OT--Shoulder Surgery.

[chunkyfrog]

Yesterday, the bullfrog had his right shoulder repaired. (Dominant arm, of course)
Multiple tears/damage in and around the rotator cuff.
I am now the chauffeur, nurse, and go-fer until he is recovered enough.
Any shoulder surgery experiences are welcome.
Thank you in advance.

[booksfan]

I don't know how relevant it will be, but I had rotator cuff surgery, dominant arm, 16 years ago. I would imagine things have progressed signficantly since then. My son had rotator cuff surgery about nine years ago and his after surgery pain management was much better. However, my surgeon did a 23-hour admit so I could stay overnight for pain meds. PT afterwards of course. it took a while before I could drive and I actually practiced in a school parking lot to be sure I could manuever quickly in an emergency if necessary, my surgeon's criteria for starting driving again. All that said, so glad I did it. I was in constant pain, could barely use my arm, almost no range of motion. No more pain, and now not quite full range of motion, but certainly satisfactory at 62 years. (still no upper body strength )

[Miss Emerita]

The physical therapy is important, which is too bad, because it's also boring and uncomfortable. Best wishes to the bullfrog and to his go-fer!

[LSAT]

18 months ago I had laparoscopic surgery to do some repairs to my right shoulder....4 months ago I had a complete joint replacement. The joint replacement was soooo much easier than the day surgery. I didn't need a sling after day 2. Limited activity for 6 weeks PT for 6 weeks.

[chunkyfrog]

Bullfrog had the laparoscopic surgery, with a small open incision on his collarbone.
At 74, there was enough weakness that PT will not commence until the doc gives his OK.
It was completely outpatient--with a 15 hour nerve block on the shoulder/right arm.
His sling is the big one, with a big pad and the silly red ball.
Left hand only for everything--I break my nails fastening his pants.
He is taking it well.
My mani-cursing seems to amuse him.

[LSAT]

Bullfrog had the laparoscopic surgery, with a small open incision on his collarbone.
At 74, there was enough weakness that PT will not commence until the doc gives his OK.
It was completely outpatient--with a 15 hour nerve block on the shoulder/right arm.
His sling is the big one, with a big pad and the silly red ball.
Left hand only for everything--I break my nails fastening his pants.
He is taking it well.

I was 80 when I had the surgery

[zonker]

Left hand only for everything--I break my nails fastening his pants.
He is taking it well.
My mani-cursing seems to amuse him.

sweat pants?

or maybe pull ups?

[chunkyfrog]

Left hand only for everything--I break my nails fastening his pants.
He is taking it well.
My mani-cursing seems to amuse him.

sweat pants?

or maybe pull ups?

He's stubborn; he will wear them only to sleep.
He is very fond of his cargo pants.
Silly old frog!

[Sheriff Buford]

It's been 10 or 15 years since I had my shoulder done. All I could remember was "ouch"!

Sheriff

[LoneStar]

My hubby had both shoulders done six months apart in one year due to a tree falling on him.

Anyway, he had arthroscopic surgical repair with a nerve block.

Things we learned:
- sleeping in a recliner worked better than the bed at first. Then bed with extra pillows to prop up the affected arm.
- most docs don't have you go for PT until later. If your doc prescribed range-of-motion (ROM) exercises with a pulley YOU MUST DO THEM!!!
- using an ice machine https://smile.amazon.com/Cryotherapy-Ci ... ljaz10cnVl for 15 minutes three or four times a day helps. Hubby got his from his doc and insurance covered it.
- putting on your pants and then lying back on the bed makes it easier to fasten. During the day while at home, he just left the zipper down. Once he got back to work (after 14 days) he was able to do it one-handed himself.

YMMV.

[Okie bipap]

When I had my first shoulder surgery, I made myself a set of therapy equipment. First was a three foot dowel rod with a wooden ball on the end of it. Second was a strap with loops on it. Third was a small pulley with a short rope with a large knot on the end tied to it and a long rope running through the pulley with a loop on one end. The short end goes over a door which I then shut. I would sit in a chair and use the pulley to pull my arm up slowly. Once he starts therapy, he will learn how to use the items. I did the therapy on my own as well as at the therapist. I was determined to get as much motion back into the shoulder as I could. I was stupid and refused to go to the doctor when I first hurt it. Turns out I popped the bicep tendon off of the shoulder and let it go for almost a year before I had it fixed. I only went to the doctor after I hurt it a second time.

[joelrk35]

I have had both rotator cuffs repaired 15 to 20 years ago. I had different surgeons for each. One was arthroscopic and the other was open after trying arthroscopic. Both doctors told me it would be 6 months before I could play golf again and they were both right. It is very important to do the range of motion exercises or you will have problems later on if you participate in any sport where you need maximum shoulder/arm movement. I slept on a recliner for about 7 days using an ice machine for the first 5 to 7 days to help with any swelling and it also reduces the pain. You must not let the pain get ahead of you so take the pain pills before you need them as per your doctors recommendations. I also stayed in pj's for the first week. Could only wrap the top as best I (actually my wife) could. It is not something I would like to do again but you will get through it. Good luck.

[Diamondminek]

Loose stretchy t shirts with wide necks - or loose shirts. Dress the sore arm first, undress the sore arm last.
Elasticated trousers usually easier.
Long-handled sponge for washing, Terry towel dressing gown helps with drying.
Usually want to keep the fingers moving - hopefully has been given specific info.
Likely easier to get in/ out the bed on the non-operated side.
You can buy (or occupational therapy may provide, or you can diy) gadgets for dressing which might help- dressing stick, sock aid, grab stick, shoe horn.
Slip on shoes or velcro will be easier - can leave laces tied on trainers as long as still supportive, or can get elastic laces but they don't always work as well as you would hope!
Non slip mat on the work top can help if doing things in the kitchen. A bag for carrying things might be helpful - flask for drinks, tupperwear for food/ snacks.
Painkillers - take them. If the pain is so bad that he doesn't want to get out the chair, go to the loo, take them - before it gets to that stage next time. But also a big fan of mindfulness and breathing techniques to help with pain too, if so inclined.

Hopefully this link helps https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... wSXANj3c-Q - I googled 'upper limb leaflet nhs' I think to find it, if it doesn't work - its a one handed activity leaflet.

Used to be an occupational therapy assistant, upper limbs are tricky, so he is lucky to have your support! (The people I worked with were usually also more frail and elderly) But also, might need a healthy nudge to be a bit more independent as the pain/ movement allows.
Hopefully he is a well behaved patient, that makes the looking after bit so much easier!

[chunkyfrog]

He was jonesing for corned beef this morning, and it took both of us,
plus two kinds of pliers to open the can.
The zip strip on the can broke, and we had to reload the key before finishing.
Then he's unsuccessfully trying to pry/shred the meat out of the can,
when I flip it over, stab the bottom with my paring knife, and the block slides right out.

[zonker]

He was jonesing for corned beef this morning, and it took both of us,
plus two kinds of pliers to open the can.
The zip strip on the can broke, and we had to reload the key before finishing.
Then he's unsuccessfully trying to pry/shred the meat out of the can,
when I flip it over, stab the bottom with my paring knife, and the block slides right out.

science, for the win!