A rotator cuff surgery is a major surgical intervention in the shoulder, and the reason that there is pain after surgery is the amount of normal surgical trauma. Cutting, drilling, cauterizing, and suturing tissues create pain and inflammation.
Rotator Cuff Repair surgeries are notoriously painful! Many patients say it is the worst pain they have ever experienced. To make matters worse, you are bound up in a sling after surgery and can't move the arm to try to “find a comfortable spot”.
According to the Anesthesia Manual of Surgical Procedures, pain from Rotator Cuff surgery is rated at 6 out of 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain. Pain medication is given to control pain and keep patients comfortable after surgery.
The most common causes of pain after rotator cuff surgery are (1) that the shoulder is still recovering from the surgery itself and (2) the shoulder has gotten stiff due to lack of movement.
First 48 hours: This is typically the most painful period as the anaesthesia wears off and the surgical trauma settles in. First Week: Pain starts to decrease but is still present, especially when moving the shoulder or when not using pain medications. 2-6 Weeks: Gradual reduction in pain levels.
Here's a look at some of the ways the procedure and your recovery will differ. Pain – While pain and pain tolerance are unique to the individual, it is generally assumed that patients will be in more discomfort following knee replacement surgery than shoulder replacement.
Avoid Some Shoulder Positions and Arm Movements
Avoid doing everyday movements that might involve lifting or leaning on your arm. Doing unnecessary movements outside your exercise program can aggravate the repaired tendon and create scar tissue.
You will be instructed to use Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and Acetaminophen (Tylenol) regularly for post-operative pain management. You can take up to 800mg of Ibuprofen three times a day. We recommend you take it with breakfast, lunch and dinner and do not take it on an empty stomach.
Modalities like deep tissue manipulation or therapeutic exercises post-surgery can lead to temporary tenderness as our tissues respond to the work being done. For instance, if we're recovering from a rotator cuff repair, we might feel increased stiffness after a session focused on restoring range of motion.
For the first few days, you'll probably be most comfortable upright on a recliner. Once you return to your bed, try using an angled wedge pillow to keep your upper body sloped at about 45 degrees, or stack a few pillows to create a similar effect.
An arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery may take around 1 to 1.5 hours, whereas an open surgery may take around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Orthopedic surgeries, such as *knee replacement, hip replacement, and spinal fusion*, are widely considered among the *most painful surgeries*. These procedures involve the manipulation, repair, or replacement of bones and joints.
The 7-Minute Rotator Cuff Solution is a quick, simple program to help prevent (or help you recover from) rotator cuff injuries. It details how the shoulder works, what can go wrong and why, and describes exactly what to do (and not do) to insure against the risk of shoulder problems developing in the first place.
A rotator cuff tear is the most common reason for excessive and excruciating shoulder pain. The best way to determine if your shoulder pain is due to a rotator cuff tear is to see an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treating the shoulder and who can evaluate and diagnose the underlying cause of your shoulder pain.
This is really going to depend on your exact surgery and how quickly you recover in general. However, a good rule of thumb is 4-6 months before you can go back to sleeping however you want. That's a decent chunk of time, so figuring out your go-to-sleep routine is important in the first few days after surgery.
You need to be in a sling for 4 to 6 weeks following your shoulder operation. You will have to follow the following precautions to protect your shoulder. Throughout the whole time the arm must not be allowed to go lower than the position it is in when in the sling.
Pain after rotator cuff surgery is usually strong in the first few days but gradually lessens as the shoulder heals. Studies using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) show average pain levels of 4.04 at six weeks, 3.01 at three months, 1.54 at six months, and 0.85 at 12 months after surgery.
Next steps
While it can be highly effective for many individuals, there are cases where it may not work as expected. If you find yourself in this situation, don't lose hope, and don't avoid physical therapy. Instead, communicate with your therapist, explore alternative treatments, and consider seeking a second opinion.
If your pain during an activity is around 3–4 out of 10 or less (something that is noticeable but not overwhelming) it is usually safe to continue. If that activity doesn't leave you with more soreness or increased pain the next day, then it was likely a good choice for your body.
Many surgeons report being unsure of how many narcotic pills to prescribe after the surgery. As result, patients are prescribed upwards of 60 oxycodone 5-mg pills for a 6-to-12-week treatment period despite studies showing postoperative pain can be managed without any medication at all.
Stop doing what caused the pain and try to avoid painful movements. Limit heavy lifting or overhead activity until the shoulder pain subsides. Icing the shoulder may help it feel better. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) also may be helpful.
Use Ice and Heat Compressions
A week after your surgery, heat packs can also be placed on or near the shoulder. Alternating the ice and heat compressions is a great way to reduce pain, but take care not to place these directly against your skin.
Here are our top tips for a faster recovery from rotator cuff surgery.
Returning to work after rotator cuff repair depends on several factors, including the nature of your job, pre-surgery condition, and overall health. While sedentary workers can often resume work within 4 to 6 weeks, those in manual labor may need 3 to 6 months for restricted duties and up to a year for full duties.