at Amazon.ca and they are talking about a battery pack and you needing to get your own.
The fact that you took the time to share this at this point in your recovery is encouraging. I am not looking forward to my upcoming surgery but your video has improved my perspective. Thank you.
I wish that I had seen this video before I went into surgery. I know this video has been done so many years ago but I just happen to be scrolling through to see if anybody was discussing this surgery. I’m on day8 cuff surgery, bicep tendon, two other ligaments, and then some cleanout stuff, I did not expect it to be this painful. I have had approximately 30 surgeries on this body, this one I feel is the worst. but I’m looking forward to better days. Great video by the way.
It's been 7 yrs since this video was posted & it is STILL helping ppl!!!! I just had Supra. tear repaired, Acromial bone shaved & some repair on Sub. muscle as well. 3 days into this, yeah night time is worse. Thanks for the post
I had rotator cuff surgery (torn supraspinatus and subscapularis) with a subacrominal decompression and bicep tenodesis 10 days ago. I watched these videos before surgery to prepare. They were very helpful. I'm doing much better than I anticipated - pain meds for one day only, shower at day 3 (and daily after that), shopping on day 5 (yes I drove!!) and daily trips out since. The worst is not getting comfortable for sleeping (I do have a recliner) and the muscle spasms. I live alone so its a challenge!
Having a shoulder surgery on your dominant hand is not easy… I have surgery 2 weeks ago , Most challenging thing is not be independent. Hope I will recovery soon and move my shoulder good like before.
@@daphneorellana2803 I'm at week four today in the sling. Right shoulder, dominant hand and arm. I have two more weeks. I sure hope it is worth it! I had a massive full thickness Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus tear.
I had right shoulder rotator cuff, labrum tear, bicep tenodisis ( relocate the bicep tendon ). Went through the standard recuperation, physical therapy. I got through it with a cold therapy machine and a passive movement chair. 32 physical therapy visits, which you MUST listen to the therapist for best results. It isn’t as bad as folks say it is. Sure it hurts, but all orthopedic bone work is painful but it does get better as long as doctor directions and the physical therapist work is followed. Next week (18th) I’m having left shoulder done, and expect the same results. Don’t let your mind and fears cause anxiety for this procedure. Yes it hurts. Yes you are inconvenienced for awhile. But trust me, it does get better and it will heal as long as the protocols of the doctor and therapist.
@@fahadblack98 I’m 12 weeks out from surgery, just completed 6 weeks of physical therapy. I would say I’m 85% healed now, but still some residual soreness. I do some exercises at home to continue what the therapist was doing, I expect by springtime I’ll be at 100%.
@@dianamincher6479 I had two left shoulder rotator cuff surgery, on January 18 and October 18. Same surgeon and slightly better results. I did 14 PT session, and did a lot on my own at home. Pain and discomfort was the same, but it goes away eventually. Using an ice machine and regular cold packs, plus conservative pain medication I got through both just fine. Don’t let those who are over sensitive to pain scare you away,moor make you nervous. All surgery hurts. Otheopedic surgery hurts, but it’s very manageable and goes away quickly.
Thanks for this video, Donna. I'm getting ready for shoulder surgery -- rotator cuff, biceps tendon, and AC-joint. Been putting this off out of sheer fear, but because I can't get pain relief, this is my last resort. Your video has helped me get mentally prepared for this and also with what to purchase in advance of surgery. I want to golf with my husband again and that isn't happening yet, but I'll look forward to that. Thanks again.
I didn’t get the nerve block , Doctor choice, and oh my God! On a scale of one to 10 a pain was a 12. The first four days was pure hell 😢 feel better now, but I still can’t sleep.
Omg!! Thank you sooo much!!! Today is June 4, 2024, and I am having surgery in a month. Your advice was tremendously helpful!!! It helped ease my pre-surgery anxiety. I have little fear of the surgery. But it is the recovery that stresses me.😅 We do what we have to do..right? I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness in taking the time to share.❤ I was very comforting!!😊
I am having surgery on Monday, September 18, 2023. I can not thank you enough for making this video. I was so discouraged by all the horror stories and pain stories. And I am feeling so much more hopeful, thanks to you❤
Thank you for making and sharing this video with us. I have surgery this coming Thursday 12/14/23. I have just placed my order for the lavender oil and the arnica pellets. I hope I have a fairly good first week as you have. Hope your healing journey continues to be great!
Hi Tracy! How are you doing now, post surgery? I had my surgery last week, and it has been a struggle. Donna's video here has been invaluable! What advice would you give regarding pain medications, physical therapy, ect.? Thank you, anything helps!
Had torn rotator cuff, torn labrum, bone spur, cyston the labrum, and part of collar bone trimmed on the left shoulder. Took forever to recover. They had to administer a second nerve block in the recovery room when I was waking up. Took about 6 months to feel decent again. Steer clear of cortisone because it erodes away soft tissue.
I had the same and the biceps tendon was almost ripped through as well so that had to be repaired. When my neural block were off yesterday morning the day after surgery, the pain was so intense I could hardly stand it. I was warned about a long recovery because of how many issues there were there. That included the full thickness tear of the shoulder tendon.
I'm 2 months into physical therapy after a fall at work. They've finally decided I'm not making enough progress (can't lift my arm over shoulder height) and they think it's my rotator cuff. I'm starting to research what to expect with surgery and recovery and these types of videos are invaluable. Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Good luck they will tell you that u had past injuries and also that it's hard to tear the rotator cuffs and the list go on. Seems like they want to blame you for your injury when it was just an accident
Thank you so much! Just seeing you're still alive (lol) is very inspiring. I'm 56, have a full thickness RTC tear, SLAP and bicep tendon tear too! You're giving me strength and hope thank you 🙏
I just got my surgery done people the day of the surgery take you meds before the block goes away trust me you will need it first day pain is really bad.
Day 2: RC Surgery :Tip for ice machine the nurse told me. Freeze water bottles , 4 small ones fit in the machine and fill with water. It lasts longer and is more convenient ..just refreeze them after use. Also, at the stage Im at 48 hours out…the pain is at another level. Worse at night , and I could feel spasms from the injection site of the nerve block. Since I have had cervical surgery before the RC surgery…the procedure really triggered muscle spasms in my neck. Not fun , so I really appreciate hearing about your experience right now
Tried the water bottle thing. Useless. Water never got cold. Ice and water works very well, and really, how hard is it to empty the ice bin into the machine? Lasted for over 6 hours of cold pack. Did this last Friday.
Thank you Donna Good information. I just had my surgery a couple days ago and I'm on track on what you are doing. If anybody else is listening I also recommend CBD oil. It's expensive but well worth it.
@@alicemorton9145 I go to a local market called Fraser farms here in Oceanside California. But the brand I get you can get online as well It's called Charlotte's Web. Get the high milligram high strength stuff because the low dose stuff doesn't do quite as good. It's expensive but it's worth it especially if you're trying to heal up
I had my surgery on October 9, 2018 to repair my torn supraspinatus tendon, pinched bicep and bone spur in my right shoulder. Thanks Donna for sharing your story and I want to do the same to help others for what's it worth. My surgery was scheduled for the morning and I had the nerve block administered about an hour before my surgery. It was injected in my right shoulder and my complete right arm went to sleep within a few minutes. Feels like when you go to the Dentist and they numb your mouth, but it's your whole arm. Anesthesiologist also administered what she called a 'cocktail' via IV which to help calm me down and make me fall asleep before I go completely under for surgery. I remember being wheeled into the OR and I was awake for about 10 minutes and the next thing I remember I woke up coughing in the recovery room. Since I was under general anesthesia, they placed a tube down my throat, so my throat was a bit sore for about the first week, so keep cough drops and honey on hand to help soothe your throat. According to my surgeon the surgery was successful. After recovery, I went straight to the Pharmacy to get my pain med of Norco with Tylenol which I started taking later in the day to get ahead of the pain once the nerve block wore off. The nerve block lasted for about 18 hours and I slowly started to feel pain in my arm once it started to wear off. I need to say that the pain was pretty rough for the next 24 hours even with the pain meds. Not much you can do but just grin and bear it. After the 2nd day, the pain became a bit more manageable. However, the WORST part of my whole ordeal was not being able to SLEEP for the first week. I literally could not sleep because I couldn't find any comfortable position to rest and sleep and I bounced between my recliners, 2 beds, chairs and in between. I was a walking zombie and I was more upset about not sleeping than the pain. It may have been the meds too but I just couldn't get to sleep. I tried Tylenol PM but it didn't help me. You might want to try Melatonin as well but discuss with your Doctor first. By the 2nd week, I started to sleep in small spurts of about 15 minutes to 1 hour. By the third week I was sleeping at longer stretches. I would recommend getting Arnicare cream as Donna suggested to help with the pain and bruising and using Ice packs to help with the pain and swelling. I'm grateful to my wife and daughter who took good care of me, so you will definitely need help the first week after surgery. My appetite was good and I didn't suffer any constipation but I found that my acid reflux was flaring up a bit. I'm entering my 4th week. I went back to work at week 3 as I work in an office and sit at my desk and use a computer, which my surgeon said was fine to do as long as I don't try to lift my arm to the side, above the shoulder or behind my back. This week I start PT and that's where the real fun begins as I've heard that will be a painful process as they'll get to work to get mobility back in my arm/shoulder and then eventually strength training to help build my bicep muscle which needed to be detached from the shoulder bone and reattached with anchors. With all of the above, I'm feeling better little by little and pain has been getting less, but just have to be mindful of what you're doing and take care of not injuring yourself. Good luck and God bless! JULIO GONZALEZ
hi! i'm 3d day po-op right shoulder typing with my left! haha a loooong process.but can already click on mouse! PLEASE READ THIS AND SHARE: do Not allow to be strapped into CORFLEX shoulder ice pack .after the nerve block you do not feel exactly what's wrong.I am a pro ballerina used to tears and working through pain, but the pain caused by sharp non-flexible buckles that were cutting to my shoulder blade were too much even for the opioids I was on.when I finally figured it out the next day there was no way to get out of the industrial strength velcro! i had to wait until my husband came home.no way to take out the cooling pad on my own.so i was not changing to cooling, because you can't!my strong husband could hardly tear it off.someone invented this on the paper and tried on a healthy person.this ia unthinkable as a po-op tool! all the extra pain it caused me..on the scale 1to 10 it was around 20 no kidding! ...so please do not let anyone strap you into that torture shoulder pad. best of luck to all!!!!back to bed and swelling down..i used sweet peas and corn baggies.always huggs the best! TTFN Liza
What a wonderful intelligent self helping lady ! Does not look like she needs any help from her surgeon in recovery ! Great video with nice pointers. Still a long way to go but she has completely mastered the difficult first week which is a battle won ! Wish I had seen it before my surgery ! Thank you.
Thank you so much for your video. I'm having reverse rotator cuff surgery in 3 weeks. I've been very nervous about the post op. I'm 71 years old and I hope my recovery goes as well as yours.
Just wanted to say you are an example of what is truly good about the internet. I m not going to jump ahead but after watching your week one post surgery, it has helped me understand my shoulder much better.
Donna thank you so much for this video! I had my rotator cuff repair 4 days ago. So I will continue to watch your updates! I, too, had a fall but mine was from falling off a student chair in my classroom in July prepping for the beginning of school. I not only tore my rotator cuff, but twisted my right knee to the point I tore my meniscus and completely popped my ACL! So I have already had my knee repair and physical therapy, now my shoulder. I’m hoping to finally get back to teaching by the first of March! Hope your healing journey goes well. Thanks again!
@Kasen Morales I’m having a 2nd shoulder done. The first one terrifying pain and I only got ONE script for pain. As bad as l need this, I’m more scared to do it without pain medication. What is it with doctors in Texas. They are afraid of getting in trouble but if they see the agony you are in, why can’t they give you the help? It doesn’t help I’m Canadian and our health care there is so much easier. They give you what you need. Someone needs to form a recovery club here and if you have anything left over after your surgery, you could share it with those in need.
Oh my goodness....the more I'm watching....you are adorable. I do all natural too, oils, etc. I will check this other stuff out you talked about!!! So glad you made this video!!
Everything was great EXCEPT the natural junk. To each his own. If its a placebo and it helps, go for it, but I almost stopped watching when the natural stuff showed up
Hi Donna! Thank you for the video, I definitely made some notes. I had my left rotator cuff repaired in 2015, tomorrow is the surgery for my right (and yes, I'm right handed). My anxiety level is through the roof because I know what I'm in for and being right handed has definitely added to it. Also saw your 1 month follow up video - you look like you should be on the box of Miss Clairol (gorgeous)!
I did nerve block, wanted to see how intense pain would get compared to previous pain I've had with other injuries. No pain meds for over 30 hours....it's blown out of proportion. Back pain from a ruptured disc is severe...shoulder pain post op for this surgery for me anyway.........nothing anyone can't bear that has a little bit of gumption. I've had 3 5mg Oxycodones that knock the pain back so I can rest at night...otherwise it's not for lack of tolerance as much as trying to get some restful sleep. Pain meds are good for a good reason, not just for aches and throbs....deal with the pain and you will be better off for it in the end. Build your tolerance for pain is what I am trying to say. If your hands shake, it's time to take a med.
Hi Donna, Karen again, I am now 30 days until my surgery, took your advice and bought a Breg Kodiak Polar ice machine on line and even now pre-surgery it is helping with swelling and pain. Surgeon is only allowing me to do pendulum exercises 2X/day and that is it. I have complete tear, muscle spasms etc. Bought the Arnica (3 week supply for post surgery), bought a Kindle so I can read a book and turn pages with one hand; already had the essential oils and am using a diffuser to keep relaxed and calm, going to put together my goody bag for chair side table, you give such great suggestions! I wanted to know with the Breg ice machine pad did you just put it over your short sleeved shirt or did you use a pad or towel under it as well? I have allergy to all opiates (anaphylaxsis) so I will using tramadol for pain along with valium and ibuprofen, and am concerned that will not be strong enough. I will be having the nerve block but they say that wears off in 13-20 hours post surgery. Any other tips?
Karen, you are ready girl!!! I put it over a short sleeve shirt. Also, I froze water bottles and used that instead of ice cubes (2 sets of 4 so one set was freezing while using the other 4). My husband is a dentist and tells his patients to add tylenol along with the ibuprofen as it increase the effect and provides better pain coverage. I know you can do this with just these two products but not sure if you can do along with valium and tramadol. Ask your doctor. You're going to do great!
Thank you so very much, not only for the hints, but for your straight forward positive presentation. At 67, I had myself convinced I could PT my way out of this, but my injury is nearly identical to yours. I live life to the fullest and dreaded loss of Rom. I now feel the surgery Wil allow me to do and be more of the man my family needs. I am going to view the rest of your videos and hope you post a anniversary one. God bless and keep you.
