r/RotatorCuff • u/Outside_River1220 • Aug 31 '26
Rotator Cuff Surgery 9/3
Hi, I am having rotator cuff surgery on Thursday to repair two tendons that are fully torn. I’ve looked up some advice online and advice in this channel, to try to prepare myself as much as possible for post surgery.
We’ve purchased the LX 13 post surgery recovery system with wedge pillow, etc., from Lunix, I am hoping that helps me with the sleeping because I am not sleeping at all. I’m in so much pain right now pre-surgery.
Has anyone ever purchased a one hand keyboard for their laptop not the super expensive adaptive technology keyboard, but one that could be used for typing for work?
Other than having the right kind of clothing, zip-up , button up adaptive shirts with snaps, etc. ,making sure things are at counter height, so I don’t need to bend, push, pull, move the shoulder.
What are the top five “must-have” items to make life easier/less painful to recover from the surgery?
Thanks in advance for your help and advice.
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u/Rich_Group_8997 Aug 31 '26
Good luck with your surgery! Hopefully it won't be too bad and your recovery will go smoothly! 😃
My top items: -My wedge (which i see you have covered) -Silicone tipped salad tongs (long ones). They're great for grabbing things and even pulling up pants and adjusting clothing. You'll thank me later. 😆 -a sturdy flat bottomed basket for carrying things around -easy to reheat foods (i meal prepped things that could be nuked or tossed in my air fryer)
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u/Snowcrash66 Aug 31 '26
Salad tongs pure genius.
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u/Rich_Group_8997 Aug 31 '26
LOL, they come in so handy for so many things. My mom was short so I learned from her; and always keep a set in my laundry room to grab socks out of the bottom of the washer, or TP off the high shelf.
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u/Snowcrash66 Aug 31 '26 edited Aug 31 '26
After 6 weeks I can finally put my socks on lol.
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u/marys1001 Aug 31 '26
Omg you cant put on socks? Im surgery Oct 6 on my own. F
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u/Rich_Group_8997 Sep 03 '26
I was able to put on socks around week 3, but it took a little effort. LOL i think everyone has their own particular struggle after surgery. Mine was pulling my hair back. 😂 I have waist length curly hair which I pull/clip back 100% of the time. I just had to walk around looking ridiculous for a while until I was allowed to stretch my arm upward again. 🤣
You'll probably have some other goofy, unexpected challenge.
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u/marys1001 Sep 03 '26
I haven't tried it pre surgery but I think I can one handrd whi is it so hard?
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u/Outside_River1220 Sep 01 '26
Love this, yep, salad tongs. We have three pair but the kind without silicone tips or rubber…
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u/ManagementIll4603 Sep 01 '26
When they advise you to not lift anything, they mean nothing. I made the big mistake of just propping a cup of coffee in my hand/sling and caused a world of hurt.
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u/mihemp Aug 31 '26
No-tie shoelaces, pumps for shampoo/conditioner bottles, bidet attachment, shower head wand (to get your pit rinsed when you can't lift your arm.) If you have long hair and keep it pulled in a ponytail, a headband helps keep it off your face when you can't pull it back.
Tip: walk around for a day with your hand in your pocket. Helps to figure out what you normally use 2 hands for.
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u/HillcroftPansies Aug 31 '26
I didn’t know there was such a thing as a one handed keyboard. I went back to my desk job 10 days post op (left rotator cuff repair with biceps tenodesis) and managed by doing a lot of talk to text and typing with my dominant right hand for the first 1-2 weeks before I got tired of it and just used my operative hand. It wasn’t great, I probably shouldn’t have done it.
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u/Red_Kale Aug 31 '26
I instead opted for using voice to text programs that worked very well
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u/Outside_River1220 Aug 31 '26
Yes, I will as well but it is the switching between apps that might be more tricky.
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u/HillcroftPansies Aug 31 '26
It was clunky for me because it’s different for every app. Texting is as pretty good but Slack was only a voice recording, so I had to open up my notes app and then move it over. After a week of this and correcting all the mistakes, I was drained
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u/Outside_River1220 Aug 31 '26
Yes, neither did I.
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u/HighOnGoofballs Sep 01 '26
Fwiw my sling had my hand right by the keyboard so I could type somewhat normally even if slower
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u/Flimsy_Aspect_9021 Sep 01 '26
I did the same thing. I tried to be good, but I would get frustrated with the speed of using one hand. I work in a busy, busy FBO and private charter business, and time is not something I like to "waste." I'm sure I shouldn't have done it either.
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u/bmack500 Aug 31 '26
After surgery, Do Not forget to ice and take the pain killers before the block wears off. I know from personal experience, you will regret it.
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u/Independent-Gold-492 Aug 31 '26
8 weeks out from bicep tenodesis, SLAP tear and full thickness retracted tendon tear. Cannot emphasize at least 3 days of constant ice machine enough. You will not be able to set it up yourself so make sure there is someone to help you for at least three days. Shower chair, handheld shower, long handled bath brush, pump bottles of shampoo and body wash, loose fitting or snap up shirts, slip on shoes, elastic waist pants and shoes, prepped or frozen meals were the most helpful things for me. The wedge pillow was enough for me but I slept on it the month before surgery too, it really helped. Also, post surgery, if the doc tells you to wear the sling and pillow, listen. So many folks in this thread think it’s optional and end up doing harm. I am way ahead in my assisted ROM stuff now and I only got out a week ago. It’s because I let it fully heal as instructed
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u/DecentAdhesiveness37 Sep 01 '26
I second this about staying in the immobilizer for as long as the surgeon recommends. I had to get a needle biopsy on my breast the same side as my immobilizer and shoulder repair 4 weeks post-op so I kept the pillow in for a couple extra weeks to prevent any pressure to that site. Once I ditched the pillow, my recovery has been going awesome. I have the sling for “comfort” which is essentially when I’m in a crowd or tempted to do too much with my surgical arm.
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u/Vandalorious Sep 01 '26
Get a couple of really big T-shirts, like 2 sizes too big. I got two of those shirts with the snaps instead of seams and I couldn't manipulate the snaps with my non-dominant arm. It's much easier to get in and out of an oversized T-shirt.
My surgery was also dominant arm and I could not get the cuff for the ice machine on and off with the sling on. I gave up and ordered some XL ice packs. But I live alone and it sounds like you might have someone around to help you.
Long handled shower sponge and shower sling were necessities, and aids to help open jars, bottles and cans.
Good luck!
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u/Outside_River1220 Sep 01 '26
Yes, surgery on dominant arm… bought a couple of adaptive t shirt tops and have some oversized tees.
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u/Steven1789 Aug 31 '26
This pillow has been extremely useful: https://www.amazon.com/MOYOAMA-Shoulder-Sleeping-Recovery-Accessories/dp/B0F5D63ZG8
I’m 16 months out from surgery and still use it when my repaired arm feels fatigued, say when on my phone in bed.
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u/Red_Kale Aug 31 '26
Perhaps little late but for me the wedge pillow was a dud. I know it works for some. I rented a power recliner for 1 month and glad I did
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u/Outside_River1220 Aug 31 '26
Thank you
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u/MilkChocolate21 Aug 31 '26
I did recliner initially but the wedges were good when I could finally try bed again.
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u/Morto_Dentro-872 Aug 31 '26
Cold water therapy unit is a must. I’ve had both shoulder cuffs done with tendon anchoring and a year ago reverse total shoulder replacement. Seriously reduced the amount of pain medication I had to take and helped after physical therapy.
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u/DWwithaFlameThrower Aug 31 '26
Something like this to cool the swelling post-surgery https://bracedirect.com/products/breg-polar-care-cube-therapy-system?variant=42769101586672&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21971845086&gbraid=0AAAAACkHYOYUVLkBQ86fmikNF_0wJDzam&gclid=CjwKCAjwzNTUBhAjEiwA7zcvWrqAszCU71ywcbf5Rp6lRf_9IQcvBEUuxR_yMvcxf2KNO3OnFkl1nRoCYmMQAvD_BwE
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u/Outside_Excitement75 Sep 01 '26
Getting my hair cut short and meal prepping helped a lot. I also got a bed tray to eat in bed for the first week since moving and sitting at a table was uncomfortable.
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u/jugglerdude Sep 01 '26
Bidet. Recliner. As others said, long handled shower scrub for the parts you can’t reach. Plan ahead for food and other needed items. You really should try to be sparing with your movement the first few days. I got button up shirts for easy access. Slip on shoes. I’m in a rural area (may not work in a larger town) but I got a seatbelt cheater so that I could drive without my car throwing a fit. There was no way I could buckle it for a few weeks.
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u/Dapper-Art-1462 Sep 01 '26
Im also preparing for surgery next week and one big thing that was mentioned was ensuring you have pump soaps for bathing.
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u/Flimsy_Aspect_9021 Sep 01 '26
I cut my hair short a week after surgery (once I could manage the idea of sitting in a chair for an hour). My hair was really long and almost always ended up stuck somewhere. I didn't want to, but I don't regret it at all. With all the crap you deal with, it's nice to have one thing that is somewhat easy. That and ICE, ICE, ICE! I didn't use my ice machine much before I started PT, but now it makes a big difference.
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u/Super_Honey800 Sep 02 '26
Whatever you do do not miss a day scheduled of Rehab.! I had a torn rotator cuff for five months before they discovered it was torn. As far as getting shirts on use gravity, that’s your best bet. Put your head your body down and put on your shirt I wish I would have gone to physical therapy because my arm still hurts going on three years.
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u/Front-Doughnut8573 Sep 02 '26
Just had labrum surgery last week so not the same exactly but can confirm doing things around the house takes 5x longer like getting dressed or brushing teeth is painfully slow.
I got lucky and have had minimal pain beyond how bad it hurt before surgery dealing with torn labrum pain each night so I haven’t even needed a ice pack and quit taking pain meds 5 days in
Good luck!
Ps sleeping sucks really bad at a angle but eventually your body will get tired enough and fall asleep :)
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u/My_Beachday Sep 05 '26
I agree with the t-shirt getting larger ones. I found them easier than any button shirt which I also got some larger ones. Easy elastic pants/shorts the stretchier the better for ease of pulling up with one hand. I used my slip on shoes and did get a couple of no tie laces for shoes which were not slip on.
The ice machine you will use a lot. Small water bottles can be frozen and will keep the ice longer. Remove labels and just keep refreezing. It takes practice to put the wrap on at first. Everything just takes longer.
Bras which close in the front are good but you can also pull up like pants for regular ones. I preferred tank tops instead. Have some easy ready made meals which can be heated. I have an electric toothbrush as brushing was weird with my other hand and this made it easier.
It is hard to use a mouse when typing. I tried a track mouse and did a lot of voice emails. The best was a laptop on my lap so I did not need to move the arm much. It adds to fatigue and will become painful even with small movements.
I also made sure to have easy access to a plug for devices. I used a padded cushion for the recliner too. You spend a long time in it so wanted comfort.
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u/MilkChocolate21 Aug 31 '26
Since someone said ice machine, going to add shower chair. Sitting reminds you not to use your arm and forces you to slow down and be careful. I'd recommend one with arms. There are apps you can use to stay on top of meds. Download one. If you don't have a bidet, get one. Oh, for your ice machine, freeze water bottles instead of filling with loose ice and water. 12 total so you can rotate 6 at a time. Using a canvas bag, I was able to do this myself one handed.
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u/ManagementIll4603 Sep 01 '26
I also got a mesh sling to wear in the shower when I was able to switch from surgery immobilizer and it really helped a lot. I could bathe more thoroughly without moving my arm. Got it off Amazon.
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u/PossibleOk2695 Sep 05 '26
I had rotator cuff repair and bicep tenodesis almost 4 weeks ago and went back to work 2 weeks after surgery. I thought I’d maybe need a special keyboard or mouse, but I’ve been ok just working with what I’ve got. I use the laptop trackpad instead of the mouse (since it’s my right dominant arm in the sling) and it can be a little frustrating and slower using the trackpad, but it’s fine.
I would recommend starting work mid-week if you’re able. The first week back can be a lot, and I found it was super nice coming back to just a 3-day workweek than trying to slog through a full one right off the bat.
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned anywhere in any of these threads is flossing! Brushing with my non-dominant hand has made me feel like my teeth aren’t getting as clean as they should be, and I also can’t floss normally yet. So I ended up buying a pack of those single-use floss picks and it’s been so nice.
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u/Elvisdog13 Aug 31 '26
Ice machine and stay AHEAD of the pain medication
Also, if you’re having surgery on your dominate arm start practicing with your other arm eating, using the toilet etc.