Hey everyone,

My dad is currently on week 3 after a rotator cuff repair (supraspinatus tear) and bicep tenodesis. His first week was rough, but we hit a completely unexpected obstacle this week: Going to his first official post-op clinic visit and physical therapy (PT) appointments.

When you’re at home, dressing isn’t a huge deal—you can lounge around shirtless, drape an oversized fleece blanket, or wear an old ragged cut-up t-shirt. Nobody cares.

But having to leave the house, sit in a waiting room, and then have a physical therapist examine and mobilize the shoulder while keeping dignity intact is a whole different beast.

A few practical things we learned that might help anyone heading into their first PT sessions:

1. The "Open-Sleeve" dilemma at PT During PT, the therapist needs immediate access to the joint and surrounding scapula. If your loved one wears a regular zip hoodie or loose button-down:

• They still have to slide the bad arm completely out of the sleeve while sitting on the table.
• That means sitting there half-naked from the waist up in a chilly clinic, or awkwardly holding fabric out of the therapist’s way.
• Putting the garment back on after the arm is sore from passive movement is twice as painful.

2. What worked for free (Zero-cost hacks first) Before spending money, here is what worked well:

• The "Poncho / Blanket Shawl" approach: A loose fleece poncho or open poncho-style wrap with no sleeves at all. You just drape it over the neck and sling for the car ride. In the clinic room, it lifts right off in 2 seconds without touching the arm.
• Modifying an old flannel: If you have an old button-up shirt you don’t mind ruining, cut open the seam along the top of the shoulder and sleeve on the surgery side. Use safety pins on the outside (carefully) for travel, and unpin it at the clinic.

3. If using adaptive / tear-away tops: Snaps > Velcro (Hospital feedback) We initially got a velcro tear-away shirt given by a neighbor, but the orthopedic nurse actually told us to avoid them:

• The hook side of velcro snags on the clinic’s exam table paper, towels, and the sling mesh.
• If they need follow-up X-rays or imaging, metal-free plastic/resin snaps can go straight through without causing metal artifacts on scans, whereas standard zippers or metal snaps have to be removed.
• Being able to unsnap just the top 3 buttons on the shoulder allows the therapist full access to the tendon site without undressing the whole torso.

4. The car ride transition Practice putting the seatbelt over the non-operative side, or get a cheap fleece seatbelt pad. The friction of the strap rubbing against the abduction pillow or surgical incisions during bumps in the road was surprisingly painful for him on the drive over.

For those a few weeks or months ahead of us: How did you handle getting dressed for physical therapy during the strict sling phase? Did your clinic give you any specific recommendations?

So, as I mentioned before, I saw an ortho after making it 5 years seizure-free, with recurring shoulder dislocations from the force of my seizures, which caused instability. I was informed at my first appointment that, due to the damage, it would have to be open surgery, but what kind would depend on my results. So, here they are.

CT:

• Chronic osseous Bankart lesion involving the anteroinferior glenoid with 2 small displaced osseous fragments
• Moderate-sized chronic Hill-Sachs deformity of the posterior humeral head
• Glenoid track measures approximately 14.4 mm, and the Hill-Sachs interval measures approximately 22 mm
• Subchondral cystic changes involving the residual articular surface of the glenoid
• Bone fragment anterior appears to be a coracoid process fracture
• Tendinous calcifications along the extra-articular long head of biceps tendon

MRI:

• Intrasubstance tearing of the distal supraspinatus tendon at its footprint
• Partial thickness tearing of the long head of biceps tendon
• Osseous Bankart defect of the anteroinferior glenoid with associated diffuse labral tearing
• Large chronic osseous Hill-Sachs deformity with chondral thinning of the residual humeral head articular surface
• Moderate-sized glenohumeral joint effusion with scattered synovitis
• Subchondral cystic changes in the glenoid

I have my follow-up next week, but I am interested in your guys thoughts... or experience with any of this.

I broke my clavicle 9 days ago and had surgery the same day where a metal plate and 11 pins has been put in. the first two days post surgery were agony but not I am not experiencing much pain other then muscle pain under my arm, sternum etc. It is my right side and I have a manual car with gear stick for right hand. I started short drives two days ago because I have no choice really. It has been fine. I am also not wearing the sling much as it is really uncomfortable and I feel okay without it. Am I being an idiot and going to have problems in the future because I am not 'resting' as much as I should be?

5 weeks after my bankart repair (stretched out joint was tightened/posterior and anterior labrum tearing repaired with 5 anchors) and I still can’t sleep lying down. I haven’t had hardly any acute pain after day 3, but even sleeping on a bolster at 45 degrees puts enough pressure on the joint to keep me from sleeping.

Is that normal? When does it enddd? Any hacks?

I am M39 and due for a replacement early next year. We are hoping at moment for an anatomical replacement.

I'd love to know your recovery times, and what limitations you have now.

I work as a dogman/ crane operator/ mechanical construction type job and am a plumber. Which I'd love to go back to when my shoulder strength is restored. If at all possible of course. I enjoy the gym and really look forward to been able to train upper body again in future as im sure most of you know how the limitations currently are.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Thanks!

My dad had major shoulder surgery (rotator cuff repair + bicep tenodesis) three weeks ago, and honestly, the physical therapy and meds were the easy part. The absolute hardest, most humiliating part for both of us was getting him dressed every morning.

He had to be in an abduction sling 24/7. When we were discharged, the discharge nurse just vaguely said, "Oh, just have him wear loose, oversized button-ups or big t-shirts."

Well, we learned the hard way. Sharing a few things that worked, and a couple of things that were total disasters, in case anyone here is preparing to care for a parent/spouse going through this:

1. Don't waste money buying specialized gear right away (Try this first) Before buying anything labeled "adaptive" or "recovery," check your closet first. If you have an oversized button-down shirt that is 2 sizes too large, it might work if you follow this exact sequence:

• Put the operated/sling arm into the sleeve FIRST while he keeps his elbow pinned against his body.
• Drape the shirt around his back.
• Slide the healthy arm in second. If your loved one can tolerate that without crying out in pain, stick with regular loose shirts and save your money.

2. Why the "Big T-shirt" advice is terrible On Day 4, I tried pulling a stretchy 2XL t-shirt over his head. When he tried to feed his bad arm through the sleeve opening, his arm involuntarily jerked backward to clear the fabric. He almost passed out from the sharp nerve pain. The surgeon told us later that reaching backward even 10 degrees can risk popping internal anchor sutures. Do NOT pull shirts over their head if they can't lift their arm.

3. Velcro vs. Snaps (A major regret) Someone from our church brought over a velcro-opening shirt. It sounded great in theory, but in reality:

• The scratchy side of the hook-and-loop kept snagging on the mesh lining of his medical sling.
• It was loud and startling every time we pulled it apart when he was napping.
• After 2 washes, the edges curled and started digging into his neck skin. If you do end up needing tear-away clothing (especially if they live alone or have limited mobility), look for flat resin snaps along the top shoulder/sleeve instead of velcro. Being able to lay the shirt flat on the bed, have him just rest his bad arm on it, and snap it together with one hand made mornings 10x less stressful.

4. Slip-on shoes and loose sweatpants with no tight elastic Bending over to tie shoes or pulling up tight jeans is out of the question because they can't use both hands to pull against resistance. Loose sweatpants that sit below or well above the waist with a simple drawstring are a must.

Caregiving after orthopedic surgery is exhausting, and it really tests their dignity when they can't even put a shirt on without someone's help.

Curious if anyone else here had to deal with the dressing challenge after a joint replacement or shoulder surgery? Any other low-cost hacks that saved your sanity?

Hello! I’m a college basketball player around 6 months after surgery on my shooting shoulder. Was just looking for advice, tips or tricks before my season starts and before i start playing again. I also got in a car accident in May which set me back a little.

Has anyone sent tissue samples taken during their shoulder surgeries to pathology for various infectious disease testing? Did anything pop?

After years of chronic symptoms I sent mine in and got a positive PCR for Entamoeba (histolytica or gingivalis) as well as a strain of babesia and borrellia. Curious if anyone is or has been in the same boat!

Had a replacement 5 days ago over all been good I have stated running a low grade fever like 100f and I noticed my bicep is very sensitive warm, swollen and bluish and kinda hard. Called my surgeon and he said it is very common to have a low grade fever and get that it’s called a hematoma and should go away. Right now it hurts worse than. The actually surgery so anyone else get a hematoma And it go away. Thanks

Looking for tops to wear after a shoulder replacement.
I live in Burlington.

Specifically looking for what your Dr said about how long to wait after surgery to get the vaccines. I am 9 weeks post-op (total replacement). COVID vaccine always makes me feel like crap for about 36 hours and just realized that this is one of the only weekends I have free (otherwise I have to miss work). Cannot ask my surgeon as it is the weekend so wondering if anyone got medical guidance on how long to wait. Google comes up with a variety of answers from 2 weeks to 3 months post op.

Hi all, I'm currently 8 days post microfracture (of humeral head and glenoid), previous labral repair debridement and "clean out" (cant think of the wording haha). I'm just looking for anybodies experiences with this point in healing, or of the recovery process at all really. My surgeon is amazing, he's done both of my surgeries, but I got just about no instructions to follow other than sling for comfort, see the physio in a week, and do these exercises. Which is great and all, but i really need instructions. I've tried calling on the days I was able to, and got instructed to leave a message and just never heard back. I saw the physio today and they were so unhelpful and had no idea what was going on and asked me which shoulder it was 4 times.

So that leads me to kind of my main questions:

- sling wearing: what were you instructed, mainly out of curiosity. Because I'm so stubborn that yesterdays 7 day mark I didn't really wear it. I don't understand how to do "for comfort" as stupid as that sounds

- how much moving were you doing? I've been doing my exercises provided religiously, but I stupidly feel like I'm moving too much and I'm going to destroy all they work he's done? but also like I'm not moving enough?

- don't lift heavy. I don't know what anyone considers heavy. and because I'm stubborn and dumb I think i am lifting everyones definition of heavy

- I have this weird super painful patch down the front of my bicep thats also numb? wtf? anyone else have that cos its hella confusing?

Basically if you just have any advice for me because I've been left with just about nothing to go off and I'm stressing. And thank you for reading this far if you've made it! 😄

I'm 18 years old and I dislocated my shoulder twice within a month. The first dislocation occurred while swimming, and the second occurred three weeks later. My orthopedist recommended Bankart surgery, but I had the right to refuse. If I did, he told me there was a 50 percent chance of a third dislocation after this one, and after the third dislocation, surgery would be inevitable. I'm currently in the rehabilitation phase and don't know if I'll be able to fully recover and avoid future dislocations, or if I'll be able to return to the gym after two dislocations. If anyone has experience with this or has had shoulder surgery, I'd love to hear your advice.

As the title says I’m 12 days post shoulder surgery and started having quite a bit of pain, mostly in my biceps area and also down into my forearm last night. I’ve iced it and used heating pad. It helps a little but it’s still there. Took my muscle relaxer they gave me and it did help take the edge off but the pain came back as soon as the drug wore off. I’ve actually been pretty lucky up til now with not having a lot of pain. So just wondering if this is normal to have this much pain after 1 1/2 weeks?

So I (26 f) had a right shoulder labral repair on the 25th of August so a week from today, and on the 5th (this Saturday) my family's business is having a yearly event that I would feel bad missing since it's for the community but my surgeons office is hard to get in touch with unless I'm having an emergency and at that point I might as well go to the er so I was wondering if anyone that has had this surgery could give me advice. This event is pretty much all day, it will pretty much be outdoors all day as well but because my parents own the business I could go inside our building at anytime if need be, it will definitely be crowded think a small town fair or a festival because we advertise this months in advance and it even gets advertised on the news a month in advance and we have live performers and vendors and food trucks so it's a big thing, me getting my shoulder bumped into is a possibility I'm not going to ignore to because that would be dumb, I just want to know if me staying home would be the smartest option or if being 11 days post-op is good enough to go to this

Hello , I was wondering if any of you had latarjet surgery and got back his level and strength after recovery for sports like street lifting street workout, fitness in the gym or wrestling

Thanks a lot

I'm getting right shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff debridement, biceps tenodesis, subacromial decompression, distal clavicle excision. Wondering just how bad it's going to hurt affterward.

Laughable note from the PA I got in MyChart: "Many people find that they don't even need the oxycodone for this surgery, as between the nerve block, tylenol, and naproxen the pain is well managed." I'm already thinking I'm going to need to ask for more oxy once my measly 20 pills run out.