Had my rotator cuff cut on August 16th. Thought it was just the supraspinatus but after getting into the shoulder, the Dr. found the MRI missed a complete tear on the labrum also. Spent 4 hours under the laser. I had the left shoulder done 8 years ago and it wasn't too bad. This shoulder was painful!. I start therapy on Tuesday. I was supposed to wear the sling for 6 weeks but we all know how that worked out. I took it off after 4 and started trying to get the arm to work a little before therapy. Pretty happy I can raise it above my head right now, but my range of motion is a little lacking,LOL. I figure once therapy starts I can get back outside and start stacking wood 1 piece at a time until my strength comes back. The weather is finally cooling off and its time to get back to the stacks.
Had my supraspinatus reattached in late January of this year. It takes some time but I now have full range of motion. I am still working on strengthening. Good luck in rehab and recovery. I found using one of those long rubber tension exercise bands helps.
Best wishes on your recovery. My wife had her's done in January, too, but still only has limited range of motion.
My surgeon has said my recovery has been significantly faster than most but has said that it is likely to my physical ability/strength and age (45). On my 6 month check up I told him I was enjoying working, golfing, swimming and even tossing a football around with my son (something I haven't been able to do since January 2015 when it was severed when I fell while coaching hockey). My surgeons eyes widened and told me to take it easy yet. I asked about going back to playing hockey myself this fall but he told me to hold off on that till at least my 1 year check up .
My 1st surgery was on my left shoulder. I was 44 at the time. It went well, recovery went well. I am 52 this time, and not sure what got fixed last time. I had 2 tears and the bicep was pulling off the bone. Recovery went well. This surgery is way different! I don't know if it is because the supraspinatus was torn this time and wasn't last time or what. I took the sling off at 4 weeks instead of 6 trying to repeat last time. I ache like crazy at night this time. Hope therapy helps speed this up.
I had a different surgeon this time, the 1st one moved to New Mexico. I had actually thought about flying down there for him to cut me but was afraid it would be out of network. This guy who cut me this time was Harvard educated, so I am sure he knew what he was doing, but you always wonder one the door is closed, LOL. Patience is not one of my virtues, but on the bright side, I am enjoying the time at home during the fall season coming in.
Remember you are your own best indicator of recovery time. Everyone is different. Do what you can do but don't over do it. I too was told to keep the sling on for 23 1/2 hrs/day for six weeks but like you, that only lasted 4-5 weeks. After this I found it felt better to move it but if I knew when I was pushing the limit (like when I was doing physiotherapy - they like to push you) and I would stop. Go at your own pace and get well soon.
Torn my shoulder a few years back while trimming a hedge. Two tears and one partial is what the MRI said with 6 cm. separation. Had a burning feeling. Ached like H#ll, Getting the MRI, the consult and then the blood work done because I have some genetic bleeding disorder took them 6 months. That was the time limit they said before it would be too late to do surgery. I slept with my arm arched up above and behind my head. My pain was about gone when I was finally cleared for surgery. They said I would be 6months recovering. I had already 6 months with this and had achieved whatever level of recovery I would anticipate from surgery, so I said no thank you. I am over two year out from that now. No pain and full use of my shoulder. Just never know.
Its a coin toss on surgery. I had such good results from the 1st one I had zero concerns with this one. I was hoping to nip this one earlier than the 1st time with the other shoulder. I generally heal good so I am optimistic about this time. Its just the constant ache this time that threw me.
