Rotator cuff surgery

Finally glad to see someone get an answer about rotator cuff surgery. I am having rotator cuff surgery on October 10. I have completely torn my rotator cuff, have torn and dislocated a bicep, and have another torn tendon. How much help am I going to need after surgery? I live with and take care of my elderly parents who want to help but aren't able to provide the support I need. I just had a total knee replacement in May and I had to make sure the meals were ready etc. They were able to get my ice ready and occasionally drive me to PT. I heavily relied on my friends. I have held off the surgery to prepare frozen meals and do as much as I can to get my parents set up. My problem is I will pretty much be caring for myself this time. How much help did you need afterwards? I also hear this is more painful than a TKR. I felt a lot stronger going into surgery in May. I feel like my body is about to get a big hit before it has fully recovered from the TKR in May. I am feeling stressed, I am getting 2 anchors as well. I am not sure what to expect after the surgery.

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I'm doing a lot of stretching exercises, ie- wall slides, using stretching bands, shoulder exercises and exercises using a dowel

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@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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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.

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Hello @goldminer1945, welcome to Connect. This post hits a little close to home for me as I just had my rotator anchored on June 17th. I am still a few weeks away from the beginning of my therapy and must admit I am bit intimidated. I was only supposed to a have a small procedure and then they found that my rotator had a partial tear, which was a surprise to both of us.

I'd like to invite @robseverson and @inpaininmi to this discussion as they previously discussed rotator cuff surgeries.

@goldminer1945, if you feel comfortable sharing, did you have full or partial tears and how long did you have to wait before you started therapy?

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Hi Justin,
I am trying to not have a rotator cuff surgery. I have two smal tears. Had injections for now and feels a little better.
What is an anchor mean?
Sounds intimidating for sure now !
Thank you
Lauren

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Hello @lalee. First, it is good the injections are making them feel better. As far as an "anchor" it is just part of the rotator repair. From my understanding, it is essentially an anchor that is put in to your shoulder blade so that the surgeon can tie down your rotator to the bone. I also believe that some of the anchor dissolves over time and the sutures remain. I agree that the wording and terminology sounds a bit intimidating. Unfortunately for me, there was no real decision to be made as they found the torn rotator while operating on a different issue in my shoulder. I was told that the tear would have been more severe in the future and would have caused more damage.

@lalee, are you dealing with a tear as well? Have they talked with you about the potential of making it worse, or is pain your main concern?

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Just happened to see this today..... I had semi-major shoulder repair (bone spur, rotator cuff, frayed bicep tendon) in 09, and less severe shoulder repair - other side - in 16. TKR on 9/13 of this year. Looking back, I would say that initially the shoulder surgery causes more pain for about a week or so, but then it does go away faster than what I’m experiencing with the knee right now. Exactly 4 months after right shoulder surgery I was back on the tennis court, playing (gentle) matches, with overheads and serves. No way I’ll be back for tennis until the 6 months mark, or later. The “good” thing about shoulder surgery is that after you’re done with the painful rehab exercises, it can rest. Knee will keep being used all day long. Also, general consensus seems to be you need to sleep in a recliner. Nope. Just have PLENTY of pillows of all sizes and build a nest to cradle your shoulder. Both times I slept in my bed from the very first night. You can slide tops on under (not over) the sling/brace, just make sure sleeves are wide, and you support arm in lap while doing so. 2nd time around, I put on bra without help 3rd day after surgery, put on (and tied) walking shoes on day 8 and went for a slow 2 mile walk. And yes, even though shoulder has nothing to do with stride, it still ouches when walking.
Sorry to run on, but given the choice, I’d rather have had another shoulder surgery than the TKR - and I’m supposedly doing super well.

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I had shoulder surgery on October 10 to repair 3 torn tendons and the rotator cuff. I tore and dislocated my bicep tendon at the shoulder and it had to be reattached,I also had arthritis shaved off the clavicle and a bone spur shaved down. I was in a sling and immobile for 6 weeks. I began going to physical therapy at week 2. By the end of the 6 weeks the pain was unbearable and I kept getting told that it should not hurt that bad. I have a high pain threshold and it was exceeding that limit. I just had a TKR in May and did not have near the pain as this. I went for my 6 weeks follow up on Friday and was told that I had Frozen Shoulder, which explained the pain. The doctor does not want to continue pain meds and I am do not want to either. I can't drive when taking them and I need to be able to drive myself around. I read that Frozen Shoulder is very painful and can take a long time to loosen up. At the moment I am on Ibuprophen and tylenol and using my ice pack as often as possible and during the night. The last time I went to PT was before the doctors appointment and I was up all night in severe pain. I am dreading having the PT move it anymore. I have been using it as much as I can, but am seriously afraid of the exercises that I am about to begin. I need to hear from people who have had this problem and any advice on how to ease the pain, as well as how to speed up the recovery process.

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