Rotator cuff repair procedure (Page 2): Ellen, I fractured my left upper arm bone in 5 places at the shoulder joint. No surgery but a lot of physical therapy. You will find your...

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Ellen, I fractured my left upper arm bone in 5 places at the shoulder joint. No surgery but a lot of physical therapy. You will find your physical therapist is going to be your best friend. Follow the advice given and do the exercises.
--Bob

Ellen101 wrote:

Hi all,
I had right rotator cuff surgery two weeks ago and I am in a sling for another three weeks. I miss being able to shoot photos. It has been frustrating but I will be out of the sling so I will get back into the camera groove soon.
Has anyone had this experience? Please share.
Ellen

Sandroots Loc: Glen Allen, VA

Even though I only have two shoulders I’ve had three rotator cuff surgeries. As the others have advised be religious about doing your PT exercises. The surgery is necessary; these types of injuries will not heal them selves. The Doc and the PT advised that I’d heal at about 10%/month. That seems to be about right.

mtcoothaman Loc: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Ellen101 wrote:

Hi all,
I had right rotator cuff surgery two weeks ago and I am in a sling for another three weeks. I miss being able to shoot photos. It has been frustrating but I will be out of the sling so I will get back into the camera groove soon.
Has anyone had this experience? Please share.
Ellen

My experience was 6 weeks immobilised in a sling followed by 6months of physiotherapy and exercise before it was usable. Early on I had a partial blood clot that slowed things down. I was able to use my camera after about 6months on an overseas holiday. After my return I slipped at golf and broke the other shoulder blade in 2 places and tore the tendons so I had surgery on the other shoulder too. Ten months later I am about 90% and I expect that there will be little improvement from here. Both surgeons told me that it takes 12 months to recover so I wish you a speedy recovery but do not rush. The worst thing was being unable to drive until well after the sling was gone as there is no strength. Being in my early 70s recovery is slower than a younger person.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I've had rotator cuff repairs on both shoulders - the last one being about 18 months ago. I was in a sling for 6 weeks. Things will get back to normal but it takes time. After the sling comes off the real work begins. PT is a relief after the immobility of the sling. So do your exercises and keep a positive attitude and be patient.

Wrongway Loc: Hewitt Texas

I had my first rotator cuff surgery 2 years ago after about 3 weeks I was able to move my shoulder a little I had no pt so I had to start working my shoulder with someone giving me advice on exercises. It took me about 4 months before I was about to lift more than 4 lbs and that was straining. After a year and a half I started getting extreme pain back in my left shoulder. I made an appointment with my heath care doctor at the VA and they did the X-ray and all the things they do. This time my entire shoulder needed to be replaced the first surgery had basically fallen apart. To make a long story short that was a year ago and now I have a rod that goes across my shoulder which is no longer there and down to my elbow I have a giant scare across my chest a steel rod and only part of my deltoid muscle. Still no PT so I train with objects that I can lift mainly my camera I can hold it up not very long though I start shaking if I take to long to take the shot.

317tman Loc: Indianapolis, In

I'm right handed and had my right one done about 8 years ago. 6 wks in sling then PT. As others have said just do your PT to the letter. I was back doing building project in three months with limited use of right arm - weight restrictions, by 8 months back to tennis. It's a long haul, my left hip replacement was much easier.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Hi, Ellen,
I too had rotator cuff repair done, about 12 or 13 years ago, I had to wear the sling for a couple of months. It was on my right arm and I am right handed, so I couldn't do anything for that amount of time.
It all turned out fine and haven't had a problem since. Good luck on your speedy recovery.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

The rotator cuff experiences being related here are good reasons to do preventative physical therapy. There are fairly simple exercises to help maintain rotator cuff health. Prevention is the best cure. Several years ago I had a rotator cuff issue that PT handled.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I'd like to add a note of encouragement I didn't put into my original post -

My damage was caused by an auto accident that also caused a non-displaced fracture, which lengthened the recovery time somewhat. Without the fracture I would have been back several weeks sooner.

I have zero pain from it, and my range of motion is much better in the surgically repaired shoulder. My grandson says my fastball and curveball are both better. My only complaint, I told my doctor at my last physical, was that I couldn't drive a golf ball 200 yards. Knowing me as well as he does, he responded, "You could never hit it over 175 before!"

All in all, it was a great decision and I'm glad I went through the relatively quick torture of physical therapy.

Andy

Wrongway Loc: Hewitt Texas

I go to the VA for all my medical issues and after both surgeries I asked about PT and I was told there is no PT for my shoulder. I have been doing my own exercises and I have been able to get most of my movements back except for sliding a belt thru the loops. At the small of my back I can’t get my arm far enough to pull my belt thru. I am also able to lift 15 lbs with my left arm

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

suntouched wrote:

I've had rotator cuff repairs on both shoulders - the last one being about 18 months ago. I was in a sling for 6 weeks. Things will get back to normal but it takes time. After the sling comes off the real work begins. PT is a relief after the immobility of the sling. So do your exercises and keep a positive attitude and be patient.

PS- all turned out fine on both shoulders. Full range of motion within 6-8 months, I was back on my bike at about 4 months. I tried using a couple of assistive devices so that I could do photography but they were more of a pain than not using anything. Start with light weight equipment and support with a monopod to start. After a time you will be able to hand hold once again.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

About 1.5 years ago I had a fall that dislocated my left shoulder. The rotator cuff was torn part way through all layers of the cuff. The Orthopod said that if nothing were done to repair it, it would eventually tear completely and fixing that would require opening the shoulder. I elected for the endoscopic method. It was the intermediate level of difficulty - 5 openings for tools, a permanently placed loop of heavy suture to use as anchor points for the repair. The surgery went well, then it was time for one week of rest followed by 8 weeks of PT. For those who say that there is no PT for it, I can only say baloney. The Therapists know how to safely work on the range of motion, what to do, when to do it, and how far to push it. During that phase overdoing it or doing the wrong thing can easily send you to the OR. Since I am no spring chicken, it took about a year for me to completely recover.

Like others have said, be patient and mind your PT. As I was told, tired is OK but pain is a real danger signal.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Wrongway wrote:

I go to the VA for all my medical issues and after both surgeries I asked about PT and I was told there is no PT for my shoulder. I have been doing my own exercises and I have been able to get most of my movements back except for sliding a belt thru the loops. At the small of my back I can’t get my arm far enough to pull my belt thru. I am also able to lift 15 lbs with my left arm

My experience with the VA has been less than stellar. Their lack of attention or even apparent interest in my son's problems led directly to his passing last year.

There are most definitely exercises that will help with those actions. Tri-care does not seem to have improved the situation, so I guess Do It Yourself may be worthwhile. The reach and turn exercises helped me the most.

Good luck!

Andy

johnnievegas

The secret is use the other hand to masturbate. Save your right hand for photography.

rayclay Loc: Arab, AL., USA

Both arms and go to doctor tomorrow to redo second arm. At 84 yearsold I must quit handing 50 lb bags of whatever on farm and picking up rocks.