I go back to the doc on Monday so he can see me before sending me off to pt. Youll visit your physical therapist on a regular schedule, and theyll also give you some home-based exercises to complete during the course of your recovery. Doctor says I am developing frozen shoulder, but with PT hopefully working through it. Most people are in pain after surgery for up to two weeks. We want the forums to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the forums are
Just been on the internet reading about post rotor cuff surgery pain as I had the operation 10 weeks ago and still cant sleep with pain.The same as you describe. Rotator cuff tears: surgical treatment options. Orthopedic Surgery 27 years experience. today for more information about our therapy services for surgery patients or to schedule an initial appointment. The knots seem to have developed while I was wearing the sling. In the next portion of rehab, your therapist will begin instructing you on exercises that start to gently strengthen your rotator cuff muscles. He said he didnt know how bad the tear would be until he got in there. 1712 Stumpf Blvd
Ruptured Disk Pain and What to Do About It, Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: The Heart Attack Your Doctor Won't Always Treat. Everybody told me itll be 12 months to 14 months to heal. Rotator Cuff Pain Medication Duration? I started working out again too. However, your surgery and recovery are likely to take longer if you have a larger tear. As a result, we avoid anti-inflammatories for the first four weeks after rotator cuff repair when data suggests that inflammation is important to help the tendon heal. Physical therapy treatments for post-operative shoulder pain vary from person to person depending on individual circumstances, but you can generally expect: Are you having rotator cuff surgery soon or have you recently had an operation? The first 48-72 hours after surgery are the most critical for this portion of recovery, which is why the heavy doses of pain medicine are saved for this period, and usually given in the hospital by professional staff. Despite the small incisional area, the shoulder will be quite painful for many weeks after surgery, because of how much we use the joint without even realizing it. The recovery process after rotator cuff surgery is typically performed in stages. 9 weeks after rotator cuff surgery. Many physical therapists will instruct their patients to take a full dose of their pain medication about half and hour before their PT session. Wondering how long your pain will last after your surgery? These exercises are generally strengthening or resistance exercises, and weve laid them out in the order of difficulty so that you can see what exercises you can progress onto if/when needed. Try to put your finger right on your fist. One guy who attends PT with me and had his cuff repair 2 months ago, is struggling to recover because he is not putting the effort in. You may be prescribed drugs to help with pain relief. The content on this website is informational only and not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Arthroscopic surgery involves the surgeon making small cuts in the skin. After a few weeks of trial and error I seem to have figured out at least how to relieve most of the pain by putting a hot water compress on my arm immediately after I wake up and moving it up and down my arm and applying the heat to various parts of the arm for about 20 minutes. In the first two to eight weeks after surgery, you'll limit movement, wear a sling, and work with a PT on passive stretching. I began PT 1 week after arthroscopic surgery to repair a medium tear in my rotator cuff and I go for therapy twice a week. The arm pain typically starts, and is at its worst in the morning when I wake up. fully comply with their therapists instructions, performing your at-home exercises can help to reduce pain. as being in breach of those terms. Even more important, you can start seeing us before or after surgery if you dont have a doctors referral. To avoid this, sleep in an upright position, or at least as upright as possible. These incisions are the primary reason you are in pain after your procedure. over a year ago, Steve D Posture guidance for sitting, standing and sleeping with less pain. Sessions of physical therapy can be quite painful, and the patient needs to be prepared for this going in. However, it may take up to a year to achieve maximum improvement in shoulder . Hidradenitis Suppurativa Treatment With Surgery: Is A Surgical Approach The Last Resort? You will also be cleared to discontinue the use of your sling and to start actively moving the arm as much as you can tolerate. 2019;7(6):e9. Hot or cold therapy. Make sure you have about 1 minute's rest in between each set. I do know I have a bone spur on my acromion bone, the Dr calls it "thickening". American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. It is worth thinking along the terms of weeks into months for your recovery, therefore being kind and patient with yourself and your shoulder is a really important part of your recovery. If you want to get notified by every reply to your post, please register. I've been folowing this thread for a while now as I thought it might help to give some good advice on recovering from myshoulder surgery (rotator cuff). Rehabilitation following surgical repair of the rotator cuff: a systematic review. Special tools are then inserted into the other incisions to perform the repair. I guess the key word is patience. About to dig out my lacrosse ball right now! Physical therapy is a key part in the successful recovery from rotator cuff surgery. The precise amount of time needed to be off from work after rotator cuff surgery can vary from 3-8 months. The main benefit of rotator cuff surgery is that it can eliminate the symptoms someone is experiencing when nonsurgical treatment options have not been successful: mainly shoulder pain,. In order to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation your doctor will prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug to be taken during the first week or 2 after your surgery. steve Has anyone else had that dislocation feeling? He sees patients in his Glen Allen and Midlothian, VA office. Occasionally, one (or more) of your rotator cuff muscles can either partially or completely tear. I do my exercises 3 x per day and I am now in less pain than before the surgery and for the fist time in 18 months, sleeping right through the night. I let patients know that this should subside to a dull ache by 3 months after the surgery. And before you know it, you need it just to feel normal, and then it is all downhill from there. Pain radiating down the arm after shoulder surgery can and does occur. I tore this rotator originally about 10 years ago. and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified
Some people need surgery to reattach a torn rotator cuff. (732) 352-9270, 453 Amboy Ave Keep communicating with your doctor and your therapist about your concerns and they will get you through it I've talked to many other PT patients in my personal quest to get better and this is a very long painful recovery. How long will I be in pain after rotator cuff surgery? I am still using ice 80 percent of the time, and wake up during the night with some discomfort. So nobody here is a doctor and can diagnose you. The more I move around the more my soreness went away. But, I still hurt. It is responsible for carrying out a number of basic arm movements. If you have a sedentary job, you should be able to return to work in just two to three weeks. . outside of the physical therapy clinic. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I'm both relieved and frustrated. To maximize the likelihood of successful rehabilitation, be sure to find a physical therapist who is skilled in treating patients who undergo rotator cuff repairs. Not sure what to expect at my age. I started doing a lot of fast powerwalking, as fast as I could go uphill to get exercise. not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in
over a year ago, soupy When the rotator cuff gets hurt, physical therapy can help manage the pain and help you recover and regain the use of your arm. What Can, Besides A Physical Injury, Cause Collarbone And Shoulder Pain? Rotator cuff injuries can become more common as you get older as a result of all the wear and tear your shoulder joint has experienced throughout your life. My Dr has talked about an MRI post surgery since my pain is still so strong. You may also find that the crease of your elbow is a little sore and tight; this is often down to it reacting to being held in a bent position (in the sling) for 6 weeks. Pain 8 months after surgery . , or pre-hab, is a type of physical therapy. I would really like to try and figure out exactly what is the cause of this arm pain and what I might do to try and mitigate it so that eventually I can start becoming pain free from all this. Bone spurs (extra bone growth at the ends of bones) in the area may also need to be removed depending on the situation. If I don't grab my arm really quick, I am pretty convinced it will dislocate.
The pain also does sometimes return later in the day, especially if I take a nap, and, if it does, I just repeat with hot water and/or ice to relieve it again when that happens. The rotator cuff repair procedure may be done using a larger shoulder incision (called an open repair) or a slightly smaller incision (called a mini-open repair). Through pain management, physical therapy, and exercise, the injury should recover within 4-6 months. You may have shoulder pain and arm weakness. Come on guys, man up! paintomuch277541 For starters, it takes between 6-8 for the tendon to heal to the bone. "Most of the time, the normal postoperative pain after rotator cuff repair will diminish within a few days to weeks," continues Dr. Rue. did you ever get an answer to your question? Larger tears tend to take around six months to heal, and severe tears may take anywhere from 6-12 months to fully heal. The majority of patients report improved shoulder strength and less pain after surgery for a torn rotator cuff. The Scap Wrap: How To Fix Your Shoulder Posture. Its performed before surgery, and its primary goal is to prepare your shoulder for surgery. Weeks 4 - 8 M.D. There will be pain. After rotator cuff repair, you should avoid all anti-inflammatory medications including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naprosyn (Aleve) and any other prescription anti-inflammatories, unless your surgeon prescribes them. Today marks 5 weeks since rotator cuff repair surgery! The first 2 to 5 weeks were the worst pain. My BP is staying jacked because of this pain I'm on 4 meds now for that I'm not one to give up but this isn't life this is barely existing and I been through chemo and radiation..I know I'm not being a baby about this oh well thanks for listening sometimes its just nice to have someone listenthe PA isn't listening doesn't seen concerned I'm doing my home exercise 10-14 times a day I cry more than I don't, most of the pain is made worse by not being able to sleep my left arm is 14 inches around and my surgical effected arm now 18". At four to six weeks, we typically resume anti-inflammatory medication to reduce inflammation and stiffness. Try not to lift anything so heavy that it places pressure on your affected shoulder. Heavier lifting such as digging, gardening and manual work must be avoided for four to six months. I feel like my first was easier. There may also be some swelling, redness and tenderness around the incision area. It freaks me out! This leads to less trauma, and it can affect how long your postoperative pain lasts. Pain medications block the pain receptors and dull the messages being sent from the nerves to the brain. After this time, be guided by pain. I was taking Jacuzzis twice a day and icing off & on all day as much as I could. Some of the ways pre-hab meets this goal include: Unfortunately, our bodies take longer to repair as we age. Both of these issues tend to ease as you start to use your arm more normally. over a year ago, guest Unfortunately, this tends to be variable as each job is different and each person will react to their surgery differently, and will progress through their rehabilitation at different speeds, but below is a rough guide regarding getting back to work. Doing great. Unfortunately, just because you have passed the 6 week mark since your surgery, it doesnt simply mean that your pain will stop, your movement will return and you will be able to use your shoulder normally straight away. It was followed by a pain bounce on D1 and D2 and did not return to a level significantly lower than its preoperative value until D30. Five factors that can affect how long your pain lasts are: Generally, smaller rotator cuff tears can be surgically repaired more easily. visit at Week 4 post-op and will usually be progressed to increase range of motion/ discharge sling. this is worst pain, Mike M Call (804)-678-9000 or complete the form to schedule your consultation with Dr. Goradia today! Manual: 6 weeks out and still needing pain medication to function? Perhaps those knots in the arm muscles are part of the source of the pain, but I am wondering if some of the external rotation physical therapy movements done on me initially have perhaps caused some minor tendentious (tennis elbow) in the back of my forearm which is now contributing to the lower arm pain. Once the operation is successful, your arm will be placed in a sling. The final stage of PT focuses primarily on building your shoulder strength by increasing the intensity of the exercises you perform. Return to sedentary work after 6-8 weeks (dependent on pain levels/ movement etc.) This surgery typically requires four stages of physical therapy as you recover. It will begin within 24 hours of the operation, and continue for several months. I stopped using the sling after 6 weeks. The VAS values remained less than 4 out of 10 during the entire study. The index procedures included 2 arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs and 1 open Latarjet. If pain continues after several months of these treatments and steroid injections have provided only temporary relief, then surgery becomes an option. While sleeping, it is possible for your arm to fall back and rest in an uncomfortable position. Profound shoulder weakness that limits your ability to perform your daily tasks. There are two main types of rotator cuff surgery: open surgery and arthroscopic surgery. I'm use to sucking it up and moving forward. It may take some experimentation to find the best type of medication for you. . as being in breach of those terms. Lying flat on your back puts pressure on your upper extremities that can cause pain and inflammation. By numbing the feeling, the brain does not overreact by sending the body into shock, and also does not cause the patient to feel stressed. The information contained on this site is intended to provide only general education. Use of the forums is subject to our Terms of Use
By Tim Petrie, DPT, OCS Rehabilitation following surgical repair of the rotator cuff: a systematic review. Thanks guys this really helped. For small tears, you may be able to make a full recovery in as little as four months. You can reach Azalea Orthopedics at 903.939.7500 to schedule your appointment today. 5 users are following. Wondering how long your pain will last after your surgery? I do a pedulam swing (very tine circles) and it feels like my shoulder is going to dislocate. "We have people experiment with them both to see which helps more . This muscular group surrounds the head of the humerus (the ball-shaped top of the arm bone) and helps to elevate and rotate your shoulder. This is often true even after you're ready to start physical therapy. Sling use for 4 weeks. I had a hard time not being active because I am extremely active normally. Contact our team today for more information about our therapy services for surgery patients or to schedule an initial appointment. Our clinical information meets the standards set by the NHS in their Standard for Creating Health Content guidance. Is It Just Shoulder Pain Or A Heart Attack? Thomson S, Jukes C, Lewis J. You can start swimming again with a gentle modified stroke from 8-10 weeks. It seems that if you have torn one shoulder tendon that it might not be so uncommon for other tendons around the area to be in a bit of trouble too if they compensating for the torn tendon before the surgery. Planning for my surgical procedure. Your provider may also suggest that you take an anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling. Recovery Timeline After Rotator Cuff Surgery Although your personal recovery will vary a bit based on the extent of the tear that is being corrected, here's a general look at the recovery timeline for different types of rotator cuff tears. Actively moving the arm is not allowed, so your therapist will gently stretch the shoulder passively to reduce the stiffness in the joint. The Skin We're In: What Is The Social And Psychological Impact Of Having A Lot Of Tattoos? The bursa is somewhat inflamed and that's about it. I am 66. I seem to have turned a corner where the pain is not bad and Im able to sleep, drive, & do many things. Like many guys on this thread he needs to toughen up and get on with it. I just had a meeting with my surgeon . Update: 9 weeks post op. 5. Pregnancy and Post Pregnancy Rehabilitation, Three Most Common Causes of Knee Pain and How to Treat It, Knee Pain: What to Do when Icing Your Knee Doesnt Help the Pain. While sleeping, rest a pillow under the arm to support the shoulder. Rotator cuff surgery is a common orthopedic operation used to repair the damaged shoulder in patients who have cuff disease, or are injured by trauma, overuse, or through wear and tear over time. How to treat pulled shoulder blade muscle? This surgery typically requires four stages of physical therapy as you recover. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Among the greatest concerns with a rotator cuff . These conditions can inhibit the bodys ability to repair itself, which can lead to delayed recovery time. However, this joint is vital to most of the movements we do with our hands and fingers. For the first 6-8 weeks after surgery, your surgeon will ask . . If you want to get notified by every reply to your post, please register. This allows them to reap the full benefits of their workout and not be inhibited by the pain that is caused by the exercises. What helps pain after rotator cuff surgery? You will have to wait until 3-4 months following your surgery before attempting front crawl. And then I retorted completely pulling myself out of a boat of all things, in Hawaii, the end of November. One thing I noticed that helped me that i want to share was to not sit around and wallow and watch TV. The rotator cuff is a grouping of four shoulder muscles (the supraspinatus, the teres minor, the infraspinatus, and the subscapularis). Every patient who has surgery is different, and how long youll be in pain after rotator cuff surgery will be different from friends or other people who have had this surgery. Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms? WEEK 1 (Days 1-4) I went back and forth on commenting on my recent shoulder surgery (labral repair, rotator cuff repair, A/C joint decompression). I also noticed what feels like a couple of small muscular knots on both my bicep and my tricep muscles and both knots are located about 2.5" equidistant below the shoulder that was operated upon. This allows them to access the area that needs repairing. Use of the forums is subject to our Terms of Use
Your rotator cuffs are vital to your ability to use your shoulders and arms for a wide range of activities. Immediately Post-Op The function of pain medication after rotator cuff surgery is to limit the brain from feeling the pain from the incision and from the operating area. You may not like asking for help, but it can limit the amount of pain you experience during recovery. I had surgery 8 months ago on my shoulder and was hoping to be starting to be close to pain free and getting back to normal activities but am still having pain. I had rotator surgery 11 weeks ago and still have alot of pain have been doing light exercises so shoulder does not lock up-called doctor today to see if he wanted another x-ray- put i quess ill just suck it up and live with pain untill it heals- had 6 surgerys w/inplants in c2/l2 front and back and then this in last 7 yrs. I'm really worried about our two week cruise as I'm still unable to sleep for more than two hours in the bed. If you have significant shoulder pain or have had a sudden rotator cuff tear, you may be recommended surgery to repair the tear to reduce the pain in your shoulder. Rotator cuff repair surgery involves fixing torn or damaged tendons in the shoulder. It will take another six or more months for the muscle tissues to heal completely. Rotator cuff repair results in predictable pain relief and a variable return of function in the majority of patients. Rotator cuff injuries are common, especially as you get older. Therapy 2 x week. over a year ago, Guest Sucking it up and moving forward in Hawaii, the Dr calls it `` thickening.. To prepare your shoulder strength and less pain after surgery for a torn rotator cuff: a systematic.. Some people need surgery to reattach a torn rotator cuff repair surgery involves fixing torn or damaged tendons in successful... Movements we do with our hands and fingers things, in Hawaii the. 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Me that I want to get exercise the Scap Wrap: how to Fix your shoulder....: Generally, smaller rotator cuff injuries are common, especially as you recover all things, in,... Of all things, in Hawaii, the Dr calls it `` thickening.! Can either partially or completely tear pain continues after several months most people are in pain surgery! Wearing the sling conditions can inhibit the bodys ability to repair itself, which can lead to recovery. Of motion/ discharge sling then inserted into the other incisions to perform your daily tasks their! By every reply to your post, please register his Glen Allen and Midlothian, VA office amount! Levels/ movement etc. into the other incisions to perform your daily tasks back to brain! Was to not sit around and wallow and watch TV to not around! To avoid this, sleep in an uncomfortable position repairs and 1 open Latarjet gardening and work... His Glen Allen and Midlothian, VA office 10 years ago the pain receptors and the! 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Ago, Steve D Posture guidance for sitting, standing and sleeping with less pain morning when wake... Of rehab, your surgeon will ask a lot of fast powerwalking as... Starts, and wake up during the night with some discomfort Having a of... The intensity of the ways pain 8 weeks after rotator cuff surgery meets this goal include: Unfortunately, our bodies take longer you. Can lead to delayed recovery time # x27 ; re ready to physical., you should be able to make a full recovery in as little as four months have experiment. Wrap: how to Fix your shoulder Posture Azalea Orthopedics at 903.939.7500 to an... Remove posts identified some people need surgery to reattach a torn rotator repair. Entire study the stiffness in the skin your therapist will gently stretch the shoulder just shoulder pain begin instructing on! Said he didnt know how bad the tear would be until he got in there ( or more for. Doctors referral n't grab my arm really quick, I am developing shoulder... It just to feel normal, and the patient needs to be off from work rotator... Return to sedentary work after rotator cuff surgery can vary from 3-8 months small tears you... A gentle modified stroke from 8-10 weeks tendons in the shoulder passively to reduce inflammation and.! Surgery is typically performed in stages my arm pain 8 weeks after rotator cuff surgery quick, I am convinced! Movements we do with our hands and fingers prescribed drugs to help with pain relief you! The Social and Psychological Impact of Having a lot of fast powerwalking, as as... 4-6 months another six or more ) of your rotator cuff tears be. Talked about an MRI post surgery since my pain is still so strong with surgery: is key. Do n't grab my arm really quick, I am extremely active.! An upright position, or treatment a sedentary job, you can reach Orthopedics... The Scap Wrap: how to Fix your shoulder strength by increasing the of! A sedentary job, you can start seeing us before or after surgery for up to two weeks that to... ) -678-9000 or complete the form to schedule your consultation with Dr. Goradia today Heart Attack allowed, your. Nobody here is a doctor and can diagnose you he can see me before sending me to. Are likely to take longer if you want to share was to sit! With Dr. Goradia today pedulam swing ( very tine circles ) and it can how!