I had rotator cuff surgery on the left side in July 2011 and am now free of pain there and have a good range of motion. It was by far the most painful thing I have ever experienced. I slept in the recliner for 3 months. I am now 67 and have surgery on my right shoulder scheduled next week. It hurts a lot, but in the end is worth it.
I had Rotaor Cuff arthroscopic operation about 10 weeks ago. My surgeon agreed that I do not need to go to PT, instead the PT in the Orthopedic section taught me to do the a particular exercise at home, My Dr said i need to go through three different sequences, first keep the sling on tight for 6-7 week, then I open the sling and do only movement exercise using rope and pulley (virtually moving my bad arm with my good one through rope and a pulley (simple equipment you can buy at $10-15.. This should be for another 6-7 weeks. Then I start the exercise for strength which I have not reach that sequence yet. So I am not risking in any way in the hand of PT nor do I spend a lot of money which they charge. However my pain has not gone away much and I feel very weak in my arm movement. Dr after taking another round of Ultrasound films told me that my bursa's inflammation is causing the pain and the clicking which made me very worried. He said I have to live with the pain until the healing process is complete. Good Luck
Hi paintomuch, I can share similar experience to you. I had similar surger with full thickness tear to supraspinatus in Nov2011. Unfortunately I had a staph infection 6weeks post surgery and had to have the whole surgery done again. I am now 12weeks post second surgery and range of movement is still low and pain still remains. PT is only once a week. Very frustrating as I was a fit person before like yourself and now I am very restricted. Wish you luck in recovery
Thanks all for your stories. I am 7 weeks post op today. I have been having lots of pain especially at night. I'm more inclined to just deal with the pain rather than ask for any more meds. It's nice to know my symptoms are not atypical.
I had major rotator cuff surgery (now have 3 screws in my shoulder) of 2 complete tears, a partial tear, bicep had to be redone and bone cut in October 2012. Was not allowed to move it for 8 weeks due to the amount of work. I am now almost done with physical therapy, have full range of motion, and only have pain when I do to much or right after PT if we really, really worked it. Everyonce in a while I have what I can "phantom pain" that is sharp and quick that I cannot relate to anything but phantom or maybe a muscle spasm/contraction as I am usually not doing anything when it happens. Other than that, I am amazed at how well this has gone. I would love to say man up, but seeing as I am a 51 year old woman, I guess I will have to say woman up :)! I have used some massage therapy also as well as accupuncture but the pain, after the initial home period, has never been more than a dull ache that didn't last long. As far as the neck pain and under the shoulder blade, try sitting on your hand and gently tilting your head in the opposite direction. That always helped mine. Good luck to you all and take your health into your own hands and do what you need to get better.
Hi - I had rotaror cuff repair and re-enforcement 11 weeks ago. I have followed my physio to the letter and am finding my range of movement improving daily. My only concern was an excrutiating pain in my arm while doing certain exercises. My doctor diagnosed nerve pain and prescribed gabapantin, which worked well and I can do my exercises no problem. Whilst I am still suffering stiffness and some pain - especially during the night, I believe that full movement will be achieved in a few more months. Rotator cuff is not a simple procedure and therefore needs determination and persistance on my part. Stick with it and it will get better. I hope to get 99% movement back eventually.
Hi again , its been a while since my last post regarding rotator cuff surgery , but it is now just over 6 months since surgery and the repair to my tendons, Now i am having more pain and even less function than i was before the surgery - i still cannot work has its a manual job i do , and i do not smoke or drink in fact before surgery i was at the gym 3 times aweek so am not over weight either , just that i now have a small weak painful right shoulder , should i have had this done has i am now in a worse place than i was , ive had two different tendon repairs two anchors fitted and the bone spur shaved , iam now at my wits end and considering going for a private MRI scan , can any one help or advise , in Manchester England ?
Hello fellow pain sufferers. i had my RC surgery 4months ago and i will probably have to be manipulated or have more surgery!I was injured in a car crash when a Sheriff's car hit me from behing while at a red light! My story started last October 2012 where i worked for 2months as an Xray Tech with a bad tear in my supraspinatus. i worked until i was in so much pain that i had to go on medical leave. After 6 weeks of PT I finally had surgery and yes that was and still is the worst pain i have ever experienced! For 3 months i slept upright with a pillow under my arm or in the recliner. I have been going to PT for 3 months, 3 times a week, and working out at home on the off days! My therapist has streched, pulled, yanked, used suction medi cupping, massaged, bruised and beat my shoulder up and i still can't get my arm completly over my head! Now my AC joint is so painful i have to take pain meds and ice. My next Dr appt is Wednesday and i'm afraid he will say i will have to get manipulated or have more surgery due to ahesive scar tissue! Anyone else out there have to get your shoulder manipulated? What is the down time?
Thanks for any replies! Misery loves company!
Glad you are improving, Suzie. I am only 4 months post 'll and still in considerable pain. I also have been working hard to get my arm back but unfortunately I'm stuck. Thanks for the words of encouragement, I'll try to hear you when I have to have more surgery.
I'm 4 wks post op. removed 1/4" bone spur in joint, repaired tear and manipulated frozen shoulder. the worst pain ever. i do my home exercises 3x a day faithfully and still can only lift my arm at a 45. I'm a 56 yr. young woman who was at 1 x very active. i start pt next wk 3 x a wk. i look so forward to getting back to some normality. my job depends on a good recovery. i found that in addition to pain meds. a relaxer helps with that extreme tightness/pain radiating thru scapula up thru the neck, and i roll on tennis balls for a deep tissue massage.
I am going to have cuff surgery next week. I am a 79 year old female. I told the doctor I had lots of places to go and things to do yet. . .besides, it is my "shootin" arm! I am expecting pain, but I have had a lot of pain in the past, including 4 kids, ovarian cancer(2 operations) and 3 other major operations. I hope I can "man up" because I have an overseas trip planned in the spring. Not expecting a picnic....just going to "get'er done".
I had a 70% torn rotator cuff, 30% torn bicep and broken collar bone. I lived with these injuries for 8 months before deciding to have surgery. I have to say that the recovery is very painful, but I look forward to being pain free in the end. Surgery was two weeks ago and I start my PT today. Nervous about the pain following the PT but cannot be much more than what I am already dealing with. My goal is to be able to sleep a full 7 hours by the end of this. I wish everyone a quick recovery.
If you stop when the pain sarts you will make no progress. I'm sure your physical therepist didn't give you this advice
I had my surgery September 3, 2013. How are you doing? I wish I had done some research prior to surgery because I was not at all prepared for this amount of pain and it has thrown me for a loop! After reading comments and posts I
I am reassured that what I'm experiencing is right on target, that has brought me comfort! I was getting quite discouraged and thought I was being a big baby. I am pretty sure I'm going to have to park my motorcycle for the remainder of the season but I'll have spring to look forward to, as I'm sure you're looking forward to your trip! Good luck lady!