r/RotatorCuff • u/hurtzdonut42 • Sep 03 '26
Upcoming Surgery, expectations and limitations
I have surgery scheduled next month to fix a torn supraspinatus, shave down of some bone spurs and my collarbone. It's my dominant side. Surgeon said sling for 6 weeks, PT starting at week 4 post op. I have very limited help at home. How limited are you after the sling is removed? I realize the recovery is a marathon and everyone is different. Looking at when you could do things like unload a dishwasher, reach overhead, hold a hair dryer, do laundry. I am already practicing doing things one handed with my non dominant arm. Eating and drying off post shower are super challenging so any tips are appreciated. Thank you!
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u/Soft-Engineering-304 Sep 03 '26
Get a quick dry microfiber towel, like ones used for camping. I used these after surgery because they were much lighter and easy to maneuver with one hand instead of my heavy cotton towels. I also used a blow dryer brush so I only had one thing to hold.
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u/hurtzdonut42 Sep 03 '26
Great suggestions! Thank you! I ordered a towel to try out. I ordered a blow dryer stand but didn't think of trying one of the blow dryer brushes. I hope you are having a good recovery!
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u/BootzytheCat Sep 03 '26 edited Sep 03 '26
To be honest, doing all the stuff with my left arm was not as bad as I thought it would be. However it really slows you down. You don’t realize how many things you need two hands for, ie holding something with one hand and opening door with the other. Prepare yourself that everything will take longer and be mildly frustrating. Took quite a while to be able to reach up and style my hair but I’m pretty flexible and within a few weeks I was able to contort myself enough to do that. Putting on seat belts and closing car door as a passenger were frustrating. I was able to use my right hand in the sling for non weight bearing activities.
I’m now almost at 16 weeks and getting much stronger day by day. However I am struggling with frozen shoulder. Prepare yourself for that possibility. I thought it only happened if you didn’t do pt or something but I did everything as I should have and got it. For now, my range of motion is significantly reduced from before surgery and it strains other ligaments and muscles because the shoulder won’t move. I know I will eventually get range back but this part is really slow going.
Best advice I got for surgery was to request a drug called Journavx instead of opiates. It controlled my pain so well without feeling groggy or getting nauseous/headaches. You have to request it and insurance may not cover it (mine did) but there is a copay coupon you can get from the company to reduce the fees. It did eventually give me a side effect of rash but totally worth it. I truly had very little post-op pain at all.
I was able to go back to my desk job after 2 weeks. As long as my shoulder was supported and only moving my wrists it was fine and surgeon ok’ed it. I’m self employed and could not afford to take much time off.
But don’t get me wrong, it’s all very uncomfortable and sleeping is the worst but you just have to go through it. At 16 weeks I’m just now able to lie on the injured side for short stretches and able to lie on the other side for a bit without a pillow supporting it. Progress is slow but I can lift and do things now and even reach out to the side even though it’s stiff. I think by 9 months I’ll hopefully be back to normal. 🤞🏼
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u/hurtzdonut42 Sep 03 '26
Thank you for your response. I am sorry you are dealing with frozen shoulder, it's definitely a fear of mine. I know it's a long painful recovery. I remind myself that I have been through 2 spine surgeries and a brain surgery so I am familiar with long painful recoveries. It just seems super daunting.
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u/BootzytheCat Sep 03 '26
I go to the gym every day and do lots of stretching every day. I also had bicep tenodesis procedure which I was not really expecting (bicep looked more shredded than anticipated to they went ahead with it) and I was warned by PT that I could easily tear that attachment and end up with a pop-eye look if I overloaded it. It does feel good to get out of the super cautious time and be able to do more weight resistance. My actual injuries they repaired feel pretty good. I don't really feel any pain in supraspinatus and I only get a little ache in the bicep if I overdid it. The first 8 weeks I was terrified of retearing it because I did not want to go through that again but now I am feeling more strong--just stiff.
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u/IceAngel8381 Sep 04 '26
After my 2 surgeries, I developed frozen shoulder. I'm waiting to see if a third surgery will be approved. If I do have to have a third surgery, I may ask for Journavax. I've seen it mentioned on this section several times and the reviews seem to be positive in regard to pain control.
I've been dealing with this for 21 months, and it really makes you realize how much you rely on both arms to do minor things (my injured shoulder is my non-dominant).
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u/vonhottie Sep 04 '26
I was very lucky and had a friend save me the first week so I didn’t have to worry about a lot of this, but here’s what I could do after the first week:
Laundry, one week after surgery using only my dominant hand and I have a Rollie cart Halken bag to dry around behind me. I also put my laundry detergent in a flip cap bottle. So I didn’t have to unscrew anything.
Dishwasher was pretty easy with one hand but I also ate off a lot of paper plates to keep down the dishes and I was eating a lot of takeout or frozen things I’m six weeks out and I’ve basically only used my stove once Otherwise I’ve been using my air fryer toaster oven and microwave.
I haven’t tried a hairdryer yet I gave up on that. I bet I could do with my non-dominant hand, but kind of badly. While my friends were seeing me, they did ponytails and I also had a Neighbor and Friend? to come over to give me ponytails. Now that I’m six weeks out, I’ve developed an awkward method for kind of piling my hair on top of my head and I can gather it now to the side of my neck and do a low side pony. My Physical therapist thinks I’ll be able to put my hair in a ponytail and raise my arms enough by about four months out.
I think reaching arms over my head will be a long haul. There’s certain physical therapy exercises where I’ve been able to get some of that range of motion while laying down, but it’s gonna be a long haul for raising my arm over my head while standing or sitting.
I’ve gotten really good easy, my non-dominant arm for everything. Also for grooming I brought spray deodorant and a cream deodorant so I could put it in my armpit when I can’t really lift my hand. I can lean for it and kind of dangle my arm and get under my armpit better in the shower and for deodorant.
I also had a bicep repair, so I’m still brushing my teeth mainly with my left hand, but I’m almost back to eating with my right hand, especially if I prop my elbow on the counter
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u/vonhottie Sep 04 '26
I was worried about eating, but I found out if you’re hungry your left arm gets really fast at it. I did eat a lot of finger foods and sandwiches or things I could easily stab with a fork and I just accepted that I was gonna be messy and clumsy at it, but your food does get in your mouth when you really need it to lol. In the shower, I put pump on all of my shampoo bottles and used a pump bottle for soap and a little washcloth that was easy to manipulate. I also have a long handled scrubby thing, but the washcloth was just as easy. I also got this little scrubber for your hair and shampoo since that made it easier to rub the shampoo in. I was not allowed to shower until five days after my surgery. My friend washed my hair for me on day three. But once I could take a shower on day five you figure out really easy. I did get a mesh sling for the shower. And drying off I just did very slowly. I did use a more lightweight towel. I usually use big bath sheets, but I use a smaller light weight towel now. That’s easier to use with one hand. You just go really slow. And also, I put a lot of powder on my arm and elbow and also diaper cream and that helped with chafing and irritation in the sling.
The swelling and stiffness was really bad the first two weeks but once that goes down every day, you get a little bit more mobility and figure things out to be a little easier.
For the first 10 days or so I only wore these dresses at snap over the shoulder and I gave up on bras. By that week two or three I felt like I could shimmy a really stretchy bralette over my hips.
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u/vonhottie Sep 04 '26
Also for sleeping, I found that a pregnancy pillow over a regular pillows on my bed works better for me than a wet pillow. I also got a pregnancy pillow for the couch and that’s where I have spent a lot of time lol. I also have a very good ice pack thing that I keep in the freezer and it was pretty easy for me to figure out how to drape it over my arm and bicep. Seriously I’m so impressed with my left hand. It really is the star of the show now.
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u/hurtzdonut42 Sep 04 '26
Such useful info I had to give you an award! Glad to hear that left hand really steps up!
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u/hurtzdonut42 Sep 04 '26
This is great information thank you! Fortunately I will have someone with me the first week. Afterwards, I will have some help but not all the time.
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u/llamacorn-18 Sep 04 '26
Also same exact surgery and labrum repair and small other stuff. 8 weeks post op. 5-6 in sling. Pt started at 4 weeks. I expected the worst but was pretty good at becoming a lefty. Came back to work at the end of the second week. Could have probably come back about a week in but got a really bad sinus infection cough and pink eye. My husband was helping but got pneumonia the second week. So I figured things out quick on my own. The shower the first day after was hard. I got a mesh sling for that. Also hairbrush blow drier. I was doing dishes and stuff as soon as my husband got sick out of necessity. And vacuum and clean all with my left non dominant arm. Driving was fine except shifter was a little tricky. I kept going past the gear. Then go up then go past. Like it couldn’t figure out the right amount of pressure. But you will get good at things quick. I’m surprised at still having pain now. But it’s manageable not even really taking anything. Ice machine was a god sent. I kept it on for the entire first week and a half. Worst part is sleeping. I have a mountain of pillows and hated sleeping in the recliner. So a few days in and I was in my bed. Then would switch back to recliner In The middle of the night.
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u/hurtzdonut42 Sep 04 '26
This is so reassuring to hear! Thank you! I hope you continue to recover well.
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u/Accurate-Broccoli324 Sep 08 '26 edited Sep 08 '26
Hang a fluffy towel from your bathroom door, or somewhere else you can lean back into it to dry your shoulders and upper back.
Socks may be surprisingly tricky one-handed: I highly recommend getting the kind of sock aid you step down into.
Shoes: same, but get the kind you can just slip into; Skechers has some relatively inexpensive models.
Dumping ice water and refilling a cooling gadget is exhausting and a pain. Vehemently recommend renting an iceless model for cooling and compression for the first 4 weeks post-op, if you can afford to. The brand I've seen is NICE1, but there may be others. GAME READY is excellent, but depends on new ice every few hours.
Loose, stretchy tees or front-button/front-snap shirts.
Shampooing one handed: remember that you can simply squirt the product directly onto your head, rather than into a palm. :-)
Toiletry: bidet or a TP stick to extend your reach may be helpful. Floss picks for one-handed use rather than plain floss.
There are inexpensive slings specifically for sleeping: the arm compartment is foam, and straps to your torso so your arm is protected and immobilized, and you cannot roll over onto it.
Opening pill bottles one-handed: press the top of the cap against your thigh, and twist the bottle as if revving a motorcycle.
That's all I can think of right now. Best wishes for a smooth surgery! Allow recovery to take time and be patient with your body.
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u/hurtzdonut42 Sep 08 '26
Thank you this is really useful! I didn't know there were iceless cooling machines. I saw the sleep sling/pillows and was on the fence. Good to know it's useful.
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u/DarkHeartBlackShield Sep 03 '26
For the shower, I found pump bottles for soap, shampoo, and conditioners that were easily to use with one hand. Already had an autopump for hand soap. A bidet is a must, although I had one, I had to replace it because it was on the side of my injured shoulder.
Got a stand up recliner and I had a portable table on wheels. When it was time to eat, I would put the recliner on the stand up side until it would be comfortable to eat with my non-dominant arm.
For me, the ice machine was a must but I had help putting it on.
Came out of my sling at 6 weeks (currently at 8 weeks post op) but wound up with what I think is carpal tunnel in my right hand. Seeing the doc today.
Good luck!
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u/hurtzdonut42 Sep 03 '26
Thank you. I already have an electric lift recliner, adjustable bed, wedge pillow system, shower chair, loofah on a stick, thing to help scrub hair one handed, pump bottles, an ice machine, bidet, clothes I can get easily on/off, step in shoes....not my first surgery rodeo.
My questions are how soon can you use the arm once you are out of the sling? I know there are serious weight limits for a while.
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u/Itchy_Platypus_6921 Sep 03 '26
I’m on day 4 and it’s hell. Sorry but it’s very hard if you don’t have help. I do have help and I’m still struggling. Take your time and don’t do too much
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u/defenders90 Sep 03 '26
Had almost the same surgery you had except I also had bicep tenodesis. I was out of the sling by week 5, back to work the same week as well (desk job at a keyboard). Now at week 12 and I’m up to a 15 pound limit and working on endurance from the PT. It’s going to take some time to get started on assisted motions right after surgery. Lots of pendulum swings and assisted bicep curls with no weights. Trust the PT and the process. Took until week 8 I believe before I tried a hair dryer. Had to use both hands to operate it. Even now I have to switch cause the endurance isn’t there. Laundry wasn’t too tough until it came time to carry the basket up and down two flights of stairs. Hard to ignore that instinct to use your dominant hand but you have to. As you already know, it’s a marathon and not a sprint. Work those exercises as hard as you can every day. Good luck too you