Week 6 Rotator Cuff Surgery Recovery - What Sling? Phase 2 Physical Therapy

[@Serpico1152]

This video was awesome and spot on with every thing that you mentioned, I just left my Doctor's yesterday and came out of my sling after my 6 weeks follow up and everything that you described about feeling uncomfortable not wearing the sling, washing both hands again, being able to use both hands when using the computer again, worrying about sleeping without a sling on, being able to be comfortable sleeping without a shirt on again, trying to remove all the stiffness of the wrist, or just being able to regain movement and control enough to perform every day simple things once again. My Doctor is very quick with his instructions during his appointments so hearing the review of yours was an informative and more complete instruction of what my restrictions are also. Thank you for taking the time to make and share this video with everyone because during my whole ordeal I've spent hours watching videos of others taking many notes but not as good as yours. I wish you the best of health and will subscribe to your channel and follow through watching your other videos during your recovery stages to help me continue likewise with mine. 🙂

[@livelongerlivestronger]

Hey Carmine! Thank you for your feedback. I’m so glad the video was helpful. I tried to put a lot of detail to all the videos I made. There are a total of 31 videos. Here is a link to the entire playlist and chronological order. Hope that helps make it easier to watch. It’s good to hear. You are right on track at the six week mark. It feels so good to get that sling off doesn’t it?! Here is the playlist link: kzbin.info/aero/PLQSf5JL3jJjSHFX3dxy1_j9Hxyv-jKAoo&si=1M7GoemvTF3wIb3q

[@stevegoss8661]

I only wish you were still making videos. Your content is very informative. You have helped me a lot in my recovery process.

[@irenecohen8708]

I just came back to look at this video because I took my sling off today at four weeks as per my surgeon’s order. Wow, there are muscles that have not been used for a while and they are letting me know. I’ve been in PT for 2 1/2 weeks already and my therapist says I’m about four weeks beyond where he would expect me to be so I’m not pushing it. And just like you were, I was so happy to be able to wash both hands under the sink today! I hope I continue to progress the same way you did. Thanks so much for this content. I know it’s years later but it’s as relevant now as it was when you made it.

[@edithandrews2902]

6 weeks post-op on 3/25/24. I've been feeling low because adhesions are limiting my POM. My PT says, "At least you're consistent with your ouch point." Anyway, watching this video again (I watched most of them pre-op) lifted my spirits. I'm pretty much at the same place you were other than the limited POM. I'm weaning myself from the sling and working POM at home 3x a day with pulleys & cane, 2x a week with PT. 58 y.o. female, not as physically fit as you but very active with gardening, hiking, and other outdoor endeavors. Large SS tear repair, open subpectoral bicep tenodesis, arthroplasty, decompression, SLAP tear & other tissue debridment. Some days, it feels like forever since i was pain-free. This, too, shall pass. Thanks for your videos and encouragement!

[@livelongerlivestronger]

Sorry to not reply sooner. Yes, mobility took quite a while. Recovery is long. If you stick with therapy it eventually gets to a good place for most. The key is sticking to it through the good days and the bad.

[@vSwampFox]

You literally answered almost a dozen questions I have now at Week 6 Post Op RC repair. Especially sleeping without the sling 😬 so nervous about that but won’t to bad lol

[@livelongerlivestronger]

Hi War Hammer! I'm glad the video was helpful. I made a total of 31 videos with tons of info on shoulder surgery recovery. Here is the full playlist. Hopefully this will help you in your recovery. kzbin.info/aero/PLQSf5JL3jJjSHFX3dxy1_j9Hxyv-jKAoo&si=gSLSeJJZpkRKeoRB

[@vSwampFox]

@@livelongerlivestronger I’ve pretty much watched them all friend. However life just decided to throw me another curve ball. Appendectomy! Out of no where! So now I’m dealing with that.

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@@vSwampFox yikes! I'm sorry to hear that. What a bummer. My son had one too and he's no worse for the wear a few weeks after. You will be good to go soon. Keep your chin up!

[@haysam731]

Thank you very much, that was really helpful 😊

[@livelongerlivestronger]

I'm glad to hear that! You're most welcome.

[@kimberlykozlowski312]

Right on point with my recovery. I am 4 weeks post opand have had sling off for two days. Everything you said I can so identify with. You are much more physcially fit than I am but having experienced this bump in the road I am more motivated to take better care of myself. Just subscribed to your channel.

[@livelongerlivestronger]

Thank you! Taking better care of ourselves isn't the easiest path, but I believe it is well worth the effort for a much higher chance at a longer, healthier life. There is only one of you!

[@aryendrapalsingh4131]

How are you feeling now? Is there 100% recovery?

[@mikes9819]

Really appreciate these videos! I’m three weeks out from surgery and I’m at roughly the same spot you are. It sounds like you had much more damage than I did, but it’s helpful to know that someone is having a similar experience to me. I’m out of the sling 95% of the time and it’s so hard for me to remember not to pick up my coffee mug or grab my toothbrush with my recovering arm. My biggest issue is definitely been the weight gain. I’ve got plantar fasciitis too, so walking is painful. Trying to cut calories, but it’s tough when eating is quickly becoming a comfort during recovery. Thanks for the videos and hope your good progress continues!

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@Mike S It's great to read the videos have been helpful. I'm especially glad to know you are progressing so well after having shoulder surgery! That's awesome you are already out of your sling...at 3 weeks, wow! It's definitely a challenge to not use that hand/arm like we are used to doing. It's so instinctual, I have to constantly remind myself to keep out of danger with just about everything I do, LoL. I too have an issue with my body composition going the wrong way. It's tough to do much at all, let alone maintain muscle. For me, eating clean helps me to not overeat as much, but it can still happen, especially with the lack of exercise. It would be worse to be in a caloric deficit, which could deprive your body and thus your repair of the nutrients it needs for healing. You could try a stationary bike and do a lot of air squats since walking can be painful. I will be putting out a video soon showing a simple workout we can do at our stage of recovery that is slightly more interesting and doesn't involve walking. Keep up the positive attitude and your great progress!

[@JohnBrown-sn3kh]

I’m nearly 3 months post op and out of sling. Yes weight gain big problem I’ve put on 3 kilos and have knee aches and elbow clicking. Still got aches and throbbing but thank god I can sleep at night now and shower myself

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@@JohnBrown-sn3kh I'm glad to hear you are out of your sling and on the road to recovery! This is definitely a long road with many ups and downs. it unfortunately seems the norm for other parts of our body to decline due to less activity. Keep your chin up and you will be better than ever soon!

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@@JohnBrown-sn3kh I can certainly sympathize. I have gotten way out of shape, but the good news is our shoulders should be a lot better so we can be more active without the pain!

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@@poolmilethirty2859 I wouldn't want to join a gym right now either. At 6 weeks, other than a stationary bike you can walk or increase the difficulty and walk up and down stairs. If you don't have stairs or for a different stimulus, you could step up to a box that is 8 to 24" in height repeatedly. These step ups can be made even more difficult by holding a weighted object in your good hand or on top of your good shoulder. For core work, hollow holds is by far the best thing. Work those in sets or increasing increments. Air squats are good and safe, just don't bang your arm/sling on your leg. I liked one handed thrusters with my good arm. I have a few videos about those. I hope that helps!

[@melindachisholm6418]

Oh my! My surgeon told me to take my sling off after a couple of days and rehab also. I am 7 weeks today. Strange how different surgeons treat their patients. I had tendon repair, 2 large bone Spurs removed and a decompression. He said get busy so I don’t lock up.

[@livelongerlivestronger]

Melinda. Wow, your surgeon definitely worked differently than mine. My repairs were for a full thickness tear of the Supraspinatus, Distal Clavicular Resection, Acromioplasty, Biceps Tenodesis, clean up of arthropathy. The BT helped clean up a labrum tear. From my experience not having the sling on after only a few days is aggresive to say the least. I totally agree with getting busy right away with passive range of motion so you don't lock up. That helped me tremendously. It sounds like you are doing well though and your surgeon's advice worked out well for you. Awesome to hear!

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@@jaguarreal9116 thank you! I’m glad the videos have been helpful. You are correct, the tendon healing process takes a long time. 100% tendon healing for most is anywhere from 1-2 years.

[@troyherndon]

Surgeons and therapists all seem to do things differently, my therapist had me doing 2lb wrist curls 2 weeks after surgery, I had decompression of bone , bicep and 2 tears, super had over 80% tear. This is my left arm, had right arm done 4 years ago and that surgeon with the same work done and almost a full tear had me stand 4 days out of surgery and grabbed my right arm and and 3 tries pulled my arm overmy head and said I would thank him later, and I ended up having some issues with my forearm and wrist for about 6 months. Needless to say I didn't use him for second surgery, lol

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@@troyherndon yes they do. We’re all different. Our conditions are different. Our surgeons are different. Treatments may be similar, but likely never the same. The right treatment is what works for each person. I would have stayed away from that surgeon too. Holy smokes!

[@troyherndon]

@@livelongerlivestronger Yeah, even though I've been through it with my right arm, I like watching your videos to remind of what to come, this damn sling drives me nuts, I'm 55 and can't stand to sit around, I'm sure I'm over working my right arm.

[@bradmallett8698]

Thank bro. Off for surgery tomorrow the 5/06. Appreciate your videos of guidance

[@livelongerlivestronger]

You are most welcome! I’m glad the videos have been helpful!

[@randalgordon8822]

I was back to 100% at week 12

[@livelongerlivestronger]

That's fantastic! I wish more of us could heal that quickly. Glad to hear your recovery went so well.

[@apostolosapostolou1493]

Thanks for the brilliant advise

[@livelongerlivestronger]

You are most welcome. I’m glad it was helpful.

[@mr555harv]

My experience same as yours. Great video so now I know it is ok to not have the sling.

[@livelongerlivestronger]

I was nervous about getting rid of that sling, but once I did, it was awesome! Thank you.

[@yamhes]

Thank you for all the videos, they are really helpful.

[@livelongerlivestronger]

I'm glad to hear the content is helpful. You are most welcome!

[@fishingwithwigs]

Appreciate your videos. I’m just over six weeks. I hope to get back to working (fishing guide) by January. I feel like I have a long way to go, and that goal may be unrealistic.

[@dholliday7700]

Your videos are excellent. Thanks. I’m day 39 from a massive rotator cuff repair and torn bicep tenodesis surgery. See the surgeon Friday to hopefully get out of the sling. I’m 61 and had been running 80 miles/week until the day of surgery. Started walking 3 days post surgery and increased to 8 miles/day now. Worked in some slow jogging with the sling on, which the doc okayed. Curious what he’s going to say about returning to running post sling?

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@D Holliday thank you, that is very appreciated! I'm glad the videos have been helpful. I love that you are so active, especially for your age. I am the same way at 53 and hope to be doing as well as you when I'm 61! That's a good question. My surgeon and PT both said no running for me until Week 12. For me, once my sling was off my repair/arm felt a bit more vulnerable. I wouldn't have felt like I was able to run without risking my repair at week 6. Your circumstances must be a bit different, which is great news for you. I'm curious to hear what your doc says about you running once your sling is off. Keep me updated!

[@dholliday7700]

Had my 6 week appointment today. No more sling. Order for PT and AROM exercises to do on my own. Have to travel for work next week, so I needed something I can do in a hotel room. Green light to start running again, which was awesome news. I’ve had trouble keeping weight on post surgery, so I’m hoping that once I get back to my running schedule and refueling with the calories I’m used to, I’ll get back to where I was pre-surgery. Thanks again for your informative videos and encouraging comments.

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@@dholliday7700 YAY! That's fantastic news. You're obviously doing very well. I didn't get the green light to start running until week 12, so you're well ahead of me on that. I've also had issues. I've lost weight and mostly muscle, but have lost 6" around my right arm and 3" around my left. I could see my abs before surgery, but now they are covered by some fat...and I weigh less! It's crazy how much our body can change without our normal activities. The good news is, once our repairs are fully healed, we can get back to some normalcy. Since you can run so soon after surgery, you will get to your normalcy even faster. Great news, thanks for sharing. Keep me updated on your progress.

[@dholliday7700]

@@jaguarreal9116 best of luck to you. Hopefully your surgeon is as adept as mine was.

[@phillipdale6765]

Thank you again

[@livelongerlivestronger]

My pleasure!

[@emoe40]

Thank you i'm at the 6 week mark and you are right, about being able to enjoy small accomplishments like washing your hands at the sink. My problem is that I was tight in my upper body before the surgery so my passive stretches are poor. Anyways Thank you for the well produced videos.

[@livelongerlivestronger]

I’m glad the videos are helping, you are most welcome! The good news for you, is that you can change your mobility now. It may take a little longer, but if you are consistently doing it daily, you will see a big difference over time.

[@Bubbz2024]

@7:40 I was able to act at this point in your recovery were you sleeping flat on the bed or are you using a wedge pillow or anything like that? I'm post-op day 6. And still using a wedge pillow to sleep. I don't have a recliner

[@livelongerlivestronger]

I was using several large pillows to build a nest and was able to sleep on my side on night 2. I found sleeping in bed with pillows much better than the recliner.

[@Bubbz2024]

@@livelongerlivestronger That's awesome to hear. I'm at day 16 now. Just had my first PT session. They barely have me doing anything. Towel slides, standing shoulder external rotation with a wand and wrist flexion extension. I'm 53 and in good shape. I don't understand why their babying me. My injury is it sound incredibly similar to what you had gone through back then.

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@@Bubbz2024 look up the process of tendon healing. It's a very involved and lengthy process. While you are in good shape and can do many things others can't, that repair can be ruined super easy and quickly. If you check out my Week 1 video, 7 days after surgery I was doing all sorts of what I considered easy movements working out. I was thinking this is SUPER easy. My PT and surgeon both saw it, as did my wife, who is a healthcare provider as well. They all freaked out on me. When I learned more about the process of tendon healing, I realized I didn't want to go through a failed repair and another surgery, so I completely chilled. In fact, I took about 12 months to get back to being fully normal and working out with intensity. It was hard to sit back and do that, but I'm glad I did because I have a fantastic result now. It's hard to be patient, but it will help you in the long run.

[@Bubbz2024]

@@livelongerlivestronger thank you. That's a lot of super helpful information. I definitely need to do some research on tendon healing. I've broken 25 bones in my life and had a lot of metal implants over the years including multiple revisions.. this is something so new for me. Such a different level of healing than I've ever experienced..

[@eleanorw.3302]

week 6 now, and I have good mobility more or less. started removing the sling in week 5, and was told to do AROM,. YES therapies are key to increase that range of motion. And YES constant reminders not to bear weight but I do cheat now and then to test myself lol

[@livelongerlivestronger]

It sounds like you are right on track with your recovery. I’m guessing by now you are doing some normal tasks again. I agree with what you’ve written. I’m guessing since you’ve done well, you followed that advice and your shoulder passed those occasional tests! 😁

[@eleanorw.3302]

@@livelongerlivestronger yes! It’s week 15/16 now. I am recovering very well. I am now able to bear weights up to 35lb. Overhead lifting ~15lbs. The real spur came around week 12, and I think it was aided mostly since I added swimming to my daily training repertoire. Swimming did. help me with that range of motion improvement.

[@eleanorw.3302]

One other thing I would share is using a Tens unit massager. I use that for 10min daily from week 7-12. it really helped me in getting my other muscles to reactivate.

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@@eleanorw.3302 that is SO great to hear! Congratulations. Swimming is such a good exercise for so many things, including rotator cuff strengthening.

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@@eleanorw.3302 love it! Thanks for sharing that tip and keep up the great work!!! ❤️

[@mridul7777]

Is it normal to have stiffness after 7 weeks. I had a large tear ( one tendon i.e. supraspinatus) rotator cuff tear - i removed by immobilizer after 6 weeks. I do have more stiffness in my shoulder after sling removal. I do-not have much pain though ( lets say pain level 2 on 1-10 scale ). Also, my external rotation seems to be limited to 10 degree. Please advise.

[@livelongerlivestronger]

I was stiff and achy for a LONG time, well past 7 weeks. Watch the week 13 video on my channel and you will see one example. External rotation was one of the tough ones for me. Keep working on it! If you watch the videos, I go through many different ways I worked on mobility. Your PT is going to be a great source.

[@mukhtarjaballa6675]

I am on 7 week after labrum repair and I can't do even half motion? What should I do?

[@livelongerlivestronger]

Definitely consult with your healthcare team. I was doing passive range of motion several times a day through week 10 and active range of motion to this day. Range of motion is the first to go. I had to constantly work and be consistent with it. Hopefully that will help.

[@ElCidPhysics90]

I’m just over a month out and have been saying I feel like I’m 3 when I tell people, excitedly that I can tie my shoes or brush my teeth. lol

[@livelongerlivestronger]

Ha ha. I totally understand. It was amazing being able to do all little things again.

[@ElCidPhysics90]

@@livelongerlivestronger lol. Right

[@crystaledwards9878]

Dang, I’m 6 weeks and got told today I’m Not ready to get my sling off.

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@Crystal Edwards no worries! I just replied to a viewer that was ahead of me. Some are behind. Your repairs are likely more extensive. We're all so different. While it's a bummer to not get your sling off, that's actually a good thing for you. Your repair will have more time to heal properly, which is the most important part. It doesn't matter if it takes a few more weeks in order to make sure you end up with a good result. There's no rush! You WILL get there. Stay positive!! ❤

[@crystaledwards9878]

@@livelongerlivestronger I had a biceps tenodesis (long head) tenotomy (short head) SLAP tear repair, rotator cuff and bone spur. I know its a lot, but I really was hoping to be able to at least drive my husband to chemo this week. I will get there. Its just hard to sit still. LOL

[@livelongerlivestronger]

@@crystaledwards9878 yes you WILL absolutely get there! I love your positive attitude. Keep up with that and your therapy and in no time you will be passing me!

[@comicbooknarcissist]

Question: if you earn a living by moving a mouse on a desktop (with the operated arm), how long after surgery can you likely do that?