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Rotator cuff surgery

Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: Dec 6, 2023 | Replies (51)

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@JustinMcClanahan

@ssbionicknee, if I may ask, are all of those injuries you listed to the same arm or are they spread across both of your arms? That would greatly determine how much help you are going to need. Picture doing everything you currently do, but with one arm, because the arm you have repaired will be of no use for multiple weeks. Lifting heavy or bulky things will be difficult because you can't use your one arm. However, I was able to cook, clean, and bath myself as well as my toddler, everything just took a bit longer. Although recovery from knee surgery is no picnic, I do believe you should have an easier time getting around and getting things done after your rotator repair, it is just imperative (according to my surgeon) that you do not actively engage the muscles of your shoulder and you will likely be in a immobilizer sling for a few weeks anyways.

This is only my experience, but I found the pain for the TKR to be worse. The pain for shoulder started to subside considerable over the course of a few weeks. There is still pain now that I am 14 weeks post-op, but that is because I am in full-blown PT mode and I am sure it is just the soreness from trying to stretch it out and regain strength. I have sled hockey season fast approaching, so I am pushing myself hard. I think pre-making meals is an awesome idea to help yourself out. Anything you can get done beforehand that will make things easier when you are one-handed will be a great help. You could try preparing yourself by going through a day using only your arm that will not be having surgery. Anything you can't do with just that arm you will likely need help with after the surgery. Also, buy a really long loofa for showering!

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Replies to "@ssbionicknee, if I may ask, are all of those injuries you listed to the same arm..."

Yes, all my shoulder injuries are to the same arm. I fell in April 2016 and had a slight tear to my rotator cuff, but it was not bad enough to worry about, they I fell in Oct, of 2017 and caught my self with my right hand spraining my wrist and shoulder. The final blow was in Aug. 2018. after my knee surgery. I was walking and my left ankle twisted and I went down hard on my new knee and my right shoulder. The knee hurt so bad that I did not realize that I had injured the shoulder. My knee was ok, but sore for a while. After a month, my knee got stronger and I realized my shoulder needed to be seen. I spoke to the knee doctor about falling so much and it is because both knees were so bad. I am glad to hear that you thought the TKR was worse. I was in agony with that and was dreading the shoulder hurting worse. I have started to prepare as much as I can.I am buying large button down shirts that will go over the sling, elastic waist pants, and am looking for some slip on shoes with good arch support. When I recover from the shoulder, I will need to do the left knee. I am really overwhelmed right now.