Connect
← Return to Shoulder Replacement: Still having pain
Discussion
Shoulder Replacement: Still having pain
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Jun 10, 2023 | Replies (80)Comment receiving replies
I see the surgeon again next week. The last visit he said everybody heals differently and experieces pain differently. He said the xray looked good. I finished wearing the sling last week. I sleep mostly on my back. I am right handed and the left side had the surgery. The whole time in the sling, I slept with a body pillow on the left side to support the arm and prevent me from turning over on to it. I don't count the pendulums. I do my exercises all different times of the day. I exercise as long as I can without the pain taking over completely. I really don't sleep well. Go to bed about 10:30 and am up between 3-4 a.m. I use a Tens unit, ice, and heat. I also massage it a lot to try to ease the pain.
I have completed 9 PT sessions. Working with a pulley. PT has me lie on a table and helps me to move the arm up , back and around. I can hold it up for 10 seconds only. He also massages my arm to try to loosen the muscles in the arms and around the scar tissue. There is a hard lump at the bottom of the incision by the underarm that he is trying to relax. It has gone down a little over the 9 PT times.
I'm looking for relief and want to get back to being normal again.
Carol
Replies to "I see the surgeon again next week. The last visit he said everybody heals differently and..."
Connect
I am not sure how long it has been since your surgery. I find myself always anticipating recovery well before the professionals expect it. It is possible that you are doing too much exercising for where you are in the healing process. I like how well you have done in maintaining your arm’s position while sleeping. I slept in a big easy chair recliner when I was restless or could not seem to position myself correctly. I encourage you to be good to yourself and your shoulder. Baby it a bit. I don’t hear anything that suggests you are shirking on exercise. Also, ice packs help. Or the machine that forces cold water thru padding, if you have one, is absolutely divine. So, take some deep breaths, be good to yourself and allow your body to heal without being so hard on yourself. I hope this helps!