Today is 35 days post-surgery (bicep tendonesis, bone spur, and calcification removal) and as of yesterday, I've been approved to remove my sling and I can now drive short distances. I was a bit hesitant walking out of the doctor's office without wearing the sling... I felt much like you did and it was good to hear I am not alone in those feelings. I took a very short drive later and wore my sling into the store without the abduction pad attached. I moved very slowly engaging my blinker and when driving home, I used my right hand to reach through the steering wheel to engage the blinker. I had already been sleeping without the sling for over a week, so that was not a problem although I'm still not able to sleep on my left side due to surgery, and I'm not ordinarily a back sleeper. I will begin AAROM next week and although I'm looking forward to it, I know there will be some discomfort as I learn new movements to increase ROM. Your videos have been helpful both pre and post-surgery. I do not have the benefit of having someone to assist with anything, so I am totally on my own and have been since 3-days post-op. However, I am determined to continue to progress by doing at-home PT twice daily. Since my muscles have atrophied, it will be important to regain my full ROM and progress to eventual weight training to regain muscle tone. My therapists are all very pleased with where I am currently as with some passive movements I can reach 75% ROM. My anticipated full recovery is 6 months, and I'm okay with that. The doctor told me if I were not in such good physical shape for my age, recovery would be 9 months or more. Thank you again and I will continue to use your videos for inspiration as only someone who has gone through this can relate to what I'm feeling. 🙂
Hey Sharon! It sounds like you are right on track and doing well. That’s awesome! You’re right, only someone who has gone through shoulder surgery really knows what you’re going through. I actually did most of my therapy on weeks 6-12 on my own. So, you can too! Of course be consistent with your healthcare team’s protocols, but start with my Week 8 video. I have a few tips on that video and you can see the segments where I was doing therapy on my own, like you will be. Hopefully, that information will help you as well. I did the same for Weeks 9-17. I put exactly what I did on those videos to help others make their recovery easier. Keep up the great work, from your detailed descriptions, you are killing it. With that positive attitude and work ethic you have, you will come out of this like a rock star!
Here’s a long story. I hurt my shoulder back in 1999. I was told that I had tendonitis in my rotator cuff. Then, in 2015 my shoulder was bothering me again. I was told that I have chronic tendonitis. Then, a little over a year ago I went to a surgeon and they said I needed distal clavicle excision surgery. Nothing was said about my rotator cuff. I went on for a 2nd opinion. Same thing, distal clavicle excision. I had that done. Then, my arm bicep was bothering me. My surgeon was certain it was my neck. Sent me for an mri of biceps and neck. Biceps are fine and neck shows bulging discs. She sent me to a neurosurgeon and a pain specialist. I’m 42. I wasn’t ready for a pain specialist. The neurosurgeon said he didn’t think it was my neck causing arm pain. So, the surgeon disagreed and sent me for an emg/nerve conduction study. He said it wasn’t my neck and he said he thinks it’s my rotator cuff. He suggested an injection which I said at that point it wouldn’t hurt. Since I got the injection, I feel so much better. My shoulder had been sore sore and weak but since the injection I feel so much better. Why that surgeon that did my surgery didn’t do anything about my rotator cuff, I don’t understand. I’m moving on to a new surgeon. I am frustrated with that surgeon
@Erin, thanks for those details. I'm sorry you have been through so much, but am glad to hear you are on the right path now. I totally agree, getting the correct shoulder surgeon is crucial. I sought out a shoulder surgeon specialist and interviewed several. I went with the guy who I felt would do the best for me. I was fortunate he was indeed good. Best of wishes to you moving forward.
I had surgery 10 days ago and accidentally moved a empty cereal bowl with my surgery arm. I felt the pull and now I don’t know if I hurt my surgery. Would you know how to tell if I did damage? I do feel some tenderness. I had no tenderness before hand.
Please remember, I am not a medical professional. This is just my opinion. Unfortunately, it’s going to be very difficult for anyone to know with 100% certainty if your repair was damaged. Having said that, it is unlikely pushing a cereal bowl caused any damage. If you lifted the bowl or quickly caught it from falling at day 10, damage may be possible. Make sure you are following your healthcare team’s instructions. They likely have you in a sling and only allow passive range of motion. Give it a few days to calm down. If you continue to have tenderness, swelling, pain, or loss of range of motion with your passive movements in a few days, check with your healthcare team. I know all to well, it can be difficult to not want to use that arm. I hope that helps.
@California Los Angeles good question and great suggestion! I am planning on making a "How to Sleep During Recovery" video sometime in the near future. In short, if you are sleeping face up, find a pillow of comfortable height to place under the elbow portion of your sling. That way a portion of your sling can rest on the pillow and the majority of your sling/arm can rest on your body. I would recommend to use the thumb strap to help keep your arm from unintentionally moving upward and out of the sling as you are sleeping.
Rach plus, I'm sorry to hear you are having pain at night. Some pain is normal as we move through recovery and push for mobility and strength. If it doesn't feel right, make sure to speak to your Physical Therapist and/or Surgeon to understand if what you are feeling is normal for your repair. If your surgeon does not help, you can always get a second opinion from a shoulder surgeon specialist.
Even two years after your surgery, these videos you made are priceless for someone like me ( had RC surgery 32 days ago). Thank you.
I’m so glad to hear the videos have helped you. That was exactly the intent creating them. Thank you for letting me know.
I'm on week 4 after my surgery. I like how you break down week by week
Today is 35 days post-surgery (bicep tendonesis, bone spur, and calcification removal) and as of yesterday, I've been approved to remove my sling and I can now drive short distances. I was a bit hesitant walking out of the doctor's office without wearing the sling... I felt much like you did and it was good to hear I am not alone in those feelings. I took a very short drive later and wore my sling into the store without the abduction pad attached. I moved very slowly engaging my blinker and when driving home, I used my right hand to reach through the steering wheel to engage the blinker. I had already been sleeping without the sling for over a week, so that was not a problem although I'm still not able to sleep on my left side due to surgery, and I'm not ordinarily a back sleeper. I will begin AAROM next week and although I'm looking forward to it, I know there will be some discomfort as I learn new movements to increase ROM. Your videos have been helpful both pre and post-surgery. I do not have the benefit of having someone to assist with anything, so I am totally on my own and have been since 3-days post-op. However, I am determined to continue to progress by doing at-home PT twice daily. Since my muscles have atrophied, it will be important to regain my full ROM and progress to eventual weight training to regain muscle tone. My therapists are all very pleased with where I am currently as with some passive movements I can reach 75% ROM. My anticipated full recovery is 6 months, and I'm okay with that. The doctor told me if I were not in such good physical shape for my age, recovery would be 9 months or more. Thank you again and I will continue to use your videos for inspiration as only someone who has gone through this can relate to what I'm feeling. 🙂
Hey Sharon! It sounds like you are right on track and doing well. That’s awesome! You’re right, only someone who has gone through shoulder surgery really knows what you’re going through. I actually did most of my therapy on weeks 6-12 on my own. So, you can too! Of course be consistent with your healthcare team’s protocols, but start with my Week 8 video. I have a few tips on that video and you can see the segments where I was doing therapy on my own, like you will be. Hopefully, that information will help you as well. I did the same for Weeks 9-17. I put exactly what I did on those videos to help others make their recovery easier. Keep up the great work, from your detailed descriptions, you are killing it. With that positive attitude and work ethic you have, you will come out of this like a rock star!
Thank you so much! I am week 4 now, so I will follow your next videos!
Glad to hear the information was helpful. If you have any questions as you watch the videos, just let me know.
Here’s a long story. I hurt my shoulder back in 1999. I was told that I had tendonitis in my rotator cuff. Then, in 2015 my shoulder was bothering me again. I was told that I have chronic tendonitis. Then, a little over a year ago I went to a surgeon and they said I needed distal clavicle excision surgery. Nothing was said about my rotator cuff. I went on for a 2nd opinion. Same thing, distal clavicle excision. I had that done. Then, my arm bicep was bothering me. My surgeon was certain it was my neck. Sent me for an mri of biceps and neck. Biceps are fine and neck shows bulging discs. She sent me to a neurosurgeon and a pain specialist. I’m 42. I wasn’t ready for a pain specialist. The neurosurgeon said he didn’t think it was my neck causing arm pain. So, the surgeon disagreed and sent me for an emg/nerve conduction study. He said it wasn’t my neck and he said he thinks it’s my rotator cuff. He suggested an injection which I said at that point it wouldn’t hurt. Since I got the injection, I feel so much better. My shoulder had been sore sore and weak but since the injection I feel so much better. Why that surgeon that did my surgery didn’t do anything about my rotator cuff, I don’t understand. I’m moving on to a new surgeon. I am frustrated with that surgeon
@Erin, thanks for those details. I'm sorry you have been through so much, but am glad to hear you are on the right path now. I totally agree, getting the correct shoulder surgeon is crucial. I sought out a shoulder surgeon specialist and interviewed several. I went with the guy who I felt would do the best for me. I was fortunate he was indeed good. Best of wishes to you moving forward.
Love this one. Thanks. For the inspiration.
You’re most welcome!
I had surgery 10 days ago and accidentally moved a empty cereal bowl with my surgery arm. I felt the pull and now I don’t know if I hurt my surgery.
Would you know how to tell if I did damage? I do feel some tenderness. I had no tenderness before hand.
Please remember, I am not a medical professional. This is just my opinion. Unfortunately, it’s going to be very difficult for anyone to know with 100% certainty if your repair was damaged. Having said that, it is unlikely pushing a cereal bowl caused any damage. If you lifted the bowl or quickly caught it from falling at day 10, damage may be possible. Make sure you are following your healthcare team’s instructions. They likely have you in a sling and only allow passive range of motion. Give it a few days to calm down. If you continue to have tenderness, swelling, pain, or loss of range of motion with your passive movements in a few days, check with your healthcare team. I know all to well, it can be difficult to not want to use that arm. I hope that helps.
Great video. Thank you so much
You are so welcome!
How do you sleep with the slingshot on if I'm going to sleep facing up ? Make a video of how to sleep
@California Los Angeles good question and great suggestion! I am planning on making a "How to Sleep During Recovery" video sometime in the near future. In short, if you are sleeping face up, find a pillow of comfortable height to place under the elbow portion of your sling. That way a portion of your sling can rest on the pillow and the majority of your sling/arm can rest on your body. I would recommend to use the thumb strap to help keep your arm from unintentionally moving upward and out of the sling as you are sleeping.
Thank you!
Did you have left arm RCS as well? After the right?
No. I only had shoulder surgery on my right shoulder. My left does have a bit of an issue, but thankfully does not warrant surgery.
Hi im on week 10 after rotator cuff substra surgery i feel pijn at night what should i do ?
Rach plus, I'm sorry to hear you are having pain at night. Some pain is normal as we move through recovery and push for mobility and strength. If it doesn't feel right, make sure to speak to your Physical Therapist and/or Surgeon to understand if what you are feeling is normal for your repair. If your surgeon does not help, you can always get a second opinion from a shoulder surgeon specialist.
After 4 weeks. I still have 90 degrees. Can't be 150. I am afraid I have frozen shoulder again.