Pain Management Tips After Shoulder Surgery with Dr. McKay 

Dr McKay, I lived in Shelton at the time of both my shoulder and knee issues. I put off surgery as long as possible. I was caring for my Mom who was bedridden. You supported me and encouraged me. Helped me through the shoulder replacement surgery. I can’t thank you enough for the compassion you showed. Thank you so very much. Kathy Fredrick

I’m a retired P.T. . Patients love ice machines. Unfortunately Medicare no longer pays for them. They say they find no pain or recovery benefit. Apparently Medicare has never polled patients as to how they feel. I will be getting my second rotator cuff surgery next week and I will purchase an ice machine.

Don't be scared of pain. I didn't have alot of pain after my repair and was able to live with some Advil only and 8 days post op didn't need any of it , sleeping is the real issue because I'm a side sleeper and bynedryl really helped me

I just had rotator cuff and bicep tendon surgery in December and hearing you say, wear your sling, with sincerity really motivates me to stick it out. Thank you for that and for sharing your knowledge with us.

I have to be on my back to sleep and my best advice is once you get comfortable, use pillows under BOTH elbows to keep your arms resting on your belly as if they were both in slings. I had the large pad between my arm and belly which helped with comfort too. Then time your pain pills so you take about 15-30 minutes before bedtime. This gives out time to get in your system as well as time to get comfy since they don't work as well if you're already maxing out your pain tolerance. I have tendonitis and a bone spur that was destroying my shoulder muscle. I now have zero pain after abt 6 months but still working on increasing strength. Best decision ever!

Big thanks for the tips, Dr.McKay. I will be having my first shoulder replacement surgery in about three weeks. If it goes well, I will do the other one six-eight weeks after that. I’m definitely going to get one of those ice machines.

Thank you for the advice, I am going for total shoulder replacement soon…

REVERSE SHOULDER SURGERY HURTS LIKE HELL, BUT P.T. MAKES YOU BETTER

Thank you. I have to go through this alone. Pray for me please.

I'm 6 weeks post-op. Get the nerve block and ice however you can! Once the block wore off it was time for the oxycodone. I waited a bit too long and wound up chasing the pain. In the end I used 14.5 of 30 prescribed 5mg oxycodones (yes, get a pill cutter). I have auto-immune disorders and deal with chronic pain. I was concerned about layering analgesics. I kept a pain/dosing log for the PA to review. On day 4 the shoulder was getting better but my Achillies and femoral enthesitis was acting up. I dosed for the auto-immune pain and noted it in the log. Finally, I never understood why docs recommend or prescribe for side effects. If you're having trouble sleeping, why not use an appropriate sleeper? You're in a recliner, likely mouth breathing more, do you really need to dry up your mucus membranes? Get a drug designed for the symptom, not one that has a side effect for the symptom. My non-clinical 2cents. Good luck!

Great information. Clear and easy to understand. Put me at ease before the surgery. THANKS.

Thanks Doc. jUst had rotator surgery and no one told how helpful the ice machine was!

I suggest using distilled water so the inside of the cooling pad doesn’t get full of “gunk”.

Thanks for the video! I've got shoulder surgery tomorrow, and I'll be sure to use these tips during my recovery!

3 weeks post op. The sling was killing me as soon as the nerve block wore off. My advice, start taking your pain meds as soon as you get home. About 3 days and you’ll be good..

Thanks for the advice going in for a standard shoulder replacement joy at 43 years old 🎉🎉🎉

I've had 1 rotator cuff repair and unfortunately a year post op I had a bad fall so back in I go again this month for a re do. I have the b polar ice machine and it works great 👍 for me I use a u shape pillow like you would use for traveling along with pillows for anywhere you need comfort. Sleep is tough first few days so I'm game for anything that makes you feel comfy

THANK YOU..... I'm quite anxious about my upcoming surgery and the recovery stage...it is a full Reverse Right shoulder replacement ... and this helped. I bought the Breg Polar Care and hoping that helps..... I've seen other videos and plan on sleeping in a recliner chair for the first week.... thanks again

S/P op 3 # weeks rotator cuff repair & using ice machine qd, minimal pain. Freezing water bottles good idea, why didn’t I think of this? Sleeping has been the most challenging. My recliner’s knob right side, same as operative side so not safe during nighttime. Using wedge pillow plus smaller pillow to support side of surgery.

Thanks for the information I'm on my second week of recovery

I had AVN in both my hips so we had to replace. My shoulder got worse and got a replacement only 3 days ago. Thank you for making these videos!

Pain meds help a lot!

Thank you very much for the tips. Ice machine was not cold enough with all the bandages. It was leaking. After day 3 I got off the machine. Bottles is not bad tip.

Thank you, Awesome tips! Stemless shoulder replacement in a few days.

Thanks so much for all the videos!

My insurance doesn’t cover the ice machine and my husband doesn’t want to buy a $200 single (hopefully!) machine so I bought 4 of the individual types you freeze. Then I hope to have enough to swap out. Hope it helps!

Great advice and video!!!! Thank you so much!!

Melatonin really does work surprisingly well. Takes half an hour to an hour to kick in so plan ahead. Also lasts a long time so you can really sleep in.

I had shoulder surgery 8 weeks ago. I’ve been healing. Today, I twisted my wrist fast and my shoulder feels like week 1. I hope I didn’t re injure myself.

Much thanks!

Lets get real...The pain you experience depends on how much work is done on your shoulder example.. You can have simple rotator cuff surgery or in my case, I had a COMPLETE labrum tear, I had 6 anchors drilled...also had a detached Bicep, this was due to being shot in my shoulder in a war zone..The meds this Dr is talking about would never had helped me..I was on Oxy for 2 weeks straight...finally by the 3rd week the pain somewhat subsided from a 10 to a 6. I was not able to lay in a bed for 5 weeks...It took me 13 months before my shoulder and bicep was close to be 100%. I do not condone drug use, But sometimes it will be the only option to stop the pain from extensive and painful surgery.

Sleep sitting up for 2 months? I can't sleep one night sitting up.

had clavicle surgery yesterday 12/20/22...fingers are numb as well as the lower shoulder. thought the it might be from the Nerve Blocker injection but that should subsided a few hours after surgery. should i sitll be numb a day later..unless there is an issue of course. thanks

Benadryl also makes you eat if you take it often. Common side effect of antihistamines.

I love my cryo machine

😢😢😢 before hurts so bad 😞

Notice how he never mentioned pain meds?! That ice machine looked so cumbersome. And for sleeping take melatonin or Benadryl? Seriously? Well, if you have pain meds that should help with the pain AND will help with sleep as well.

How much is the ice machine & where can I buy one?

Thoughts on going into alcohol rehab after surgery? Kill 2 birds at once?

Drugs we need drugs.

TWO MONTH???? SLEEPING SITTING UP??