One Year After Shoulder Surgery to Repair Torn Rotator Cuff

About two years ago I started experiencing pain in my right shoulder during weight lifting. I did not remember a specific injury; it was more of an ongoing discomfort that eventually got worse over time. After giving up workouts for a couple months the pain still had not dissipated. At the nagging of my wife I finally decided to visit an orthopedic surgeon. Physical therapy and steroid (Prednisone) treatments were not enough to remedy the shoulder pain I was experiencing. An MRI did not reveal a rotator cuff injury, but the x-ray did reveal a significant bone spur that was likely the source of my shoulder pain. The only option for removing the bone spur was shoulder surgery.

I was rolled into the operating room early last December for shoulder surgery. Once inside the shoulder joint my surgeon discovered I did in fact have a torn rotator cuff. That certainly explained the shoulder pain I was experiencing. I got through the shoulder surgery with the assistance of a morphine pump and a few Percocets and other pain medications.

The shoulder pain subsided over time, but has not completely resolved. After several weeks of physical therapy I was able to resume lifting weights and throwing a ball. Even a year after the shoulder surgery I don't like to sleep on my right side because I typically wake up with a sore shoulder (almost like frozen shoulder for the first few minutes I'm awake). I've adjusted and now sleep on my back and left side.

If you are facing rotator cuff surgery the best advice I can give is to make as many preparations ahead of time as possible. After the shoulder surgery you will be placed in a sling for several weeks and will not be able to drive. Getting dressed and brushing your teeth will be agonizing. Sleeping in a bed the first few weeks after surgery is out of the question - stick to a comfortable recliner and a warm blanket. Avoid shoulder surgery in the winter - the cold makes the pain worse, at least it did for me. Plan on letting a friend or spouse drive you for several weeks after the surgery. For one thing, you should not drive on pain medication. Many states also make it illegal to drive in a sling (think hands-free laws). Of course no heavy lifting and absolutely do not let your arm hang out of the sling unsupported. I did this a few times and the shoulder pain was unbearable.

To find out more about rotator cuff surgery and recovery, visit http://rotatorcuffsurgery.blogspot.com/ for a wealth of information, articles, arthroscopic videos of the procedure, etc.