topic Re: Anyone had shoulder surgery? in Wellness

Anyone had shoulder surgery?

Growing — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 17:11:25 GMT

I am scheduled for shoulder surgery soon. Have had CT and MRI but the MRI was a day ago and I don't know the results yet. Unrelenting pain for six months. Doctors have taken a conservative approach and it has helped only minorly.

So I am asking if anyone has had bone spurs or osteophytes removed from the glenohumeral joint and/or rotator cuff injury repaired? What was your pain level after surgery? I am limited on pain meds due to their side effects. And how long was your arm in a sling after the surgery?

Re: Anyone had shoulder surgery?

pupwhipped — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 17:19:48 GMT

I've not had that surgery but this previous thread came to mind as it has tons of responses. Might be worth a read. Good luck.

https://community.qvc.com/t5/Wellness/Rotator-Cuff-Surgery-Can-anyone-give-me-tips/m-p/4685617/highlight/true#M135698

Re: Anyone had shoulder surgery?

godi — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 17:20:05 GMT

Never had any of this. Sorry I can't help, wishing you well and a speedy recovery. 🙏❤️

Re: Anyone had shoulder surgery?

Big Joanie — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 17:20:55 GMT

I had a torn rotator cuff ... the pain was intense for about 6 months ..

it was like a throbbing tooth ache .. funny thing was .. the pain was

not in my shoulder but in my bicep ....

Had surgery .. did all my PT faithfully and it is great .. no pain at all

Good Luck .. but yes .. I know that pain ...

Re: Anyone had shoulder surgery?

Big Joanie — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 17:24:00 GMT

Arm was in a sling maybe 10 days to 2 weeks .. think I worn it when I

went out just to be safe .. and didn't wear it at home ...After the 2 weeks

I took pain meds .. maybe 4-5 days ....the pain before was much

worse than any pain I had after ... but you must do everything

PT tells you ....exercises at home etc.

Re: Anyone had shoulder surgery?

kate2357 — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 17:41:33 GMT

I've had 3 rotator cuff surgeries and they did relieve the pain from the tear. The worst tear was on my left arm and it took bit of time to heal. The next two tears were not as bad and the recovery was much, much easier to get through.

Couple of tips: plan ahead and make sure you have elastic waist pants available to wear during recovery. It's almost impossible to zip and unbutton your pants. (Just saying). I don't know if you are a man or woman (sorry), but washing and blow drying hair is also not easy to do the first week or two. If your doctor tells you to wear a sling, be sure to wear you sling in public. It's basically to keep people from touching your shoulder. It may help to sleep in a chair to get sleep. I could not comfortably lay down for a few weeks.

For two of my surgeries I only wore the sling for 3 days at home and then for about 3 weeks when I went out in public. I did go to the PT and did do the PT exercises at home. I was also able to stop using any pain meds 3 days after surgery and switched to just Advil. I do not do well w/ pain meds at all.

Finally, depending on your tear and your surgeon, you should get full range of motion back w/in 6 weeks to 3 months. And no pain.

Good luck.

Re: Anyone had shoulder surgery?

Trix — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 18:21:10 GMT

@Growing I have had multiple shoulder surgeries on the left and right side for torn rotator cuffs and bone spurs. Each time wearing the sling is part of the process. Pain is such an individual thing it wouldn't be fair for me to offer what to expect in that area. I had only moderate post-surgery pain. I took pain medication, but I was never in intense writhing pain. In fact, my pre-surgery pain was far worse than the post in each instance.

I wore my sling for 5 to 6 weeks. There was regular physical therapy for about two months and I exercised on my own in a swimming pool.

Re: Anyone had shoulder surgery?

KingstonsMom — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 18:46:51 GMT

I nursed my brother in CA through 2 rotator cuff surgeries and like @Trix said, he wore his sling for 5-6 weeks.

He did have pain meds for about 2 weeks, which helped manage the pain pretty well.

Good luck with your sugery, I'm sure you'll do fine!

Re: Anyone had shoulder surgery?

Tshirtgal — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 02:58:55 GMT

I had shoulder surgery. I faithfully did my time on the therapy chair delivered to my house on a temporary basis. It raised my arm electrically and every day I had to increase my range of motion. I also faithfully attended my hospital therapy and excercises. I am as good as new. You will do fine but therapy is the key.

Re: Anyone had shoulder surgery?

carlycat — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 03:09:24 GMT

I have. Tendinitis. Six weeks in the sling. Pain was pretty bad first two weeks, definitely need pain meds. It's all better now. Was worth it.

Re: Anyone had shoulder surgery?

MaxsMom — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 03:19:46 GMT

I had a reverse shoulder replacement on my left shoulder 2 years ago.I am getting ready to have the right shoulder done early next year. I have osteroartritis and the pain gets bad when it gets to be bone on bone. I had a nerve block in the OR and woke up in a sling and no pain, I wore the sling for six weeks and the some physical therapy.

It was wonderful not to have the pain anymore and a a brand new shoulder.

Looking forward to getting the right one done, I have a wonderful female surgeon, and she only does shoulders. I will soon be 65 years old.

Re: Anyone had shoulder surgery?

Growing — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 17:40:27 GMT

Thank you everyone. My surgeon indicated pain is bad after surgery if I have a rotator cuff injury and they have now emailed me about the special type of narcotic pain relief I need. Insurance doesn't cover it and it has to be ordered. I explained my husband is blind and can't drive over and pick it up easily so can we do it in advance. My pain now is constant, unrelenting, mind strangling. Only allowed gapapentin which is mind numbing as others make me throw up or give me bad gastritis. Not writhing in pain but just doing normal everyday stuff creates ache and terrible pain in my neck to my bicep. Not sleeping well due to pain. It is arthritic changes, bursitis, osteophytes and 3 small tenden tears including in the rotator cuff. I am relieved to hear your stories. I have things set up, house cleaning, food service, grocery deliver for after surgery. I have had major heart surgury and also foot surgeries (arthritis related) so I know how much to be scared and how much to stop fretting! I will do the PT afterwards, have not been told anything about this but I know I hold this shoulder stiffly not moving it if I can help it and that is not good for one's muscles.

Again, thank you all. I am a woman and have lots of stretch pants no zippers, ha ha. Not many button front shirts though for getting an injured arm in easily. And what about tying shoes? Oh, my -- I wear orthopedic shoes for my arthritic feet but I have some orthopedic boots.