I’m familiar with that big honking sling, DH wore one twice. There were times when we thought he would never heal. But he did! And so will you.

Listen to your Physical Therapist and do the work. (And its ok to hate every minute of it.)

Rhizo, no fun, is it? I never heard of a surgery that was. I have two ice machines. I intended to return one but ended up using one upstairs and one downstairs. They were great. Its encouraging to hear that pt moves things along. My adjustable bed has been a lifesaver.

Maddie, cant believe your husband went through this twice. Not sure yet if i will have my other shoulder repaired. Well see how this one goes.

Thanks, Mtn . All i can say is ugh.

I’ve done it twice too — same shoulder twenty years apart. First time was worse and PT started out so slowly it was hard not to get discouraged but then picked up pace and back to normal with full use and range if motion in about 5-6 months. Second time with a slightly different injury was a breeze, The pain in your other shoulder is pretty normal. i had it too and the first time I ended up having a shot in the joint —steroid, I think — that resolved it. Even after you are released from the sling, keep it. you may want it on occassion for a few months.

Good luck!

All I can say ded is that you're a trooper! You've had so much to deal with these past few months and now trying to take care of your Mom's place while wearing that sling. I can't even imagine what it must be like to get dressed every day. Were you able to sleep at night? Can you drive at all or do you have to wear the sling all day? Thank heavens your niece was able to help and at least one of your sons lives nearby.

It does take a surprisingly long time for the nerves to heal. Please report back after your visit tomorrow and hopefully your surgeon will give you good news.

Maire

Ugh dedtired I am sorry - I know this is not a fun recuperation. Are they ever? I will be the nurse on call for DH - he just saw the 2nd surgeon last week and we are waiting for the MRI app't. He has no clue what is ahead and honestly it's better that way.

I am so sorry...that is a miserab le place. Be sure and do the exercises when the

time comes....it is very hard at first. I broke my shoulder years back right at the point

where the shoulder and arm meet. They could not cast it of course...awkward place.

But, started me on exercises immediately....I know know what they mean when

someone says, "It hurt so bad, I saw black!". ;) During a check-up and some x-rays

in that shoulder, for other reasons, the Dr., said, "wow...I can't believe how well that

has healed..you obviously did the exercises as you were told! LOL And, honestly,

I have had no aches, pains, etc. Can't put that hand too far behind my head...but

don't really have a reason to do that much. LOL

Do the exercises!!!!!!! Hugs.

Yes I hear you. DH has all kinds of shoulder issues and rotator cuff issues. Immobilizing the arm is yucky but so necessary. Physical therapy was a miracle for him. I hope you heal thoroughly and quickly and don't have to go through this again.

I had one of those, too! In 2017. Mine was right shoulder, also my non-dominant side.

You haven't started PT yet? They started me right away, I think within a week of the surgery. And it continued three times a week for FIVE MONTHS! I was so glad when they decided I was done!

Donna

Glad it's better than you expected, but it sure is a long road. I was thinking the other day of how wonderful it was when we were young, we'd get sick for a day or two and then be all better and back to normal. Now that I'm older, I rarely get sick, but have a litany of chronic issues and pain. Oh to be young again!

Hang tough kiddo! You're doing great!

What an ordeal, ded, I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this. Hoping every day brings improvement and feeling better! ❤️

Im sorry to hear sbout your shoulder, hope the healing process goes smoothly.

Keep on, keeping on! There is good at the end.

Will keep you in my prayers.

Sending you healing wishes for your shoulder. Hoping getting as close to what normal can be happens quick!!

I had spine surgery, which was no walk in the park. Healing took longer than expected, yada yada. But what really threw me was the unexpected nerve pain afterwards. Nothing quite like it. Dr put me on increased pain medication and a nerve relaxer. Between the two of those, things subsided, but it took about two months to not be *seeing black*.

I've never had that surgery, but I suffered with frozen shoulders in my 40s. You don't realize how precious shoulders are until you can't use them properly!

My very best wishes to you as you continue to recover.

As an aside, my friend broke bones around her ankle a few months back, and her dr was very much the same as yours--not very forthcoming with helpful information unless she asked. So, go into your appt tomorrow with a list of questions--all of them. Get them answered!

I'm sorry you're still in that awful sling and have the nerve pain on top of it all. I too am surprised you haven't had any PT at all. I would think the doctor would want to avoid frozen shoulder and perhaps the nerve pain may be related to the fact you've had no movement.

DH had shoulder replacement in 2017 after going thru hip replacement a few months earlier. Hip replacement was nothing compared to shoulder work. He had a perfect rotator cuff the surgeon has to cut through good rotator cuff to get to the replacement so it's pretty major for many reasons. He had arthritic joints on the right side. Anyway, he couldn't move but from the elbow for 6 weeks and no lifting. Ha! Let's just say he's an over-achiever and was pretty good the first 6 weeks and after that sailed through PT. I hope your experience is a good one.

Just sending my best wishes from down the road!

Jumping ahead to say be sure you are very specific about the location of tingling. Different places mean different origins.

In my case I get two kinds. If its in my pinkie and ring finger, then it’s coming from my thorasic outlet (think ”before your pit”). If it’s the other fingers, then its from my neck. I never noticed the location was specific until a great doctor at UCLA asked me that question.

Thanks for the update. My that is some big honking sling. I can see why you're sick of it.

Nice to see you ded! The black sling looks lovely on you.

It sounds like it is a bit better than you dreaded, so that 's a good thing. My gripe with all doctors is what you are experiencing. I find I have to dumb down my questions to very basics ......they will say something like " a few days of recovery". I need to know will I be in pain? Can I go up and down stairs? Can I drive etc etc.

When you go for your appointment we'll all be supporting you if you take up more of his time. It does sound like you are doing well and making good progress. You have my best wishes for continued steady improvement... and hopes that the tingling goes away

I feel your pain. Actually, I feel my own after total knee replacement but I think you have it worse than I do. I have heard that shoulders are real toughies. Im sorry you are going through this and I agree that those who have not had such a procedure don't really understand the amount or severity of the pain. I wish you well on your healing. I am trying to plan something special just for me when I am able to get around and hope you can do the same.

So sorry that you have to deal with this, hoping you feel much better soon.

So sorry for your pain. Six & a half weeks can seem like forever. Hopefully, the doc will clear you for PT tomorrow. That should really help.

Hope you get to feeling better soon.

Hope you are healing well.❤️

Oof, ded, I recently finished PT for a rotator cuff injury in my left arm - no surgery. I went from not being able to lift my arm to wash my hair to very occasional twinges - over about 2 months. My right shoulder hurt on occasion, especially because I was sleeping on that side exclusively. I found it helped when I was sleeping on my right side to use a pillow to elevate and support my injured left arm.

PT will help and unfortunately it is a whole bucket of no fun. I had to start really slowly so don't get discouraged.

I did not have nerve involvement, but I'd think about when, how often, how long you experience it etc. to discuss with the Dr, so that issue gets addressed. (I hate to suggest meds but fwiw, a course of Gabapentin helped serious nerve pain I had with a knee injury a few years ago.)

Best wishes - and welcome to the "I love my resistance bands" support group.

Thanks for all the support and commiserations. it’s kind of hurting a lot today. I know these surgeries have a fairly high failure rate, so i’m a little worried. Guess Ill just wait and see what the doc says. i will have my list of questions and really pin him down.

Seagrass, i had carpal tunnel release on my other wrist years ago. the numbness and prickling is just the oppositeof this. This is pinky, ring finger and sometime the side of my middle finger.

Read all your comments and truly appreciate the advice.

Ugh. Good luck at your appointment and I hope you feel good as new very soon.

Ded, so sorry you have pain today and that you are enduring this long recovery. I hope you get a good update at your appt tomorrow and mostly, I hope that you get some relief soon!

I haven't been through what you have but I did have an entrapped ulnar nerve (after hitting my funny bone) that required surgery .. and like feathers, I had two frozen shoulders so I know how challenging it can be to be so limited. Just basic things like getting dressed, showering or doing your hair is a major effort! My thoughts are with you-- hang in there and hope you are back to normal very soon!

Sending good vibes to you ded. I had a RTKR last year due to osteoarthritis . Be faithful to your PT! ( Rest-ICE-elevate )

I’m so sorry you are dealing with this! Take good care!

Oh so sorry for this painful and long haul ordeal you are going through. But!! Keep saying ”this shall pass” Hang tough.

Sorry to hear you are having to deal with this. I hope the recovery picks up speed and the surgery is a success! Living with pain is no fun, and hopefully you are over the hump. I also went to PT today for shoulder issues. She was able to explain implications of a recent MRI so well, and Even though not great news, having a better understanding was super helpful. So, push for answers and an understanding of the ’long term implications’’. Unfortunately I have a lot of arthritis, so repairing my biceps tendon (which is in a pretty deteriated state) isn’t recommended. I’m just looking at trying to maintain strength, while not aggravating the arthritis. A shoulder replacement is in my future and Id like to push it off as long as I can. I sometimes wonder how previous generations managed who didn’t have the options we do!

I cannot imagine how hard this recovery must be, pain plus limited motion, no fun at all. I hope you will start feeling progress soon and can focus on all the good on the other side of this ordeal. Sending all my best wishes for a smooth recovery.

dedtired, I hope your trip to the doctor today gives you the answers you need.

My daughter, who was a physical therapist said that shoulder surgery was by far the hardest to get through to a good recovery. I am now going through therapy for a rotator cuff tear. With my other physical disabilities, I am not a candidate for surgical repair. To be honest I think for me, the therapy has been no help other than to get me out of the house. The therapist has been trying to come up with different ways for me to do things. It is my right (dominent) arm of course. For now it is practically useless in the kitchen, bathing, dressing etc.

Hang in there, and keep a positive attitude.

After you recover from your appointment...do let us know what's what.

I also hope you'll engage a company to take over at your mother's house. You could also put that on a back burner for the time being.

Back from the doctor, but first let me thank you all for your supportive comments and good advice.

Doc said pretty much what i thought he’d say. Pain is to be expected. Try to ditch the sling, which i would love to do but it really hurts to let my arm dangle. PT will probably help with some of this. If nerve pain doesnt subside he may send me to a neurologist. He did say i have about 80 percent of my normal movement, which is good.

So, on to pt. Thanks for being such good friends.

Could you get a tiny sling if it hurts to dangle your arm? That big clunker of a sling would seem so cumbersome to lug around.

80%! Wow that was fast. You will get there, maybe just ditch the sling for brief periods, increasing a minute or two day by day? Pour a stiff drink first.

I was told to keep that sling on ALL the time for fear of damaging the repair. My injury was very severe and should probably have resulted in a replacement rather than a repair. I was told to sleep in it. It only came off for showers and PT.

Even after four years and a very good final result, I still do some of the exercises on both sides, just to keep them well used, especially before exercise.

Rhizo, i’ve been wearing it almost nonstop for 6.5 eeeks, nights included. I can take that fat pillow thing off and just use the arm sling. Ill see how that goes.

Mtn, that’s what i was thinking — weaning off slowly and drinking copiously.

I've skipped ahead so perhaps it has already been addressed, but I wonder if you aren't getting excessive pressure on that nerve from the sling. Does it feel like there is? I'm sorry that I've seen this too late, because I was going to say that you need to have the MD assess that.

If you think that may be the cause of that nerve pain, perhaps you can add a little piece of sheepskin padding where your elbow is mostly resting in the sling, if it is still a problem? or a piece of gel (like from a Dr. Scholl's gel insole).

I can't imagine how you were able to sleep with that oversize sling - or dress or do much of anything. At this point 80% sounds pretty good, especially when you consider that you haven't really been moving it much. When will you be able to start PT?

Rhizo, thanks. i did talk to the doctor about it. We are hoping pt will help. The sling has some weird seam right at the elbow, so in order to keep it from rubbing, Ive been using a high tech item to pad my arm — an old folded up pillow case. Worked the best of anything i tried.

That sounds like good improvement already -- sorry you still have pain though.

My mom broke her shoulder in the spring-- not the same thing at all but she had the same kind of sling and same arm dangling pain. She's been out of the sling about a month now and is still going to PT ... but she said the pain is much improved as is her range of motion. Hoping you see continued improvements too.

Glad hou slept well! That itself should make you feel better. I hope with time your arm can extend more and more each day without pain. After being in one position for so long I imagine it will take more than a day or two but keep at it on your own, and don’t hesitate to ask your PT about it too.

Ahhhh yessssss......

Ain't shoulders "Fun"!? 😜

Many of you may remember I had both of my RT's repaired too, about 1.5 yrs apart. Yes, PT is sloooowww with this....but you're screwed if you slack on it! I got rid of my slings at about 6 weeks.

It takes about a YEAR before you may feel totally normal. Full strength takes a while too. I'm stronger now than ever in my shoulders, because of some weightlifting I still do.

You'll get there. It just takes "a while".....🤪💞

Faron

I'm glad that the pillow case is working to ease the seam - but do try something more likely to reduce pressure. Those gel shoe inserts are cheap and readily available (yes, you can find more expensive "medical" gel pads, but they are probably too thick). A small piece of sheepskin is harder to find (I kept some from a worn out pair of slippers) but you could probably mimic the effect with some springy pillow stuffing wrapped in a piece of cotton. Some medical supply drugstores stock sheepskin padding for crutches - or, at least, they used to.

Nerves heal but slowly - better to prevent any damage, and your shooting pain is warning you of that.

Faron, i hope i dont havebto go through this twice. Yes Yes, pt is essential and i understand full recovery takes quite a while.

raee, i may have some of those gel pads around. Great idea. I did try some memory foam but it flattened out. I never thought that the pressure on my elbow might be the cause of nerve pain. ai am so overbthis but have a long road ahead

Dedtired - can’t believe you took so long to tell us! Sorry it’s been a slow recovery but I’m glad the doctor sounds positive. I can’t relate to RC surgery but I sure can sympathize with shoulder pain. I thought I had RC tear but turns out it’s arthritis and spurs, they want to replace, I say no thanks. Anyway, wishing you luck with your PT, that it helps lead to faster improvement.