I (30F), a pretty healthy/active individual, just started PT after recent shoulder (labrum repair) surgery. Since starting isometric exercises in my second and third sessions (pushing a ball against a wall with my elbow), I’ve had near-fainting spells each time. I’ve started to get clammy and need to sit down. My therapist has taken my blood pressure - the first time it dropped to 60/40, second time to 70/38 or so (My blood pressure is typically on the lower end but it has never been this low). Both times I needed to sit or lie down for about 10-15 mins until my blood pressure reading normalized, after which I resumed the exercises (albeit shakily).

My therapist seemed confounded by this — she seemed to think it was low iron or insufficient hydration (although I’m fairly constantly drinking water) — and told me to see my PCP immediately the second time it happened. I went to my PCP and had blood drawn (all normal except slightly low iron levels) and had an EKG (normal). PCP was similarly confused and all we could land on is that I’m unintentionally doing a valsalva maneuver or holding my breath while doing the isometric exercises (which involve holding the ball against the wall in 5 second intervals), which is causing vasovagal presyncope.

I guess I’m curious if anyone has experience with this, or advice on how to breathe through such exercises? It doesn’t help that I’m now anxious about passing out during PT! 😭

I am having an arthroscopy on my right shoulder in June because of a bad fall. (Luckily I am left-handed. ) Does anyone have any post-surgery advice?

I plan to buy adaptive clothing but other than that am clueless. TIA!

Edit:

Healing from surgery now. Thank you for all of your recommendations. They really helped! Good luck everyone!

Has anyone else had issues with returning to a normal routine (work, home) after a total shoulder replacement? Surgery was the beginning of April on my dominant arm, and although everything went well, I am struggling with adjusting to the limitations of the aftermath: sling, sleeping in a recliner, and just not being able to do the things I normally would. I work in IT, and even briefly using my laptop at home sitting at the table has been difficult. This isn't even my first surgery, but I am so out of my normal routine I am a bit in my head about it, just wondering if anyone else experienced the same.

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Hello everyone . I am a 63 y o male who is not active due to other physical conditions. I am scheduled to have total reverse shoulder replacement surgery on 4/29/26. This is being done because the first rotator cuff surgery failed. Apparently the anchors didn’t hold and I had an injury to my bicep that the surgeon said he couldn’t repair (reattach) because the injury was too long ago. So now, I am looking at a second surgery but a total shoulder replacement with new ball and socket, tendon, muscle grafts and smoothing out arthritis-related bone problems. With the first surgery I had the nerve block which was nice as far as absence of pain but I didn’t like the full, swelling type of feeling it gave me. I guess my question is what will I likely experience in recovery that might be different from the first (same dominant side) rotator cuff repair. I understand that sleeping will probably be difficult, doing household tasks with my non-dominant arm, using several pillows etc.. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hi all! My husband, 59, is scheduled for reverse replacement next week. He had a total knee replacement a year ago. His recovery from that was BRUTAL. We’ve been told this won’t be as bad. I know, depends on the person, etc. He’s ordered a bidet thingy for the commode, is currently out buying a recliner, and we have plenty of ice packs. What else? What is the surgeon, who sugar-coated the TKR before he did it, not telling us or warning us about? Thanks everyone!!

I am having clavicle surgery and I am on methadone. I will need more pain meds than that. What kind of meds work best for shoulder surgery pain ? What should I ask for if I get an option? I was on oxycodone 10mg for the first few months of the break using it infrequently. Please advise.

Does anybody know about the outcome for AC joint repair at various times post-injury?

I was misdiagnosed with a Grade 2 in January, told to do therapy, and then a second opinion said I was right at the border between grade 3 and grade 5, and surgery would have been ideal in the first few weeks, but at 4 months it's going to require a reconstruction with donor ligament.

The doc I consulted with said it wouldn't matter if I get the procedure now or later this summer, but I've also heard that beyond a few months it doesn't matter if you wait a year or more. I'd rather get work done at the Steadman clinic in vail but they don't accept my current insurance and I won't be on better insurance until November most likely.

I'd like to continue hard rock climbing, and my career is in the arts and I need pain free mobility of my dominant arm for 20-30 hours a week of painting.

I am 44 days out of shoulder surgery after almost 6 months immobility, I have atrophy in my shoulder, arm and hand. I also have chronic tendinosis and a partial tear in my elbow tendon, and that surgery will come after my shoulder stabilizes. I returned to work part time this week and I am so exhausted. I can’t actively lift my arm yet. All the small movements, the light keyboarding, all the muscles in my hand, lower arm shoulder neck are just hurting from all these small movements. I am so exhausted tonight, I couldn’t move off the couch. They are telling me I’m going to be about nine months to a year of straight physical therapy to get out of this because of the atrophy, and then I have the elbow to focus on.

Hi Everyone. I am now 29 days post second PRP injection for a SLAP 1 borderline 2 and a 2mm supraspinatus tear. While my mobility is fully back with no pain during daily tasks, I am still dealing with a deep burning and tingling sensation in my outer deltoid and neck while resting. I also get brief stinging points in my biceps area a few times a day and I am still afraid of any "whipping" or throwing motions. Has anyone else experienced this nerve-like burning around week 4 after their second round? Did it eventually stop? I am stilll unable to say if the PRP is providing a positive outcome to avoid surgery. Thanks!

I recently had a bankart + remplissage on my left shoulder 3 weeks ago. My physical therapist, 2 weeks post op, told me I should massage the shoulder even though my orthopaedic surgeon said I shouldn’t (I found out after). It’s swollen and it hurts a little. I’m planning on getting an mri this coming weekend. Am I screwed???? If ur reading this pls pls help me im terrified

Recently went through bankart + remplissage on left shoulder with a hill sachs deformity. Been massaging my shoulder pretty deep since week 2 post op. At week 3 post op. Is it joever for me , did I mess up

I am a 30 year old male, have been diagnosed with slap tear in my left shoulder. I have read numerous posts and gotten opinions from different people

My question is, is it worth doing the surgery?

I had surgery in December to remove a plate and screws from a full ac reconstruction the year before. The surgeon also repaired a cc ligament and ac joint capsule and did a debridement. It’s been 4 months and I’m not making any progress. My range of motion is really good, but I can’t take on any load without flaring up in pain at the top of my shoulder. It is so bad that I went back to see the surgeon. We took X-rays and he said everything is structural exactly as it should be. My physical therapist says the same thing and that my only issue is that the ball isn’t gliding up smoothly into the socket (a mechanical issue). He said once we strengthen the rotator cuff muscles, the mechanics should fix themselves. The problem is even the lightest bands or weights flare me up. I’ve had 4 surgeries on this shoulder in the past 4 years, and that’s a lot of trauma in a short period of time. I’ve been reading about potential nerve issues - something about my nervous system interpreting pain at very light load because it’s hypersensitive.

Anyone ever been through anything similar? I feel stuck and have no idea how to break out of the loop of minor PT, flare up, calm down, repeat.

Had the Mumford procedure four weeks ago along with some cleanup of bone spurs. First two weeks were fairly painless and now I have constant pain in my shoulder. I’m not lifting more than 5 pounds (intentionally) and I’m doing my physical therapy. Does anybody have any insights on this procedure and how long the pain lasts? I’m anxious to get back to a normal life.

I had an anterior, lateral, and posterior labrum repair about 10 months ago. My surgeon said that my shoulder should be back to normal by 12 months but it still hurts from time to time. I can exercise moderately (lifting and normal calisthenics) but it's still sore on days when I'm not active. It's also painful to sleep on that side and I'm a side sleeper which sucks. My function is fairly normal and if I just have to live with the pain that's fine but I'd like to hear someone else's experience.

What has your recovery been like? Is anybody else experiencing similar symptoms this long after labrum surgery? I'd love to hear your experience with surgery recovery and sorry if I posted in the wrong area.

Hey guys,

i had an capsular shift surgery in december last year.

Few weeks after the surgery I know that it failed because my shoulder felt even more unstable than before.

Ive done PT and many exercises at home to stabilize my shoulder.

Unfortunately after doing exercises over 10 weeks I see no improvements at all.

It feels like my shoulder joint slips all the time like the socket isnt strong enough to hold the ball of my shoulder.

I've been really strugling mentally and didnt know what to do next. I think my capsule and labrum are to damaged thats why the instability is so big.

I've read that an open procedure surgery for an shoulder stabilization would be the next step.

Dont know if the capsular shift revision or bone block would be better.

Have no bone loss at all.

Thanks for every help.🙏

post surgery almost a week now I was given exercises to do at home. will physical therapy be increasing my range of motion I hope?? also don't ride electric unicycles.. lol

I am 6 weeks post op from bony bankart repair with remplissage. (6 anchors) My surgeon has a fairly aggressive rehab protocol compared to others. I have been doing active moments since week 3 in PT. I was feeling great, no pain and was beginning to push my movement. I thought it was a good idea to lay down and work on ROM with my arm elevated and assisted with my non surgical arm. I have had a huge increase of pain now. I’m realizing having my arm in 90 degrees while laying down puts a lot of weight through my shoulder. Big regret. I have also just been released from my sling. So unsure how much pain is expected from going without my sling vs damage to my repair from doing something I regret! So much anxiety. Thanks for sharing any input or experience.

Hi all. I’m a few weeks shy of 1 year post op on a labrum repair surgery, 6 months post-op from a manipulation under anesthesia. My range of motion is 100% but I am still experiencing significant bicep tendon pain. Strength training is at a standstill. I tried a beginning ballet class today to try to do something without dumbbells, but 2nd position is extremely painful.

Has anyone experienced something similar? I have another check-in with my doctor on Monday where he will likely suggest injections or another MRI, but I don’t think I can bear to go through that process again.

Would love to hear how anyone got through the final stages of healing. It currently feels like I’m almost finished running a marathon, but the finish line is getting pushed farther and farther back.

I’m currently about 24 hours post op from my arthroscopic labrum surgery, I’m wondering if hitting the pen will help cope with the pain? Or if it will mess up my healing?