Rotator cuff repair - post-op pain

Can you please comment more on the message component of your treatment. I'm six weeks out, go to therapy 2 times per week and do 3 daily treatments at home.

The pain while not debilitating never seems to end and any other type of complimentary treatment would be an advantage

Thanks for your feedback

I had rotator cuff and my bicep reattached two years ago at same time and still cant sleep on that arm. I still have a lot of pain in the bicep area and top of my scapula. Sometimes I think it will never go away. I do have full range of motion and different kind of pain before the surgery.

Hi everyone, I am a 67 yr. old female and have a partial tear on my dominant side. I have done P.T. tens and ultrasound with little results and now have rotator cuff repair scheduled for May 10th. I have an extremely low pain tolerance and after reading all the posts I am absolutely terrified of having this procedure. I've always been fairly active but was recently diagnosed with C.O.P.D. and have been hospitalized 4 times in the last 9months. If that wasn't enough I also have severe osteoporosis and my Dr. thinks this may affect the the anchors from holding as they should.  The pain I have now is bearable without Rx. meds and I'm really on the fence about whether to have this surgery.  Any comments would be helpful to me at this point, thanks, Jeanne 

One years since since shoulder surgery, rotator, labrum, couple other things. First three months i was in HELL ! second three months were slightly better, but at that point if someone had asked me, I'd still say hell no to the surgery. The third 3 month period I really went hard at regaining strength and conditioning, still some sleeping discomfort. These last three months I trained hard for an upcoming athletic competition, (the importance of goal setting), in the "old-man division. Surgery successful.
I will never forget the depths of despair of those first six months, I was brought to tears. Hard to imagine for a tough old bastard. Lots of hard work and I can put my shirt on without pain now. Prior to the surgery, I could not do that.

this has helped tremendously. I did not realize there is low blood supply to the shoulder! When the pain gets unbearable the only thing that helps is going for a long walk. So now I understand why the walking seems to help, I first thought that walking distracted me from the pain but now realize that it is probably getting more blood flow! I wish I had done some research prior to surgery so I could psych myself up for the long term pain and therapy, I thought I was being a big baby but now see what I'm experiencing is pretty normal, I'm feeling way more encouraged. Thank you for your post!

I had rotator cuff surgery in October nearly 4 months ago, I cannot get my arm behind my back except for a couple of inches, I have severe , SEVERE pain .. in the shoulder like I have hit my funny bone.. I still cannot sleep lying down , I am up nearly every hour at night .. if I roll on the arm it wakes me up with pain .. what is up ?

Hi, did you have surgery?

I had a full tear rotator cuff also, 4 anchors and it was also completely off the bone. I am 6 weeks after surgery and the pain is terrible. My husband thinks I'm faking because he can't believe I would be still in this much pain. I cry after physical therapy. I can't sleep, I am so depressed and wish I had never had the surgery. I know I needed it because I couldn't even lift my arm anymore, but I guess no body warned me on how helpless I would be with one arm. Husband has talked to other people who had it done and they were all out of the sling by 3-4 weeks and almost back to normal by 6 weeks. It was just good to read your post and realize that I'm not crazy, and recovery is a long and painful road. It has been awhile since you posted, would love to hear how you are doing now.

Hi sanku,
I am still miserable. Swear I will not have my left shoulder done. Tired of being tired due to pain and lack of sleep. But I try to be positive. I Start PT tomorrow. Have been faithfully doing post op exercises. I will keep you posted. Let me know how you Atherton g along:)

to cjbeach02.....I had RC surgery two weeks ago on left shoulder;massive tear; started mild passive pt 5 days later;do it at home 3 times a day;next therapy apt. tomorrow. My main concern is every time I try to backoff pain meds (Percocet) a bit, I wake up with extreme pain, so I continue to take 2 pills (325) every 4-5 hrs to keep pain under control. Was hoping for more pain relief 2 weeks post-op, but looks like from what I am reading, I may be on meds for awhile...gonna add muscle relaxant to night meds to see if that will help me sleep better..I use ice machine regularly, but will now also try heat in between times, due to your comment...THANKS!

I had rotator cuff surgery 13 months ago.  I am 66 years old and I did my own rehab.  I do weight training and can now easily bench press 210 lbs for 3 sets of 10.  I have been teaching a Zumba Class for Autistic Adults for the past 8 months.  I am going to always be very careful but I am so happy with my results.

I'am 69 17 week post surgery terrible pain do not have surgery

Hello,

i am scheduled to have my rotator cuff repaired in two weeks, i have been reading all these post and it has frightend me more than ever. i have a full thicness tear along with an additional two tears that occured while i was at work. i have all these pain symptoms and sleep has been a thing of the past for a long time now. i jus t want the pain to go away but from these unhappy bloggers im in for a great disappointment. i will jsut have to pray that my experience is not like one of these but closer to a painless night sleep.

I am 9 weeks out with no pain. I have almost full range of motion. started light weight lifting. My Doctor got me going 2 days after surgery in therapy. He is very aggressive with therapy which I think is the key. I had a complete tear in my rotator cuff, bicep, and peck. I am 54 years old. you can contact me with questions. 

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Glad to find the post.  I'm 6 weeks post op and am wondering when pain will end.  Some days are certainly better than others.  Last night I had to get up and take another half a percocet and while it helped, I didn't like doing itI do all my PT stuff at home as aggressively as I can stand it (which is certainly less aggressive than my PT does it) and wonder if I need to ease up or toughen up?  Would love to have some idea why the healing process is a painful one (PT said healing causes pain.)  Any suggestions?