Cross posted from Health and Fitness because you guys know things.

Help fellas. I am going to have rotator cuff repair later this month. Right shoulder and I'm right handed.

For you medical types - full thickness tear of supraspinatus tendon with retraction of 14mm. Marked infraspinatus tendinosis and partial thickness tear within the substance of the tendon at insertion. Subscapularis tendinosis with small linear interstitial tear.
Personal background - 64 years old, portly but no serious medical issues.

Expect to be off work minimum of 4 weeks, maybe 6. As you might have guessed, I am a nurse. I work in the ER.

My ortho dr has given me loads of information, but, I want to hear from guys that have been through this. What worked and what didn't.
How did you manage your daily activities? Eating, bathing, sleeping, dressing
What did you do to occupy your time while laid up?
In your job, what did you do while under light duty restrictions?
What exercise did you do? I don't want to turn into a blob during this recovery.

Open to any and all information.

Thanks

My brother had it. He said to get a recliner because that is what you will be sleeping in for awhile.

Have a recliner, but I also have an adjustable bed. I have been experimenting with different settings to see how I can sleep best.

Both my parents had it. Echo the recliner. That's the only way my dad could sleep for probably 6-8 weeks. Also do your exercises and prepare for it to completely suck.

Expect for it to suck unfortunately. I think Mr Dubi had it done a while back

Cousin had it.

First day of rehab his wife could hear him yelling all the way out in the lobby.

Sorry dude.

Basically you will be a one armed wonder for at least a month bc you absolutely have to keep arm immobile in a sling.

First thing I would do is replace the shoulder strap with anything other than Velcro. The Velcro was not secured properly causing arm to fall scaring the crap out of me. No damage done but it hurt like hell.

I would bathe over shower for a month or so.

Preparing food was difficult but manageable after a couple of weeks. Example, cutting food was really hard due to arm secured against torso.

I would not expect to be able to work as an ER nurse in 6 weeks. I work in EMS and was not able to return to work until 3 months.

At 4-6 weeks, I was able to barely lift arm to put on deodorant much less pick up anything over 5lbs.

Are you expected to perform CPR?

Use a BVM?

The recovery process is not something to rush. It would be different if you just say a desk as the charge nurse.

Good luck.

Wiping your ass left handed takes some time to figure out.

slammerag said:

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Wiping your ass left handed takes some time to figure out.

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A bidet attachment helps out tremendously.

I posted this on the Golf Board. There is a good thread on that board on this subject.

I had my right rotator cuff surgery in late December of 2020, and played my first round in mid April of 2021 if I recall correctly.

I can tell you in no uncertain terms that if you do not take your rehab very seriously, you will suffer, and delay your return to the game. I had a couple of friends who had the procedure, one who was tedious about rehab, and one who wasn't. You can guess the results.

I went to rehab twice a week (for the torture!) and worked out at home every day for 5 months. I bought the big rubber bands and had the Physical Therapist give me exercises to do at home. It can be a grind, but once past the first month or so, you will start to see and feel the results. You'll be anxious to do more than you're capable of, (swinging a club). My Dr. let me start to putt after about 4 weeks, and chip after about 6 weeks, but no full swinging for at least 10 weeks. I don't think I could have made a swing any sooner.

I was lucky that after I got back out, I made my first hole in one in May, about a month after being released. Your body will tell you what you'll be capable of. Push the rehab, but don't push the golf. I'm in my early 60's by the way.

Rehab, Rehab, Rehab!

MarkPro said:

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I posted this on the Golf Board. There is a good thread on that board on this subject.

I had my right rotator cuff surgery in late December of 2020, and played my first round in mid April of 2021 if I recall correctly.

I can tell you in no uncertain terms that if you do not take your rehab very seriously, you will suffer, and delay your return to the game. I had a couple of friends who had the procedure, one who was tedious about rehab, and one who wasn't. You can guess the results.

I went to rehab twice a week (for the torture!) and worked out at home every day for 5 months. I bought the big rubber bands and had the Physical Therapist give me exercises to do at home. It can be a grind, but once past the first month or so, you will start to see and feel the results. You'll be anxious to do more than you're capable of, (swinging a club). My Dr. let me start to putt after about 4 weeks, and chip after about 6 weeks, but no full swinging for at least 10 weeks. I don't think I could have made a swing any sooner.

I was lucky that after I got back out, I made my first hole in one in May, about a month after being released. Your body will tell you what you'll be capable of. Push the rehab, but don't push the golf. I'm in my early 60's by the way.

Rehab, Rehab, Rehab!

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This is true. Had labrum surgery 12 yrs ago and did not take rehab seriously. I'm 41 and will need shoulder replacement when I turn 50.

I had it done at age 53. Full rotator cuff tear, bone spurs, and partial bicep tendon repair. Doctor told me to remember after surgery do not rush recovery. He said he would not be able to repair again. You have a six month window to be careful with your repair, for the improvement for the rest of your life. The doctor knew I'm active outside working on a cattle ranch.

I couldn't lift my arm over my head for 6 weeks. Full recovery was 9 months. Four years later I'm strong with no issues.

Sleep in a recliner at first. Tie your arm up to your waist at night. I made the mistake of having my arm loose one night and moved it the wrong way in my sleep. Incredible pain woke me up. I thought I ruined my surgery. I was lucky I was okay.

I didn't miss a single rehabilitation session. Most you will do at home. Typically 3 times a day.

Get serious about rehab. No no pain , no gain.

2 labrum and 2 rc surgeries here. What he said.

Anyone playing golf after 4 months had a minor tear. Major tears take closer to a year.

Stringfellow Hawke said:

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slammerag said:

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Wiping your ass left handed takes some time to figure out.

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A bidet attachment helps out tremendously.

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This. You can get them on Amazon and they are easy to install. You will wonder why you haven't always had one. Also get one of those ice water circulating machines.

Marlin39m said:

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Stringfellow Hawke said:

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slammerag said:

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Wiping your ass left handed takes some time to figure out.

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A bidet attachment helps out tremendously.

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This. You can get them on Amazon and they are easy to install. You will wonder why you haven't always had one. Also get one of those ice water circulating machines.

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For the bidet??

Had my right done 7 years ago. Surgery was no big deal, other than the 5 screws it took to fix it. Golfing buddy/surgeon was puzzled as to how I could even swing a club. The rehab was hell.

maroon barchetta said:

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Marlin39m said:

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Stringfellow Hawke said:

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slammerag said:

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Wiping your ass left handed takes some time to figure out.

---

A bidet attachment helps out tremendously.

---

This. You can get them on Amazon and they are easy to install. You will wonder why you haven't always had one. Also get one of those ice water circulating machines.

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For the bidet??

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No pain, no gain.

What are hoping to gain here?

Shoulder ice packs work well, and you are free to move about.

I had right rotator cuff repair (full thickness supraspinatis) plus open biceps tenodesis. Recovery and rehab sucked.

I am also a male nurse, so I was only able to return to work without restrictions so I was unable to return to work for four months. I was not cleared to lift more than ten pounds for three months. I hurt my neck rehabbing the shoulder which got me the other month off.

I slept on the sofa, left side down, with a pillow in my right armpit for the first month. The recliner didn't work out for me.

I practiced doing as much left handed prior to surgery as I could. The only thing I was unable to do adequately was floss my teeth, so I used those floss sticks. I tub bathed for the first 3-4 weeks, only requiring help to get out of the tub, and dry off.

To pass the time, I did the shoulder exercises twice a day, and walked about an hour-until I was able to run. I watched a lot of netflix and documentaries. After about two months or so I had enough strength and ROM that I built a large balsa airplane, something I had wanted to do since I was a kid.

A friend said it hurts like a mutha. Take your meds.

Getting old sucks.

Cen-Tex said:

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A friend said it hurts like a mutha. Take your meds.

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Posted on H&F, but this is another good point. Don't be a hero. Stay on the pain so you can sleep.

I'm hoping I can triage and help with assessments. Although typing with one is going to be very slow

I've had rotator repair and surgery to repair a SLAP. I'm just here to tell you that you will realize every movement you do will hurt your shoulder for the first 3 weeks. It sucks, no way around it.
As other had said take your rehab very seriously, it's not fun but you have to do it right!
Good luck! Sleeping was the hardest part for me.

PT here. Full thickness tear is going to take quite some time. 4 weeks back to being a nurse is going to be tough unless very little patient assistance needed. Likely in sling until 6 weeks. Full ROM is going to take closer to 12 weeks and that is just ROM, not full strength. Strengthening will be in PT to some degree until 6 months. Takes 9-12 months to get back to full activity/strength if you are conservative about it.

Get an ice machine like others have said, one with a shoulder specific wrap if you can swing it. Polar Ice is the basic and can get gravity assist or with a small circulating motor. Insurance likely wont cover. If you really want to get something nice, rent a game ready.

maroon barchetta said:

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Marlin39m said:

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Stringfellow Hawke said:

---

slammerag said:

---

Wiping your ass left handed takes some time to figure out.

---

A bidet attachment helps out tremendously.

---

This. You can get them on Amazon and they are easy to install. You will wonder why you haven't always had one. Also get one of those ice water circulating machines.

---

For the bidet??

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Don't judge. I like spicy food.

Chiller machine was a big deal for me. First to reduce post surgery swelling, then I used it at highest setting to numb when pain kicked in. Recliner for about six weeks for me. We have an adjustable bed but you can't use your arm to push up to get out of bed. Also recommend button down shirts and zip up hoodie if you get cold.

Had my right rotator cuff full tear repaired 4 years ago and my left shoulder full tear with bicep tear repaired one year ago. In both cases my surgeon (same guy for both shoulders) called me a "poster child for recovery". First, as already stated, follow the PT exactly and don't skip any exercises they give you. At first you are doing passive motion (i.e. using left hand to move right arm in circles), and you might feel like you go faster with your exercises. Don't, follow it all.

Slept in a recliner for 6 weeks and actually slept very well. Use pillows to keep your shoulder comfortable and to keep you from trying to turn onto your side. Also put lots of ice on for the first couple of weeks, had two packs that worked well on my shoulder and would rotate those when I woke up at night.

But the most important thing I did was use my mind to help direct resources for healing. From day of surgery for the next few weeks I would spend several times a day with eyes closed and visualizing fresh red blood cells and oxygen going to the surgical site. I'm an instructor for the Wim Hof Method and in that we teach about mind/body connection. It works. After surgery 4 years ago I was fully released by my Dr, for weight lifting or any activity, in 4 months and 1 day. After my second surgery a year ago I was fully released in 3 months and 3 weeks.

It can be done and both of my shoulders are fine with zero pain or discomfort. Everyone is different and always listen to your body. If something started aching, I would not push past it. I still do some of the exercises with the resistance bands.

Good luck and from day one have your mindset set from this day forward. You KNOW the surgery will be successful and that your recovery will be complete. It's too much to cover in this post but I'm writing a book about how healing from any surgery is greatly dependent on mindset. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

OP I think I still have the chiller machine from my shoulder surgery. If you want it I could trade you ammo or whatever for it.

Wife has had 2 done..
Recliner
Pillows of various sizes handy as youll need to position some all over to help
Bidet... Like $40 on amazon and game changer... Surgery or not
Rehab..... And especially the early ones take pain pill before going!
Start using left hand only right now with brushing teeth and daily tasks
Pick out shirts upon shirts upon shirts you can put on one armed that are comfy and stack them up to last you a week or longer... Button up short sleeves are good here
Something to cover sling strap that is soft

Had the right done back in 2015 or so. Good as gold now. Hope they do it laproscopic. How he did mine. Everyone told me how bad it was going to be after, but honestly, it wasn't bad at all. Scariest part was my whole arm being completely dead from the stuff they use. Absolutely was the worst thing ever. So proud the next morning to wake up and feel something in it.

Looks like I'm also in the same boat needing left RC surgery (33% tear). My question is, if I have a desk job, how long before I am able to start using the computer again? Just trying to understand the recovery process thanks!

Not going to sugar coat… It's a challenge. Morphine pump didn't touch the post op pain. Rehab is tough because of the scar tissue.

Hang in there. Listen to your doctor and physical therapist. Do your rehab religiously. It will be worth it in the long run.

You have some really good advice here. I had a pretty involved procedure and here are my tips:

Ice machine was a game changer...I wore it every day (all day) for the first two weeks. Freeze small (8 ounce) water bottles and place in machine with water versus ice...lasts much longer and easy to rotate. I didn't need the heavy duty meds after day 3.

Get set up in an area where you can be comfortable for at least a month...recliner, remote, chargers, etc. Use a guest room if you can. Get everything set before surgery.

The sling will drive you crazy if you let it...especially in the summer as it can be very hot. I used two Mission brand neck gators...one around my neck where the sling strap sits and one on my arm...the neoprene material will really itch your skin if unexposed.

I cut the corner off of a trash bag to place over my head/shoulder while showering...worked great and could re-use. If you don't have a hand held shower get in advance.

Getting "clean" and dressed for the day was always a victory. You need to add at least 15 extra minutes to this part of your day...it will just take longer...plan for it.

Having someone help is huge especially with getting your sling back on. I wore t-shirts that had some give every day and got pretty efficient at taking on and off (TASC brand were great for me!)

Finally, accept the process and get your head wrapped around recovery journey. Do it right and don't cut corners. I'm two years out and 100%.

Good luck!

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