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Pain after Rotator Cuff Surgery

By Robin57144156 | 174 posts, last post
Angelica Giron, MD answered this Recovery From Rotator Cuff Surgery
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Guest

Glad you are pain free. I truly believe that everybody's recovery is not the same , I congratulate you on your excellent recovery. As my surgeon has said and many other surgeons each persons recovery is different. Please have compassion for those who might be struggling through This.
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Guest

9 weeks post op. Had 1/2 torn tendon, bicep release, spur removed and cleaned up the bursitis and joint release. I have variable degrees of constant pain. Have been doing range of motion PT twice a week since day 10 PO. Have been out of the sling for two weeks. The worst is sleeping. I wish I was told pre-op and I would have purchased a recliner to sleep in. Stayed with friends the first 5 days and slept in their recliner. Since then only lots of pillows in bed. The first few days after no sling were difficult when I would make an unwise movement. Just starting unassisted range of motion excersizes with some assisted mixed in. When the Therapist moves it further and further it hurts but seems to "release the juices" and it actually feels better after. Pain pills before bed, middle of the night and pill and ice in the morning. It's not the degree of pain but the constant pain that is the worst part.
Best advise is get a recliner and expect to sleep in it for a few months, stay on top of the pain. When you just start to feel it medicate and follow the Therapists instructions.
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Guest

ok.....this makes me feell soooo much better. i am 9 weeks out and on my way to Africa and still in pain....especially at night.......so here i go....elephant riding or not...will keep you posted..thank you!
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Guest

I am 10 weeks Tuesday experiencing bad pain neck to shoulder still can't do Pt exercises without shoulder moving ( which I am supposed to do ) As hard as I try I still get pain and very tight back on pain pills T times

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Guest

Not sure if anyone still reading this post, but I've had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders, my right shoulder last year, and my left 7 weeks ago. It takes about 3-4 months for the pain to get to the point where it is not an issue, but like many others in this post I recommend you push yourself and work through it, not as bad as you think.
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Guest

So glad to see this positive post.. I am day 1 and already feels like a nightmare.. I was given a sheet of exercises to start today (day1) and the pain is unbearable. I feel like I have ripped it apart trying to straighten my arm...
I am a very active 62 year old woman and scares out of my head right now...any tips for success would be so much appreciated..
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Ourtaya15353437

I am four weeks out from a T3 rotator tear/double labrum
The pains unbearable, keep up with on medications BEFORE you need them.i went and bought a pregnancy pillow, at motherhood 90$ but it works
In comfort
Ice it and don't do anything until they tell you do
It unbearable but it does get better little by little
Ask for something stronger if you need it
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Guest

I have learned everyone of these surgeries and recovery is different. I came online to see if there was any glimmer of indication when I could expect the pain to END. I appreciate all that write about their experience, because somewhere among the experiences is a thread of commonality that I can use to understand and cope. I am tough. I had no pain before surgery, only a few limitations --- and yet, I had a 1/4" complete tear in two of the four tendons, with multiple bone spurs and impingement. I was told at some point, I would be in extreme pain and it might be hard to repair later. So, I did the surgery. I am 8 weeks out and PT was put off a week after the first session where she "went easy on me" and I had pain that made nature childbirth feel like a cakewalk.
"toughen up and get on with it" .............get over yourself!

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Guest

Yes therapy is painful! I am 7 weeks post surgery and out of sling. I can use that arm to do light housework - just not lift anything or pull with it. I can do my hair!! Somewhat painful and not exactly like before but that's an accomplishment!! I have pain ...especially around the top of shoulder and is very sore. Hard to sleep at night. Try the bed, then the recliner. My dr. and PT have both said this is the worst surgery to have and rehab from...so I guess I just expected less pain. Now I understand why people are now telling me they know what it would be like just didn't want to tell me-:) God bless!!
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Guest

Had keyhole op on rotator cuff almost 9 weeks ago, at first lots of pain, no sleep,much easier now, having physio every 2 weeks, progressing well, plenty of physio at home, but a lot of aching in the muscle, is anyone else experiencing this, still can't sleep properly, aches more at night, can anyone help please,. Patrick
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Guest

Everyone is different. 5 years ago I had rotator cuff and a bankhart repair. The physical Therapy for the bankhart repair caused the rotator cuff to retear. I t went fine and I had pain but nothing unbearable. Now 5 years later I've had rotator cuff surgery on my left shoulder (non dominant). After 3 weeks and a lot of pain my orthopedic surgeon ordered another MRI and I had tornef the anchor out. I had no idea when this happened. Back into surgery and the surgeon found that my bones were soft and that was why the anchor disconnected. 9 days post surgery on Jan 1 2017 and I am in quite severe pain. I see the Dr in 4 days to get the stitches out and the following week start PT again. Will keep you posted.
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Guest

I am 12 weeks after surgery, my dr had me in pt after one week but the only thing he allowed was for the therapist to move my arm with no resistance, my range of motion has improved drastically but I have only been able to lift my arm on my own for about 3 weeks now. I also still have a lot of pain trying to sleep, the best I have found is a towel rolled up and placed under my shoulder while laying on my back and if I lay on my left side I put the towel under my arm into my armpit to give it support and it seems to help. But I have been told that there will be pain for about 6 months

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Guest

OMG, I cannot believe, but am greatful for all that have responded. I also feel like my arm is going to fall off if not in my sling. This is the worst pain I have ever had. Giving birth to 4 children is now runner up. That pain comes and goes fairly quickly, this feels like it's here to stay.. pain Meds help but the moment they wear off? I'm in tears... I only had surgery 5 days ago, I've already reinsured my shoulder when I was startled by something, and no pain med was helping to get rid of the pain that came with that.. I'm so afraid I harmed my shoulder and it won't heal right, I don't know if I can go through this again..
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Guest

I have had the exact same feelings and also use my other arm to put my shoulder back into the sling.. your not alone- thanks for posting because I thought it was just me.
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Guest

I have always thought myself to be of high pain tolerance until this. Right cuff repair on a 50% tear under collar bone. Injury happened 6 months prior to surgery. Before and after the doc said I could go back to daily living, just no lifting, pushing, pulling anything over 40#. At a week in (surgery was Dec 23, 2016) I was feeling great...had been doing things...I then proceeded to sweep, mop, n vacuum house w lightweight vac. Big mistake...pain melds made me think I was feeling better, but as I cut back, the pain increased...not sure if I messed repair up. My bicept now twinges, I have severe muscle spasms along my "wing" up into my neck, stabbing pain at top of shoulder AND pain in the upper chest muscle. I still take 2 pain pills and 2 muscle relaxers daily for my back issues and doesn't touch the pain...even w the antiinflamitory and ice. I have completed 4 sessions of PT and also have this taping thing they did that doesn't seem to help...I just want sleep. Even tried changing med times and get mane 4 hours tops. I tried sleeping pill, yet they cause me to become weepier than the depression I'm having from all this tired helplessness...any pressure point anyone knows of to help? Any suggestions? I see reg doc on 30 the and surgeon in 2/2/17, but this lack of rest and crazy pain is getting the best of this normally optimistic happy positive person....
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