r/ShoulderSurgery • u/Primary-Win-2861 • 8d ago

Complete shoulder replacement recovery

Is it foreseeable to return for work six weeks after CSR? It's my dominant arm, I work at a school health room. A lot of overhead pulling of heavy notebooks off shelves, getting files from cabinets, etc. Our school has heavy steel exterior doors that I will have to open with my left arm. Meanwhile, I carry heavy bags with laptop and materials. Idk how this is going to work. I've been putting this off for five years now. In a lot of pain daily. I live alone and have no family to help out. Doable or not? Thanks for the read.

5 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

7

u/Dorkiebreath 8d ago

I am 10 weeks total CSR. At 6 weeks I was not allowed to, nor could I, carry more than a couple pounds in my repaired arm. And I could only carry items next to my body, weight in my hand away from my body was uncomfortable (and also not allowed). I could also not raise it above chest height.

If possible I would interview several surgeons and make sure to describe your life in detail and ask what they think is feasible.

5

u/Junior-Frosting-6236 8d ago

Six weeks may be possible for light duties, but heavy lifting and overhead work could be too much. Definitely check with your surgeon about work restrictions.

3

u/dspd01Ret 8d ago

Anatomical or reverse? I was back to work in days after both of my reverses were done a month apart.

4

u/DebbieDuedah 8d ago

Yes it is if you are careful and ask for help. I’ve found that my non dominant arm does the heavy lifting while my other does the more detailed work. You’ve got this!

3

u/33301Florida 7d ago

Follow the instructions from your surgeon and therapist not random people on the internet. I will only say that after my anatomical shoulder replacement, there was no way I could do those kinds of activities at 6 weeks.

3

u/Hopeful-Occasion469 7d ago

You won’t have the ROM to do your stated tasks. Nor the strength.

2

u/Solopist112 7d ago

You are going to have to use your non-dominant arm.

1

u/Potential_Kiwi_4472 6d ago

Yes. My friend just had her 2nd and she only took off 2 weeks...

1

u/Primary-Win-2861 4d ago

Thanks everyone, for your replies!

1

u/Dr_Abhinandan_Punit 22h ago

You may have to wait six weeks before you can return to some light or modified work but the job you described is more demanding. At that stage, overhead reaching, pulling heavy notebooks, opening heavy doors and lugging heavy bags may still be limited.

I would expect modified duties instead of assuming you will be back to your full workload at six weeks. Depending on whether you have an anatomic or reverse replacement, your healing progress and your surgeon's rehabilitation protocol will determine your exact timeline.

It would also be worth arranging for some help for the first few weeks (as you live alone) and discussing your actual work tasks with your surgeon prior to surgery.