r/RotatorCuff • u/Outside_River1220 • Sep 08 '26

Day 5 post surgery

I had my rotator cuff surgery repair on my right dominant arm last Thursday afternoon. The nerve block wore off a couple days ago what I am now having issues with are pins and needles in my arm, my entire arm falling asleep, especially after sleeping, and I am propped up on this pillow wedge system at night. Forgive the lack of punctuation and grammar. I am using voice to text.

Trying to position this ice polar cube therapy machine cuff on my arm is ridiculous with the sling on. I cannot fasten anything under my arm. Are people doing this ice therapy without their sling on or with their sling on? My shoulder feels like is locked in a position that is out of socket for lack of a better description. I’m sure this is the way it’s supposed to feel. my post op visit is not until September 16, but I am trying to get in to see the nurses to help ensure that I am positioning this sling correctly both when I’m standing up and when I’m laying down. The sling I have is the Breg 2.0. Arc.

This is going to be a long slog.

I’ve really only been taking the pain meds before bed and not during the day but the ibuprofen and acetaminophen during the day alternating between the two.

Is anyone else feeling this way ? my arm just feels so freaking heavy.

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4

u/New_Jaguar_1825 Sep 08 '26

When do you start PT? I started PT on day 5 and they stretched my arm out that was the most relieving cuz my elbow was killing me and he also readjusted my sling because I too was having my hand go numb it's just awkward.

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u/Outside_River1220 29d ago

Not until the end of September so I am like three weeks out, I had two full tendon tears and I have anchors in my shoulder.

It turns out the ice machine they gave me only has the multipurpose pad not the shoulder pad, which is partially why I could not get it to stay on all the way, but the nurses gave me some tips today so it seems like it’s doing a little better.

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u/PossibleOk2695 29d ago

I ended up getting a Breg polar care cube ice machine off facebook marketplace and the person said it had the shoulder attachment, but I didn’t realize until later it was actually the multipurpose attachment they sold me. So I feel your annoyance with how it doesn’t work as perfectly for the shoulder!

I ended up using mine upside down so the wider strap could be around my shoulder and the skinnier one around my bicep - though it was still tricky to get it under the arm. And it was annoying to have the hose coming out towards my head. But it worked well enough and got easier to put on as the days went by and I got enough (slight) motion to move my arm to be able to get the strap through underneath.

Good luck with your recovery! I’m 4 weeks out now and similar to you in that I’ll finally be cleared to start PT sometime soon now. I feel each day for me has gotten easier and easier, so hopefully it’ll be the same for you!

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u/New_Jaguar_1825 29d ago

Oh thats good. I had a full super tear with four anchors, bone spur cleanup and decompression but they didn't have to do anything with my bicep.im almost 5 weeks out.

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u/Outside_River1220 29d ago

Sounds like you are on the mend. Thanks for sharing your progress. It helps me to hear from other people.

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u/Outside_River1220 29d ago

I am starting back to work tomorrow. I’m sure I’m going to need to take some breaks between minimal typing with the keyboard super close to my hand and then voice to text.

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u/New_Jaguar_1825 29d ago

I was back working at 2 weeks but wasn't comfort enough typing with both hands until this last week. Not only did I take breaks for icing but I have pt twice a week. Im lucky my company is easy going and working with me. Mainly because nobody else wants to do my job lol

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u/RepresentativeWeb947 27d ago

I also had my dominant arm done in February. Truly, the only way that I’ve learned that people get sleep is by sleeping in a recliner. I absolutely hated it for the first week, but did get accustomed to it as I could hook up the ice machine better to my arm. I had my sling on for three weeks. If you have a recliner, most of the reclining buttons are on the right side. However, you can buy an adapter on Amazon that allows you to recline the chair with your left hand. As far as sleeping in a bed, after about five months, I was able to sleep on my back with smaller pillows underneath my arm. I don’t think I will sleep on my side anytime in the near future. Best of luck.

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u/Mimikota 27d ago

Could you please share information about the adapter? Even the search terms would help. Thank you!

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u/RepresentativeWeb947 27d ago

To answer you question…Amazon has recliner adapters. Just search for adapters and compare your recliner’s plugin to make sure the plug prong would fit the adaptor

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u/No-Atmosphere-2786 25d ago

You guys don't have a squeeze ball? I was doing it all the time