Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => SUP General => Topic started by: surfercook on November 03, 2019, 06:10:49 AM
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I go for a total anatomical shoulder replacement on 11/12 duplicating the shoulder joint exactly. The procedure will be at Rothman Institute in Atlantic County, NJ. My surgeon is Dr. Fotios P. Tjoumakaris. He's done hundreds of shoulder and hip replacements and he told me he told me I don't need a reverse replacement which is for patients with torn rotator cuffs that are not repairable...my rotator is intact. The reverse puts the ball on the shoulder blade and the cup on the upper arm.
It's amazing that we can rebuild our bodies like this. Titanium ball and composite cup is supposed to be good for at least 10 yrs. Longer recovery with a total anatomical since it takes longer for the forward rotator muscle to heal, but greater range of motion when healed. A Zoner who's a little more than 10 yrs younger than me had a reverse done and he's ripping hard again. I'll leave him nameless and hope he'll reply. We spoke together on a facebook call and he was very reassuring which put my mind at ease quite a bit.
I know one surfer that had his hip replacement done by Dr. "TJ". As a matter of fact that surfer is a physical therapist and has treated several of TJ's patients with shoulder replacements.
I'll be 6 weeks in sling...3 mnths b4 any kind af serious activity...might be up to 6 mnths before surfing.
It's been an ongoing degenerative condition since early March 2019 as some of you might recall. Joint is done. There is no cartilage left. I was out for three months then and had a cortisone injection in June.
It relieved alot of the pain and discomfort and allowed me to get through the summer to do surf lessons and landscaping but I've been benched since September 20th. The pain started to increase dramatically, at times migrating
down my arm to my elbow and even my hand.
I was offered another cortisone shot but passed pretty much knowing it only masks the condition. So far only two injections in the right shoulder. Last one was in 2008.
You'd think my fomo would be off the charts but at my age (61) I think my patience level is overriding any fomo. The fomo is there but in check.
I think my fear of infection and the procedure not taking is what is bothering my most. I've been imagining myself actually losing the arm! I watched one video where they showed the entire procedure and they REALLY opened this guy up. I'm super queezy when it comes to this stuff and my wife was like "Why did you watch that, idiot"! The video was a bit dated from 2015 though. I utter the emm-effer word like 100x a day and I can tell you guys it does NOT
relieve the anxiety!
Some links if anyone's interested.
https://youtu.be/LFjukeYeM9Y
https://youtu.be/Zo44fpHdKdQ
https://rothmanortho.com/physicians/fotios-p-tjoumakaris-md?fbclid=IwAR2_5cIJzHEIl_Mghr58Y5fVyu7g-mNc6rWzkOtRUn2Kmj2LNj9_PufbOvY
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Sorry to see you're going to have "major" shoulder replacement. I hope all goes well and you'll be back on the water in 1 years time. Just remember. When you go for physical therapy, don't slack off. Do what you PT therapists say.
When I did my PT sessions at the sports medicine complex for my left and then my right shoulder, if my therapist asked for 20 reps on a particular exercise, I did 30 reps. At the end of each PT session, when I left with my fellow patients, I was the only one who was soaking wet from sweat. I attacked each one of my shoulder exercises like I was a "demon from hell".
When you get released from PT, I'm sure you'll be given a set of instructions for doing PT at your home like I was. Keep doing the PT exercisers at your home for as long as it takes and your shoulder will eventually thank you for it. Especially when you take your first ride back on your sup.
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Sounds like its good to get that one over with. Waiting can not only cause more distress, but cause other muscles and tendons to strain by compensating for the bad shoulder. Good luck, and hopefully will see some chill surfing videos next spring.
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Sounds like it's time. Every surgery comes with the risk of infection. People who have plastic surgery done over and over are just gambling stupid.
1.) Find the best specialist in your area. If you know someone who's a nurse that works at the surgery center where you're having the procedure done, ASK them who's the best. They know better than anyone. They see the one's that come back a day later with a high fever. Not good, but it happens. It's usually the problem surgeons. They're the one who repeatedly make mistakes. Sounds like you have a good one with a PT's referral.
2.) You'll be out and wake up with it done. Then just rest and take long walks to stay in shape.
3.) You'll be out surfing again before you know it. Pain free surfing summer.
Hang in there brother.
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best luck, cookie--bet youre thru this and better soon!
and seems youre past choosing whether or not to do this...........
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Cookieman!
Well, the good news is..... they can do this stuff!
Like TD said.... you need to do your best work before the operation, by selecting the right surgical team.
Be a stringent patient advocate for yourself!!
There are ways to get the Doctor and surgery staff, pre-surgery, to stay focused on the task.
I had cataract surgery on right eye, then left eye over the summer.
"Not to worry they said... we do this all the time!"
"only 2% of patients have a bad outcome."
ok... I can live with 2%
But hey... you lay awake on a table while they use a blender or something to puddle your natural lens and remove it :o
Then they pop in a plastic one, and send you home.
20 minutes.
Blindness is not something I can contemplate.... so I never gave it a thought. EVER
I am very good at not overthinking bad outcomes.
I was totally peaceful leading up to the operation and totally relaxed as they did the procedure.
They said my blood pressure was perfect, as I lay there waiting for the local anesthesia.
Let's back-up... to before the operation, as I sat in the waiting room.
I couldn't help notice that there were about 50 people in for the same procedure.
After I did some quick math, I was tempted to shout out "Luckily, only one of us, is going blind today!!!"
But I didn't ;D ;D
and here I sit... with perfect vision :)
Be peaceful my friend..... it works wonders. OMmmmmmmm
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I hope it goes well. I have had the "kind of helps" arthroscopic on both shoulders. Question about the intact rotator cuff - one of mine was repaired from a pretty bad (~80%) tear; does that still count as intact? The other one just had a labrum tear. Bone spurs and bursitis in both. Doc has not said replacement in so many words, just that there would not be much point in scoping again. Currently just do 600 mg ibuprofen before and after heavy paddling sessions and try to pay attention to how I use shoulders.
I wish you a speedy recovery!
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watch your stomach, rtg, with occasional high-dose nsaids---and also watch your heart with longer term use--i quit that stuff cold turkey 2 years ago--it had already messed with my stomach a bit, and then i saw the heart/stroke/BP risks they'd found, and no mas--
and i dont "take" cbd--i get plenty in connection with my herbal pursuits--nothing better for pain, with few if any side effects
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I appreciate all the replies and positive input, Zoners. Will try and target everyones responses a bit l8r as I'm out the door. I have alot of work ahead me to finish up my landscaping accounts before the surgery. Lucky I have a 20 something surfer buddy to help me these days!
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You're worried about infection, that's a good thing. Pay attention to the nature of the pain. A day after surgery you'll have plenty of that, but if you feel "hot" pain that seems to be particularly deep, or you run a fever, or you start seeing increased redness, get thee to the hospital and have it checked. If they say yes, you have an infection but they want to send you home with oral antibiotics insist on seeing an infectious disease doc and don't leave until you do. If I had done what the first doc said and gone home with oral antibiotics I wouldn't be here. If fact I was kind of out of it, it was Diane who did the insisting, so brief your wife on the things to be worried about. Sounds like you have a great doc, and that makes all the difference in both outcome and infection risk, but talk to the nurses beforehand as tall dude said and ask them to explain to you and your wife what to look for in the event of an infection. If you think you have a problem, act on it. Don't wait.
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Procedure has been green lit by the insurance company. Still need to find out what my out-of-pocket will be though. I have a feeling I might need to sit down when I find out.
Keep doing the PT exercisers at your home for as long as it takes and your shoulder will eventually thank you for it. Especially when you take your first ride back on your sup.
Thanx, NW. I totally remember you replying to me on an earlier post stating that you were quite determined doing PT. Your therapist was like 'You feelin' me? If not we will say good bye now"!
hopefully will see some chill surfing videos next spring.
I just might actually drink a glass of champagne if that happens. Haven't touched alc since 2000 but will break my streak to celebrate that joyful day of actually returning to the surf!
Hang in there brother.
Thanx, TD/Matt. Trying to.
seems youre past choosing whether or not to do this
Yea, having some second thoughts everyday but last night the pain woke me like 10x so at present it's a go.
Be peaceful my friend..... it works wonders. OMmmmmmmm
Good advice...will pass on the meditation though. Long walks on the beach or state forest are kinda my meditation process.
Question about the intact rotator cuff - one of mine was repaired from a pretty bad (~80%) tear; does that still count as intact? Currently just do 600 mg ibuprofen before and after heavy paddling sessions
I would ask your Dr/surgeon that question, RTG. But it sounds like the rotator is pretty done. Like eastbound replied, watch all that ibu intake. I limit myself to one 600mg dose a day. And as of tomorrow(6 days before procedure) I will be off the ibu and the glucosamine. They don't want any blood thinners ingested PERIOD!
watch your stomach, rtg, with occasional high-dose nsaids---and also watch your heart with longer term use...heart/stroke/BP risks. and i dont "take" cbd--i get plenty in connection with my herbal pursuits--nothing better for pain, with few if any side effects
I can't wait to get off the ibu being well aware of those risks. I actually stopped the herbal intake a while back after pulling the trigger on my surgery, not being sure if it was going to help me in the ER.
You're worried about infection, that's a good thing. Pay attention to the nature of the pain.
I'm definitely paying CLOSE attention here. This ain't no joke. THE most evasive surgery I'll have ever gone through. Four ear drill outs(canal plasties) over the years and two oral surgeries will seem like small potatoes after this one. Curious if you've had a joint replacement?
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No I haven't, though I think a knee is in my future. My doc keeps saying NO, and it still works, but it's holding me back a bit. Same with my hips, the doc says I have arthritic changes, and the joint is tightened up, but the joint surfaces look like a 19-year-old kid's. Go figure, all I know is that they ache a lot, I can't sit for very long, and I can't walk very far. I've had lots of rotator cuff repairs, but the joints are still good.
I think my body is going to hold out a while longer and then all collapse at once.
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On those ibu warnings - yeah, I know, but not sure what else to do for inflammation. I get the "little bit all over" inflammation more often than the localized "knee like a grapefruit" kind. NSAIDs help with that. After paddling/hiking/gym, I might not be able to get my ring over my knuckle for a couple of days without NSAIDs but it will be within a couple of hours of 600mg of ibu. 400mg won't do it. Tylenol won't do it. Naproxen will but it sours my stomach worse than ibu.
Pono - interesting that you have had multiple rotator repairs. I wonder what's different to make my doc say he shouldn't do mine again. Next time I am in (hopefully not to soon) to see him I will ask.
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Best of luck with your surgery Cookie. It sounds like you are headed in the right direction. We will all miss your great videos while you are recuperating and look forward to the first one you post after getting back in the water.
Cheers,
Bob
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Pono - interesting that you have had multiple rotator repairs. I wonder what's different to make my doc say he shouldn't do mine again. Next time I am in (hopefully not to soon) to see him I will ask.
I keep ripping mine up. The last one was pretty much every muscle torn. I fell during a Maui SUP race when I turned to give Gregg Leion shit. I went in feet first and caught the board under my arm going down so I could pop back on. Probably not the best idea I ever had. Four and a half hours of stitching and digging. It was supposed to be one and a half hours but everything the doc looked at "just to be sure" was either torn or severed. Diane thought I was dead on the table and they just forgot to tell her. Fortunately, I had a great doc. My worst shoulder is now my best shoulder, though that's a low bar.
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Well tomorrow this time I'll be a new man! Today felt like my last day as a free man. Kinda like Ed Norton in one of my favorite movies.
25th Hour
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307901/
I was reading up a bit on the shoulder too, which put my mind at ease...somewhat.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/shoulder-joint-replacement/
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See you on the other side cookieman.... be well!
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Just relax, and take what life brings at you. You just got to duck dive that big set. You'll pop up on the other side a new man. All positive brother.
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@ Cookie
Hope your surgeon finds no unexpected surprises. Wishing you a text book recovery.
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All the best. And when you are recovered maybe a trip to Europe.
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had the same procedure done about 4 years ago. went pretty well but that first month is a bit of a drag...hard to sleep sitting up, constant icing, and stuff like that. but it goes by relatively fast. the physical therapy afterwards isn't too bad either. did that for 2 months. after 3 months was back SUP surfing and kiting. SUP surfing still annoys my shoulder, but at least i can move it above my waist now. don't expect your shoulder to ever feel 100%, it won't. much weaker overall (relative to when i was healthy), but most days i don't even remember it was done. i still do shoulder stretching/exercises daily. just get used to setting off metal detectors at airports. good luck!
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Thanx, Zoners.
Seeya on the other side, Creek.
This set's gonna be a doozy, TD.
Thanx for the info regarding the post[op experience, NW. Been quite curious about that.
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@ Cookie
My orthopedic surgeon operates on Wednesday at the sports medicine complex where he has his office on the 3rd floor. The operating rooms are on the 1st floor and the PT rooms are on the 2nd floor. Two days after I had my left shoulder procedure done in 2002 to remove a large bone spur, I was in PT on the second floor two days later, on Friday. This was the worst PT session I had since I was really sore. All black and blue.
My surgeon requested a man named Brian to work with me. Since I love the outdoors and my surgeon does too, he knew Brian and I would be a perfect match because Brian was going to work me harder than usual. I was also instructed to take 2 vicoden tablets one hour before my scheduled arrival time of 10:00 am and I was "not" supposed to come to PT wearing my sling.
When I finally met Brian on that Friday morning, we exchanged pleasantries and then he had me sit down on a chair with the chair facing sideways to the table. He then told me to PUT my arm up on the table. I told him I couldn't LIFT my arm that high just two days after surgery. He told me, PUT your left arm up on the table. I told him, "did you hear what I said about me not being able to LIFT my left arm that high?". Brian looked at me and said he heard me the first time. Then he said, "PUT your arm up on the table."
It then dawned on me Brian wanted to see how well I could think on the fly and solve a problem. So I told Brian, "if you want me to PUT my arm up on the table parallel to my shoulder, this is how I'm going to do it". With my right hand, I grabbed my left wrist and then LIFTED and PUT my left arm on the table shoulder high.
Brain then told me, "you and I are going to get along just fine". Brian knew I couldn't LIFT my arm up on the table, but he wanted me to figure out on my own how to PUT (what he wanted) my left arm up on the table, which when done was shoulder high. He told me that there will be some exercisedsI might have trouble with, but there was a way to do them.
After 12 sessions with Brian (3 session a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday) for 1 month, when I was released from "official" PT, Brian told I did 3 months of PT work that most people do in 1 month's time. Then he told me I would keep the same time sessions at my home for 6 months and don't slack off during the times I was doing PT on my own at my house. Result, no problems with my left shoulder.
Fast forward to 2017 when I found out, via an MRI, a large bone spur in my right shoulder had cut 90% through my rotator cuff. Again I had the same surgeon who performed the procedure on my right shoulder on a Wednesday morning and two days later, on a Friday morning, I was back on the 2nd floor for my one month of official PT with the same work sessions like I had with my left shoulder.
Since Brian was still there 15 years later, I tried to get him, but he was booked solid. Bummer! But my surgeon had the perfect replacement for me. A woman by the name of Vanessa who was trained by Brian.
When I walked into PT that Friday morning, I was greeted by Brian and we exchanged some small talk. Then he introduced me to Vanessa. Both Vanessa and I exchanged small talk with Brian still in the room. Then Vanessa had me put a chair sideways to a table, had me sit in the chair and then she told me to PUT my right arm up on the table at shoulder height.
I shifted my eyes towards Brain and saw he had a slight grin on his fade because he knew what I was about to do. So with my left hand, I grabbed my right wrist and lifted my right arm up on the table to shoulder height. Then Vanessa gave a small laugh and said to me, "You and I will get along just fine". And I worked those exercises like a demon from hell for that one month for the official sessions of PT.
So I did my one month's of PT with Vanessa, 3 times a week in 1 hour sessions for 4 weeks on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays. At the end of that one month, Vanessa told me I had done the amount of 3 months of PT work in one months time. Then when I was released; I was told to do some of the same exercises I had done in PT at the sports medicine place, at my home in the same time sessions but for 11 (eleven) months.
Both my surgeon and my therapists told me the home PT sessions were very crucial and if I didn't want any pain in either of my right or left shoulders as long as I didn't "slack off". BTW, with both my left and then my right shoulder, I had full range of motion in both of them 7 days after my first PT official sessions.
But even when I was doing my official PT sessions at the complex on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays; I was doing those sessions PT wise at my house on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
So in conclusion; when you are in official PT, work your shoulder. I will tell you this. Your first official PT session, it will hurt like a "mother". But everyone's first PT session; whether for a knee, arm, shoulder, hip, those individuals with those procedures, they were in lots of pain in their first PT session.
There were some with me who, when they first encountered some pain when doing their exercises, they whined and wanted to skip some of those exercises. But the therapist for these people, they told them if they don't do their exercises "properly" and push through the pain, they would have pain in whatever arms, shoulders, hips, etc; for the rest of their lives. And if they balked at that, they it was suggested to just stay home and don't waste their time and the therapists time.
So be diligent when doing your exercises and give it 110% effort for every exercise when in official PT or at your home when you're doing you home PT exercises.
Stay the course and when your shoulder is pain free and you're "allowed" to be back on the water on your sup, per your surgeon's approval, your first ride back on your sup will be one of the most enjoyable sup session you will experience whether it is a flat water session or sup surfing some knee high waves, waist high waves or head high waves. I know because I've been there "twice" with my left shoulder first and then with my right shoulder second.
Take care, Cookie.
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I wish you a speedy recovery Marc! Looking forward to paddling with you when you are all healed up for sure.
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72 hours post-op and the pain is still pretty brutal. At first I was 10 mg of oxy every 4 hours but now I've reduced it to every 7 hours. I'm hoping that I'll be able to cut it out altogether in a day or two because this stuff makes you Looney. It feels like a cross between a bullet and a knife in my shoulder at present. I do manage to get some okay rest after taking an oxy though
I appreciate the lengthy detailed description of your rehab Nightwing. You are truly a rehab hero and I will try to draw inspiration from your experience.
Bean, we still have to do that Inlet Crossing.
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@ Cookie
When I had both of my shoulders operated on, in pre-op first in 2002 and then 2017, my surgeon suggested a nerve block because without one, the pain is quite severe after the procedure.
The nerve block I was given lasts between 20-24 hours. In both instances, the nerve block started to wear off at the 20 hour mark. At 22 hours after my surgery, I started taking 2 hydrocodone tablets every 4 hours.
The first 3 days after my procedures, my surgeon told told me those will be the most painful days. Starting on the 4th day, the pain starts to lessen and I suspect you will experience that too.
Hydrocodone can be addictive for some people. My surgeon told me when the pain was manageable, quit taking the hydrocodone.
My surgeon wrote a prescription for 30 hydrocodone tablets for each procedure, but I only took 16 tablets. One hour before my first PT session at the sports medicine complex, I took 2 hydrocodone tablets because my surgeon told me the first day of PT is quite painful. My second PT session, I didn't need the hydrocodone so I didn't take any.
In total, I only needed 18 hydrocodone tablets and the last 12 of those tablets, I eventually threw them in the garbage. By the time you read this post, your shoulder pain should start to lessen. You'll still be quite sore, but it should start to be manageable.
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Cookieman, good to see you come up for air!
Day by day, my friend! Soon, a memory!
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All the strength with the pain. Hope find an alternative to the oxy.
And NWing is an inspirational lead for the rehab.
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If there's no post-op fever at this point, you're looking good. 8)
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You’re on your way Marc, very exited for you!
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Interesting day here yesterday right from the start. First the toilet and tub backed up and there was no way we were getting it unclogged on our own so I had to call a plumber. So while waiting for the plumber I finally had to go to the bathroom and the number two kind which had been four days since I last went due to the anesthesia and pain meds. So I called my sister and she gave me the code to one of her property's she manages right here on the ocean a block away, but the garage door opener seem to have a dead battery and it wouldn't work after 5 tries. So there's a porta-potty like two lots away at a construction site but there was a whole huge pile of lumber in front of it and I couldn't get the door open wide enough to get my super sling through it so I ended up running over to a friend's house and using her bathroom just in the nick of time.
So the plumber finally showed up and had to remove the toilet and run a hundred foot snake through the line twice which cleared out a crap ton of roots. Then he had to retrofit a new flange on there since the old one was totally rusted out which didn't surprise me since it was 15 years old, put a new waxy o-ring on, and reinstall the toilet. So $600 later we're back in business. I did all this before a visit from a surfing buddy around noon which was definitely the nicer part of the day.
Day 5....Gnarly bruise developed.
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haha... love to have a vid of that debacle, it would have made a great Laurel & Hardy high speed comedy ;D ;D
as Mark Twain famously quipped: “Humor is tragedy plus time.”
Bruises are badges earned.
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cookie!
youre on the home stretch--a long one, but more perseverance than anything dengerous
props to you for stepping up, and getting things fixed
my wise: "body'like a house--make repairs when they are few and little--or youll be gutting it soon enough"
of course i dont listen---limping around on this hip, ignoring minor hernia etc etc
good youre getting your house in order!
oh and the bathroom too--but wherever you took that 4 day delayed opioid dump, it had to be glorious!!!!!
get well--get me more videos!!!
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eastie- Not quite home yet. This is my 10th day staying at home. Been lucky to be able to take it easy. Movement is SO limited, weak, and painful. I take my arm outa "Super Sling" 3 or 4 times a day and exercise the arm a bit. Elbow, wrist, and fingers only. Monday staples out! That will be nice.
This feels like a train wreck...or maybe gunshot wound!
My cat keeps me good company.
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@ Cookie
Wow! You have a lot of staples. When I had the bone spur removed in my right shoulder and rotator fixed, I only had 7 staples. Looks like you will have a sore shoulder for quite awhile. A lot longer than what I had with my right shoulder. But when you get back on the water, you find what you went through is worth the wait.
I gather you haven't been to official physical therapy with a therapist yet. Just remember to take two pain pills before your first session. With your therapist, try to set a time goal when you want to be back on the water and work towards it. It is a good incentive.
Since you're basically "house bound" at this time, if you're stuck at the house during the day with no one to talk to, if you like, I can give you my land line home phone number in a private message and we can shoot the breeze which will help to pass the time for you. Your choice since I'm retired from the work force which makes me, "foot loose and fancy free" time wise.
BTW, I see you're a cat person. I'm a cat person too. I have a short haired orange colored tiger striped male cat named, "Tucker". He kept me company through my right shoulder surgery.
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eastie- Not quite home yet. This is my 10th day staying at home. Been lucky to be able to take it easy. Movement is SO limited, weak, and painful. I take my arm outa "Super Sling" 3 or 4 times a day and exercise the arm a bit. Elbow, wrist, and fingers only. Monday staples out! That will be nice.
This feels like a train wreck...or maybe gunshot wound!
My cat keeps me good company.
Dude! Nice incision especially coming from an orthopod. Looks great and every day will be a step closer to the water. Having your furry friend to keep you company is good therapy for the soul.
Bob
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Two weeks post surgery and the surgical staples are out. 19 of em. Still feels like a bullet wound. Bit of a bleeder on one of those staple extractions, right down my chest. That was a bit unnerving! Gonna be a long road ahead before a paddle is in my grip. No prob, waiting it out patiently.
New parts-
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Now comes the tedious part. The physical therapy. Do you when your therapy starts?
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Does anyone else find this x-ray humerus? ;D ;D ;D
Keep up the good healin' Marc!
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Now comes the tedious part. The physical therapy. Do you when your therapy starts?
In a few weeks. Already started minimal movement exercise w/forearm, wrist, and fingers...shoulder needs more time.
Does anyone else find this x-ray humerus? ;D ;D ;D
Ha ha! My PT already used that one on me! That really tickles my funny bone. :P
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Your PT sounds like a great guy!
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Almost four weeks post op...feels pretty bullet wound still...like maybe 10% use of the shoulder...forearm is good w/almost complete movement of elbow, wrist, and fingers. Shoulder is very limited movement w/a fair amount of constant pain. Two more weeks in the sling still. Looks like my PT starts after I'm out of the thing. Been walking alot. Tried playing my ukulele today, 5 mins in and had to ditch it. Too painful. Been hittin' the keys.
Getting a bit antsy not being able to drive. Lucky I have my wife and my sister helping out.
Got a hold of a cryo-cuff from a buddy. Helps alot w/icing after my in-home PT of forearm, elbow, wrist, and fingers..
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Sounds like you're getting through it. The keyboards is probably a better angle and movement as long as stay within an octave. A two octave run might hurt ;D
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Sounds like the doc did his work alright. Now comes the rehab slog.
Head down and push forward.
The music will help.
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Almost four weeks post op...feels pretty bullet wound still...like maybe 10% use of the shoulder...forearm is good w/almost complete movement of elbow, wrist, and fingers. Shoulder is very limited movement w/a fair amount of constant pain. Two more weeks in the sling still. Looks like my PT starts after I'm out of the thing. Been walking alot. Tried playing my ukulele today, 5 mins in and had to ditch it. Too painful. Been hittin' the keys.
Getting a bit antsy not being able to drive. Lucky I have my wife and my sister helping out.
Got a hold of a cryo-cuff from a buddy. Helps alot w/icing after my in-home PT of forearm, elbow, wrist, and fingers..
Wait - they didn't send you home with one? When my left shoulder had a repair ( and a Mumford Procedure - Doc didn't mention that till after - holy moly, talk about "gunshot" https://medivisuals1.com/images/view.aspx?productId=3893 ) - I was attatched to that thing non-stop the first week. Bags and bags and bags of ice were melted. Same thing with my knee - but my insurance would only pay for the cheap one - next time I will suck it up and pay for the one that circulates itself. So - FYI to anyone considering joint surgery - if they don't get you one, borrow/beg/buy one and use it a lot.
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jeeze louise, cookie--this aint no damned walk in the woods---take care, good luck ongoing