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Trust your gut instinct Pillow advice for sleep after shoulder surgery
I had shoulder surgery to repair 3 torn tendons and the bicep muscle. I have posted in here several times about the pain that I was still feeling and have gotten some good advice, but the doctor insisted that I was fine. My surgery was in Oct. 2018. In December 2019, I finally got the doctor to send me for an MRI on my shoulder. They found that one of the tendons had torn again. I was told I needed surgery again and that the bicep muscle was fully healed and had nothing to do with the issue. I realized that I had lost all faith in this doctor, so I went to another surgeon, for a second opinion, one that had an excellent reputation and specialized in the issues I was having. He was wonderful. He very carefully went over all my MRI's, worked with the shoulder to see where the pain was. I told him that my bicep mucle was still hurting and he looked at it and pressed on a spot that was extremely painful, He then told me that it was the bicep muscle that was hurting alnog with the re-torn rotator cuff. I just want to encourage some of you who find yourself in a position where the doctor is not listening to you and you know something is not right, it is time to get a second opinion. I am so glad I did!! While this doctor agrees that I need to have it repaired again and soon, he addressed all my issues and concerns that I had. He told me that My bicep muscle needed to be lowered because it had been stretched too far and that is why I had been is so much pain. So, I will be scheduling surgery on Monday. I am not looking forward to it because I know it will be painful and a slow healing process, but I feel that I can trust this doctor and that he will listen to any concerns I have. I do have one questionabout sleeping after the surgery. I know may people recommend sleeping in a recliner, however, I was not comfortable I was wondering if there was a body pillow or something you had used to help you sleep at night. Any tips wold be appreciated And trust your instincts, you know your body better than anyone.
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I kept a basket with necessary items that I took from place to place. I slept in recliner as I had to move around less - used gel packs for pain, also. I had a cominutive break in humerus and much better within 3 weeks. I did make sure I moved arm and other joints periodically through the day as it seemed to reduce pain.
I used the type of circle neck pillow you use on a plane. Twisting it into different places as needed. The most helpful thing for me was Gabapentin.
After 3.5 weeks, I saw ortho doc and got rid of the sling. Now I start 4 weeks of PT to get full motion without the soreness I have now. I did not sleep as soundly last night without the sling and used pillow to support the sore arm.
Full tear rotator cuff surgery repair and cleanup happened in Dec 2015. I went through physical therapy and got back close to 95% range of motion and most of my strength. However, I’ve not been able to sleep on the side that was operated on for very long (the other side gets sore after so much use) and still have to be gingerly with it at times after almost six years. Has anyone else been able to go back sleeping on the side that was operated on or still over compensating this long? Apologies if this has come up before and was missed.
That sounds terrible after all those years. I have just been told that I have bursitis in the right shoulder but I have had this agonising pain and sleepless nights for over 5 weeks. I have taken tramadol, and other antiflamatory meds along with an injection in the shoulder a week ago and nothing has changed. I don't know what to do next. I can't lay down for more than 2 hrs before having to get out of bed and put ice to the painful area. Can anyone guide me from here?
I am going to suggest that you get a referral for PT with the specific diagnosis of bursitis.
It seems counter-intuitive to exercise a sore joint, but gentle gradual stretching & exercise worked better than anything else for mine. It is kicking up again, so I am scheduled for a return visit to my PT guy. He gets my form "just right" so the exercise does more good & no harm.
Has your doc suggested PT?
Sue
Thanks Sue. That's what I am going to do. My Doc hasn't scheduled me yet for PT so I am going to speak with him
@elaine2022: 6 years sounds like an awfully long time to still have to be careful with the post-op shoulder. My respective surgeries were over 10 years ago, but since I know for a fact the the left shoulder needed repair 5 years after my right one, I definitely had no issues at that point. As a matter of fact, I think I was back to sleeping on my “bad” side - cautiously - within about 6 months after each operation.
After my first shoulder surgery for tears, a tendon removal and other things in appx 2009surgeon told me it would be a year rehab as he said my shoulder was so bad. Did not have great physical therapy I think I was 6 months pain free then pain set in again. Thought nothing could be done so just tried to deal with it. Just figured pain was my new way of life. Until 2018 after a fall went to different physical therapist for my knee and shoulder. Knee got better, therapist said shoulder was not making progress and I needed to go back and get some testing done. Low and behold surgeon said it was the second worst he had seen and that I needed to have a reverse total shoulder replacement. He said it was the most difficult of the replacements for rehab and that it would be a year in rehab and would take hard work on my part. So 2019 I had a RTS but he was unable to fix everything that was wrong. My life is significantly improved great ROM but am limited to lifting 5-10 lbs. I continue exercise regimen prescribed by my therapist 7 days a week and see him once a month for dry needling to keep my muscles happy and tape shoulder if needed. Would do it again. Sleep without pain majority of time and can drive etc, no pain where I was never out of pain for all those years.
Just had to have a TKR last year, rehab was so much quicker and my new knee to date is awesome. Still keep up those exercises as well.
Long story short: continue exercises as prescribed, possible taping and\or physical therapist that is trained to do dry needling
Best luck
I had my shoulder scoped and the top tendon of my bicep cut (I elected to not have it reattached). Worst pain I ever felt but it was over quickly. I found that just putting a pillow under my arm worked well. Of course, I also had a split top bed so I raised it as needed.