You can reach Azalea Orthopedics at 903.939.7500 to schedule your appointment today. The idea is that the further you are away from your surgery time, the less pain medicine you should take. It can take weeks or even months to heal an injured rotator cuff. I guess the key word is patience. paintomuch277541 Passive range of motion shoulder flexion/scaption 0-70 degrees, External rotation to 30 degrees. No sudden movements just stretches as per my Dr. Im better everyday and hope to be healed completely within a couple months! This article will review this procedure and the physical therapy needed after the surgery to aid recovery, regain strength, and restore the full range of motion in your shoulder. This has helped tremendously. Use a sling: You may need to use an abduction immobilizer sling for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Those patients who have good rotator cuff tissue integrity, a one to two tendon repair, with a tear 3 centimeters or less will typically be progressed on the quicker end of these time frames. First Week Post-Surgery. Every surgery carries some discomfort, but it will pay off in the end in the form of improved function and decreased pain. In fact, one study reported that up to 46% of the general population may have a rotator cuff tear on imaging, despite not complaining of any pain or weakness. 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. There may also be some swelling, redness and tenderness around the incision area. My surgeon had me start physio after 7 days (supported movement). Thank you all in advance for any thoughts you may have on my issue. Have I done any further damage? By Tim Petrie, DPT, OCS Not sure what to expect at my age. 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. Finally, you'll work on initial strengthening and eventually weight-bearing strengthening until you get back to normal levels of movement. The first phase involves managing your postoperative pain. . I did not start PT until about 3-weeks after my surgery, and even then, was only doing light stretching to about 90 degrees flexion. over a year ago. As you said, don't sit and wallow. as being in breach of those terms. Thank you for this inspiration! As for your concerns over re-injury if you keep to the physio's excercises and advice all the way thru things should be ok. I had the MRI and it basically came back I'm ok. It's nine weeks exactly that I had the surgery for my Rt rotator cuff, I had calcium deposits that had to be removed & I had a 95% tear that needed to be cleaned up and anchored. And yes, pain medication is highly addictive. 5. Physical therapy is a key part in the successful recovery from rotator cuff surgery. I had a cuff tendon repair and double joint decompression 2 weeks ago. 1712 Stumpf Blvd Rotator cuff repair surgery is done to fix a tear in the rotator cuff. This may include cold therapy to help reduce pain and swelling. , or pre-hab, is a type of physical therapy. Read our editorial policy. 2019;7(6):e9. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every time I have pain, I am afraid I have reinjured it. 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 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. Try to put your finger right on your fist. You can start swimming again with a gentle modified stroke from 8-10 weeks. "But as you begin physical therapy, new pains can develop," says Dr. Rue. Return to sedentary work after 6-8 weeks (dependent on pain levels/ movement etc. Each rotator cuff is a group of muscles and soft tissue that help hold the shoulder joints together and power the joint for its wide range of motion. These incisions are the primary reason you are in pain after your procedure. Additionally, our physical therapists are adept at creating post-surgical rehab plans designed to decrease pain as fast as possible. Good luck everyone. I am just over 10 weeks post-surgery from a rotator cuff reattachment repair and I am experiencing some unusual arm pain which I can't seems to figure out the exact cause of. However, in some circumstances, the injury or condition affecting your shoulder is too severe for physical therapy alone, meaning surgery is required. 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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. The decreased trauma caused by arthroscopic surgery can translate into faster recovery times. Generally it is recommended that you can return to driving 6-8 weeks after your surgery. 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. Pain medication can help you heal faster, stronger, and better. . Physiotherapy. The wallowing is the worst. Oluseun Olufade, MD, is a board-certified orthopedist. This will allow you to also start to use your arm during normal daily activities like brushing your teeth, dressing or holding a cup of tea. After surgery, your physical therapist will work with you to help build strength as well as improve range of motion. A partial or complete rotator cuff tear makes it difficult to raise and move your arm. 2019 www.azcentral.com. (732) 352-9270, (Union Medical Park) I feel the shoulder itself is recovering more or less on schedule with a usual amount pain and a slowly progressing increase in mobility, range of motion and strength from what I can ascertain. 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. 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. Im extremely fortunate. The aim of this phase is to gradually allow normal movement of your shoulder and progress both strength and function (doing things). Rotator cuff tears: surgical treatment options. Dr. Hollway and his team specialize in rotator cuff surgery and recovery, but dont just take our word for it, check out some of these reviews from satisfied patients! Neurologic pain, muscle spasms, hand and wrist swelling, and joint stiffness were seen in the shoulder, wrist, and hand, but the elbow was spared in all patients. While there is very little research about shoulder injuries and sleeping positions, 5 Holdaway LA, Hegmann KT, Thiese MS, Kapellusch J. This treatment may decrease pain, swelling, and muscle spasms. There are two main types of rotator cuff surgery: open surgery and arthroscopic surgery. A systematic review of electromyography studies in normal shoulders to inform postoperative rehabilitation following rotator cuff repair. Read our editorial policy. All rights reserved. Does Drinking More Water Help Relieve Lower Back Pain? We can perform a. that can narrow down how long your pain could last. 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. Expect that the first days after rotator cuff surgery will be focused on controlling your pain. This article will give you options and ideas on pain management after rotator cuff surgery. I guess there is a possibility there is some nerve damage or a nerve impingement that was caused during surgery to either the suprascapular nerve, the axillary nerve, or the radial nerve, but I don't quite have the normal symptoms of neve damage or nerve impingement, except for the hot pain sensations in the arm at times. Pulling type pain is normal, just sharp searing pain is no good. I have good days and bad days and I thought at nearly 3 months post-surgery now that I would be much further ahead in my recovery. Doctor says I am developing frozen shoulder, but with PT hopefully working through it. e: bellechasse@rehabaccess.com, Gretna In the second stage, you'll work on active stretching. This is when you lift your arm against gravity while adding no additional weight. If not, they can remove the bursa. Even more important, you can start seeing us before or after surgery if. You likely will get a prescription for pain narcotics after surgery. Request an Appointment: Studies show that patients under the age of 65 recover from rotator cuff surgery faster than those over 65. Im extremely fortunate. The timeline for this portion of PT is variable, but it can take several months before you are fully discharged from therapy. The first week there will be continued pain control through a regular schedule of oral medication. Pain is subjective and no one can tell you exactly how long you will be in pain after your surgery, but what you can rely on is the fact that there will be some amount of pain for at least a few days. Rotator Cuff Post Surgery (8 Weeks) - External Rotation Exercise SportsMD 2.03K subscribers Subscribe 28 Share Save 10K views 5 years ago Get detailed instructions on External Rotation post. Most patients begin strengthening workouts with weights or resisted bands around 7 to 8 weeks. Repeat with the other arm. What is surprising though is that I had no pain in my arm whatsoever before the surgery. Dr. Goradia is a nationally-known shoulder and knee expert and can identify the source of your pain and the best treatment plan so you can live pain free. With physical therapy that involves stretching and strengthening exercises, you can slowly restore the shoulder's function. Wondering how long your pain will last after your surgery? steve This can happen as a result of wear and tear over time or after a traumatic injury. In this phase, the focus is to reduce shoulder pain and get your arm moving without compromising the repair. Wondering how long your pain will last after your surgery? I had rotator cuff surgery and a bicep release. Got to hang in there though as you said. This is part of the healing process and will subside eventually. I mentioned some of these blogs to my physioterrorist and she replied that there is often long term pain associated with delayed physio following a cuff repair, including frozen shoulders. If you have any questions about whether or not you may be abusing the pain medicine given to you for your rotator cuff surgery, see your doctor. I don't think I have a DVT, but I guess I can't be 100% sure. Hes got pictures autographed all over his office. Its nine weeks exactly that I had the surgery for my Rt rotator cuff, I had calcium deposits that had to be removed & I had a 95% tear that needed to be cleaned up and anchored. Tim Petrie, DPT, OCS, is a board-certified orthopedic specialist who has practiced as a physical therapist for more than a decade. I first had cuffsurgery to my left shoulder in October last year and am now totallypain free, which is just the best thing in the world compared to the pain before the op. 4 to 12 weeks You will begin active range of motion (AROM) exercises around 5 to 6 weeks after surgery. over a year ago, Guest Those patients with poor rotator cuff tissue integrity, tear of 2 I figured I would put up a positive post on how I am doing. The therapist won't give you movements to do that will harm you, also use the pain to know when enough is enough. Rotator cuff injuries are common, especially as you get older. Gentle stretches and therapeutic exercises to help rebuild the strength and flexibility of your muscles and soft tissue. The first 2 to 5 weeks were the worst . Many people find that sleeping in a reclining chair or armchair is comfortable and helps to limit pain. 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. 9-weeks ago today I had my rotator cuff repaired along with a tenodesis for a SLAP tear and removal of some bone spurs. Ill keep reading other posts but this will probably be my last post here! Deep Brain Stimulation And Parkinson's Disease: What Can You Expect From The Surgery? Do not resume these medications until your surgeon says that it is okay. However, your surgery and recovery are likely to take longer if you have a larger tear. Pain radiating down the arm after shoulder surgery can and does occur. 8 Weeks After Rotator Cuff Surgery. this is worst pain, Mike M We can also help you get care from home thanks to our, . https://patient.info/forums/discuss/update-9-weeks-post-op-648808. Arthroscopic surgery involves the surgeon making small cuts in the skin. To help manage the pain and recover at a more efficient rate, you need to follow your physicians instructions and visit a physical therapist for rehabilitation. Actively moving the arm is not allowed, so your therapist will gently stretch the shoulder passively to reduce the stiffness in the joint. 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. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Therapy 2 x week. Rehabilitation following surgical repair of the rotator cuff: a systematic review. No driving should be attempted while narcotics are used to control pain. Ana May 01, 2022. I do know I have a bone spur on my acromion bone, the Dr calls it "thickening". Manual: Registered in England and Wales. The content on this website is informational only and not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Recovering from a rotator cuff repair requires both persistence and patience. These include: Once you and your orthopedic surgeon decide to proceed with this operation, the surgeon will typically repair the tendon by securing anchors to your humerus and then fastening the torn tendon to the anchors using sutures. doi:10.2106/JBJS.RVW.18.00149. Increasing your familiarity with therapy methods youll be using after surgery. It is FREE! So hes very good at what he does. Soft tissue massage and icing may also be utilized to alleviate the post-operative soreness and swelling that normally occurs. It is each individuals responsibility to ensure they are fit to drive. My PT told me yesterday thats probably why Im healing quicker because Im loosening it up so blood flow can get there. Our team at Arrow Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation offers top-notch, for people who have had rotator cuff surgery. Here's a breakdown of the timeline for rotator cuff surgery recovery. The first stage of recovery may last up to 6 weeks after surgery. once I broke my wrist waited a week before going to get casted. Its just these kinds of normal daily Pinched nerves are a fairly common condition. Driving is out of the question if a patient is taking narcotics, and remember you can go to jail if you test positive for narcotics if you are pulled over for questionable driving. Gary Forging On (Blacksmith_Pop) 1.19K subscribers Subscribe Share 7.8K views 4 years ago This is an 8 week update on my recovery from. This is when you lift the weight of your arm against gravity, but no additional weight. That is a personal choice. In other words, you should really feel the effort with each set of exercises and should really not be able to do more than 12 each time around. 6 weeks out and still needing pain medication to function? over a year ago, guest However, it may take up to a year to achieve maximum improvement in shoulder . And then I retorted completely pulling myself out of a boat of all things, in Hawaii, the end of November. Honestly that was the worst part of the whole thing, pain was secondary. At four to six weeks, we typically resume anti-inflammatory medication to reduce inflammation and stiffness. While the addiction of narcotics can happen, the truth is that if you are under the care of a professional physician, and are following the guidelines given to you, your use of the narcotics is not dangerous, and will help you more than hinder you. Down how long your pain start seeing us before or after surgery if that involves stretching and strengthening,... 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