When can I drive after my shoulder surgery?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 เม.ย. 2022
- The Rotator Cuff Repair Expert Channel is dedicated to educating individuals on rotator cuff injuries, rotator cuff tears.
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Rotator Cuff Repair Expert is the educational branch of My Body Protector Welcome to the channel, and I hope you find the videos helpful! Hit that 👍 LIKE👍 button if you enjoy the content so I'll know if it's making a difference. Leave a COMMENT down below with any questions you have about the video or about any other shoulder topics. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you'll know when the latest content is posted!
Having surgery (full thickness tear) on January 23rd. Glad I found your channel and thank you for all of this very helpful information.
Daniel, Thanks for the comment. Good luck. Please consider getting our post-op note book. It will help you in your recovery after your surgery. www.mybodyprotector.com/shop
Thanks for your great program advice. My revere shoulder repacement is coming up in 25 more days - and I'm counting because of the pain I'm in all of the time. Have watched you and others on so many videos about what to expect from how to put on clothes, the correct sling ,etc. and am still preparing for it so that I'll have covered most everything to make the surgery and recovery as smooth as possible. Your videos have helped immeasurably!
Superskr1, thanks for your kind words and thanks for subscribing! Good luck on your surgery. Please consider joining our newsletter. Just email me at dro@mybodyprotector.com and put yes in the subject line and we will get you set up with a few tip sheets as well!
Excellent info. Listen to your doctor.
Thank you!
My rule was that I could not drive until I could reach the top of the steering wheel AND was not on any opioid pain killers. I was in a sling for six weeks. After it came off, there was no way I could reach the steering wheel for at least a couple of weeks after the sling was off.
Good idea taking it slow!
Oh dear!!
thanks, simple practical advise. looks like i will need to wait well after the 6 weeks. mine was a massive repair. the supra was completely severed.
Glad it helped
I enjoy your videos. I am going to Massachusetts General Hospital for a reverse shoulder replacement. And your info is great help. Keep up the great work.
Hey Garry, thanks for the kind words. Good luck on your surgery! Please consider joining our newsletter. Just email us at dro@mybodyprotector.com and put "yes" in the subject line. We will get you signed up and also give you a couple tip sheets!
I have my surgery on April 13 and I am fine . Not pain at all. Driving to the supermarket only.
No lifting. Nothing heavy.
I not even a month yet. Great Dr .❤
Glad you are doing well Beatriz!
Thank you for this advice. I mistakenly scheduled myself to return to work too early (just prior to six weeks). Work isn’t close for me and I’m an anxious driver to begin with having recently had a serious accident that totaled my vehicle. I’m going to talk to a coworker who lives near me about catching a ride for a while until I’m more mobile and confident. I had a RC clean out, full thickness rotator cuff repair, subacromial, decompression, distal clavicle release, bicep tendonosis.
Elizabeth, Thanks for your comment. Riding with someone else sounds like a great idea. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. Please consider joining our email newsletter for more information and insights and we will send you 2 Free PDF fact sheets that will help you through your surgery. Send an email to info@mybodyprotector.com just put "yes" in the subject line and we will get you signed up!
@@rotatorcuffexpert Thank you! I subscribed as well! I was in denial before surgery and there are so many things I should’ve thought about sooner. ❤️
Thanks Elizabeth!
I thank God for this channel since on Thursday I had the following procedures. Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical with rotator cuff repair, and decompression of subacromial space with partial acromioplasty with coracoacromial ligament arch release. All of these terms are confusing to me. First I wasn't sure when would I be able to drive and go back to work. Very disappointed with the surgeon since he did not provide and explained much of post surgical instructions. The surgeon office said I could drive the day after my surgery if I don't take the narcotics, the physical therapist said I shouldn't be driving at all at this time. I'm very confused and frustrated, but I'm glad the physical therapist has been guiding me more than my own surgeon. I don't feel well enough to be driving nor working since I'm in the computer all day and the medication helps me sleep better through the night.
My surgeon's protocol for driving was 2 weeks for automatic/6 weeks for manual transmission and to be off narcotics. I started driving about 3 weeks after (still in sling) but only short trips in town. I wouldn't have been able to drive manual at 6 weeks as the right arm is still weak even after 9 weeks now.
Wow! That is early. I had a patient who drive 2 wks out, Swerved to miss a dog (maybe cat) and re-tore his rotator cuff. We had to go back in and fix it a second time. Glad you didn't have any issues.
@@rotatorcuffexpert I was still in the sling, so driving with one arm.
Thank you!
I'm scheduled for May 5th, it's only taken 14 months for my Doctor, insurance etc...to realize I was not kidding about the pain. Now I have 2 serious tears and my bicep tendon has to be either "snipped" and let retract into my upper arm or attached to the bone...the description of the surgery is terrifying.
Your videos are so helpful and although I am scared, you have explained enough so that I think I will be able to handle it.
I'm worried about the pain afterwards. When the surgeon tells you that after the nerve block wears off the pain "will hit you like a train"... it's a wee bit scary.
Thanks for your videos
Tina, Good luck, Just make sure you take your pain meds as prescribed by your doc, so you can "get ahead" of your pain.
Please consider joining our newsletter. Just email us at dro@mybodyprotector.com and put "yes" in the subject line. We will get you signed up and also give you a couple tip sheets! Also check out our post-op journal at www.mybodyprotector.com/shop
Make sure you talk to your doctor about the pain meds. Unfortunately I had side effects from the Norco so it’s been a struggle the past few days. I had surgery a week ago
he was wrong. You wont get a ticket driving with one hand, no cop is going to stop you for driving with one handand the license doesn't say you have to use both hands. i Drive with one hand no problem.
I can drive with no hands.
Was driving a week after surgery with 1 hand only on a wheel spinner and drove normally
Wow Eduardo! I had a patient do that and then have to make a quick turn and he retore his rotator cuff. I'm glad that every thing worked out for you
This is helpful. My surgery is Dec 27th 2022 I’m so scared 😱 mine is very bad. I’ve been watching you since I found out.
MsSilktee, I'm glad you found our channel. We have a lot of information that can help you get through your surgery. Please consider joining our email newsletter for more information and insights and we will send you 2 Free PDF fact sheets that will help you through your surgery. Send an email to info@mybodyprotector.com just put "yes" in the subject line and we will get you signed up!
How is it now? Had mine Jan 11th and it's still pretty sore.
I would love to see you address the mental health issues of shoulder injury and post-surgical challenges of isolation and inactivity.
I am now 15 months post injury and 7ish weeks post surgery on the second shoulder.
I am very social by nature and have a big support group and a wonderful husband. But after two surgeries, outside support wanes and the stir crazy aspect of the process intensifies.
I am an avid reader and have the resources to find things to self entertain but can’t do things I want to do let alone need to do.
Hence, the new bad habit of watching TH-cam videos and commenting. Lol.
The concepts offered on line about how to entertain yourself post surgery are fine if you are sedintary by nature and don’t have an overdeveloped zeal to get things done.
Forced inactivity is difficult and it takes a lot of self evaluation and discipline to realize it is for the greater good in the long term to be
Compliant with rehab protocols.
Appreciate your videos. Trying not to overthink all of this and see the light at the of the tunnel.
One thing that helps is always having something to look forward to.
Thanks for your kind words about my channel. Mental health is a hugh issuee in all of medicine and especially after surgery. I will attach a link to one of my videos. Please be kind to yourself.
th-cam.com/video/n291DMQyhbU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=M3eALGEs-duK3fvz
While you may feel strong enough to drive, in my Canadian province, car insurance does not cover you while in a shoulder sling. So possibility of going bankrupt if in an accident needs to be considered.
Bob, thanks for the comment. Yes one arm driving is NOT recommended!
Same in MA. So stupid to drive with one hand anyway- especially when you know for a fact, you can not move the other arm.
This helped a lot. I moved my surgery due to my kids being at college and I moved it to when they are home!
Ok, glad it helped. BTW I just subscribed to your channel!
I wish i had someone,last year my right was done 3 tendons ,bicep and clean up from fall had to drive couple days later to hospital cause they thought i had clot in leg but no one said do t try and put seat belt on and that killed me trying to lift arm to put seat belt now i just had surgery left same kind and next day had to go to Dr office cause when they put sling on me after surgery they put it on wrong I couldnt undo straps they had velcro on my back to release and i couldn't reach behind ,I have no one to do anything,no driver just 7 weeks and had to drive on snow ,icy road today and was really uneasy cause i do usually use 2 hands and cant do seat belt and my right arm from last year still isnt right ,tight hurts to use and limited in use
This is our private FB group.
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Not true ! Plenty of people drove with one hand while not having a second hand at all
I had a major tear and had a partial open surgery I'm at 12 weeks and at about 10 weeks into physical therapy I was just given the ok to do assisted lifting of my arm above my shoulder I was told if it was absolutely necessary to drive I could but only with the 1 arm as I don't have full range of motion with the repaired shoulder. It's frustrating as I drive for a living 😒
Yeah Chris that sounds like a long road. Its a little longer than typical. It must have been a big tear and a difficult repair. Hope you get to drive with two hands soon!
@@rotatorcuffexpert it was from what the Dr told me something like 14mm by 13mm im not sure if that is considered to be large but it sounds like it was almost a half inch by half inch. He also had to repair the bicep and I think the labrum may have been involved.
@@rotatorcuffexpert I also forgot to mention I watched all your videos prior to my surgery and I applied all the information you gave into my preparation and my recovery and it definitely gave me a head start and an advantage to getting supplies I would need. I had also ordered a pair of slip on sneakers so I didn't have to try and tie them. I also got a Revix brand gel ice pack that was specifically designed for the shoulder. It was like $30 on Amazon. I was also fortunate that my surgeon sent me home with a cold water therapy machine. It's basically an ice cooler that you put ice and water into it and there is a submersible pump in the cover that connects to a set of tubes that pump and return the water back into the cooler after it circulates through a pad that sits on your shoulder beside has little bladders inside that fill up and the cold water keeps circulating keeping constant cold on your shoulder these can be found on Amazon also they range from $30 up to $300 I believe the one I have is a polar brand I think the one I have was like $120 I strongly suggest getting one of these it was my best friend especially when the anesthesia stopped working and the blocker shot was no longer making my arm numb I think that ice machine was important. It really helped big time with the inflammation. And I will say I took the advice of taking the pain medication before the blocker stopped working it made the pain level tolerable sorry for the big response I just wanted to give other people some info that helped me that I got from watching all your videos
Chris, thanks for all that info. The ice machine is some what controversial. Some love it some think it is not important. I appreciate all your info. Pls consider joining our new facebook group so all can see your ideas and experiences. I love our collective group!
@@rotatorcuffexpert I just tried to find the Facebook page but was not successful maybe you could send an invite to me
I had arthroscopic massive rotator cuff repair plus biceps tetonomy 2 weeks. Is it normal to have shoulder pain now?
it is very common to have pain 2 weeks after shoulder surgery
Driving a manual which requires shifting is a whole other story. If you have a tenodesis on right arm (the arm you shift with) it’s going to be a long time!
Hey Stephen, thanks for the comment. Yes indeed a manual is a whole different ball game!
What about a reverse shoulder repair
Similar time frame. It does somewhat depend on exactly what your surgeon did. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.
Please consider joining our private FB group.
facebook.com/groups/409240847744184
How much do you charge to read an MRI of right shoulder
Hey David, I'm sorry I don't read MRI's.
What if I drive with my left hand?? I tore my right side and gotta meet the surgeon on the 19th
Eric, technically when you passed your drivers test it was for driving with 2 hands. Talk with your doc, but I do not recommend driving with one hand to my patients. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.
OK, I have a large rotator cuff tear and I drive a manual transmission, is the only vehicle that I have, how long for me 10/ 12 weeks ? Appreciate all your videos this is my first rotator cuff surgery here in Santa Rosa California
SMH, A lot will be determined by how hard the RC is to fix as well as how you progress after surgery. Good Luck. I would recommend you pick up a copy of our postop journal. It can really help in your recovery! Check it out at
www.mybodyprotector.com/shop
Nice Z06 BTW!
Is it normal to have no strength on the operated arm after surgery? I had a full thickness supraspinatus tendon tear and it was repaired along with a bicep tenodesis and debridement. It's been 4 weeks and I can lift my arm without assistance.
This is very normal. Take your time, communicate with your PT and your doc. Good luck and let us know how you are doing
@@rotatorcuffexpert Thanks, Doctor!
I am at 3 months and still have not driven yet my doctor sayes that a quick swerve could retear.
Hey Kathy, Hope your doc lets you drive soon!
how are people supposed to get places if they cannot drive? I had everything but a new shoulder and was driving in 2 weeks.
Jk, it is tough. That is why I did this video so people will know and can prepare. Glad you are doing well after your surgery
I heard through the grape vine if it's workmans comp the doctors rush you through
Hey Donnie, There should be no rushing to get to driving regardless of what insurance you have. It's a safety issue.
I made a huge mistake by not claiming workers comp I was almost left hung out to dry with no income workers comp gives you whatever time the doctor sees fit till you can return to active duty or light duty depending on your job requirements at least they did when I got hurt like 10 years ago. I will never make that mistake again trying to keep your employer out of it because you're "Friends " almost cost me 3 or almost 4 months of pay
The arm I don’t have the rotator cuff tear in started to hurt. Is this normal? Is it normal for muscles to cramp while using the sling before surgery? The cramping can be very painful. Thank you for your videos. I have surgery in 2 days.
Melissa, Thanks for the comment. It is common for the non surgical arm to have some pain as it is doing all the work! Good luck with your surgery and recovery. Please consider joining our newsletter. Just email us at dro@mybodyprotector.com and put "yes" in the subject line. We will get you signed up and also give you a couple tip sheets!
When can I drive after a clavicle surgery? Got my surgery last 2 months, I can move freely now and I can raise my hand overhead without any aches
Dos, That is really up to your surgeon. Sounds like you are doing great though!
I am a cop and 25 year driving Instructor. I would ask this person "can people with only one arm never get a driver's license " ?
Hey Jim, of course they can! But I believe they have to take the test with one hand and most of us did not do that when we got our original license.
I can drive with no hands no problem
Dabberdan6129, Excellent!
Make animated videos.
Well, I am not sure how to do that! I should look into that. AI?
The answer is there is no state that has a law precluding a person doing with one hand. You lose credibility when you state something so obviously incorrect based on simple common sense.
Hey Jim Thanks for your comments. Part of timing of driving after shoulder surgery also has to do with the risk of unintentionally using the surgical arm if a rapid avoidance maneuver is needed. This may damage the newly repaired shoulder.