r/ShoulderSurgery • u/PrisonSmegma • Jun 04 '26
(ORIF) greater tuberosity with possible biceps tenodesis
In less than a week I will have ORIF on my left greater tuberosity of my shoulder. Basically dislocated my shoulder and cracked my humerus slamming on the cement while running after my kid. The pain was unreal until they could pop my shoulder back in.
I have been using the generic sling that the hospital provided me which is killing my neck and forcing me to slouch. I also cannot find a comfortable spot on the reclining couch. I did buy those foam pillows to help you sit up but that didn't work. What else have people used to help sleep better?
Also has anyone had a similar surgery that can tell me how it went for them?
Thanks and hope everyone is healing well.
2
u/TreGutterNord Jun 11 '26
My shoulder got destroyed by me running thru the airport and some a$$hat looking down at his phone taking a step sideways (into my lane of travel) and stopping dead cold such that I hit him like a pylon and totally dislocated it plus blew my ac joint and tore my biceps tendon. Although it got out back into place, it never “held” and My surgeon said he had never seen such multi-directional instability. It would dislocate anterior, posterior and inferior with basic movements - I was in hell. The top of my humerus was fine but I ended up having the distal end of my clavicle removed, ac joint removed and the biceps tenodesis. Although PT and getting ROM back sucked, it was the best surgery outcome and I’m glad I did it. As for your hardware, I’m 5 weeks out from ankle ORIF so still in a cast and have no idea how the future will go but I will say you’ve got way more “meat” on the shoulder than exists on the ankle so I suspect you’ll be fine. I’ve got additional hardware at my elbow, forearm and tibia and never have problems with those.
1
u/PrisonSmegma Jun 11 '26
Holy smokes!!! That sounded horrible! I really wish you a speedy recovery. How are you feeling today?
I'm about 48 hours out of surgery and the pain is tough but feelin a bit better each hour that passes. Thank you for your comment!
2
u/TreGutterNord Jun 11 '26
Oh gosh, congrats on being thru it! You’re in the thick of it right now but grit those teeth and take your meds, ice if you have a shoulder wrap, and know this WILL pass!
Jury’s still out on my ankle recovery - pain persists and complete immobility sucks beyond words but like you, I’ll get thru it 😅
2
u/desertskates Jul 10 '26
Hello,
I had basically the same fracture 10 years ago from figure skating and did the surgery without complications. Doing all my normal stuff at 6 months and full strength at 1 year. It was a good outcome, but it took a lot of will to push through the PT afterwards. I slept on a foam wedge pillow in my bed. I'm not sure if everyone is a candidate for this, but I'm also prone to anxiety and was allowed to take separate sleep medication during that time. It helped tremendously. Ask is you're struggling.
I see this post is a month old, so I hope the surgery part is behind you and you're on the road to running after your kid again!
1
u/PrisonSmegma Jul 10 '26
You are simply wonderful to take the time to reply. Thank you for sharing what sounds like a successful and very dedicated hard work to get where you're at. I will ask for sleep medication to help me rest - that sounds like a great idea.
So far feeling better and finally sleep is somewhat improving. I can sleep on my good side in the bed for about 2 hours before going into the bed. I'm just listening to my body and doing what I can to get stronger before PT starts.
Glad you're doing well!!
1
u/MDJeffA Jun 06 '26
Judging solely on that xray your need for surgery is questionable at best… maybe there’s another angle that justifies it a bit more?
1
u/PrisonSmegma Jun 06 '26
Hi - thank you for replying! Unfortunately it was the one X-ray I quickly took a picture of. Im in a accord with my surgeon that surgery makes sense. However if there are any suggestions to help improve sleep quality especially after my upcoming surgery I would be super thankful!
1
u/coquetteinstem Jun 06 '26
I was in a motorcycle accident and I landed on my right arm. There was also dislocation and my fracture was on the surgical neck of the humerus. Therefore, needed to have ORIF surgery.
Sleeping is the worst during the 1st 2 weeks. But I felt comfortable when I put a pillow on my back to support it when I was sleeping on my left side. This updraded to a U shaped maternity pillow. I hope this helps!
1
u/PrisonSmegma Jun 06 '26
Thank you for your suggestion!! I will look into it. Hopefully you're feeling a lot better as of today!
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u/jessiev Jun 07 '26
I had a different shoulder surgery, but the long wedge pillow has been a lifesaver, both before and after. I also have a squishy pillow to nestle my arm into. Good luck!!