Shoulder stiffness after rotator cuff surgery is very common. Is it a problem? Does stiffness actually improve your chance of healing your rotator cuff repair.
My surgeon didn’t say these things 4 weeks ago. He said I will repair the tear and you will heal in 4 to 5 months if you follow directions and do your part. He’s one of if not the leading shoulder and knee surgeons in my state. I told him what I need for results with me being an avid fisherman making 3 to 5pm cast per day. This video causes me concern. I’m a 73 yo athelete trying to make the most of my time remaining.
Tomorrow is five weeks since my rotator cuff tear and biceps tenodesis surgery. I am feeling stiff on top of my shoulder and under my arm and still have weakness but it looks like this might not be bad after all. I am doing my Pendulums, assisted external rotation, passive flexion/extension as my PT instructed but being very careful about not going beyond that. I saw some videos by others who were at five week time point with a way bigger ROM than me and I was worrying about that. But perhaps my situation of reasonable stiffness is more desirable as far as healing process goes.
I had almost full tear 2cm x 2cm and resection on collar bone. i had very little physio the first six weeks, just passive, finally got physio on 7th week, but listening to you, i am so worried i have been overdoing it on the new exercises. It gets so painful it keeps me up at night. it feels cold inside the joint, but the pain i presume its from the resection as it feels like it in that area. the supraspinatus muscle is tender to the touch. this is my 7 week post op
That would explain why my surgeon waited 16-18 weeks to send me to PT.. And it was a little annoying, but now 9 months post op and I couldn't be more grateful
@@dale3404 I've had both rotator cuffs repaired 10+ years ago. I wasn't in a sling but a week or two then straight to PT. I don't think the right one ever healed right. So I just had the right done again. 3 cm supraspinatis tear, significant arthritis and bicep tenodesis. Sling 4 6 to 8 weeks and only passive ROM. I'm stiff alright. Having some nerve pain in inner wrist and thumb and 1st digit. Anyone experience this type nerve pain?
I'm on my second week of a rotator cuff surgery. I can tell you that the pain from stuffiness is insane, more painful than the surgery itself! Tomorrow I'm going to see my doctor to see what he can give me.
I'm scheduled for surgery on a full thickness tear rotary cuff on my supraspinatus I am curious of how you are doing today and if you regret having surgery. Did you have a full thickness tear as well? Your reply would be awesome thank you
@@italiangirl2440 go for it , it has been great. The pain wasn't from stiffness but was from the surgery itself. It seems like some people don't have pain and some do. Get treated and hopefully it goes well with you 🙂
This was an extremely helpful video! I’ve been researching rotator cuff surgery (from a patient perspective) for years, and this is the first time I’ve ever heard about stiffness being a good sign. Prior to this video, I would have thought the exact opposite, and would’ve thought getting motion back earlier was better... in order to prevent fascia adhesions.
Had a total reattachment , full tear . Had my surgery about 18 months ago. Started my therapy in 6 weeks after surgery, this was brutal but very necessary to stay on top of . Please do your physical therapy ! I continued my therapy for 10 months and it really took 12 months before I believe I could go back to a normal life.
I'm 7 weeks post-op and started my physical therapy last week. Prior to that, I had been doing my pendulums, tension ball squeezes and flexing my forearm. I have had two post op visits at week one and at week six. I am still very stiff, but my surgeon said that's a good thing as people who experience stiffness postoperatively tend to heal better. I am taking everything in stride and doing my physical therapy, being careful not to overdo things to the point where I feel extreme pain. The most important thing for me is for the rotator cuff tendon to fully reattach and heal. I don't want to do anything to sabotage my repair. Regaining range of motion and strength can always be worked on, even if it takes a little longer.
@@MagicMoonShine I am 1 year and 1 month post op and my shoulder has come a looong way! I have full mobility, but not quite as much flexibility as I did prior to my full thickness tear and that's perfectly common and normal (I used to be able to clasp the tips of my fingers on both hands behind my back). I still feel a bit of discomfort if I overdo things with my shoulder, but overall, I can do normal things, such as carry my grocery bags, reach up into my cupboard and clean my bathtub without issue. After I came out of my sling at 6 weeks post op, I was sooo stiff! When doing pendulums, I had almost zero forward shoulder movement. I swore up and down that I had frozen shoulder. I was pretty stiff for about the first 2 months. That is normal and as my Ortho said, people who are stiff in the beginning heal the best and I think he was right. If you are only 6 weeks post op, you should NOT be lifting your arms out in front of you without the assistance of your physical therapist, or a pulley.
@MlSS.S thank you for the information. It's encouraging. My doctors assistant was the one that asked me to put both my arms out in front of me. Weird she would do that if I shouldn't be doing it. I did tell her I haven't done that yet with pt. She looked at my shoulder and as my arms were forward my surgery shoulder came forward where the not surgery shoulder did not. She said if it's not better on the next visit they are going to do a cortisone injection. She said I have my work cut out for me to prevent frozen shoulder. She said if i end up with frozen shoulder it will be a tougher recovery than I have already been through. I do my at home pt twice a day and pendulums 3 times per day. I've heard bad things about steroid injections weakening tendons. I see my pt tomorrow. He told me I shouldn't focus on the mechanics of my rotator cuff since I'm only 6 weeks. Well I guess I'm worried, lol
I am 2 weeks out of post op. Pain was there but manageable. Yesterday I was laying on a wedge pillow with my sling on, I sat up and felt a horrible pain at top of shoulder, it’s been hurting ever since. I’m so scared I did something to the surgery area when I sat up. My doctor and her nurse just tells me intermittent pain from moving around is normal. I’m kinda regretting the surgery now. It was a partial tear, but my doc said do it now before it fully tears.
@John - How did things turn out with your shoulder? Did the sharp pain that you experienced turn out to actually be cause for concern, or was it just a normal part of the healing process? I am 7 weeks post-op now, but during my first 3 weeks, I had a few episodes where I made a movement that caused me to feel a sharp pain, such as when the plastic 2 liter bottle slipped out from under my arm when I was in the shower, or when I accidentally tried to turn and lift my arm while in the sling when I was sleeping. That pain woke me right up! I was so scared that I had ruined my repair.
I’m worried about my recovery. I was without pain and had fairly good motion. Then I think I did too much and I accidentally slept on my arm one night, I somehow got my sling off in my sleep. Trying to stay positive. Thanks for the video.
I'm 2 1/2 weeks post op. I had a frozen shoulder going into my RCR and in less than a week I felt that stiffness returning. Honestly it's been freaking me out! I'm hoping it won't be as painful as the frozen shoulder. The other awful thing about the sling and not moving is the insane muscle tension in my neck, traps and romboids. I don't know what do do with it! My arm often aches. Doing my stretches is the best feeling part of my day!Thanks for the info. I'm comforted knowing that I may heal well!👍🏼
I’m a,most 24 weeks out and almost have that ROM back. The stiffness in my shoulder was a bitch up to 20 weeks and since it’s better. PT twice a week and that manual manipulation of the arm to respect that shoulder…good stuff. It’s a bitch but I’m starting to believe the juice is going to be worth the squeeze ….real character building experience as the old man would’ve said….
I have stiffness I’m 8 weeks out from surgery. Doing range of motion with therapist . Getting stretched and doing pulleys to regain 180 degrees flexion before starting strengthening.
My husband had surgery on his left shoulder 1yr and four months. His pain is getting worse. He needs surgery with right one also. He saw dr last week but the main dr was not there. He scheduled an appointment to see him.
@Wannella Lawson, this is my exact story. The pain is insane even after 7 month. I still can not reach my back pocket or pick any weight one 2 or 3 pounds. And my right should requires the same surgery.
This is good to hear. I'm10 days post op . complete supraspinatus reattachment . 19 Kevlar sutures . and some clean up ect. Shoulder is very stiff. Surgeon says I need to wear the pillow for 6 weeks minimum. I kinda hate the thing. But its like a security blanket in some ways also.
I think you're doing the right thing by taking it slowly because our tears are so big if we move wrong once it will ruin it all. Lay low for a good year just do what the doctor and physical therapist say. I will pray for you for healthy recovery healing . I have a feeling I have a long recovery as well and I'm not sure if I am up to it. My arm I can move in every direction I just don't have strength and of course it hurts but I sit up straight and try to keep my shoulders back. This must be a hard and long recovery, exactly what I feared. I hope you have someone that's there for you to help
@@brendaepp4596 the sling that you have to wear for 4 to 6 weeks has a pillow attached to it so that your arm rest away from the body and your tendons heal. Usually get it from your surgeon the day of operation
My shoulder is still stiff after six weeks. My P.T. keeps telling me that I may have a frozen shoulder, what gives. I can bathe and generally take care of my self. Now I'm freaking out as to whether or not my surgery was successful.
How does this relate to post-operative stiffness after labrum surgery and tightening of the capsule? I am 4 years out from surgery and get very painful aches in my entire shoulder and extending down my arm, as well as around the scapular region. I had a clean mri 6 months ago and cannot gain strength back in the rotator cuff muscles. Is this indicative of a possibly over-tightened shoulder? Can such a thing occur and cause aching all the time? I have full ROM if that helps. Thanks!
i know this is a year ago , but let me tell you about myself, i had an open bankart procedure to repair a l drum that was completely ripped from bone , it had become so bad my shoulder was dislocating numerous times a week . so after surgery v which was 1996 , i always had pain and horrible range of motion , my surgeon said the shoulder needed to be very tight to guard against future dislocation, so as time went on i just dealt with it saying hey at least my shoulder hasn’t dislocated . finally this year i had en of having no use of my arm , went to hospital for special surgery and after x-ray it’s was easy to see i needs a shoulder replacement. not only a shoulder replacement but a reverse shoulder replacement due to fact my subscapularis was previously cut for first surgery and now they felt would not be strong enough after a second surgery thst cuts the same subscapularis tendon,i am now 6 weeks post op, and my shoulder already has more range of motion than i had the past 25 years , so my advice is what you are experiencing will not get better with time amd most likely you are on your path to severe arthritis which will lead to even worse range of motion and pain .nip this in the bud go see a shoulder specialist not just any ordinary orthopedic but a surgeon who specializes in shoulder procedure . i wish you luck and don’t ignore the stiffness
I had rotator cuff surgery about 3 weeks ago and after listening to you think I may have reinjured it. I just started hands on therapy but I was able even though it hurt to raise my arm at a 90 degree angle. Since starting the hands on it's definitely hurting more and extremely stiff any thoughts or advice?
Linda It's not possible for me to determine if you reinjured your shoulder. Best to speak with your surgeon and have them examine you. Stiffness is not uncommon.
Howard Luks hi and thanks . pls tell me why my fingers swell and joint pains on the opposite hand after rotater cuff surgery. after I exercise and stretch swelling goes but comes back . it's been 1 and a half years since my surgery. motion still not 100 percent
Tammy Bushnell From what I have been told it can take a year to heal.Of course that may depend on the injury,but if you have anchors it takes months for the muscle to grow around the pins.
I had rotor cuff surgery, Aug 8 ,19. I had a full tear, hole and my tendon was shredded, so Surgeon had to weave the tendon to the anchor. I had to keep my arm close to my body for at least 10 weeks, then I started physical therapy, I now have stiffness and cant raise my surgery arm up, is this normal?
I had rotary cuff repair 13 weeks ago and my surgeon has took me out of physical therapy for 30 days and put me on naproxen cause of pain. Is this normal?
*DON'T DO YOUR ROTATOR CUFF SURGERY IN HAWAII, DO IT UP IN THE STATES......AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO A THOROUGH RESEARCH ''BEFORE'' EVEN GETTING THE SURGERY!!!!!*
I have rotator cuff surgery almost 8 months ago, I am going to the gym on my own, I can do lat pulldown with 100 lbs 3 sets of 10 reps, but in bench press I am still with 20 pounds for 10 reps, and lateral raises w/dumbbells I can handle 8 pounds 3 sets of 10 reps laterals and front, and I still have stiffness!!! But say I don't have pain! , well I don't know what do you call no to have your complete range of motion, because it's hurt. stiffness hurt.
I wish my doctor told me about expecting stiffness so it doesn't scare me and try to stretch my arm too soon. Anyway, im glad i found this video before I hurt myself.
Almost 7 weeks out and top of my shoulder is stiff as heck and painful when I move my arm above a 45 degree angle. The pain also radiates to the back of my shoulder blade. This pain starts only when I do physical therapy, otherwise no pain just stiffness. I'll keep you all posted on my progress throughout physical therapy. Good luck ya'll and stay safe out there! God Bless!
Stiffness improvement: ask for help, get someone to cradle your arm, slowly move up. 20x splits through out the day. My own experience: Supine shoulder flexion, ASSISTED passive range of motion, HUGE HUGE IMPROVEMENT in 3 days. 80° to 140°
@@airworksgreat how are you doing? I am two weeks post Supraspinatus surgery. It still hurts at certain angle movements but it seems like it is best not to move it too much.
@@Stickybutton 16weeks now after surgery. It is been drasrltically improved. Not 100% right angle but no problem doing daily function. Bit stiff but surgical arm goes up overvhead no problem
I had a rotator cuff repair 2 months ago I’m still getting physical therapy But I can hear a popping noise when I move my arm up it’s I did not have that before the surgery It that’s a normal?? After surgery???
I’m 4 weeks out and don’t wake up in the morning, usually sleep 1 1/2 hrs a night 15 minutes at a time. Will be a blessing to wake up in the morning because that would mean I slept. I had spinal fusion 10 years ago with 4 disc sawed out and replaced with metal and I believe this is harder to lay down with. Good luck to you.
I'm 6 weeks after rotator cuff operation and I'm getting a lot of pain in my shoulder and bysap and really stiff and painful when I lift my arm I'm quite concerned Incase it damaged something any idea if it's normal
didnt know Max Scherzer did ortho surgery?? Haha JK,.. excellent info, in week 5, full tear repair...my ortho doesnt want to start PT for another week..pendulums only right now.
im 8 weeks getting some ROM but my whole shoulder comes up when I lift my arm. PT states I am very stiff and may get more aggressive with PT. I just don't want to tear it
5 weeks into rotator tear and a shredded bicep. Really stiff , shoulder hikes up when trying to do my pulley exercise they put me on 15mg of Meloxicam to help with the inflammation yes the pain sometimes is worse than the actual surgery cuz it radiates in the back of the shoulder blade or across the front of the shoulder towards the armpit area. I do take a pain pill 1 hour before I go to PT cuz I know they are gonna be rough I can get my arm so far back then they push it a bit further . its like omfg.
They had you doing strength training and active ROM at 5 weeks? That's a little aggressive, but I have heard of people doing those things early on and having a full and successful recovery. How have things turned out for you?
@@MlSS.S yes it was rough they had me at PT 3 days after surgery that was so brutal that hurt a lot .. as of now the shoulder shrug is finally gone i got about 90% usage out of my shoulder still to this day struggle with a lot of weight on it still have pains in shoulder blade area and top of shoulder sometimes its like a dull pain nothing like it use to be thank god its tolerable but , by now u would think all pains should have disappeared
@@Deepbluesea-c6p Well they say it takes about 8 to 12 months to fully heal, so hopefully things will improve even more within the next 4 months for you and you'll be at 100%. I must say though, having 90% use of your shoulder is pretty darn good. I'm nowhere close to that at almost 8 weeks out. I'm taking things slowly with my PT though. I push myself to the point where I feel discomfort and a little pain, but if I start to feel intense or sharp pain, I'm not going to push it to the point where I am in a whole lot of pain afterward. I have heard of people taking pain pills right before they go for PT, but I don't think that's a good idea for me because I'm not fully able to listen to my body if it's telling me I need to stop. I think that can cause more damage than good. Thankfully I have a therapist who pushes me, but also understands that it's important to protect the repair and not go too aggressively too fast.
