TIPS for Shoulder Surgery Recovery Weeks 1-6

In this video I share the 5 more important parts of post surgical care following your rotator cuff repair surgery.

[TheNewMexicoMan]

12 days post op Rotator Cuff repair here. I have two tips. My Number one tip is if you can afford it, get an adjustable bed platform for your bed that raised your head and feet. They have them that can fit in your existing bed frame or flat on a platform type bed. They work with any mattress. You may be able to rent one. Sleeping in a recliner gets very old very fast. With this, you don't need to sleep in a recliner and you will enjoy it long after you are healed.
My Number two tip is to buy or rent an ice machine. It circulates ice cold water into a pad that is designed to be secured to your shoulder. It is a lifesaver when it comes to pain management.

[MLMLW]

I had rotator cuff repair along with additional bicep muscle repair August 3rd. I had to wear my sling for 6 wks but could take it off a couple of times a day to straighten my elbow and move my fingers & hand. I started PT once a week during Week 7 post op & started out with stretching exercises that I did at home on a daily basis. After 8 wks of starting PT I started doing strength training that I did every other 2-3 days at home. After 9 wks of once a week PT I started going every other week. My last PT appt was the 2nd week in January but I still have to continue doing my strength exercises at home every 2-3 days. I wasn't allowed to drive until 8 wks post op and even though I got out of the sling at 6 wks my therapist told me to wear it an additional 2 wks only when I'm in a car or going to be in a crowded area to avoid having people bump into my shoulder. My surgeon says I'm doing well & ahead of the game at this point so I just need to keep working to strengthen my shoulder. Right now I'm using 5 lb hand weights and flex bands for my exercises. A word of advice - If you know you're going to have surgery on your dominate arm start practicing before surgery using only your non-dominate arm for daily activities so you'll be used to it after surgery. Lift some hand weights to strengthen that arm if you have to. It will help after surgery.

[songbird]

Had rotator cuff, biceps tendonisis, labrum shaved, Supra spinatus repair a joint debridement, all done arthroscopically. I have a top shelf immobilizer. I think sadists make these things. Wearing it for 6 weeks except for shower, dressing and PT exercises. Started PT day 14 after surgery. Hoping all will heal and I can get full use and strength back of the arm and shoulder. Thank you for these videos.

[deborahjohnson]

Buy a bidet...makes you feel cleaner and more independent. My rotator cuff was torn 100% plus a slap tear and a bicep tear. 12 month recovery, I have 8 anchors!!! Happened with me trying to lift a crate of milk in our cafeteria. I'm a teacher. Crate won, I really messed my shoulder up. PT is going very well, but we are taking things slow. Surgeon is pleased with my progress.

[calvinsmyth]

So helpful. Thank you! Surgeons should give hand-outs on why rest and positioning of the arm is so important.

[carolmontalto]

Reverse Shoulder replacement surgery. Overnight to my home recovery. Called insurance 6 times daily for my nursing care. Nurse came took my vitals left. Occup therapist came had me move my fingers gave me exercises. No info I needed sweet but didn't answer questions said she only had an hour. I just got the info I needed from my usual reliable personal care research source YouTube. Thank you. Carol.

[richardjones]

Day six after my operation and age of 77, I wish I had seen the web guidance before now. I have struggled to understand the exercise instruction sheet I was given, and living alone for the past three months after the death of my wife after years of illness and treatment. Currently, if it will be done, I must do whatever. The sling has been my companion, not my master, it comes off in the bathroom, and I struggle to ensure it is correctly set. Maybe I should not have fitted the new runners in the dishwasher after they were delivered in less than 24 hours, but I need the dishwasher! I hope it is not too late to restrict my activities, but I know I am not a good patient. Spinal surgery twice, cataract surgery twice, knee cartilage I have horror stories of misadventure with them all, now it appears I can add misadventure to my shoulder repair. All I can say is I have been able to stop the painkillers, they were not needed and added nothing to my life. I am not sure what to do with the other torn up shoulder.

[Debcatawba]

I’ve had three rotator cuff surgeries. 2 things I’ve found to be requirements for myself…
1) Ask your pharmacist for childless bottle caps. They come off with the flip of a thumb.
2) Get a mesh sling for showering. It looks like fishnet material which allows clean water to flow through, while the sling itself is still holding my shoulder in place. I need the mesh sling for showering.

[snozq]

I’m having full thickness repair in 4 weeks, your video is by far the most informative I’ve seen on the web thankyou

[michaelpralle]

Had rotator cuff repair on left shoulder(just the supraspinatus) 3 weeks ago today…dr told me to ditch sling last week at 2 week follow up! Started PT this week…everything feels normal from elbow down…only pain when I accidentally move arm out to side or raise upper arm a bit🤦‍♂️ looking forward to PT getting range of motion back!!

[Mid-AirMan]

Thank you for making this video. Having surgery this week and although I have my doctor's instructions, this went more indepth as to why doing these things are important.

[heathermcnamara]

My surgeon wants me out of the sling in 10 days, I followed his instructions and re-tore it.. now have to have it fixed again

[Asher]

Oh gosh… I’m 22 days post op. I had my first two PT sessions within the past five days. In the past two to three days, I was doing my pendulum exercises three times daily at home. I think I did too many reps, and am pretty sore this afternoon. I have lots of fear avoidance with my PT, but am more relaxed at home on my own. I had a full thickness rotator cuff tear, lots of clean up of bone spurs, bicep tendonesis, distal clavicle excision and subacromial decompression. I really hope I haven’t compromised my repair. I don’t ever want to go through this again.

[gal]

I had RC surgery plus massive tendon repair (with mesh) 3.5wks ago.
Speak as you find: I had keyhole surgery day surgery with minimal need for pain relief.
Wounds were healing "brilliantly" (as Practice Nurse told me during wound dressing appointment 1wk later) apparently.
Stitches out at 2wks and everything looking really neat and healthy.
Worse part for me: left shoulder surgery and I'm left-handed!!
I've managed to do everything myself as I've moved forward: think that's maybe just me tho? Hoping I've not overdone it🤞
The first shower without the carrier bag over my dressing was awesome! I can even wash my own armpits now!😂 Never thought I'd get back in a bra during this first 6wks. I'd defo not win any 'Miss Wet T-shirt' contests at my age, but fee that's been a big achievement for me. l feel like l can be seen in public again!😉
Think if l'd been a defeatest, those first 2wks may have got the better of me due to frustration at restrictions. Have to say l've always been one to try to adapt things to work for whatever sticky situation I've found myself in, and that's really worked for me.
But I'm very lucky and extremely grateful in that l have a wonderful husband here with me all day. He's a great carer....while I'm affectionately likened to Nurse Ratched😂!!
Advised to do daily exercises for fingers, wrist, neck, lower arm, shoulder shrugs/rolls the day after surgery.
Got a total of 6wks in sling. Had stitches removed after 2wks by Consultant. He said to support elbow and lift affected arm up in front of me 10 times a day, 20 reps!!! (You sure matey?!! 🤔)
I haven't managed todo that: l manage 3 times a day, 10+ reps. Rightly or wrongly, that sounded a bit extreme after only 2wks??
But l really appreciate l need to do this and will build up to it. Still doing all other exercises too.
Haven't had PT appointment yet. Thatll come soon enough.
I started my journey in Jan '23. Had a lousy Christmas. Couldn't lift my arm/sleep/drive. Saw my GP Physio, had ultrasound/MRI/Physio/Ortho Consultant appointments and day surgery in May '24. For the NHS, I'd say that was pretty fast!
Speak as you find: my start-to- finish care with the NHS has been very thorough and I've received excellent care throughout.
It's largely down to me now to continue my recovery with PT.
My advice for those due to have this surgery: if dominant arm to be affected, practice using other arm/hand in preparation. Batch cook food if you live alone. Women: buy big knickers and loose linen trousers with elasticated waist: comfortable and easier to get up & down. Have your hair cut shorter/more maneageable style: (it will grow!). Stock plenty of Paracetamol and Ibuprofen. Sleep a bit upright with a thin pillow under your affected arm and one under your knees (yeah, its really comfortable). Let others do the housework/cooking: its not forever. Oh, and my own personal thing l wish I could have done: get a bidet installed....!😉😂😂😂
Recover Well Everyone! ❤ 🇬🇧

[xerwpolyxeropoulos]

You are correct, every surgeon has their own ways. I had full reverse repair on Dec 1st. I have been out of the sling since the second week since surgery, and driving. My doc is a " mobility" believer and I have been doing movements, each day going further than before. Pendulum back and forth bent over was first. I now can do dishes as my walk fingers forward exercises on the table help. Sleeping was the worst scenario and most painful time and I could only sleep sitting up, 3 hours at a time. The hardest movement 3 weeks out is moving out to the side. I know I am healing by the itching on the tendons/ligaments attachment area. Thank you for the tips !

[gettingseriousgettingolder]

My surgeon told me to start dangling my arm out of the sling 3 days after surgery!

[CodyRoseDrums]

Nice, just dislocated my shoulder for the 15th time on thanksgiving. It’s time for surgery, I’m tired of this.

[cavreality]

Thanks for making this video, you definitely removed some concerns that I was having. I just had this surgery 10 days ago on Oct 14th for a slap tear as well as rotator cuff tear, and I am passed the initial pain of the surgery and I am starting to get adjusted to being in the immobilizer all the time. I have my post op appointment next week to get staples out and get a recommendation for physical therapy. My biggest concern is that I will mess up the healing process in physical therapy or in the immobilizer doing daily activities which are very limited, but I will just trust the process and what the doctor says 🤞🏼

[BeadsandBaubs]

Very helpful. Thank you. I had anatomical shoulder replacement and subscapularis tendon reattachment but most of this info was relevant to me too. Now almost to 4 weeks post op and started passive PT. Wearing sling for full 6 weeks

[bcbart]

This is great information and very well presented. I definitely benefited from it. Thank you!