Rotator cuff surgery

[two-niner]

How soon after rotator cuff surgery were you able to drive the MH?
Consider the worst and best case. MRI indicates both shoulders will need work. Not at the same time.
DW is CDL, so we're (hopefully) still going to do a lot of traveling.
I am in excellent shape, except the cuffs.

Thanks, Kerry

[Hitchhiker]

I had a rotator cuff surgery on my left shoulder in Jan 2004 and it only took me a week or two before I was driving with one arm but that was on a very limited basis. I think it was 2 or 3 months before I had the full use of the arm and was able to operate an RV.

[Wizard]

Ditto, took me about 6 weeks before I thought it was strong enough to really be able to use it to turn the wheel. After a couple of weeks, I could help setup and drive the car with one hand, although my wife wouldn't let me. Sweet Woman but she watched me like a hawk.

[two-niner]

Whoa!! The doctor made it sound like I would be throwing a baseball in a "couple" of weeks. That lying sack of *&@*.
Thanks for the responses. I do believe you.

Kerry

[BZam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by two-niner How soon after rotator cuff surgery were you able to drive the MH? Consider the worst and best case. MRI indicates both shoulders will need work. Not at the same time. DW is CDL, so we're (hopefully) still going to do a lot of traveling. I am in excellent shape, except the cuffs. Thanks, Kerry

Depends on what they have to do when they get in there. If they just scope out the joints you will be back in days. If they have to repair a tendon(s) it also depends on the tear.

I had a full repair and played limited golf in about 8 weeks. It was probably 12 weeks before I felt confident to take a full swing. I drove car with limited use in couple of weeks and while I was not using the RV I think as others have said, 6 weeks or so. Just depends on a lot of factors on surgery and also how well you respond to post op PT.

Bob

[doc]

Daughter is an orthopedic surgical nurse. Says it varies in what they have to do. She says DON"T let them do both at the same time. Two months to six months (again depends on the patient and procedure) for recovery

[Ray,IN]

My right shoulder has been re-constructed twice. Complete recovery was about 6 months in both instances. I still do not have full range-of-motion, six years after the last surgery. I was told my left shoulder is beyond surgery, live with it.
My suggestion, enter re-hab for your shoulder as if your lively-hood depends upon it, because it does.

[kscaddo]

Real encouraging. I'll be going under the knife at the end of the week.

[Wayne M]

I was driving in two weeks in the Automobile. As soon as I was released from therapy, which was 6 weeks, I was in the MH driving. When I originally asked my surgeon on my two week check-up when i could drive, he made a couple of sweeping motions with his hands as if he were turning the steering wheel and said, "You can dive now. It's good therapy."

Having had both ACL's reconstructed, one rotator cuff repaired, and subsequently one knee replaced, let me tell you somthing about therapy. First, the rotator cuff is probably the hardest to have recovering therapy on. MAKE SURE you do what they tell you. no more, no less. The therapy is designed to take you back to as normal as possible without harming you. It has been years, and years of experienced therapists that have come up with the programs for therapy. Abide by your therapists instructions and you will do well.

Good luck. You'll be behind the wheel in no time.

[Ray,IN]

Wayne that was my point. I sandbagged the therapy, and will pay for the rest of my life.

[Texun1]

Kerry, I had my surgery on March 10th for complete tear of left rotator cuff and bi-cep tendon. So far so good. I can only bend my arm at the elbow, and I hope to start therapy this week. I have been driving but not going very far. I will keep you updated when therapy starts.

Hope all goes well for you. Remember ICE is your friend.

Melissa

[kscaddo]

Postponed to 10:00 a.m. Tuesday April 27th. I can hardly wait!

[DennisZ]

My DW just had rotator cuff surgery on March 16th, and went to to DR today. She already has a majority of her range of motion back, so recovery can be rather fast. Your milage may vary...

Dennis

[kaykaydee]

Had right shoulder rotator cuff surgery for a complete tear 3 years ago. I haven't had any problems until this year. Now it doesn't feel free or comfortable when moving or sleeping on my right side. I'm planning to start the original exercises again. My PT said this might happen and to do the exercises again. If it hurts too much, then call the doctor. So far, so good. kkd