Just had rotator cuff surgery 11 days ago. Your videos are extremely helpful. Thank you very much!

What A Blessing You Have Been To "All Of Us!!!"

Donna, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your videos. This process would have been a lot scarier without them! My 6 week check up is next Wednesday and I am SO ready. I did have a bit of a meltdown when I realized that I still won't be able to put my hair up for a while. I also didn't realize full recovery would take a year! (I was thinking more along the lines of 6 months.) I guess that is all the more reason to put in 100% effort when I start PT on the 3rd. Thanks again!

I had my surgery almost six weeks ago. Your video was very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

Hi Dane - I am at seven weeks and I think your description of what you’re experiencing is so similar to mine. I find it helpful that your PT suggested continuing with the icing. I stopped at about four weeks and as a result I’m having a lot of swelling in my arm and hand. Anyway, I appreciate your accounting for your process and wish you a strong and healthy shoulder.

I keep coming back to your videos for comfort and confirmation ❤️

Wow first pt at 6 weeks. My surgeon wanted me in there at 3 days. Even with full thickness tear and a couple anchors. First pt brought tears, but after my 3rd , things we’re getting easier. It’s all about not tensing and giving that shoulder to therapist. Lot of trust.

At week 4 this coming tuesday. Had 4 anchors inserted. Forced to drive at week 2. Did okay. Going to try the bed tonight not sure I'm ready. Sometimes i kind of wish i didn't have the surgery. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Thanks for the posting back a couple of years ago. I'm right at 6 weeks now so feel very much more at ease to see how your experience mirrors my own at this ;point. Made me feel like I'm not alone and can anticipate getting better as time goes on...rather than thinking OMG, I'm making no progress at all! Hope to check your future status as well.

I am 5 weeks post-surgery on my dominant arm. Thanks to your videos, I feel that I was prepared and able to manage the surgery and recovery pretty well so far. I watched all your videos before the surgery and was able to arm myself (pun intended, lol) ahead of time. Some things that helped me were: the electric cold pad machine, electric toothbrush, home made meals frozen, mesh sling for showering, pump shower gel and shampoo products, also oversized tshirts that I cut up the entire side and underarm seam of the injured arm and added velcro. I continue to watch your videos as I am recovering. I realize that I have a long way to go, but you continue to give me encouragement and goals. Thank you for being so generous with your time and tips. Hope you are well. God bless.

Thank you for your videos. It’s nice to hear from others going through the same thing…feel less alone in the struggle. I’m 6 1/2 weeks post op n am doing better every Day. Sling came off last week and sleeping has gotten worse. I’m hoping it will get better - looking forward to a night of sleeping through the night. Lol-its the little things. Thanks again!

Hi Donna, I've been a CNA on an othor-spine floor for a long time, so I have a pretty good idea of what you've been through. Brava for you, girl. Your sharing is no doubt helping others heal.

I agree with the 1 step forward two steps back thing. Yesterday I was super happy and feeling great and then I stupidly carried a plate across my house and now it’s been sore the past two days. Hopefully no damage was done.

Thanks for making these videos Donna, they are helpful and I follow your past progress as I catch up to the number of weeks.

4 weeks in, i have the same sleeping issue but i think my mobility is better. I attribute that to NOT wearing the sling all the time knowing not to move my arm up, laterally or behind me. i have now totally ditched the sling. My real problem is before i tore 80% of my subscapularis as a 70 year old thinking he can still head dive into second, most of my pain is due to tennis elbow i got a few weeks before the rotator.tear Cortisone yesterday for that and already a bit better. Thanks for doing the videos it gives us something to compare to our own trek, which will be longer than wed like

Donna, totally agree with others before me. You’re videos have been the most spot on and informative for me❤I watched before surgery which prepared me much more than trying to figure it out on my own. I have friends who have gone through this too which is helpful. I’m two weeks post op and about where I expected to be. Just wanted to send a big thank you for taking the time to put this out there for others to see. A long process but will allow me to stay active doing the things I enjoy. Hope you are enjoying life’s journey post surgery. 😊

thanks Donna for posting these. i'm about 5 weeks behind you and it's nice to look ahead a little. I had rotator cuff repair and bicep tendon repair also. I have had very little pain and am doing ok. My nerve block lasted 30 hours so that probably helped.

Thank you SO much for all of your videos, which have helped me through this whole ordeal. I'm at 6 weeks right now, and am about in the same place as you are. Still can't do anything with my hair!! Dressing in stretchy yoga pants is even difficult, but I slowly get them on with my good arm. I just had rotator cuff surgery, but it was a major tear. I'm still clinging to the security of my sling, on and off. The shoulder gets sore when it's been out for awhile, and it feels so good to put it back in, which seems to take the pressure off the shoulder. Sleep isn't good, and I can't get comfortable lying flat in my bed. I'm still sleeping in the sling. I can, however, do much more with my surgery arm now, and it seems to get better each day. I don't take any pain meds. I drove for the first time yesterday, and it was tentative. I won't drive very far until my range of motion increases. You're an angel for doing these videos!

Thanks for the info. Im right at 4 weeks and in level 3 pain w/o meds.

Thank you Donna for creating these informative videos & sharing your journey post surgery. I am now going into Week 3 post op. Not knowing what to expect, Your experience encourages me every day. On my surgeons advice, Ive been doing PT since Week 2, twice a week. Healing It’s defin. a Marathon not a sprint, and Each day is better than the last. 😊

Thanks for your videos they are very helpful. I just hit four weeks today, you are right about the limits I wrote a check today writing was a bit painful also took a shower without my wife's help had issues there too. Hopefully it will get easier. Good luck on your recovery also.

Donna, hope you are still watching comments. Thank you so much. These videos are so helpful. I will be having surgery in 10 days. 2 complete tendon tears and one with significant retraction plus biceps tendon tear. I was planning a vacation a month after the surgery. Dr. told me I could still go if I wanted to. Thought I would wait to make decision later. Wondering why you said you were glad you did not have vacation at 1 month. What problems did you have? What problems would you envision? Thanks for any reply.

Once again thank you Donna Of all the videos I find yours the most helpful I wish you continues recovery God bless you

i had surgery 6wks ago, and you give me more information then the surgeon, sometimes i feel like i am going crazy sometimes bcuz i wonder if certain symptoms are normal 6wk in. thank you for your video, I am more reassured , will keep watching. GOD BLESS

hello donna. i m at 6th wk post arthroscopic shoulder surgery and i feel exactly the same. especially the discomfort at bed. m feeling good that i m not the only person feeling this. thanx to share ur feel.

Thank you for this video. I’m two weeks and I need to see things like this to know that it’ll be OK in the end.

Flashing lights on the sling, LoL. I’m 4 weeks post op today. 5/4/22. My dr says I can come out if the sling now, I’m nervous about that,but I’ll try. I’ll wear it when out in public for sure. I’ve been in PT since week 3, all passive except a few hand weights and pendulums. Ouchie! I had the same surgery as you,maybe my doc is more progressive. Not being able to wash or put my hair up is the most annoying. ( I hope that’s the worst problem I ever have!) I’m watching these videos years after you made them,but they are my go-to. Thank You! Hope you are doing well!

Donna, i know this was years ago but i found your videos so helpful as i'm just now at my 6 week. I found your vids when i was about 1 week post op and they were very very helpful. I have some of my clavicle bone cut out, plus the full cuff tear and a bilateral tear so i have 4 incisions, 2 are about 4" long. At my 2nd week post op appt, i removed my air cast and have not used it since. I've been able to do most things since then. I thought i was doing very well until..... i chopped wood. I heard a pop and have had severe pain since. I'm seeing the surgeon this week but my physical therapist said my entire shoulder to my neck is swollen (that was before i even told him anything). So my advice to all, please don't overdo it even if you are starting to feel better. I started driving day after surgery and i can wash my hair, blow dry my hair etc. The things i can't do is put my arm behind my back. Nope. Thanks again for all these videos! Hope you are doing well now that it's been years.

Very helpful! I am in my 5th week after surgery! And still in sling and feel I have a long way to go I was looking forward to that 6 week period but looks like it will be a little longer, and thanks so much for the tip on not taking any pain meds before therapy makes sense, Thank you!

Hi Donna it's Karen Murray-Parker, I had my rotator cuff surgery Feb. 28 so am now about 5.5 weeks post; the surgeon removed my bursa, I had a completely severed supraspinatus, anterior tear of infraspinatus, both front and back labrum tears and a frayed CA ligament. Thanks to you, I was pretty prepared for my recuperation. I started PT at 4 weeks when I was allowed to get rid of that miserable abductor pillow which makes a real difference comfort-wise, but arm is still in a sling. I took your advice and got the ice machine on E-Bay, which was a God-send. Pain was pretty awful first 5-7 days, now using mostly Motrin and XS Tylenol for pain but still Demerol sometimes at night to help me sleep. Still in recliner, I tried sleeping in bed but that was a painful disaster. I'm using young living stress relief oil without much result but it smells great! Also still taking arnica to reduce inflammation, and using a TENS unit. I've noticed my arm is still pretty swollen so icing twice daily and doing forearm curls to help pump lymph fluid back up arm. I'm doing at home PT twice daily, see therapist twice a week; but 2 weeks ago got strep throat and respiratory infection so had to miss a PT appt. My arm is still very weak, my hand trembles when I just try to hold a menu in it. This is a really, really slow patient recuperation. I am a nurse and see no way I will be fit to return to work until 12 weeks or later post op. When did you return to work? Anyway, watching your videos is great encouragement, thank you.

It amazes me how PT is so different for everyone. I’m almost 6 weeks post surgery. My next checkup with my surgeon is in 2 weeks. No PT for me yet. Other then small movements ( pendulum, slide outs on the table) nothing else. Hopefully I get the all clear to start. I’m guessing it must be due to the severity of my tear.

just had the surgery that you had and i greatly appreciate your videos i feel i'm right where you are in the weeks following yours and my surgeries thank you so much for documenting your progress i don't feel so alone in my progress

My first appointment is June 4 and I’m sure he will send me for an MRI but thank you So much for the information you have given hearing you talk I am fearful now of what I will have to go through

Excellent Donna! I am 5 weeks today and feel the same tightness in my shoulder and pretty hard to climb up the wall. I will check back in! Good luck!

I'm just over 6 weeks post op. Had rotator cuff surgery, but more. I also had a chipped bone in my shoulder and badly dislocated. Completely torn rotator cuff. I have a long metal pin going down my arm bone and like 8 screws. It happened when I fell on concrete bc of a seizure. I went in to my 6 week checkup today expecting to get my PT schedule. First the Dr says we are going to hold off another 6 weeks on PT bc I'm not quite ready (he'd only looked at today's xrays at this point). He said bc he is afraid I'll dislocate it again if I start at this point. I'm about to leave and he says "Just no overhead lifting". I kind of chuckled and said that wouldn't be a problem, seeing as I can't lift my arm up even level with my shoulder. Only then did he ask me to show him my range of movement. Then he said I'm not where I should be on flexibility and we are going tut start a modified PT schedule after all. I'm so confused now. My 2 week post op they told me to wear my sling 24/7 and the only movement I was NOT to do was lifting my elbow up... The same movement they are surprised I couldn't do today. I'm THIS close to getting a second opinion bc they aren't making sense or really even trying to help me understand what I should be doing or not doing. I need my arm to recover so I can get back to work. I'm willing to put up with pain (and boy have I been already) but I need to know exactly what to do to further things along and not make it worse. I'm going to PT in a week (same place) and I'll see if they are more informative. If not, I think I should go somewhere else.

Love your videos.....I have watched them many times before and after my surgery. I had a full rotator cuff tear, SLAP tear and bicep tendon tear also without the complications that you had. I'm at 5 weeks post op now.....ugh what a slow process!!!! Wish I could fast forward and be through this....it really tests your patience! Off to watch more videos!

Had to watch this since I'm at the 6 week mark now myself. i'll give my two cents for whatever its worth. As you mentioned, everyones different. Right after surgery I wasn't in much pain at all, AS LONG AS I DIDNT MOVE MY ARM OR SHOULDER !!!!! Two weeks out i drove myself to the doctor, (Shhhhhhh) very carefully. The doc ok'ed me for PT but it took another week for the insurance company to approve it. (maybe he knew it would take a week before I would actually start, I dont know. So PT started the third week out. He also said I could come out of the sling each day for awhile, but that led to me hardly wearing it at all. I wouldn't recommend doing that, but i hated the sling. The only time i benefitted from the sling is when I could let my arm go limp so the sling supported my shoulder 100%. Otherwise I would be moving shoulder anyway since I used my hand a lot for whatever things I could. My shoulder aches a lot more since i started PT but I dont know if thats from PT or not wearing the sling. i took a 30 min walk with no sling and that was NOT good. i'll wait awhile to do that again. I live alone so my daughter lived with me for a month, but i can do pretty much everything for myself now, (very carefully) except making a bed. That not a problem since I'm still sleeping on the recliner. Overall its been a lot better than i thought it was going to be, although its going to be a long time to be 100% again. You're cute, you know that. :)

Girl I see you!! I’m at 5 weeks and you’re singing my song. Hope you feel better soon!

Some people will recover faster than others plus a lot of people put the operation of because there scared, i suggest dont put it off the quicker you get it done the quicker you can get back to normal, i am having mine done in 3 weeks time, i know what to expect as i have worked in a hospital for 18 years.Fantastic video Donna you have helped a lot of people, they get an idea on what to expect.

Following your videos as I progress post op, I’m now 6 1/2 weeks out and a lot of what you say I’m experiencing. I am driving now and switch up recliner and bed but bed can be difficult.

Thanks Donna for posting these videos. I'm at alt 2 weeks now after both procedures bankart repair and remplissage on my right shoulder. I am unable to sleep and that feels like a continuous jet lag. I'm still taking narcotics. Probably less now. But I am very scared about what's yet to come re recovery so that's how I've found your videos and I have to say you gave me more confidence as I knew right away that you were in the same situation and know exactly what you're talking about. I just hope for a full night sleep soon. I tried melatonin but didn't help much. Pain wakes me up when lying down. I'm happy I managed today to have a shower all by myself yay!!! Again thanks for posting.

Very helpful series of videos! I’m going on 5 weeks post op and seeing doctor for 2nd checkup this week and hope to start pt in two weeks. You are correct about how weak your arm is and limited range of motion. Would like to start driving again but right now it’s not in the cards

Contagious positivity!

I had my rotator cuff repaired 4 weeks 4 days ago...I went to pt 4 days after surgery...I hate pt but you just have to do it...I have one more week and then I don't have to use the sling...the truth is I stopped wearing it while at home on week 3 I just didn't use that arm...I wear it while out in public....never had the swelling thing either...I do have pain, sleeping is the worst..but I take no narcotic pain med now....I was told I have wonder prom in pt...and have started aprom now...I can do almost 90 degree over my head and lifting my arm from side I can do 60 degree before any pain...so how one tolerates movement with pt depends on the person...I do know there is a long recovery time and that can't be avoided...This surgery is not for the faint of heart I can say that...I have moved my forearm and hand from day one...just because the dr. told me I could as long as I don't move my upper arm and keeping my arm pit tight...I can say good luck to anyone going to have this done..just be expecting a painful long recovery.....

I am at 6 weeks now, I have been going to PT for 3 weeks, I am hoping they tell me I can start driving this week. I think I am doing about the same as you at 6 weeks. Thanks for sharing. PRAYERS

5 weeks out. no sleep 2 or 3 hours if im lucky and exhausted . im so sleep deprived. my body wants to sleep in the middle of the day for an hour. i got my sling off yesterday and have it back on today. just my arm hanging out cause soreness, the sling for a couple hours makes it feel better. it is such a slow process, i get frustrated a lot but keep pushing along. your tips are so good, makes me feel not so alone in this process.

Thanks for sharing Donna. I had surgery around the same time as you and enjoy your check ups! Keep well! John

So, first thank you for posting. Your videos really helped me. I am a 46 year old male who spent the last 20 years in special operations in the military. So, I would categorize myself as a fair active guy. My surgery repaired a complete tear of the supraspinatus and a slap tear (bicep tendon). By week four I had full range of motion, except maybe reaching behind my upper back between the shoulder blades; I can't accomplish this yet. I no longer feel the pain or spasms from the surgery and I can sleep comfortably in bed. I can take off my shirt, put gel on my hair - all that stuff - with no difficulty. Of course, I am not lifting anything heavy because - as both my surgeon and PT told me - I have the benefit of healing fast in some respects, but the repair still needs time to mend. So, I am taking fairly easy with the surgical arm.

you are no 1 you tube on rotator cuff repair info

In case anyone needs this for sleeping I started using aswaganda gummies and a friend recommended to stay up as long as possible then you worry much about getting comfortable you’ll just fall sleep

6 weeks since my rotator cuff with a major tear requiring two anchors. I am relieved to be sleeping at night on my side and it’s pure heaven finally. I never really experienced pain at the surgical site, what pains I have are mostly deep, aches, up and down the arm that come and go. PT is going great and it’s not without some discomfort but no pain no gain I’ll be in the swimming pool next week. The first five weeks were pure hell I couldn’t sleep at all. I tried every position with all sorts of wedges and pillows, but the muscle spasms in the scapular area were horrific, fortunately my boyfriend is a great masseuse and we work them out every morning and in the evening before bed, but I had to rely on muscle relaxers, ibuprofen, and Tylenol. I could not tolerate the pain meds. They made me sick to my stomach, and I felt loopy and dragged down. At week six I am now just taking one Excedrin p.m. before bed no more muscle spasms. They’re all gone now that I’ve been in active assistance PT for two weeks. It really helped to be able to stretch those muscles. During the day I ice three times, take one ibuprofen after PT in the morning. I can finally put my earrings in and fix my hair, but I still have some limitations and one in the evening. At six weeks, I was allowed to ditch the sling, I wasn’t wearing it at home week five anyway, only when I went out, I think that helped as well. I do not sleep with the sling on since week five I only needed one pillow under the arm when I laid on my side. I am so happy and thrilled to be through the worst of it. It’s only going to get better from here on out as Donna said everyone’s different but my heads off to everyone that goes through this particular surgery the shoulder is a complicated joint and I wish everyone the very best. Thank you doughnut you were very helpful as I was scouring KZfaq for everyone’s experience before I went in for surgery… I already watched. I believe it was your year anniversary and I was happy to hear you’re doing so well. I look forward to a year anniversary as well, and I can get back to living my best life. ❤

My mom's 6 week is 8/20/18 & everything you say is TRUE!

I love all your videos you have made! So informative!

I am also six weeks post surgery. Had a full tear of the rotator cuff, labrum and biceps tendon. I was out of my sling, sleeping in my bed, and driving at two weeks. Of course, not recommended but I didn't feel any discomfort. I had my post op check up last week, X-ray found everything was healing fine. I've been going to the gym but only working legs and abs. Even played a little tennis. Again, not recommended and my surgeon would not be pleased. I can attribute all of this to the amazing full spectrum CBD oil I've been taking as well as my other health supplements, like my post workout Called Repair, Undenatured protein shakes, and turmeric. My first PT was last week and I didn't feel any discomfort or pain. Of course, it mainly consisted of stretching and some ice therapy. I'm looking forward to playing softball again by January. If any of you reading this want to try what I have been taking, feel free to leave a comment and I'll reach out to you with the info. Off to the gym now for some light work. Make it a great weekend.

Thank you. I’m at 5 weeks and this info is very helpful.

Hi Donna, your videos have been so helpful. I had arthroscopic rotator cuff repair supraspinatus tear 1.5cm and shaving under the acromium. I'm 6 weeks post op and have been having physio twice weekly from 3 days after surgery. I was on the way to having a frozen shoulder before the op so the surgeon manipulated it under anaestetic but I have to say the physio is very painful. My internal and external rotation is very compromised and agony trying to move arm behind back. I'm doing passive stretches still but wanting to use the arm a bit and now out of the sling most of the time. Still uncomfortable to sleep at night but at least can now lie down provided I have a pillow supporting my arm. My shoulder feels so stiff it's like a big clamp over my whole shoulder! Does anyone else feel like this? Hoping the pain will go eventually - I'm still taking the odd painkiller when it gets painful but it hurts down the arm, into my neck and generally aches. My age probably doesn't help as I'm 60 and not a young 20 year old! No driving for me for a good few weeks yet. But thanks again for posting - very helpful indeed.

I am almost three weeks post surgery. Had my first pt ten days after surgery. I was also told sling for three months. My things have changed since you posted this. Oh I hope to be in my bed at six weeks.

Heads up nothing takes away this excruciating pain

My physical therapy sessions are brutal. He tries to take my arm completely off. The rotation stretches are the worst. 1-10 pain scale...........strong 8.5-9.0.... but a day later the movement and ROM improves.🤷‍♀️

My surgery due in two days. Good information. Hoping for quick recovery so I can get back to work. Luckily it’s not my dominant hand . Will review your post definitely.

Hello Donna Thank you for sharing your story on Your rotator cuff surgery I am having my this coming Monday 14th October 2019 I am a bit nervous But I am ready too Got all my bits of clothing Have done all my spring cleaning Have bought 7 ready meals Because I live on my own My Son will be calling in every day for couple weeks I know I will be ok It's my left shoulder I injured it by falling off a ladder 6 months ago So I have been doing everything with my right hand managing fine When I first injured my shoulder The pain was excruciating for the first 4 months

I wear a bright orange Velcro strap on my wrist when I’m out of sling so That it serves as a reminder that I’m out of sling otherwise I tend to use the arm when I shouldn’t. I started driving at two weeks but am very careful nonetheless..and only as necessary of course!

Wow I had the same surgery and same 6 weeks I have most of my movement in my arm.

I just hit my 6 weeks and had my 6 week check up today. I can't say that the pain has decreased but I was told that I can try and move it myself and I have been trying all day. I don't think that I've ever cried tears of joy before today!!! I was able to move my arm and while lying on my back, straighten it up to the ceiling. I had some help with my other arm but it was still an amazing feeling. You are much braver than I am. I am only working half days and I don't go in on therapy days. You went on a whole vacation haha. Good video though.

OK...got your points..here's my 6 week retort: 1) Bed only now, but 3hr. blocks of sleep at best, with 1~2 hrs reading between them. Still leaning on Tylenol3 to knock the edge off. 2) Similar ROM to you. Really tired of the pain that refers 95% to my tuberosity (where deltoid muscles connect to the humeris) 3) Starting in-office PT soon. 4) Sling only used for long-term standing and miles of trail hiking. 5) No swelling, but that's genetic...I've never swelled. 6) Driving again...yes!

Excellent advise on no pain pills prior to PT, my friends have all said, take before. But you're absolutely right, you mask the pain and will over do it. Glad you're not going to attempt to drive for awhile. My doc told me before surgery, "oh yea, you can drive a few weeks after, with the sling"! That sounds ludicrous, can you imagine if you had to embrace for an impact, you'd probably tear the shoulder again! !! Hope you enjoyed your vacay!

Thanks for sharing ! I just had my surgery 3 weeks ago. 7/11/2019 unfortunately both of my shoulders are hurt. I just had massive wear and tear on my joints. 2 knee replacemnts in the past two years. So the shoulder is a better recovery than my knees. I tried sleeping in my bed after 3 weeks, so uncomfortable. But I was Desperate to lay down. I'm praying for better days....

Hello and thanks for sharing. Ufff, I had my surgery about 7 weeks ago and I was ready for it!!! I spend/live in Europe but come back to the states for medical issues, hehe... I have had a couple other major surgeries and I'm a person that spend weeks before preparing my space for it! I think I'll have to make a Vid/Blog in response to your experience. Let's just say, I was prepared for all kindsa pain, being incapacitated, and out of commission for a while! I had some major stuff done on my right shoulder... and yes, i'm right handed! Rotator cuff, partial bicep muscle reattached, and other crap i can't begin to pronounce...! I know the exact moment it all went bad! December 7, 2017. I just moved to Riga, Latvia. Thought I slept on it wrong! I went the whole year in Europe with that pain! I came back to the states from Prague, Riga, Munich, Berlin all the while carrying at least 4 pieces of luggage! OMG!! I couldn't push a screen door open! I'll post my pre and post op experience and hopefully it'll give you some inspiration! (I hope i'm not writing all this and your experience is years old, hehehe... anywho... thanks for sharing! Oh, 2016... well, My surgery 9/25/18. Reggae Dj Supa Phly

I am 4 weeks out. Mine was a 1 cm teat with one anchor. I started PT one week out. I have an adjustable bed and have lowered it recently to a semi-incline. I do have pain. Nagging and sometimes sharp. I did take one opiate last night as the pain was bad yesterday. I’m doing passive and active assist exercises. I can drive and put on a bra! My husband helps lift my arm like the PT and that helps. I use my hot tub every morning to get things loosened up. I do keep worrying about retearing but the PT says unlikely. Nurse is saying 3-4 months until somewhat normal usage. I am NOT the most patient person. Thanks for the video. It helps to read that others are going through the same thing.

Hi Donna. Thank you for your story. I am going through the same surgery. I am 3 weeks post op. I know I will be out of work for 6 months plus I also had fractures in my foot. Same accident. So really It all happened 12 weeks ago. Trying to keep my wits. PT started 2 weeks ago. I think I'm doing ok. Thanks again for your journey.

I'm 6-weeks in ... dressing is still quite difficult. Sleeping is manageable - still quite painful though. Throbbing arm, bicep and forearm. Pendulum stretch really helps. Experiencing jolting pain / spasm pain in bicep. Quite alarming. Scary!! Completed 6 P/T sessions though. Most helpful, though quite painful. Confidence building. Ice the shoulder in the evening helps.

Ron, it is hard to predict what your pain level will be in three weeks, but what I can promise you is that it will be less than it is now! Keep icing when it hurts as that will help. Good luck to you and keep me posted on your progress!

Donna thank you so much for your videos on your progress I am assuming you are well recovered by now 2019 I would like to wish continue good health God bless you

6 1/2 weeks and still having to sleep in recliner, ugh! Good range of motion and out of sling but use it when achy. Started active range of motion and it’s moving along but pain and aches are daily. Started driving, but limited strength. Believe it or not typing on the computer is what hurts the most.

I had 2 cm rupture on supraspinatus, had repair done and decompression 6 weeks ago; I had sling removed on 3 weeks post op. Physio started at 2 weeks post op, all passive. That will continue until 8 weeks post op then active work will start. The protocol from my consultant in UK seems to be to get the joint moving far more quickly than the posts I'm reading here. I was doing my own passive exercises first week post op. (all be it very small movements). Experiencing very little pain now, only when going through full range of motion.

Thanks a lot for your video I’m in my second week and I found helpful your post the most difficult thing sleep in my bed the recliner is better.

Sleep is the WORST

Thanks for your videos . I m in week 3 . I feel like I m eating less , but weight on regardless . I saw that tramadol and codeine make you put on weight . I hope I will lose as soon as I stop taking it all .

I have listened to about 3 of your videos and I appreciate hearing about your experience as wells others who post their ?'s & your replys. Some of the comments are very interesting & it is great to get other ideas to help. I had my surgery just 4 weeks ago and my biggest problem now is the therapy ........it is so painful!. I have tried taking hydrocodone and Lorazapam before but it doesn't help that much. I am sleeping in a recliner and I find it hard to get to sleep sometimes even though I take a sleeping pill.

Donna....I'm in the same boat as you....I had 2 full thickness tear repairs [double row repair] and a SLAP tear repair done June 10th. I started passive exercises with a PT, pulley, arm swings, etc, two weeks after surgery. My question is 'will the pain slowly go away before active PT starts in 3 weeks'......I hope my comeback will be as good as yours has been.....thanks for your posting........

Total joint replacement is way easier than what you describe.

I am deciding wether or not to have surgery and you are key to my decision which isn’t made yet..ugh

I am at six week post op and I still feel pain. I can sleep though it is difficult. I am not using my arm sling. The hospital indicated that 4-6 weeks would be the norm.

I am 2 1/2 weeks post OP, started physical therapy on 10/14/19. I drive because I am left hand n right shoulder was done. I'm using yellow band. I was doing simple exercises before I started PT. I sleep in my bed, day 1 propped up on pillows. I can shower, put on regular shirts. Thk God it was the right arm n not my dominant hand.

Ugh, I am soooooo not looking forward to my upcoming surgery in October!! 😫😫😫😫😫

Hi Donna. I've been watching your videos since I had my surgery back in October. My recovery has been going well. I'm at 8 weeks now and I've regained most of my motion, but my doc says I still have a lot of inflammation. What was your experience with this? The spot of the repair still hurts a lot... I'm hoping that this will get better soon. What was your experience past 8 weeks? When were you mostly pain free? Especially at the area of repair?

I just underwent same surgery and experiencing similar time

Thank you for sharing your experience. When you traveled, how did you sleep? Was there a recliner available? So happy for your incredible success!

well u look much better. You seem to have some pizzazz or your face seems less stressed. I am 2.5 weeks away and scared to do it but I can't live with the pain.

I wish someone could tell me what the pain is at 6 weeks. I have acking pain. I fell and wonder if I hurt the repair

I love your Videos, I have a Torn rotator cuff myself, this is May 10 2020, I also believe I also have a Torn Biceps muscle also, you give me hope, I will have my Doctor read my CT Scan on Friday

I just had surgery 2 days ago Thanks

Week six, I'm the exact same as you, it's painful wothout the sling, I was able to brush my teeth with my right arm though, I am doing some but haven't had my first actual appointment yet

Thank you for nice clip, 6 weeks today and I know older clip but I am getting swelling from stretches. No one seems to mention swelling after exercise post op.

Thank you for making these videos, super helpful!!!!!

please make a video on passive exercise u have done at 6th week and at 8th week.

In out high tech world I wish there was a stand way the most important information to patients could be delivered. I was sent home with nothing. And had no idea what to expect.

I made it to 6 weeks! Finally fully out of the sling. I had to put PT on 3 week hold because I was exposed to Covid19 (while at the PT Clinic). So I have fallen behind on my passive PT. My question to you... did you find that your surgical shoulder would try to heave upwards when you moved it... or when you were doing PT? I am having a heck of a time keeping it down in place. When I rotate that arm, the shoulder wants to jut upwards. I've just started back to PT and it's going well but super painful. My doc was pretty upset that I missed that 3 weeks. He's talking about MUA.... manipulation under anesthesia... if I don't get my ROM in check. That sounds pretty scary to me. Thanks again for these great videos. PS- My injuries were full tear in the supraspinatus, partial tear in the infraspinatus and partial tears in both bicep tendons. He also shaved some bone in the subacromial area.

Hi Donna. Love your informative videos. I'm at 6 1/2 weeks now. I'm where you were overall at the same time period. I have not started p/t yet, waiting on ok from W/C. How are you doing now in 08/2019? I have a long road and they couldn't repair a lot of mine. Massive tears and a bicep re-attachment + other things. Just wondering how you are doing now. Great I hope.

Hi, I'm at 6 weeks now and can only get my arm up about 45 degrees to the side and 30 deg up towards the front. Beyond that sharp pain. PT is horrible!! When it gets to my point of limitation the pain turns sharp and pinching. Did you ever feel that? I can't help but wonder something's wrong. I had bicep repair, clavicle bone resection joint decompression and RC repair.