down for the count

[curlyoak]

I had shoulder surgery Yesterday. Right shoulder and Im left handed. There was a bone spur under the rotator cuff causing irritation and pain. Fortunately there was no issues with the rotator cuff which reduces the recovery time a lot. But now it is painful. Taking pain pills. The wound is improving. 

John Wayne said getting old ain't for sissys.

[Chet]

On 7/15/2023 at 8:54 AM, curlyoak said:

John Wayne said getting old ain't for sissys.

Yeah, and he was right.

Hope your recovery goes well.

[difalkner]

I had shoulder surgery 4 weeks ago, right shoulder.  It was supposed to be rotator cuff with small bone spur but it turned out to be so minimal on the rotator cuff that he didn't touch that.  He did, however, cut off what he said was a huge bone spur and a large chunk of arthritis off my collarbone and told my wife that 'he is going to hurt for a while'.  Doc was right; it hurts!

PT is going well and I'm gaining some range of motion back in my right arm (I'm right handed).  Ditched the sling after two days, fwiw.  Sleeping is tough, though, and I stopped the pain pills a week after the surgery, would probably sleep better if I took them but I'm a bit on the stubborn side. 

Hope your recovery goes well - do all the PT you can!

[curlyoak]

I had the left shoulder done 11 years ago. That one took 6 week and a lot of PT. Doc says I should be a lot better in a few days. I am just over 24 hours and feel improvement. and still on the pain pills. I take half of what doc perscribes. A little remaining pain helps me protect myself.

[Mark J]

Wish you both speedy recoveries. 

[curlyoak]

no narcotics the last 10 hours. Tylenol only. I'm approaching 48 hours and improving.

 

[difalkner]

Advil works great, too.  My doc suggested two of each at bedtime.

[Von]

Speedy recovery.

[gee-dub]

Hang in there.  Stay diligent on the PT.  I am a big fan.  PT has helped me overall and even avoided surgery on at least one occasion.

[pkinneb]

Hopping for a speedy recovery for you guys!

[curlyoak]

On 7/16/2023 at 8:02 AM, difalkner said:

Advil works great, too.  My doc suggested two of each at bedtime.

I expect that would be best for most people but advil and nsaids are bad on my GI. I do use a topical called Volteran sparingly. It is an nsaid.

Slowly improving.

My neighbor, friend and active hospital RN re dressed the bandage. As soon as she could see the incisions her first words were Wow! Next she said it was like art work. I know the surgeon. He is from the Chicago area. His father and uncles were builders in high end well crafted houses. All summers in high school and college he spent with his father and uncles. I asked him if he thought he would be as able in surgeries without that carpenter experience. He immediately said no. He claims to be an educated carpenter with similar tools. I had 3 incisions and 5 stitches. Caused a wow from the nurse!

 

[difalkner]

I had the same - 3 incisions and 5 stitches.  My doc does these every Thursday morning, week in and week out, and has for years.  I had no idea there were so many bum shoulders but he said it's a common injury and that most men and some women have some sort of rotator issue and don't even know it until the pain begins. He said he's literally done thousands and is (in our region) well respected as 'the' doc for shoulder surgeries.

Glad you had a similar experience and truly hope your recovery goes well.

[curlyoak]

I continue to improve. I am at the break even point. I feel about as bad as I did just before the surgery. Just different. And confident I will continue to improve going forward due to the momentum so far. I had my first PT session. Pain is gain in PT. I was worked over . It added pain and range of motion. Ice brought down the inflammation. That is my near term future. Inflame my shoulder and Ice it down. If I can scratch my back with full range then I'll know  I am done with PT.

2 weeks since surgery.

[Tom King]

It's a good time to stay inside with ice on something.

[curlyoak]

It has been so hot. But now, 6pm, it is 81. That is the lowest number at this hour for at least a month and probably longer. I had a delightful 15 minute walk. I have a feeling there will be more 90 something. I am not aloud in the pool yet. But I couldn't choose a better time due to the weather than right now to overcome this surgery. Not good working weather. Keeps me in the AC.

[curlyoak]

Tomorrow noon will be 3 weeks since the surgery.I am clearly past the break even mark. The PT has been working. After each session my range of motion improves. Each session is very painful. And very beneficial! The PT lady laughs as I almost cry. The only thing to do is take the pain and know it matters in the final outcome. This morning I was able to open my shop door for the first time. It is a double wide garage door and the springs to lift the door are not helping much. But I did it. The worst part for now is that I cant get my arm in position to scratch my back.   But it is improving. Meanwhile I got a new back scratcher to go along with the lady of the house. Her scratching is better but sometimes if you got an itch it needs scratching right away.

[difalkner]

Congrats on getting better!  I'm about 3 weeks ahead of you and I knew I had crossed over the threshold when I began using two hands again to put on socks/shoes and when I could reach up into the microwave with both hands.  Small steps that we take for granted but glad to be using two hands again. 

[curlyoak]

A successful surgery. I am better than the day before the surgery. and still improving. It was worth the effort.  It is becoming a distant memory. I was lucky because during my recovery it was the hottest summer on record. Especially August. And now that I am feeling better so is the weather. Not a lot but better. Starting in November through April and into May we have some of the best weather in the country. And November is not that far away...

[Ronn W]

So glad that your recovery is going well.  Isn't that PT great?

[curlyoak]

Unfortunately I have had many surgeries. I went from bad to better on those surgeries, And PT came with it. The PT lab is owned by a group of surgeons. Access is their patiences only. So I see the same PT each time. A beautiful Cuban lady. Christina. I call her the angel of pain. She hurts me just enough to make me better. She is very knowledgeable and helpful.