Rotator Cuff repair X 2 advice needed

[Wood2Sawdust]

checkup today, 13 days in. Dr. said  I'm doing good. walking a mile once or twice a day.  No pain other than when stretching. The hardest part is trying not to use that arm. PT will start at 4 weeks in.  OK to drive my pickup and lawn tractor.  I just hope the second one goes this good July 7

[Wood2Sawdust]

         i was hoping to keep a running report for others to know what to expect, but I think I am a bad example. 4 weeks after surgery today and my first physical therapy--I was told my range of motion was "amazing" and I am way ahead of where I should be and with so little pain very lucky--not the norm. they still won't start active therapy for 2 weeks. Still scheduled for the other shoulder surgery on July 7.  I can only hope that one goes as well. The hardest part is not using it even with the sling.   I have been driving my pickup and lawn tractor--I put suicide knobs on both of them.  i would like to drive my orchard size tractor with 3 point mower-- it is actually less bumpy with longer wheel base and power steering--but my wife has a problem with that.  My right shoulder is definitely feeling it a little more though, especially driving. My pickup is the only automatic I have--I'm looking for a subaru outback auto now.

[trophyhunt]

Amazing

[snit]

I was just thinking about you today, and I'm really glad to hear that everything is progressing superbly! It sounds like you're doing fantastic, you've got a good plan and all the best.

[brocka]

         i was hoping to keep a running report for others to know what to expect, but I think I am a bad example. 4 weeks after surgery today and my first physical therapy--I was told my range of motion was "amazing" and I am way ahead of where I should be and with so little pain very lucky--not the norm. they still won't start active therapy for 2 weeks. Still scheduled for the other shoulder surgery on July 7.  I can only hope that one goes as well. The hardest part is not using it even with the sling.   I have been driving my pickup and lawn tractor--I put suicide knobs on both of them.  i would like to drive my orchard size tractor with 3 point mower-- it is actually less bumpy with longer wheel base and power steering--but my wife has a problem with that.  My right shoulder is definitely feeling it a little more though, especially driving. My pickup is the only automatic I have--I'm looking for a subaru outback auto now.

Great to hear!

[Wood2Sawdust]

six weeks in -- Left repaired arm only wearing sling when sleeping or outside to prevent me from doing too much. Started real exercises today at PT  Now I have pain while doing stretches and exercises, but not too bad and not bad after. Did notice my hand and wrist have more pain from carpal tunnel and arthritis from not moving it as much the last six weeks. Right arm definitely worse from overuse--hope it lasts till July 7 surgery.   physical therapist says doing good and I should be able to use first arm lightly by then. Probably no hunting this year, happy with it all so far. thinking about sleeping in a bed soon with sling on

[trophyhunt]

Good to hear, I do not miss those days!

[Wood2Sawdust]

8 weeks in-- sleeping in a bed carefully propped up. It sure is nice not to be sleepy all the time. Made me realize I was probably only getting 3 hours  sleep a night in a chair.  9 weeks in thought something was not right, but turned out it was my tricep hurting from lack of use for 8 weeks and carpal tunnel and hand swelling--nothing from the surgery, other than that no pain and have been using my arm for everything, but lightly. Physician Assistant said I should be able to rifle hunt at 5 months. This had me thinking about putting off my other shoulder on July 7, with dreams of deer and elk hunting. I was going to put it off until March 2026.  Then my surgeon called me today and told me the tendon which has been completely separated  since at least January would probably atrophy in that time and also he would be retiring before that. This is Dr. Rossi, who did an excellent job on my left shoulder repair. I also hate having only one arm during fire season. I also could not do the winter with one arm shoveling and plowing snow. So-- probably Dr Rossi and fire season surgery as of right now.

[trophyhunt]

I will be 6 months in tomorrow and I think my shoulder is at 50%, I've shot my rifle and shotgun, no pain.  But my motion just isn't there yet, still a little stiff.  My doctor said it's a critical time when your shoulder starts to feel better but it's still healing.  Don't over do it.  Sounds like you are right on track and doing well. 

[Wood2Sawdust]

ten weeks in--doing ok but having a little pain with my forearm. Not surgery related --just carpal tunnel and arthritis with swelling in wrist and hand. 3 1/2 weeks until I get the other shoulder done. So far, so Good. It's going to be a little harder doing everything with my left hand after the next surgery -including typing, but I will try to keep this thread going

[Wood2Sawdust]

12 weeks in --8 days until I get my second shoulder done.  Doing pretty good with first one but i am getting a little clicking sound in shoulder now when lifting 3lb weights. Found out I have a bone chip in my elbow floating around which pains me there at times--I can live with that though

[Wood2Sawdust]

4 days in to second rotator cuff surgery--stopped taking pain meds yesterday except advil, only pain when doing stretches.  first shoulder is at 14 weeks doing ok, but clicking noise in shoulder when exercising. so far I am glad I did the second one now.

[Wood2Sawdust]

3 weeks into 2nd rotator cuff almost 17 weeks on 1st shoulder  sucks sleeping in chair (or not sleeping) doing good otherwise. have driven my cars and trucks around a little here also lawn tractor and put brushhog on big tractor with one arm left handed for my neighbor to use. been walking a couple miles a day. good luck to anyone considering this--it can be done

[trophyhunt]

I can’t imagine two so close together, you are a tough sum beetch!

[Wood2Sawdust]

nine weeks next Monday. Doing ok, but I know I have been using it too much. 2 weeks ago we decided we need to move off our 40 acres 2 houses, barns, shops, greenhouse, root cellar and into something easier due to health reasons. So I have been busy sorting through 40 years of stuff. Scrap metal, burn pile, Habitat for Humanity, many trips to the dump, and gave away lots of stuff, Need to get rid of 3/4 of everything. Amazing what we accumulate that we could do without.  Sucks, but I may not have time to hunt this year. Trying to use my last surgery arm as little as possible but have driven trucks tractors excavator