Just reaching out to the neighbors to find out if anyone's ever had a torn rotator cuff fixed??

I heard from some people at work that I'd be out for 4 - 6 weeks!! I can see being in a sling or something for that long....but out of work?? I was only out 5 days after I had WLS!

So....anyone know what the real scoop is?? I'd appreciate any pointers!

Michelle, I haven't had one but my husband has had three surgeries on his shoulder.
They are pretty tough, depending on what you are used to doing. Just tie your arm up and don't use it, you may get a little understanding. You can fuction but just everything is connected to you using your hand or arm. That's why my husband had to have one redone, he tore the stitches out. He was able to go back to work the next day, sitting and answering the phone on light duty. Some of the things to think about is clothes that fit over the sling, cutting your food up, even wiping your butt and pulling your pants back up become difficult for most. But he says the difference is so much better, he would go through it all again if he had to do it. I hope this helps.

Thanks!!! It's something I've been putting off -- but it's hindering my workouts, so it's time to do something about it, especially before summer break! I'd rather be "tied up" at work than to waste a good day at the pool!!!

Michelle, I know NOTHING about tearing of rotator cuffs or cups or anything. I'm sorry you've gotta go through this and hope that you'll get it done soon so you can have both wings to fly this spring!

OMG.....I had impingment and torn rotator on both shoulders. I went to Stanford and the ortho there was fabulous!!!! In fact, I was diligent about going to therapy and doing my exercises and I have NO pain. I had these surgeries (at different times of course) 4 years ago and I have never regretted it. I'm a teacher and my second surgery was amazing. I had the surgery on a Thursday morning, went back to work with an arm brace that following Monday and within 3 weeks was able to reach over my head.

I'm sure others may have other results, but I didn't have work that required lifting or manual labor other then writing on a board...my administrator made some accommodations by allowing me to sit and use a small white board on an easel. I had kids write a good part of the time for me and if I took my pain meds, I was great. Ideally, I could have taken a couple weeks off, but I would not have needed more then two weeks.

The surgery was done laproscopically and I think that made all the difference. It was a same day surgery and I was home that same day.

I just saw your post (I know it's from a while ago). Anyway, I tore my rotator cuff in college. I was a tennis player back then and in fact that surgery was what started me on my way to obesity. I tore my cuff during a tennis match. When they went in for the surgery, which was arthroscopic, they found a bone spure and cartilage built up down to my elbow. It turned into a 4.5 hr surgery and it was only supposed to be 1.5!

Anyway, it took me about 6 weeks to heal. I had a sling and the first few days were incredibly painful but after a week or so it becomes more comfortable. I can't imagine being out of work for 6 weeks. Like you said, a sling ok, but not completely out of work.

For what it's worth, my shoulder still aches and the surgery was 1993..lol.

Good luck!
Mere

I am not going to tell you my horror story about rotator cuff surgery. Suffice it to say I had to have the surgery twice and it was extremeley painful. The second surgery did not work either. However, the pain is less and I can use the arm but will never have full range of motion in it. But the main question is which hand is your writing hand?? Is that the one they are operating on?? It makes it more difficult.

What about driving you can not drive for 2-3 weeks. The doctor sent me back to work after 1 week because it was a workers comp case. But I had to have someone drive me. I could not lift my arm up to put the seat belt on, put the car in park or drive or turn a sharp turn.

First day I did drive I got a ticket for no seat belt. Couldn't do that until after the second surgery.

Hope this helps.