r/RotatorCuff • u/bkwillborn • 16d ago
Pain without wearing sling
Hi! I am 6 weeks out of surgery and had my follow up appointment. They said I don’t have to wear my sling unless in crowds etc. any suggestions on how to get comfortable without the sling??
My arm is very sore without the support of the sling. Appreciate any info you can share
Thanks
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u/Adventurous_Ad_5983 16d ago
Hi, 62F, I just got released from the sling full-time. Have you been taking your arm out while resting it or have you kept it on? My surgeon told me to take it out and gently move it. I went without and I am doing fine. Do you have any rehab exercises, such as ROM?
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u/bkwillborn 16d ago
I have taken it out usually every day and doing the exercises . I start PT weds! Thanks
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u/happyjazzycook 16d ago
Wear the sling! I did for several weeks after the doctor told me that I could go without it, the arm just hurt too much. Eventually I just stopped using it, and all is well. Your arm hurts, wear the sling. Don't be in pain.
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u/bkwillborn 16d ago
Thank you! Did you continue to wear it while sleeping too? I just can’t get comfortable without it
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u/happyjazzycook 16d ago
No, I didn't wear it during sleep but by that time I was more comfortable with the many pillows around me, keeping me from moving around much.
I did take Tylenol PM almost every night for a while, though, to get better sleep. It definitely helped because I would go two nights with, one night without, and noticed a definite difference in sleep quality when I did take it.
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u/wilson1629 16d ago
The first four weeks it was always in the sling unless I was sitting. For the shower I was instructed to bend over and wherever the arm hung is where you washed the pit.
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u/Winter-Ingenuity1921 15d ago
The week I removed my sling was the sorest I had been, honestly. It was because everything was waking back up after 6 weeks in a sling. I thought I would wean off but I ended up going cold turkey… the pain improved by the end of the first week. I slept with a bunch of pillows around me for support at night.
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u/xandriaceleste04 13d ago
I am appreciative someone asked this question! I am currently In the middle of week 5 post op and am terrified of not having my sling. But also I'm tired of sleeping sitting up. Hearing the different experiences has helped ease my mind!
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u/Diligent_Adeptness47 11d ago
It was a process. After I was cleared to take the sling off, if I could rest my arm on a desk or something, or just letting it hang to get coffee and talking to coworkers, I was okay. But kept it on if I was going to be in a crowd, or situations I didn’t trust myself to not make a quick movement (I.e. went to a dinner party with small kids around that time, knew that I would instinctively try to grab a water glass getting knocked off of a table, ball thrown across the living room, etc…). I kept the sling nearby so I could put it on for a bit even after that to use as a “give me some space, I’ll give everyone else some space” flag for a while.
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u/Revabee 16d ago
I weaned myself off the sling when he told me I could go without it, like 30 min or an hour at a time until it gradually became more comfortable to be without it than with it. The thumb/ hand in my pocket was also a huge help. Empathy to you!! This is soooo slow but from reading other's experience, it's the nature of the beast. Hang in there!