rotator cuff surgery .... HELP!!!

yup me! last year. Huge post op pain - similar to knee replacement surgery - but with superb physio, apart from the scar I honestly cant tell which shoulder it was. I have full range of mobility and can swim front crawl and no-one can tell that one shoulder had been repaired. When I first went for physio I could not lift the arm at all but I was a good girl and was able to have lots and lots of manipulation and I did the exercises religiously. So worth it. Just make sure you get the right pain killers for you - just like the knee, morphine is useless with me, but a cocktail of paracetemol and ibuprofen with zopiclone at night, did it - but I think everyone is different with pain killers. The very best of luck with it and I promise that tho the initial pain was awful, the outcome is utterly fantastic. You go girl.

Same here, quite painful immediately post op but after that it was just a nuisance. I had my arm strapped to my waist for at least 10 days then in a sling for weeks. I couldn't do any housework or cooking - such a hardship and I had to have pedicures and get my DH to wash and dry my hair! It was almost impossible to put my bra on by myself too - I tried a front fastening one but it was just as difficult. But, like Granarchist, I did all the physio and have full movement and strength back. Don't worry too much, you'll be fine.

Yes I had this done about 3 yrs ago. It went well.

Bone spurs on my shoulder had frayed both the rotator cuff and the biceps tendon. This lead to me getting a lot of dreadful twinging pain in my arm at about 4am in the morning. Then I had to get up and sleep in a chair.

It was very uncomfortable for the first six weeks in a sling, my tendons are fastened with an anchor in my shoulder.
The physio was painful, take your pain killers before exercise.
As my arm was so painful several months before the surgery getting it fixed was very worthwhile. I have to be a bit careful with it but I could not have gone on as it was.

Funnily enough my....now this might sound grand but it aint....personal trainer had this done......but it was a complicated version as he had other underlying problems due to being a bit too macho....any road up his take on it was that as long as you were very good afterwards and did exactly what the surgeon and/or physio advised it was all well and good. I think the problems start when people attempt too much in the recovery stages.

Thanks for your encouraging replies. This will be my first ever op! and the pre op nurse made it very clear that post op pain recovery can be long and painful depending on what they find when they 'go in'.

I accept the no pain no gain scenario but honestly can't imagine pain worse than it is at present!!!
Especially at night ..... And first thing in the morning.

I shall have to be brave and face my fears ..... And get some semi permanent lashes!

Thanks everyone

make sure you get some sleep. Daytime pain is as nothing compared to the night. zopiclone is the only thing that works for me. But like I said up thread - honestly do the physio - cry through it - and you will as good as new. very best of luck.

Thanks Granarchist. I'll definitely do the exercises!!! It'll be fine .... If I say those words often enough I'm hoping it may come true.

A lady in the salon heard me telling the stylist about the impending op and piped up with "the worst 13 months of my life". Cheers for that!

I had the surgery a couple of years ago. It didn't hurt that much afterwards, I did my exercises religiously as I was in fear of ending up with a frozen shoulder. All went well and within a few weeks I was pain free and could put my Cardi on. Good luck, just remember to do the exercises.

10 years ago & no trouble from that day on. When other shoulder started playing up last year though they advised Cortisone injection which was quick & very effective. I understand they try that first these days- maybe as I was a private patient the first time ( still working!!) & am now NHS.

Very good results with both methods

Husband had this done with great results. You have to work very hard at the Rehab exercises though.

I had a full thickness rotator cuff tear and had the surgery in May. Although the pain was awful after for a while I did get through it and now have no pain at all. So it was worth it for me as the pain before the surgery was horrific. The worse thing for me was losing my independence as I'm right handed and it was my right shoulder I struggled. Being in a sling for 6 weeks was hard. But my hubby did look after me. We had a lot of laughs when he had to try and blow dry my hair (have a Bob), I looked like worzel gummage!! By the time I was out of my sling he was blow drying my hair and straightening it no problem. I think he thought he could change career. I did actually learn to iron with my left hand!!! Good luck you will be fine and its definitely worth it.xx

I do agree you must do the exercises even if in pain as they really help with the recovery. I did have terrible nerve pain after especially during the evening. But it has all gone now thank goodness. I was told by my consultant no heavy lifting for 6 months and full recovery was up to a year. Xx

I was very interested to read these comments I am 60 years old have been in lots of pain for a few years with my right arm and shoulder. Have recently found out I have a torn tendon,I have had physio twice one steroid injection and I'm still suffering. I work part time as a carer / domestic and have to do everything left handed. My consultant told me it was a long recovery and as I live alone I'm still suffering, I had to stop swimming dancing as it caused me to much pain it's worse through the night effects my sleep. I really don't know what to do for the best.?