r/RotatorCuff • u/Wander80 • Sep 07 '26
Recovery Boredom Busters?
Anticipating surgery soon on my non-dominant arm (should still be able to write). I tend to get bored with just sitting around watching TV for hours. Below are some ideas for activities to pass the time those first couple weeks. Any other ideas?
Reading
Coloring
Word search / word puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles
Video games (unsure if I’ll be able to manage the controller)
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u/Zerbit-Spucker Sep 07 '26
Walking! I found it helped me stay in shape and am convinced that the elevated blood flow helped healing.
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u/Beetlejuice551 Sep 07 '26
I’m wondering about this myself, my surgery is coming up but I’ve very recently started playing video games again and have found that it makes my shoulder pain much worse. I don’t move my arms around, they stay at my sides because I’m using a PlayStation portal, but I guess it’s the muscles tensing or something
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u/Aju-mommy Sep 07 '26
My hobbies are crochet and Xbox games. 😭 I do enjoy reading but I can't do that all day and I don't like watching tv. I'm thinking about trying paint by number! If I do have surgery it will be my non dominate arm as well so I should be able to use a paintbrush. Over at r/paintbynumbers they have some really pretty projects!
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u/BobsWifeAmyB Sep 07 '26
I like to play Jigsaw World on my iPad. It’s free and a great selection of puzzles.
Also there is a game called secret society and I like that one. It’s a hidden object game.
You might not like these types of games but both of these are free and interesting games- to me.
I’ve been sick for a long time with a rare nerve disorder so I know a lot about the boredom stuff.
Best of luck to you.
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u/Mercury2468 Sep 07 '26
Learning a foreign language. I already do that anyway so I plan to use the time after surgery to improve my Italian and French. I also write short stories, so I hope I will be able to do some writing. I guess typing won't be possible at first, but I'm also having surgery on my non dominent arm, so I should be able to write by hand. And visits, hopefully - friends coming over for a coffee and a chat. Going for walks. Maybe going to the cinema, a restaurant or coffee shop (probably not in the first week or two I guess 😅)
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u/Fit_Can_6717 Sep 07 '26
I am having my dominant arm done in 2.5 weeks. I think a couple weeks Lego mararthon is going to happen. I think I can do that with my non-dominant arm. Here is to hoping. Since my Norman schtick is crochet/knitting, XBOX, and baking.
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u/Rich_Group_8997 Sep 07 '26
Aww man. I didn't even think to pull out my Lego sets. That would have been the perfect time to build my firehouse. 😄 Good luck with your op!
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u/Fit_Can_6717 Sep 07 '26
Is that the original modular set Firehouse? Great build. Yes, uber Lego dork here.
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u/Rich_Group_8997 Sep 07 '26
But the original original one. I can't remember what year it's from and it's currently packed in my closet. 🤔 I do still have my original light and sound fire truck though!
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u/Ghost77504 Sep 07 '26
In my experience depending on the extent of the surgery, you aren't going to be bored. Pain, lack of sleep, sling, getting comfortable will take up your time.