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Old 08-16-2014, 21:31   #31
cetheridge
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Ice is your friend.
AMEN!

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Whew, I woke up hurting yesterday and physical therapy actually helped with the pain, it was more passive stretching followed by 10mins of ice. I would say I went in with my pain level at a 5 spiking to a 7 from time to time, by the time I left, it was at a 0. That didn't last long. The pain starting coming back in waves, later that day as (1) I was walking out of a door, it slammed into my shoulder and that was all she wrote, I was at a pain level of 8 until I got back to my house. (2) Lesson learned: Carry Percocet with me at all times LOL.
On the upside, the Physical Therapist wants to see me sooner than later next week, so I got an appointment for Monday.

(3) The damn sling is still a pain in the ass though, especially since I'm right handed.
(1) Hopefully, you've gained some SA and by being aware of your surroundings and what you are doing, you will protect the shoulder.

(2) IMHO, popping those "Momma's Little Helpers" like M&M's is a slippery slope.
A friend of mine is now in week 2 after having a second repair surgery. He was in week 6 after his first surgery, decided he did not need to wear the sling as directed by his doctor, thought he felt good enough to pound in tomato stakes with a hammer and re-injured his shoulder. He said he was going to have the word "idiot" tattooed on his forehead to remind himself every time he looks into a mirror to not do anything stupid (he has a PhD in Botany). He continues to pop Percocet every day because he "likes the feeling".

(3) Yes, the sling is "a pain in the ass", but the minimum 6 weeks has an important purpose. The whole recovery/therapy process is a real bitch. Each week you will notice progress (if you work at it) and it will get easier.

Keep at it (like you really have a choice), and keep us updated.
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Old 08-17-2014, 20:29   #32
pbr549xxx
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Ionaryionary

I'm trying to stick to on following physical therapy and one right before he'd, sometimes, a third 10mg prercocet in between. Tomorrow after physical therapy I'm going to hit the gym and knock out some stationary leg machines

The PT OIC said I'm showing pretty remarkable ROM as well as strength and pain tolerance as compared to previous patients.
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Old 08-17-2014, 22:41   #33
cetheridge
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I'm trying to stick to on following physical therapy and one right before he'd, sometimes, a third 10mg prercocet in between. Tomorrow after physical therapy I'm going to hit the gym and knock out some stationary leg machines

The PT OIC said I'm showing pretty remarkable ROM as well as strength and pain tolerance as compared to previous patients.
Sounds encouraging.....keep at it and "you will do well, Grasshopper".
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Old 08-18-2014, 21:22   #34
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Today's physical therapy session was some different passive stretches, I was able to use the hand bike and that was pretty good, not painful like I thought it would be. I also did the finger ladder, it was really good, I was able to reach up pretty high and get a good stretch. The best part was being told I didn't have to wear the sling as much anymore. He said I could go without until I start feeling pain and if I could get 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night without wearing it, then in I longer have to wear it to sleep either
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Old 08-18-2014, 22:26   #35
cetheridge
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Fantastic!
You seem to be making good progress!
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Old 08-19-2014, 19:03   #36
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I had an appointment with my ortho surgeon today. He felt that I was doing too much too soon. He wants me to continue wearing the sling most of the time and especially when I sleep (ugh!!). I have another appointment with phys therapy tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes.
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Old 08-19-2014, 19:06   #37
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I had an appointment with my ortho surgeon today. He felt that I was doing too much too soon. He wants me to continue wearing the sling most of the time and especially when I sleep (ugh!!). I have another appointment with phys therapy tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes.
This can take a year to heal, under good conditions and following instructions.

Screw it up, and you'll really be sorry.

Listen to the Orthopedic Surgeon.

TR
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Old 08-19-2014, 20:28   #38
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Your best advice is from your doc.

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Old 08-19-2014, 22:01   #39
cetheridge
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I had an appointment with my ortho surgeon today. He felt that I was doing too much too soon. He wants me to continue wearing the sling most of the time and especially when I sleep (ugh!!). I have another appointment with phys therapy tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes.
As TR, RF1, and I have said in earlier posts, recovery and healing of the shoulder is measured in many, many MONTHS (up to and sometimes more than a year).....not weeks. You asked for advice from those who had BTDT.

I was somewhat surprised that the physical therapist put you on the hand cycle and has you doing finger ladder only 2 weeks after surgery. Both of these are active exercises putting tremendous stress on the shoulder repairs. I did not do these exercises until out of the sling at week 6. Yes it's a pain in the ass to sleep in, but it relieves shoulder stress and keeps you from subconsciously moving the arm while asleep.

Yesterday, my arm felt good and I used it a little too much...it felt "pulled" and it ached....last night I iced it. This morning when I got out of bed, it was stiff....used a heat pad and loosening exercises before coffee. Tonight it feels okay. It has been 3 months since my surgery and on those days that the arm feels good, I have to remind myself to not over use it.

If you push too hard, you will be back in surgery and starting rehab all over again.

The surgeon is the one who repaired your arm and put it in the sling....not the Physical Therapist. The PT doesn't give a shit if you tear the shoulder (well, maybe he/she does), but the more visits you make, the more money they make.

Take it easy, do the exercises slow and smooth, healing and recovery will be faster. As Clint Eastwood said, "A man has got to know his limitations".
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Old 08-20-2014, 13:46   #40
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I was going by what the physical therapist told me to do. I guess they have a weekly protocol they follow stating what a patient should be doing to rehab week by week. Everything they had me doing was was pretty passive in that I didn't do anything with my right shoulder and just let my left arm do all the work.

I assumed that there was some kind of interaction between the ortho surgeon and the physical therapist since they are both part of the hospital here at FT Knox. I told the physical therapist today what the ortho surgeon said so they backed off on what they had me doing.
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Old 08-20-2014, 15:17   #41
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I can easily see your point,

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Old 08-20-2014, 15:21   #42
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Been using this recently myself

http://www.govx.com/p/12716/hyperice...mpression-wrap
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Old 08-20-2014, 19:07   #43
pbr549xxx
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Lighthouse, thanks, I've been checking that product out.

Well, I've got Thursday through Sunday with no PT appts, I,m just going to do the pendulum swings and relax until my next PT appt on Monday.
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Old 08-20-2014, 23:34   #44
cetheridge
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Thumbs up

pbr549xxx,

I will assume that you got one of those spongy shoulder thingies with 2 removable ice packs or something similar that requires two people to strap it on you with velcro.

A simpler and cheap method that works fantastic for me (YMMV) is to use the 2 ice packs side-by-side in the bottom of a pillow case. Fold the excess material on one side of the packs and place it in the freezer. Get it out when you need it, and when you're finished put it back in the freezer....pillow case and all. The packs will lay on top and around the shoulder joint and you will feel the cold better.

If the PT gave you some exercises in addition to the pendulums to do at home...do them everyday. Don't let the joint get stiff and lock down. Onward and Upward.
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Old 08-21-2014, 01:25   #45
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Right shoulder, had surgery in 2010, 70% in 6 months 100% in about a year.

1. Listen to your Ortho.
2. Learn to love your sling. (Sleeping like a vampire blows, learn to love it.)
3. Listen to the Physical Therapist.
4. Electrotherapy with Ice. This was a life saver.
5. It is a long path to recovery. Do it right the first time. Don't re-injure yourself!
6. Did I mention the sling? Pay the money, get a comfortable sling with neck pads.
7. Don't get too crazy with the pain meds.

I hope you don't drive a stick shift like I did at the time...That was a fun experience.
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