Question - Shoulder (pain after arthroscopy)

How long did pain last after arthroscopic shoulder surgery even with painkillers?

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Question - Shoulder (pain after arthroscopy)

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Nov 12, 2008
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pain after surgery
by: Bart - SII

The most significant pain should decrease after the first 1-2 weeks, however, depending on what was done during the procedure, pain can continue for several weeks to a couple of months after the surgery. Generally, it continues to get better as time goes by, but aching and occasional pain is not uncommon.

Bart

Nov 15, 2008
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pain after shoulder surgery
by: Val

I had a completely severed tendon in my right shoulder, had the surgery 17 days ago. The pain is a lot less now, but at times it still gives me a lot of discomfort. One thing that really helped me was after a week the doc prescribed a muscle relaxer. I wish I had had that right from the beginning, as it would have relieved a lot of stress for me. I am stil sleeping sitting up on the couch, and still take more pain pills than I think I should, but things are getting better. I guess I'm too impatient and want to get back to normal ASAP. Keep us posted how you are doing..we can compare notes!!

Nov 17, 2008
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shoulder pain
by: Anonymous

Hi Val,

I hope your pain slows down soon, and I'm glad you're getting some relief from the relaxants. I'm not taking painkillers anymore. Pretty lucky, I guess. I'm finding the sling a pain, and your arm gets really cramped up. Sleeping is definitely interesting. I'm using my bed, but sleeping on my back is a challenge. How long are you off work for?

Nov 19, 2008
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SHOULDER PAIN AFTER SURGERY
by: Val

Hi,
Good to hear some comments. I'm doing much better now, still have 3 weeks left in the sling. I sleep sitting up on the couch, waking up only once a night now. I went back to work after taking 2 weeks off. I'm a bookkeeper, so nothing strenuous, altho it's difficult to type and enter data with one hand.

Nov 19, 2008
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shoulder pain
by: Anonymous

Hi Val,

Wow. 2 weeks off is brave. I got 6 weeks off, but I'm a teacher and so my job is pretty active. I'll go back to work in January. I'm wishing I had recliner since a bed is challenging. I'm also up about once a night just cuz of discomfort. I'm virtually painfree unless I do something stupid when the sling is off, and then I quickly remember what the surgery was all about. You too, I imagine. Actually, a few drinks don't hurt either, and it tastes good too. 4 more weeks in the sling. If anything, maybe we'll both end up ambidextrous. Take care.

Nov 22, 2008
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SHOULDER PAIN AFTER SURGERY
by: Val

Hi, good to hear from you. I'm doing much better now, specially since I'm totally off the percocet. I was on it for 3 weeks, figured that was enough, so have had a tough few days getting that stuff out of my system. I only take tylenol now, and the pain isn't really much worse than it was before surgery. This sling is about to drive nutty, but only 3 more weeks. I am going to try to sleep in a bed again, just have to trade sides with hubby. I don't want to sleep sitting up much longer. Sleeping in that position has caused my ankles to swell and hurt, another reason to try and sleep with my feet more elevated.

Good luck with your recovery, and your sleep.

Enjoy your time off, sounds like we're in for some gruesome therapy when the slings come off for good.

You are right, it's pretty amazing what I can do with my left hand :-)

Take care, have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Nov 25, 2008
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shoulder
by: Anonymous

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. Looks like we're the only ones interested in this topic, eh? Yes, I'm Canadian. So glad to hear that you're off Percoset. I took that too for almost a week and it's pretty intense. Interestingly, it made me hyper, not sedate, much to the disappointment of my friends and family. 3 more weeks in a sling for me too. Physio starts in 2 weeks, but just light stuff. I think you'll enjoy your bed a lot. Just prop up pillows so you don't roll over accidentally. Do you have to sleep with the sling on like I do? Nice to hear from you again. Stay in touch to let me know how you're progressing.

Dec 12, 2008
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rotator cuff sugery
by: Anonymous

home alone and kids off to school....
it was so nice to read your comments, i really have not gotten a lot of guidance from my dr. she actually was called away right after my surgery to help another dr, so haven't seen her face to face until the stitches come out on 12/24. it has been five days and i was wondering when everyone was told they could drive again? i know i can't for at least another week due to pain meds,
happy holidays
b

i slept in a recliner first four nights, just made it to the bed last night

Dec 12, 2008
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shoulder
by: Anonymous

Hello,

As for the driving, I was told I couldn't drive for 6 weeks, the same amount of time I'd be in a sling. I had surgery on Nov. 6 and so I have one more week in a sling. This may not have been what you hoping to hear but maybe it's different for everyone. My surgery was for a labral tear and to tighten some ligaments. It sounds like you had an open surgery when you talked about the stitches. I think you'll find sleeping a bit tough, but easier over time. Use extra pillows to make sure you don't roll over on the wrong side. Do you have to wear the sling to bed? Hope you're healng well.

Dec 13, 2008
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shoulder pain after rotator cuff surgery
by: Val

Well, I went back to the doc yesterday, she said I don't need to wear the sling any longer, unless I wanted to once in a while to rest my arm. It has been over 6 weeks since the surgery, so I'm glad I don't have to wear it all the time.
However, I tried sleeping without it last night and had one of the most painful nights of this whole ordeal. I finally got up after 2 hours of trying to find a comfortable position, put the sling back on, without the bolster, and tried it again. That didn't work either, so finally took a pain pill, much to my chagrin. I then spent the night in the recliner, again.
At this point I hate to admit that I'm just a bit discouraged, but I know this will get better every day.
I start PT Tuesday, the doc said to take at least 1 pain pill and a muscle relaxer before I go.
I asked about driving, and she strongly advised against it, stating that if I had to take some sort of defensive action I coukd possibly react instinctively and reach with the sore arm and undo all that had been done.
We're taking a long road trip for the holidays, starting next Thursday, that might be a bit challenging!!
Happy holidays to you!!
Val

Dec 18, 2008
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Jumping in
by: Hi

Enjoying all your comments here...I had surg. 11/23, just back to work this week. I'm having constant achey pain in places I didnt even think he touched!

Driving with the sling/bolster is nearly impossible, yet they fully expect that I can do it...hope I, and everyone else on the road survives it! I agree with the comment that instinctively you will reach or move during driving, its happened more than once with wincingly painful results!

Not too pleased with the physician I was assigned to since it was workers comp, I didnt have a choice I guess...I feel like I am treated differently then a full insurance patient would be, definately. Oh well. I will keep checking back in, and let me throw out there, too...anyone else take tramadol/ultram? i honestly cannot feel any relief, but this doc's office feel it is the miracle drug; then again, like i said, I feel like a lesser patient so my protests fall on deaf/unresponsive ears!

Dec 19, 2008
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shoulder
by: Anonymous

I also just got the sling off after 6 weeks with it and I also had a hard time sleeping because of the pain. I can't sleep on the operated side. You feel pretty vulnerable without it but I guess the confidence builds. It's definitely more sore and gets tired now that the sling is gone but I'm still glad to be rid of it. I haven't taken those two drugs that were mentioned. I was given Percoset which worked fairly well. I'm surprised that some people were told not to drive after the 6 weeks. I've started driving, but it's a bit tough so I'm sticking to short distances. I'm curious to know how everyone's physiotherapy is going.

Dec 20, 2008
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SHOULDER PAIN AFTER SURGERY
by: Val

Well, I've had two sessions of therapy so far, and they're not as bad as I thought they would be. They are a bit painful when he stretches my arm where it doesn't really want to go, but he is extremely pleased with my progress. I have two appts a week for the next 6 weeks, then will be re-evaluated to see if I need more.
We decided not to go on the trip for the holidays, the weather looked so bad on the whole route, we didn't want to chance it.
So, keep working at getting stronger, that's the only way it's going to happen. I can fianlly say that I'm glad I had this done, first time I've said that :-)
Have a good holiday, take care...Val

Feb 17, 2009
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shoulder pain after surgery
by: Anonymous

Had rotator cuff surgery 14 months ago and also a bicep tendon reattached. I still have intense pain (feels like an impinged nerve) along the inside of my shoulder blade which sometimes extends down the outside of my arm to the elbow. I have had physical therapy, seen a chiropractor, have had acupuncture and injections - nothing seems to get rid of the feeling of the nerve impringement. I'm back in physical therapy - now they are thinking it could be coming from my neck.
Has anyone else had this problem - it is so frustrating!!!

May 27, 2009
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Rotator Cuff Repair
by: Anonymous

My shoulder was injured in a rear end collision in 2005. It took me almost a year to convince the doctors that my rotator cuff was torn. Had surgery in 2006 and the pain has never completely gone away. It might have lightened up some, but never disappeared. I haven't been able to do any of the things listed below since before the wreck in 2005: never regained full range of motion, can't sleep on that side, can't carry my purse for long, can't push a grocery basket, etc. The pain became more intense I believe in 2008 and I finally convince the doctor to do an MRI and the same area is torn again just worst this time. I wish you all the best with your surgeries and recovery. I think my recovery and whole experience could have been better if the doctors hadn't waited so long to diagnosis me as well as so long before perfoming surgery the first time.

May 28, 2009
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shoulder surgery
by: Anonymous

It's 6 months since a Bankart Repair to fix a shoulder that was dislocating. I'm wondering how others are doing after several months. I've gotten back about 80% of my range of motion and the strength isn't bad. I still go for physical therapy to help with some tightness I'm still feeling. There's still a noticeable difference between the two arms, but a big improvement. Reaching forward, and moving my arm across the body in different ways is limited. Back to playing tennis, but sometimes hurts later. Anyone have any experiences to share?

May 28, 2009
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Jun 27, 2009
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pain in the neck after shoulder surgery
by: Anonymous

I have read many of the comments posted but didn't come across anyone complaining about a pain in the neck area. I had surgery 2 weeks ago to repair a bicep tendon, clean up a rotator tear, and to shave bone spurs. I've had this pain since the first day back from surgery but just assumed that it was pain from not allowing the sling to do it's job and straining to hold up my arm. I start physical theraphy on Tuesday so I guess if it isn't better by then hopefully they can help me out. It almost feels like nerve pain, which I wonder if it is possible that I have this side effect from the interscalene block I received in my neck before surgery. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, so frustrating! Thanks for listening:)

Jul 12, 2009
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BURSECTOMY AND SPUR REMOVAL
by: Anonymous

Hi, i had a bursectomy and a spur removed on 29th june 09. I am a bit concerned that i am still getting a sharp pain in the chest and shoulder blade, which was one of the sorest complaints before i had surgery. It occurs when im asleep, i find it hard to breathe in. I thought having the surgery would eleviate that that problem which makes me think there is a problem with my neck and it could be refered pain.

Jul 12, 2009
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pain in chest and shoulder blade
by: Michelle

I just read your response and was somewhat happy to hear that I'm not alone. I started physical theraphy 2 weeks ago and I actually look forward to it b/c it is when I feel I get the most relief. My therapist actually pushes into my shoulder blade, neck, and under my arm pit to work out the muscles which seem to be what is causing me so much discomfort. Then when the muscles seem more relax I work on exercises. It is a whole different story when I come home and try to do the exercises on my own which is so frustrating. I know these things take time, however it has been 4 weeks and I still feel more pain than before surgery...patience, patience, I guess:)! Good luck and hang in there!

Jul 20, 2009
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Shoulder surgery/rotator/bicep tendon
by: fireman

I just had surgery last Friday, after waiting 3 months. Apparently, the rotator cuff was torn and my bicep tendon needed to be reattached to the bone. The pain is intense right now. I am using a slingshot2 arm sling and an ice machine on the area. I'm taking hydrocodone 10-325 and carisportal- muscle relaxant...but so far the pain hasn't gone away and i haven't slept, since before the surgery. I start physical therapy today and am not looking forward to it! How long will this intense pain last? Has anyone else had this similar surgery and what kind of RX eas prescribed?

Aug 29, 2009
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pain post bankhart repair
by: Anonymous

I had two surgeries to repair dislocated shoulder 4 mnths apart. The second was a reconstruction of my shoulder. It has been 4 months since the last surgery and I still have pain on a daily basis. My scalpula pops and grinds with movement as well. The shoulder is still tight but at the same time it grinds and pops on the outer side? To make matters worse, The other day I began to have severe pain in the back and the front of my shoulder as if something was ripping through it? I was unable to move my arm at all when before I did have some fair rom. Anyone have any ideas