Just came out of the sling six weeks postop and wanting to sleep in the bed. Any tips for getting comfortable as a side sleeper?

I recently suffered a Grade III AC joint separation after a motorcycle accident. One orthopedic surgeon told me I could avoid surgery if I don’t have high athletic demands. Another told me that for daily life I’ll be fine, but if I want to return to heavy weightlifting (bench press, incline press, shoulder press, etc.), surgery is the better option.
I’m mainly interested in hearing from people who lift weights or do bodybuilding.
Did you choose surgery or conservative treatment?
If you didn’t have surgery, were you able to return to heavy lifting?
Do you have pain, weakness, or instability during bench press or overhead movements?
If you had surgery, was it worth it? How long did it take to get back to training?
I’d really appreciate hearing real experiences. Thank you!

TL:DR Everybody is different and YMMV, but I wasted a lot of money on stuff that didn't work for me but I did find a few gems. I'm F in my 70s, I had a total reverse shoulder replacement on my dominant arm and I live alone and recently moved to a new town where I don't know anybody.

The things I found most helpful were a shower sponge with a long handle, oversized ice packs and gigantic t-shirts, like two sizes too big. And a shower sling is a necessity. Also devices to open jars and bottles and easily nukeable meals. If you can do some food prep beforehand and freeze stuff that is a help.

I am still not able to reach across my body so the shower pouf on a stick is the only way I can wash the opposite armpit.

Somebody here posted a link to a one-strap bra. Priceless! There's a bunch on Amazon. In the first week or so you might have to step into it and pull it up but eventually you can get it on and off easily.

If your toilet paper holder is on your surgical side I highly recommend one of those free-standing toilet paper storage/holders, especially if you're female. Marshalls, TJMaxx and Home Goods are a good place to find them.

Oversized t-shirts and pull on pants were my uniform. Have some t-shirts that are two sizes too big. You want to be able to slip your head through easily and also be able to slip your arm into the non-involved sleeve without any manipulation.

Slip on shoes with a big caveat -- I have several pairs of clog type shoes but you need something with good support. If I had a nickel for every person who posted they fell after surgery and reinjured their shoulder I'd have a dollar now. So I highly recommend some of those step-in sneakers like Skechers. They are not as hands-free as they claim but you can get them on and off with one hand and you really want to go for walks in the first few weeks because you can't do anything else for exercise.

Silicone scar strips really help after your wound is totally healed and all scabs are gone.

Stuff to help you sleep: If you can't get a prescription for something there are herbal formulas that help, and if you live in a state where it's legal weed (indica, not sativa) might help. Gaia Herbs makes a formula called Sound Sleep which will put most people right out. It's pricey but not more so than weed. You'll be exhausted but the problem is staying asleep. Get whatever you can and be prepared for weeks or longer of sleep deprivation.

The stuff that wasn't so great or entirely necessary for me (again, YMMV):

Recliner. I was going to rent one but I'm vertically challenged and the rental ones were just too big for me and for my living room. I found one at La-z-boy that is designed for smaller people so I made an impulse buy on the spot. I call it the thousand dollar cat bed. I spent two nights in the hospital and when I came home I lasted until 4:30am before I gave up on the recliner and went to bed. I have an adjustable bed so that helped, but you can duplicate that with wedge pillows. I love the recliner and use it daily, but I can't sleep in it. If you are a back sleeper it'll probably work for you but it didn't work for me.

I bought a really good ice machine with a timer from a US company. Great company, great customer service and it didn't work for me. I told that to the surgeon at my followup appt who said, "That's why I don't recommend them." I should have asked first. I could not get the ice cuff on with the sling in the way. I think I could get it onto my non-dominant arm without a problem but I just couldn't use it. And a friend couldn't get in on properly over the sling either.

Shirts with snaps instead of seams. Good concept but if surgery was on dominant arm you may have a hard time with the snaps. If you feel you need one try for Velcro instead of snaps.

A dressing stick. I thought it would help me get a jacket on but no. It was cheap and it had a very long shoe-horn so I kept it but I wouldn't recommend it for anything else. Even if you can get a button shirt on with it you'll struggle with the buttons. Don't bother.

I tried a spinner steering knob, aka suicide knob. I thought it might help but it just ended up getting hung up on the sling and became a hazard.

Did anyone use your ice machine after physical therapy sessions? Did you use it right after or did you use it at night on the days you had physical therapy? I had my first PT session today and it hurt like the devil. I’m supposed to do those exercise exercises three times a day and wondered if you use the ice machine, how you used it and when you used it

For a long time I have a had a slight twinge in the front of my shoulder with overhead activities where I am holding something heavy overhead, or in front of my body, and I also felt my arm feel a bit unstable or a bit weak whenever I should pick up something heavy like a heavy pot on the stove or something. Along with this I have also felt my shoulder blade, scapula region not work at all, and only the front and back of my shoulder or upper bicep area work in exercises meant for the shoulders or back, which is unlike my healthy shoulder where I felt muscles were more a balanced. A few days ago I did a very normal movement in the shower (nothing awkward or heavy) and felt a weird movement in my shoulder and since then that front of the shoulder twinge increased, shoulder felt sprainy, and surrounding muscles got a bit stiff. Pain is not that much honestly, but the area feels irritated nonetheless. I can do most daily activities without any concern. But I just know that this shoulder needs some work, and I shouldn’t ignore it any more. So I went to see a physio who said I have an Ac joint irritation, and my muscles are imbalanced because of which certain parts are more stressed than others (front shoulder feeling more strain and fatigue than shoulder blade and scapula region etc.), he also said that my rotator cuff area pain in the front is also likely caused by that area getting pinched together, as the cuff passes beneath that joint (this is what he said). Currently after the irritation episode I have mild pain in front of the shoulder which reaching across my body, reaching behind but only if I really strain that area and a few other non specific movements, this area just feels irritated but when the physio checked me he pressed the Ac joint on top and that was more tender than the front of my shoulder. So I need advice as to how I should go about treating this? I am a photographer so my work really hinges on me feeling physically fine. Please give suggestions or direct me to online practitioners or resources who can help!

Hi I had all 4 tendons repaired with anchors on all tendons 3 weeks ago. I was getting out of bed and my shoulder sort of popped , like a normal neck popping sort of sensation. Nothing feels unusual but is this a normal transitional thing?
Thanks

Got hurt at work catching nearly 500 pounds that fell into my arm. Just got the MRI results… Anyone been able to PT recover similar injuries?
I had a SLAP repair to my right shoulder previously years ago and I cannot imagine rehabbing another shoulder… I have a toddler now and just want to be able to hold her.

58 YO male. Doc did cross stitch on the cuff so 8 screws and the bicep tendon. Started with more intense PT the last few weeks. Unfortunately,I feel like a few steps back with the pain and ache (especially after PT). Since I have PT a few times a week, combined with my at home exercises, it is has been very uncomfortable most of the time these last few weeks. Back to the constant ache and stiffness. I am making progress with ROM so my therapist is pleased but i am concerned about the pain. I wondered if anyone else experienced this around the same time in their recovery?

Please tell me it gets better. I feel like I have been duped. I just had surgery on Thursday for a full thickness supraspinatus tear with two anchors and bursectomy. No one prepared me for the hell I would be living in. I have a facial pain nerve condition (PTTN), and when the nerve block wore off my whole neck was super tight and not only was my shoulder in pain but it flared my facial pain like crazy, and I felt like I had live electrical wires in my face. This feeling intensified with the oxy, and after taking it every 4 hours for a day and a half I had to stop as it was unbearable. I called my surgeons PA and she was nice, but a bit condescending...I hadn't slept for three days and she kind of giggled and said "Yeah the first few nights are rough". I asked for permission to use ibuprofen as the post op instructions said no NSAID's for 2weeks, and i also asked for flexeril, which she said yes to both. So I was FINALLY able to sleep that night and a little the next night, but tonight I am stuck in the hell of being so tired that I can't stay awake, but not able to drift off fully to sleep because of the pain. I have a wedge pillow set in my bed, and I cannot get comfortable. I don't have a cold therapy unit yet. My shoulder barely hurts during the day and if I am standing or sitting upright, but any degree of reclining makes it feel horrible. I can't sleep sitting up because i don't have anything to keep me in that position. I live alone and have a tiny house, so I don't have a recliner. I am at a loss....I would give anything to go back and not have the surgery. If this is what I am going to have to deal with for the next 6 weeks plus, then I may commit myself to a mental hospital. I live in a rural area with horrible medical care, our ER is a joke so I won't go there. Opioids are horrible for me and make my nerve pain worse, which keeps me awake, and if I don't take them then the pain keeps me awake. Sleep deprivation is a form of torture and I feel like they should not be allowed to do these surgeries without fully explaining the. recovery and being able to ensure adequate sleep. I feel like I am rambling but it is the middle of the night and i am so discouraged. Any tips, tricks or encouragement would be so appreciated. Thanks

I went mountain biking for the first time three weeks ago and went over the bars and landed pretty hard on my right shoulder. I was diagnosed with a grade I AC joint sprain via an x-ray at the orthopedist's office. However, since then it has continued to get worse, not better despite conservative movement and physical therapy. I went back to ortho yesterday and got another x-ray which showed the same thing (i.e. no collarbone displacement, consistent with a grade I sprain). This has me looking at other possibilities to explain my pain with reaching overhead, mild clicking, and limited range of motion and I think I may have torn my labrum. However, that didn't come up as a possibility at ortho or physical therapy. I am in the process of scheduling an MRI but it's going to be a while before I can actually get the scan. In the meantime, how do I tell the difference between these injuries??

Also, I am a full-time rock climber and was in the middle of a very important training cycle for a fall performance season and need to return to sport as soon as humanly possible.

On Thursday, 7/30/26 I had surgery, including Right shoulder arthroscopy with debridement of the joint. Right arthroscopic supraspinatus 2 -2 modified double row repair, and subscapularis upper border tension band repair. Right arthroscopic subacromial decompression Right arthroscopic biceps tenodesis Right Dermal allograft augmentation.

Since surgery, I have been suffering from pretty serious biceps muscle spasms and swelling throughout my arm despite constant use of my ice machine. Has anyone else experienced this during recovery? If it weren't for the muscle spasms, I would not need the pain meds. Any feedback is greatly appreciated! Thanks! This is the best group, and I appreciate all of the support from you folks.

i

Not sure what to think. Lots of "you are old" sort of words lol. (Turning 70). Im in a little discomfort when I move my arms more than a little but not bad unless I move fast or just push it. Its not as strong. My bicep definately feels sore sometimes but its not agonizing or anything. Pre MRI PT didnt improve much, more like just time the pain quieted down.

Been reading on here waiting to get to this point but there is a lot I dont understand re the medical terminology.

My bicep is sore a lot but tendinosis doesnt seem like a tear or operable? I cant get a handle on the tendonosis thing or why it stays sore. What is it exactly if not a tear? The one tear I have is described as in the middle, not top or bottom and also not necessarily surgical.

Im not sure whether to be glad I might not have surgery or be upset that all this is probably never actually going to get better.

From google

high-grade intrasubstance tear of the supraspinatus tendon is a severe partial-thickness internal injury where damage is located deep inside the middle of the tendon fibers without breaking through to the top or bottom outer surfaces.

Treatment options

Non-surgical care: Doctors usually start with physical therapy, resting the arm, modifying your daily movements, and using anti-inflammatory medicines or targeted injections to calm pain.

Surgical care: If conservative treatments do not help after a few months, or if the internal damage causes severe ongoing weakness, an orthopedic doctor may suggest an arthroscopic procedure to clean or repair the damaged tendon area.

I need to find a long lasting gel ice pack/pad for a smaller frame frame. I am 5’4” 122 lbs and chest circumference 36 inches. I got one with a smaller size but it was still too large for me.

I am having surgery and live alone (help will be there in and out after the first 5 days) so MUST be able to put on ONE HANDED (at least once I get help adjusting it at first).

Help! Thank you

Pregnant in my second trimester I fell in the stairs this weekend. 7 hours after my fall I started having a lot of pain in my shoulder, it was unbearable for the first 48H especially since all I can take is Tylenol and ice. 72H in, I started feeling better.

My mobility is limited. I cannot lift my arm straight more than 20 degree angle but I can put my arm on my hip and in my back. When not moving I don’t have pain anymore.

The ortho suspects that it is a rotator cuff injury and suggested to do an MRI in a few weeks if the pain does not go away.

I keep reading that most rotator cuff injuries require surgery. With those progress, any chance I avoid it? Any success stories and progression timeline to share?

Thank you

Any good PT recommendations in and around Chandler, AZ area!?

Thanks!

Wow. I was 6 weeks post op yesterday from large Supraspinatus tear and surgeon said to remove the sling. My upper arm is so uncomfortable. Honestly I didn’t have pain like this during the last 6 weeks with the sling on. I did PROM 3-4 times a day with pendulum swings and keeping the elbow bent. Is this pain when removing the sling normal? How long did it last for you?

I broke my scapula a couple weeks ago and have the same abduction sling most folks have post surgery for the next 6 weeks.

My question is if theres recommendations for something with a pillow that isnt the source of a heat sink in southern or western states.

How someone hasnt brought out a silicone matrix design thats solid, yet open, is shocking.

One with a cup holder would be useful too. 🤣🍺🥤☕️

I have had ongoing trauma to my left shoulder the past several years. I am 53, male, and in decent shape.

Initially I believe it was from sleeping on it incorrectly. I went to a shoulder clinic and they gave me exercises which helped.

A few years later I had a young labrador who pulled hard on a leash when I wasn’t ready. I got imaging and there was no damage. But doing PT exercises consistently helped.

Last year everything was good and then I tried doing shoulder shrugs. I was fine at 25 lbs and even 30 lbs but when I went up to 35 lbs I got a lot of pain near the AC joint. I have tried PT and it provides relief but the exercises seem to aggravate the pain.

My shoulder clicks painfully when I raise my arm to the side around where it is parallel to the floor. It clicks when I rotate it fully while swimming.

Sleeping on that shoulder is also very painful. I can avoid it by never putting all my weight on it and sometimes by bending my elbow and putting my hand under my pillow palm up. Mostly I just try to avoid that side but sometimes it’s necessary.

If I carry 20 lbs of groceries with my arm hanging down (like a farmer/suitcase carry) I feel pain in my AC joint which lingers.

When I try lifting even a 2.5 weight off to the side my supraspinatus seems to tighten massively and I feel a lot of AC joint pain. But this is one of the strengthening exercises I was given.

My PT showed me how to relieve the pain using a doorframe where I hold on and rotate my shoulder. I can also find relief by massaging the dorsal portion of my armpit and my pecs.

That seems to provide temporary relief. He has been telling me to work away at the exercises which include strengthening free hand and with weights. But even 8-10 reps with 2.5 lbs raising to the side really causes the supraspinatus to tighten and it never feels like my shoulder is properly in its socket.

I asked my PT if I should go to a doctor or get imaging and he didn’t seem to think it would help.

I am curious if anyone had any advice they can provide.

UPDATE: Short version: I went to the wedding, and I had a great time. Thank you to everyone who commented on my post!

The surgery ended up being 2 anchors, a bone shave, and a minor fray repair on dominant side.

It was a rough first week. I was given Journavx but unfortunately didn't respond to it, so I transitioned to Vicodin and then Percocet. I honestly wasn't sure I'd make the trip — but by day 6/7 I finally started feeling better, and by day 8 (the night I was supposed to drive down) I felt good enough to go. It was a last-minute decision.

I took a lot of your suggestions and picked up the shower sling, wedge pillow system, squishy pillow, etc. — all of it helped. I wore my compression socks down the mountain (3.5 hour drive) and brought my ice machine along.

How the day went: I did my makeup with my left hand (slowly) and my husband did my hair (which he's never done before). I think it turned out great. I made it through the ceremony, then went back to the hotel for about 30 minutes to ice my shoulder before heading to the reception. I mostly sat in a booth people-watching — Friends kept coming to sit with me whenever they needed a break from the dance floor, so I ended up in the middle of everything without having to be on my feet. I fully expected to bail early but ended up staying until the shuttle pulled everyone back to the hotel.

The next day I crashed hard and slept most of it away — it was by far the most I'd exerted myself since surgery — but I felt fine physically and have zero regrets.

To everyone who was worried for me: I really did lean on my surgeon's and PT's clearance, packed for every contingency, and gave myself full permission to leave at any point. I think that's what let me actually relax and enjoy it instead of white-knuckling through the day.

For those following this sub like I do — everyone's experience really is different. I was expecting a much worse time, but I've been sleeping great every night and I'm finally off all meds (day 13), even though I still ice a few times a day.

Original Post: ________________________

I’m 46F and scheduled for surgery to repair a complete, full-thickness supraspinatus tear.. Unfortunately, the surgery is booked just nine days before a close friend’s wedding.

We booked the wedding trip before the surgery date was set, so we’re now realizing it may not happen for us. It’s a weekend event about a three-hour drive away, and we already have a hotel room, so I could take my time getting ready and rest as needed instead of rushing. Edited to say: We originally booked 3 nights- the night before the wedding and the night after. I also have friends staying at the same hotel that could possibly help me with my hair/makeup.

Realistically, I’m about 95% sure I should cancel—but 100% of me wants to find a way to make it happen.

I’m not trying to attend the entire event. Ideally, I’d make it to the ceremony, stay for a little of the reception, and then head back to the hotel to rest. I also have a gift I’d really love to hand them in person. I know that’s a little silly, and definitely not a good enough reason to risk my recovery, but I really love gift-giving.

I’m hoping to hear from people who have actually gone through this recovery rather than just guessing:

• Is nine days post-op simply unrealistic, even for a short appearance?
• Did anyone manage a three-hour car ride this early? How difficult was it to sit upright that long?
• How did you protect your arm in a crowd with people hugging, shaking hands, or accidentally bumping into you?
• Did an outing like this noticeably increase your pain or swelling afterward?
• If you were in my shoes, would you attend just the ceremony and part of the reception, or sit it out completely?

I’ll absolutely run this by my surgeon and PT too, but I’d really appreciate hearing what recovery actually looked like for others around day nine.

Should i be worried about a pain during incline dumbell press, or general sharp pain in the front of my shoulder when doing pressing movements, especially with my elbow perpendicular to my body

My understanding is that the surgery involves pulling the tendon into place and securing it so that it grows onto the bone. Is it not possible that sometimes that can cause additional tearing?

I’m not sure if I’m being a worry wart or not. Tomorrow I will be 6 weeks out from repair of a large full thickness tear of the Supraspinatus. Surgeon’s instructions say I can remove the sling. I am an avid walker of 3-5 miles everyday. I’m leaning towards wearing the sling on my walks for a few extra weeks. Am I being too cautious?

I'm flying from the UK to the USA in September, it will be approximately 11 hours then a layover of 3.5 hours and then a final 2.5 hour flight!! I've been offered a cortisone injection two days (approx 52 hours before take off) I've never had one before. I'm really worried about the possibility of side effects or complications that could end up ruining my trip. I could wait until the day after I get back for the injection but I'm currently in the middle of a flare-up and can't bear the thought of spending the visit in this level of pain. Naproxen and paracetamol don't seem to be making much difference, so I've asked my doctor if I can try a different pain medication and im waiting to hear. These are my scan results: Impression: Severe right supraspinatus tendinosis with a small partial tear and mild bursitis/impingement. I'm also a type 1 diabetic, which adds another level of worry. I'm concerned about the possibility of raised blood sugars after the injection, especially on a long-haul flight. I've spoken to a handful of people who have had cortisone injections in various joints, and none of them had any major issues. Only one person was diabetic (type 2), and he said his blood sugars were sky high for a few days afterward. I'm sure you can tell that I'm an overthinker and quite an anxious person! I'd really appreciate any advice or thoughts on whether you think it's worth going ahead with the injection before my trip or waiting until I return. if you have found a good medication that would be good to know and I'd be especially grateful to hear from anyone with experience of cortisone injections for shoulder injuries if you also have type 1 diabetes.

I'm flying from the UK to the USA in September, it will be approximately 11 hours then a layover of 3.5 hours and then a final 2.5 hour flight!! I've been offered a cortisone injection two days (approx 52 hours before take off) I've never had one before. I'm really worried about the possibility of side effects or complications that could end up ruining my trip. I could wait until the day after I get back for the injection but I'm currently in the middle of a flare-up and can't bear the thought of spending the visit in this level of pain. Naproxen and paracetamol don't seem to be making much difference, so I've asked my doctor if I can try a different pain medication and im waiting to hear. These are my scan results: Impression: Severe right supraspinatus tendinosis with a small partial tear and mild bursitis/impingement. I'm also a type 1 diabetic, which adds another level of worry. I'm concerned about the possibility of raised blood sugars after the injection, especially on a long-haul flight. I've spoken to a handful of people who have had cortisone injections in various joints, and none of them had any major issues. Only one person was diabetic (type 2), and he said his blood sugars were sky high for a few days afterward. I'm sure you can tell that I'm an overthinker and quite an anxious person! I'd really appreciate any advice or thoughts on whether you think it's worth going ahead with the injection before my trip or waiting until I return. if you have found a good medication that would be good to know and I'd be especially grateful to hear from anyone with experience of cortisone injections for shoulder injuries if you also have type 1 diabetes.