Rotator Cuff Repair Rotator cuff tear surgery

[Chris06]

Hi
I've got a rotator cuff tear 1.5 cm full thickness had nearly a year. Finally got mri which proved the tear and my op is on the 23rd March next month. I'm in alot of discomfort with my left shoulder which is effecting my other shoulder and I'm so scared I'm gonna get a tear in that shoulder. Please can someone give me some good news on what to do to help with pain. I only take one tramadol a day as I'm so worried on getting addicted plus I hate the sidexeffects.I would like some information on the operation aswell as I'm quite scared. I hadxa frozen shoulder in my right am and is only just getting better. Any information is appreciated.
Thank you

 

[SaraK]

Hi, Chris - I'm glad you found us. I had a major rotator cuff tear as well (surgeon said over 70% full thickness) as well as bicep tear. My surgeon encouraged me to continue to use my arm (even let me continue some weightlifting) and told me to let the pain be my guide. I'm a side sleeper and that was the most painful time. Sleeping in a recliner helped. Nothing really took the pain away completely but meloxicam, icing and a TENS machine all helped.

I know it seems a long time away, but that means you have more time to prepare. Depending on your living situation, you might prepare meals and practice doing things one-handed to figure out what you need to purchase or how to accommodate. I had my surgery 3 days before they stopped elective surgeries due to the first wave of COVID - was so scared they'd cut it off before I got mine. That shouldn't be a worry at this point!

 

[marieltha]

Hi! I know that pain and that feeling, so I sympathize and empathize.
I saw your post in my shoulder thread and replied there, but thought I should post here as well.
I don't react well to Rx pain medications, and it sounds like you don't either.
Have you gotten your shoulder sling yet? My OS sold me one ($10 ) so I could get used to it before the surgery. I found it helped both before and after with that excruciating pain I had, especially sleeping. And I had a cryo cuff ice shoulder wrap that fit over the sling. Icing it helped me numb the pain. I lived in that before and after the repair.
The nurse in the hospital put a small folded towel under my elbow and that helped me, too. Sometimes I used a pillow under it.
After the surgery the home nurse put a trifold soft gauze rectangle under my arm, which kept it away from my side a bit and that helped. She had boxes of them delivered to me. I used a wash cloth or a thin hand towel, I think, before the surgery.
If I think of anything else, I'll write again.
I'm still quite happy with my repair: Hail Marys and knock on wood, but I have no pain and great range of motion for normal living. So keep looking forward to your future.
PS Having 2 slings allowed me to wash one while wearing the other. The hospital sent me home with my second, but the one the dr gave me was more comfortable.
PPS And trying to hold ice packs was aggravating, so I was much happier wearing the shoulder wrap that filled with ice water.

 

[marieltha]

Good luck tomorrow with your shoulder surgery!
Let everyone know how you are doing @Chris06