Day 156 Post Op (22 weeks 2 days)

Yesterday I did the one thing I was trying not to do, which was to slip and fall on the ice.  I was carrying my daughter's skis over my shoulder in the ski area parking lot when my feet came out from under me and down I went, putting my right (involved) hand to brace the fall.  I seem to be OK.

Today I used the snow thrower for about 45 minutes to clear the driveway and the walk.  I tried to favor my left arm.  I seem to be OK after this also.

Still being careful but now doing a bit more with it...

Day 129 Post Op (18 weeks 3 days)

I am clearly out of the woods now.  My range of motion is excellent and there is very little pain.

My PT consists of daily ROM exercises (vertical door slides and external rotation) and strength training (rubber tubing and 2 lb weights).

I still am careful not to lift more than about 5 pounds, I avoid straight lateral extension (out to the side), and am careful not to slip and fall on ice.  Other than that, I am using my arm for most daily activities.  Occasionally I still get a red/warm hand, which they call shoulder-hand syndrome.

I am on the ellipse (no arms) and the stationary bike for exercise, with no problems.

Day 100 Post Op (14 weeks 2 days)

If you want to know how long it takes for the shoulder to stop aching and to really turn the corner after rotator cuff surgery, it takes exactly 12 weeks and 2 days!

Now you know.

At 12 weeks and 1 day I went to a party, had a few drinks and was dancing to the DJ.  I thought for sure the next morning I would pay for it, but it really felt fine the next day.

That was the turning point in the recovery.  It feels pretty good, and I can use it for most daily activities (except for carrying things).

I saw the doc last week and he says I am now right where I should be with range of motion.  I can lift my arm straight over my head (passively using a pulley or wall slide).  The external rotation is still lacking, but it is not stuck - it's progressing, but just slowly.

In the last week I started strength training with  rubber tubing.

The only part of my shoulder that really gets sore now (especially from strength training) is right above my AC joint.

My theory on why the rotator cuff and biceps tendons tore so easily is that years ago I fell with my arm outstretched and separated my shoulder (AC joint) and never had it treated.

Eventually it caught up with me...

Day 79 Post Op (11 weeks 2 days)

It is a long road.  After spending 4 days on the road, my shoulder still aches, it fatigues easily, and my right hand is still red, warm, and slightly swollen.  The ROM is improving, though.

For home PT, I am sliding my arm out in front of me on the counter, raising it up on the door frame, and doing elbow abduction on the door frame.

I only had one day of PT last week (on Monday), and today is Sunday, so getting 6 days without PT definitely helped to let my shoulder cool down. I see the doc again in 2 weeks.

Day 71 Post Op (10 weeks 1 day)

It took about 10 or 11 days for my shoulder to calm down after the handshake incident.  I have been pretty concerned that I did some damage to the repair, but the PT and the doc both think it's OK.  It definitely set me back in terms of pain and range of motion.

This past Monday I went in to see to doc.  He said the shoulder is stiff, and I am behind on ROM.  He gave me some new exercises to do to stretch it out (imagine holding on to the top of the door and letting the arm pull up out of the shoulder socket) and wants my PT to really push the ROM.

Since then, the gains have been coming fast, although the PT and the stretching is making me quite sore.

For the past few days, I finally feel like I can use my arm again for the first time since before the surgery.  I am still not allowed to carry anything heavier than a cup of water for another four weeks, but now I have no restrictions on carrying anything in my left hand now (up to now there had been a 10 lb limit on my left side).

DON'T SHAKE HANDS

Today I am 8 weeks post op, exactly.

On Tuesday I attended my son's school for parent teacher conferences and shook the teachers' hands when I met them.  One of the teachers was a pretty big guy with a big handshake.  I immediately felt the sharp pain in my shoulder when he shook my hand.  Ouch.

Since then I have had alot more pain and reduced ROM.  I have an ache in my shoulder and arm all the time now.  Hopefully it calms down soon.

Even if your PT tells you to shake hands and use your arm/hand more, be careful.

Lesson learned.

Day 53 Post Op (7 weeks 4 days)

The range of motion (ROM) gains have been coming steadily.  Most of the motion is intended to be passive, but I can actively move my arm to take care of most functional activities (typing, dressing, eating, etc.).  Passively, I am able to get my arm up in front of me about 45 degrees above horizontal (using a rope/pulley device), and horizontally I can move it 90 degrees to the side (also passively using the pulley).

I still am not carrying anything heavier than a cup of coffee in my right hand.

My right hand is still weak and slightly swollen.  It's red and I still can't make a tight fist yet.

My shoulder aches from use.  I am icing often for pain.  It's not a sharp pain but a dull ache from the PT and the everyday use of my arm.  It's annoying, but not interfering with daily activities.  It's important to keep at the PT to get the ROM gains now while they are still coming.

I am also still not sleeping.  I'm usually up by 4 am.  Last night I was up at 2 am with intermittent sleep even with an Ambien.