Problem after rotator cuff surgery

So Sorry to hear that you are experiencing ongoing problems with your shoulders. You have had various operations and can suggest that you see a different specialist, and visit a Registered Osteopath specialising in shoulder and neck pain. That may help. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteopathy

The answer to your Resonse is I have had the Best Surgerns operate on both shoulders. My right rotator cuff was detached and my left had some muscle damage with it. I've tried Chiropractic, accupuncture, pain management, physical therapy and do my exercises at home. I have almost to full range of motion. My shoulders also have the indent spot on the top like the other person has. I believe that they had to use the muscle to help them repair the damaged area. I fully believe that both Surgerns did a Fabulous job on my shoulders. They both are very caring Physicians. I've seen the top neurologist also. I just don't know where to go next?

I want to thank you for your thought and concerns. I will look up that web site that you suggested. Thank You soooo much!!!!!!

I was 38 with my first rotator cuff surgery and now I am almost 46. You are NOT CRAZY!!!! I know how you feel and I am so sorry you have to go through this!!! I don't sleep at night either.

Had Rotator Cuff surgery on 2/2/2011 and yes it is a tough surgery a complete tear very painful for the 1st month.  My Doctor had me in a motion chair after the 2nd day which has really helped my recovery.  My PT was fantastic.  Have pretty much full ranch of motion now.  It still hurts a bit and does not feel like the other shoulder but I did start back snow skiing on 3/10/11 and just waterskied for the last two days.  Seems to be doing great just need to be careful to not to fall the wrong way.  I do feel it will be 95% maybe 100% very soon.  I have not needed pain pills for over a month. 

Had rotator cuff surgery about two weeks ago. Although the pain level has dropped since the day of surgery, it has leveled out to a continuing high degree that just never stops. I haven't really slept, and the meds don't seem to do much; I am following dose instructions to the letter. I start P/T in a week, and don't see my doc again for another month. I will run out of meds in about two weeks and will have to request a refill. Sometimes I wonder if the operation was worth it. Anyone...I know everyone is different, but in general, how long should I expect to take pain meds? 

I think I had pain and swelling for at least 3 months. I was taking panadeine Forte about 2 times a day the first month, then usually just one pill a night for the following 2 months. I started P/T about 10 - 12 weeks after surgery and boy was that painful. The first session i cried and screamed at the therapist asking her to stop after only 5 minutes ! I remember when i got home i had to do PT 3 times a day and the movements were painful as basic as they were.  After 5 months i still had very limited motion and was really stiff. (but i had frozen shoulder together with the rotator cuff repair so my shoulder was very sore.) Now 11 months on and i still get pain now and then, and also in my neck and elbow. I understand why - my body is not balanced since i dont have full motion in my arm and shoulder. For example lying flat with arms straight out, my shoulder doesn't touch the floor flat like the other, and is not supple like the other side. I just try to make sure i stretch as much as I can, and i am going to see an osetopath for treatment of my neck pain,  and start doing swimming in a heated pool. I am also thinking of taking up Yoga to improve overall body health. I don't sleep perfectly at night, and cant really sleep too long on either side. So mostly i have just had to get used to sleeping on my back. But i must say the first 8 months sleeping was hard ! I would be soo tired in the day and my family never understood, they just forgot about my situation because i was doing so well in the day they forgot nights were hard. So i would take an afternoon sleep when i could. It is a hard process going through this surgery as it is such a slow recovery time, but you will notice improvements over time. I was soo depressed the first 6 months, because things were soo slow but just know you are not alone and it is normal. 

I am glad I found this message board tonight!!!  I am scheduled for shoulder surgery in a week and a half.  BRIEF history:  Slowly, progressing pain on the left for several years, allergic to any and ALL nonsteroidal antiinflammatories, had robot assisted hysterectomy in January (4.5 hours in a 30 degree slant with all weight on my shoulders)  they have been hell since.  The left is still agonizing at night.  Got an MRI (man did THAT hurt!!!!!) and there are calcifications in the left shoulder, a bone spur, inflammed bursa and several tears (unsure of thickness).  Hoping for an arthroscopic incision, but if there is not enough muscle or tendon left he will  have to open me up....won't that be a dandy way to wake up??

I go back and forth.  It hurts all the time, but during the day I can kind of live with it and work around it.  At night, however, I am not sleeping and hurt like CRAZY!!! Taking 2 percocet most nights at some point.  You all sound like you are in so much agony after the surgery.  Did anyone have an experience where they were glad at first they did it because the pain was BETTER?  Sounds silly, but I waited so long on back surgery years ago that I literally felt better right after the surgery than prior!  I was kind of wishfully hoping for that this time.  Are you guys glad you did it?  Would you do it again now knowing what you know??

I had have rotator cuff surgery in April. Now I am having extreme neck pain and headaches. My ears ring constantly. I already have TMJ, but these headaches are new. On top of that I have become photosensitive. The doctor gave me valum but it doesn't relax me. It just keeps me awake. Since I have fibromyalgia I need Ambien to sleep. I don't know what I am supposed to do. They did a CT and there is nothing abnormal. These headaches have put me in tears. I feel like the doctor has thrown in the towel. What should I do?

I'm the "guest" who posted on 3/7/11 - had arthroscopic surgery on 4/27/11 - two full thickness tears, lots of bone spurs, things were pretty shredded up in there.  MRI did not catch the larger tear, which caused a separation of the AC tendon from the bone.

Bottom line - I am SO glad I had this surgery, fear of surgery worse than surgery for me.  First few days were pretty painful and I needed help at home but by the end of the first post-op week I was only taking painkillers at night.  Haven't had them in over a week now.  I still don't sleep well because of the sling, and because I'm in the first post-op month I have no idea if I'll get range of motion back.  But ... I am NOT IN PAIN all the time, such a relief!

Good luck to everyone facing this decision, it was a very difficult one for me.  Hoping to get out of the sling soon and get both sides feeling equal one day. 

Hi,  I was really glad to find this forum tonight. I had rotator cuff surgery 6 weeks ago; there was a large full-thickness tear, acromial bone spur, plus they cut the bicep attachment (?). They also had to break up some extensive encapsulation (scar formation). I've been going to PT; it was 5 times a week until this past week, and now it's down to two times a week. I've been doing the exercises, wearing the sling, etc., but it's been discouraging and frustrating. Am still taking a pain med at night, and it seems to be taking forever to get my arm stretched out again. Have been feeling more and more depressed about it, but reading all these messages makes me realize my experience is pretty typical. I've been lucky to have my son at home these past weeks to help me (surgery was on my dominant side), but am sort of dreading when he has to leave, a couple of weeks from now. Thanks to everyone who has made helpful suggestions, and thanks especially for the encouragement.  I wish for all of you who are still struggling that your pain decreases every day, and that you heal fully.

Hi, I have sustained a dislocation / rotator cuff injury with a 75 lb weight and then moved furniture a week later.

the pain is unreal and it has not gone away in a little over a month.

MRI said no tears and indicated some tendonitis in one of the tendons. But the others all hurt really really bad...

I see here some of you said the MRI missed your tears completely and I see here most or all of you have had surgery to correct your problems.

Looking back on it are you happy  you have had the surgery???? Or do you regret it??



The pain is so bad that my shoulder doesnt always stay in the correct place..

I am 5 weeks post rotator cuff repair of the supraspinatus and have had sever headaches ever since. I went to a neurologist today and he feel that during the surgery when I was intubated for anesthia, my neck may have been in a position which caused the cervical spine to impinge on a nerve which may be causing the headaches. I will have an MRI and MRA this week to see if it is cervical spine related or something else. When I was 29 I was diagnosed with MS and following the 2 episodes of Optic Neuritis (ouch) I have had no recurrance in the last 30 years. Therefore he does not feel that the headaches are related to MS. I also have fibromyalgia along with a host of other orthopedic issues but right now, the start of therapy on my shoulder and the headaches are my main issues. See if your Dr. will do more testing other than just the CT. I know how you feel and it is not fun.

had surgery, labrum, rotator cuff and bicept repair 7 weeks ago. still considerable amount of pain but not nearly as when first had it done. the shoulder does feel stiff and locked up. i can use pullys to pull upthe arm to a 180 degree angle straight forward with little pain but some stiffness. cant pull the arm up sideways as much and there is more stiffness and pain. dr. just told me he wants to see me in 2 weeks, if lockup don't stop, he will use cortisone. he said if that dont work may have to do more surgury. hell no. it will unlock one way or another. keep the heads up because your not alone, but everything i see its a long recovery.  

Had rotator cuff surgery 1/13/11.  Had the other done last winter.  Although the recovery is painful and hard work,  the results are well worth it.  I started PT the week after surgery and went for shoulder 3 x a week for 3 months.  Do your stretches and exercises.  Yes it hurts but stick with it.  Last years arm is great.  This last one still hurts but not bad and it will get better.  A shoulder with 4 pins doesn't just heal instantaneously.  The results are well worth the pain for a few months.  Take a pain pill before PT for the most benefit out of your session and hang in there.