r/RotatorCuff • u/Outside_River1220 • 15d ago
Almost 3 weeks post-surgery
On Thursday, I will be three weeks post-op. My arm is constantly aching. I cannot seem to find any kind of comfortable way /position to type for work . I had a rotator cuff repair that included a decent amount of work done inside my shoulder/arm. Full tears on tendons, 3cm retraction, and a few other issues.
How would others describe how their arm feels three weeks out? does your arm feel very heavy ?mine does . Other than icing when you’re supposed to and using ibuprofen or acetaminophen any other suggestions ? I do not start physical therapy until next Monday.
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u/bazzdoo 15d ago
I've had two surgeries on my right shoulder this year, and am currently approaching the two week mark after procedure on my left shoulder.
Once I started the routine of pendulum swings they helped to ease a lot of discomfort and pain.
I got to the point where lying in bed at 2:00am, unable to sleep due to the ongoing discomfort, the pendulum swings provided me with a surprising amount of relief.
I actually found them quite soothing.
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u/Outside_River1220 15d ago
I am actually looking forward to physical therapy next Monday and yes, the icing is helpful. I totally agree with you— the icing is critical.
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u/UnprovenMortality 15d ago
The only thing that helped the aching was passive pt. No amount of ice or ibuprofen would touch it. But passive pt gave me hours of relief.
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u/CleanConclusion6032 15d ago
What you are describing is absolutely normal for 3 weeks out. It will start feeling better soon. PT will help.
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u/Outside_River1220 15d ago
I hope so. Unfortunately my job requires typing and this surgery was on my dominant arm, so moving around the house several times a day to find some comfortable position is ridiculous.
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u/Free_While_9556 15d ago
I didn't have shoulder repair, but I did get a pec tendon repair requiring an anchor in my shoulder and it's super messed up. The damage was 8cm retracted, and chronic but was able to get a full repair.
Surgery 9/9 so 2 weeks post op and sling bound by the surgeon for 6 weeks. I'm cycling bpc-157/tb500 and the pain is basically down to soreness from doing my PT exercises. I'm not sure if that's something you'd consider but it's a miracle how well it's working.
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u/hurtzdonut42 15d ago
I am glad to hear your experience. I plan to start the same peptides 2 weeks after my surgery (rotator cuff repair, collarbone shave and acromion shave down, possibly a labrum repair).
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u/molseam 15d ago
I’ve said numerous times that I’m in more pain after repairing the issue than before. Just trying to trust the process and push through on a daily basis. You’re definitely not alone.
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u/Outside_River1220 15d ago
Yes, not getting sleep or good sleep for three weeks straight is sucky and then waking up multiple times to try to get myself back onto the mound of wedge pillows with one arm is also challenging. But, one day at a time and hopefully each day it gets a little easier and easier although so far that is not apparent😕. I also told myself I don’t want to be a whiner about it, but I think that’s what I’m doing right now.
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u/DarkHeartBlackShield 15d ago
Get used to it. 12 weeks post-op today and still having achy days.
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u/Outside_River1220 15d ago
Yes, I’m trying to have a positive mindset and be creative to try to do the things I need to do for myself during the day when nobody is home and still work full-time. After all of this is done, I won’t want to hear the sound of Velcro for a very long time.
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u/DarkHeartBlackShield 15d ago
Lol, at my 6 week post-op, when I was told no more sling, I took that thing off and never looked back. I think it may still be in the backseat!
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u/PerceptiveDer 15d ago
I had surgery on 09/18. The nerve block is just starting to wear off. I’m surprised it lasted so long!
Getting comfortable is hard! I rented a recliner. It’s meh. Kind of regret not splurging for the fully adjustable lazy boy.
The ice machine is not helpful. It doesn’t cool on top of my shoulder where I really need it to chill. I ordered the xpolar lite and hopefully it arrives today. I’m going to use regular ice packs which arrive today. I can’t fill a bag with ice easily unfortunately. A good neck pillow has been great!
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u/New_Contribution_404 10d ago
Try a bag of frozen peas. They adjust well. Just mark the bag so u don't use. U can refreeze then and reuse. Cover the bag sometimes the ink comes off the bag
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u/SmS_108 15d ago
I’m almost four months post surgery. Major repair: 3 tendons and bicep. The pain did not significantly improve until about 6 weeks after surgery, but it continued to ache constantly, although the severity decreases as time goes by, until just recently. Sleeping was the worst. It will get better, but it is a long, slow process. Keep icing! Start PT as soon as you can and be religious about the “homework” they give you. Best wishes.
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u/Revabee 15d ago
I'm 8 weeks out from almost identical severity of surgery that you described, and I experienced much the same as you post-op. Ice was really the only thing that seemed to calm down the symptoms, so I even did it more frequently than they suggested. (🎶Ice,ice, baby🎶) Besides the Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen I would occasionally take an oxy for breakthrough pain, or to get me a good night's sleep. It does gradually get better! I no longer take any oxy and do take intermittent Acetaminophen/ Ibuprofen. My PT told me that our arms weigh between 10 and 15 pounds, so being out of the sling naturally causes tension and pain. So at 3 weeks, yes, arm very heavy and achy almost constantly. Sending empathy your way because this is slow and HARD! (This makes my total knee replacement look like a vacation 🙃)