I'll shoot the coyotes for you this winter
Rotator cuff surgery
- Thread starter tjones
- Start date
A207X2
Well-known member
One thing I want everyone to be aware of is a thing called a “FROZEN SHOULDER”. You get it by babying your injured shoulder (I.e. putting it in a sling so you won’t hurt it any more). You do not want to get a frozen shoulder. When I blew out my left shoulder I had already scheduled my surgery around my schedule. Surgeon and I agreed to wait 3 months until I got back home from our summer camp site. In the meantime I babied the shoulder so I wouldn’t injure it any further. Worst thing I could have done. When I went in for my pre-op interview with the surgeon I couldn’t move my arm around at all. The pain was intense.
He said that I had a frozen shoulder and that he couldn’t operate on it until he “unfroze” it - which involved him putting me under and manipulating the shoulder (read: moved the shit out of my arm/shoulder!!!) until all the frozen tissue (like scar tissue) was broken up. When I came to, the pain was horrific. Much worse than anything I’d ever experienced. It required 6 weeks of PT (remember, my shoulder still has the torn rotator cuff, labrum, and bicep tendon), THEN….. he could do the surgery.
Ask your doctor about a frozen shoulder.
He said that I had a frozen shoulder and that he couldn’t operate on it until he “unfroze” it - which involved him putting me under and manipulating the shoulder (read: moved the shit out of my arm/shoulder!!!) until all the frozen tissue (like scar tissue) was broken up. When I came to, the pain was horrific. Much worse than anything I’d ever experienced. It required 6 weeks of PT (remember, my shoulder still has the torn rotator cuff, labrum, and bicep tendon), THEN….. he could do the surgery.
Ask your doctor about a frozen shoulder.
WyoDoug
Well-known member
Frozen shoulder is nothing to ignore at all. It can become permanent. More than anything it is important to do daily stretching exercises leading eventually to conditioning and regaining strength. As said before DO NOT baby that shoulder. Do everything you can to move back into normal use and range as you can. Follow what your doctor and the physical therapist tells you to do. Dump that sling as soon as you can and do not get adicted to it. Yes, there will be some pain but eventually it goes away.
WyoDoug
Well-known member
I recommend these, I used them when I tore my biceps tendon. Start with the 10 pound bands and move to the 50 eventually as you feel you can do more. More than anything, you want to stretch the tendons back out but follow what the doctor and therapist tells you.
Much rather be anticipating tomorrow's hunt.
Surgery went well. I think.
Never spoke to the surgeon.
On the ice machine. Feels ok!
A207X2
Well-known member
Get out in front of the pain that is about to hit you. Start on the meds NOW - before it overwhelms you.
BrentD
Well-known member
I'm on Day 3. What A207x2 says!!
brendog84cj8
Active member
Had two tears and the biceps done on my left shoulder a year ago this coming week. If I remember right I was first able to shoot my bow in July/August and those first attempts were brutal, just no strength in that bow arm/shoulder. Ended up in decent shooting shape by the season but not to the point I would of wanted to do a 3d shoot with tons of targets.
Everything folks say here is true. Recovery sucks, recliners suck, PT sucked but you just have to get through it all, it takes time. You'll find out what you are made of the first time you try driving and move that shoulder just right and get a massive zinger.
Having a helper around that first week or more is critical and make sure you have the cold wrap ice machine, darn glad I bought one. Good luck!
Everything folks say here is true. Recovery sucks, recliners suck, PT sucked but you just have to get through it all, it takes time. You'll find out what you are made of the first time you try driving and move that shoulder just right and get a massive zinger.
Having a helper around that first week or more is critical and make sure you have the cold wrap ice machine, darn glad I bought one. Good luck!
Last edited:
Day two.
So far the biggest problem was my wife trying to pick up the pain meds, even with a prescription the pharmacist needs a surgeon's consent, only needed one when the nerve block wore off (have 50), just Tylenol after.
Saving the strong stuff in case I need it during therapy.
Should see surgeon this week, right now I am not even sure what they did
So far the biggest problem was my wife trying to pick up the pain meds, even with a prescription the pharmacist needs a surgeon's consent, only needed one when the nerve block wore off (have 50), just Tylenol after.
Saving the strong stuff in case I need it during therapy.
Should see surgeon this week, right now I am not even sure what they did
David58
Well-known member
Ice is your friend!
I think the pain med rules have got very, very stupid. The Feds should prosecute the hell out of the pushers of Oxy (Purdue Pharma's owners) and go back to assuming that most of us are responsible adults instead of most of us being closet druggies.
Good luck on the journey! I have to take the same journey again, myself, and am not excited.
But remember, your best friend for a week or so is ice.
David
NM
I think the pain med rules have got very, very stupid. The Feds should prosecute the hell out of the pushers of Oxy (Purdue Pharma's owners) and go back to assuming that most of us are responsible adults instead of most of us being closet druggies.
Good luck on the journey! I have to take the same journey again, myself, and am not excited.
But remember, your best friend for a week or so is ice.
David
NM
Agree, brother in law sent me his ice machine, awesome.
1942farmall
New member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2022
- Messages
- 20
Just had mine done two weeks ago.
I've been fortunate.
Only took their dope the day of and the day after since they told me to stay ahead of the pain.
I hate that stuff.
Been fortunate. No pain at all.
Sling is annoying but I can't really complain.
Sitting in the recliner looking at the wall for 10+ hours is about to drive me nuts.
I've been fortunate.
Only took their dope the day of and the day after since they told me to stay ahead of the pain.
I hate that stuff.
Been fortunate. No pain at all.
Sling is annoying but I can't really complain.
Sitting in the recliner looking at the wall for 10+ hours is about to drive me nuts.
noharleyyet
Well-known member
Day 6
Finally met with surgeon,Set up physical therapy, sling for another5 weeks.
Asked alot of questions. Locked shoulder does not just happen from lack of exercise, also prior to surgery.
I figure anyone who can do what he did,4 1/2" cuts, Ill follow directions.
Stitches out, Down to two Tylenol, hurts during the day, not bad.
Finally met with surgeon,Set up physical therapy, sling for another5 weeks.
Asked alot of questions. Locked shoulder does not just happen from lack of exercise, also prior to surgery.
I figure anyone who can do what he did,4 1/2" cuts, Ill follow directions.
Stitches out, Down to two Tylenol, hurts during the day, not bad.
Day 1 post surgery.
Nerve blocks are awesome, the sling already sucks, bingeing Breaking Bad @Hopzone Freak.
And my wife is a saint.
Nerve blocks are awesome, the sling already sucks, bingeing Breaking Bad @Hopzone Freak.
And my wife is a saint.
Yeah, was told by many, take the blocks, ditto on the wife. 5 weeks-tomorrow here
BrentD
Well-known member
And another ditto here. I'm just over 5 weeks in.
