I'm a Cardio nurse so this is all new to me.

I am scheduled for an Arthroscopic Subacromial decompression, distal clavicle resection & possible repair of a SLAP (labral) tear in my right shoulder.

My injury is work related. I've been on light duty since May. In order for me to return to full duty, I have to have full ROM & be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs (we lift A LOT more than that), without pain.

How much of your clavicle did they remove & does your shoulder feel any different since then? My doctor said he will take 1 - 2 inches off my clavicle.

My biggest concern is regaining full range of motion & strength.

For anyone who had this surgery, how long did you have to keep the arm immobilized & how much range of motion did you get back?

Thank you.

im 4 1/2 weeks post-op with two slap anchors, and had about 2 cm of my clavicle shaved down, and some other areas of the clavicle shaved that were bruised and not healing. the pain in the front of my shoulder where the slap is is reletively painless, however, the top of the shoulder where they shaved the bone still hurts, especially when I move the arm to much, and the procedure was on my dominant side. i cant even put my arms straight out in front of me yet with my own strength. I have a machine with a robotic arm that moves my arm for me. Im at 90 deg rotation and 30 deg abduction with little problems. For me, the first few days post-op of course were the most difficult. I couldnt do anything, basically I sat in pajama pants in my own filth until I could take off the bandages and shower. I had help going to the bathroom of course . When that day comes, it will be one of the best showers of your life. The warm water felt soooooo good on my shoulder I didnt want to get out. Ice and pendulum swings will be your best friend next to your meds. Ice Ice and more Ice. Oh and get the nerve block. Even when it wears off, you will be in a lot of pain, but the pain is supposed to be much worse without it.
I returned to work, and was able to drive 2 1/2 weeks post op and am able to start typing again if the keyboard is low enough. So far, so good. You will adapt and learn your limitations. If you have someone that can help out at home, that is a huge plus. I was lucky enough to have my wife and son at home to really help me out. I dont know how some the people on here do it alone. I couldnt imagine. My hats off to all of you here that had to do this by yourself.

Good luck, and I wish you a good speedy recovery.

Thanks Doughy,

What type of machine is that? Did you buy or rent it?

I'll spend the first 2 days post-op with my friend & her family & then it will just be my dog & me.

I'm surprised your back at work after 4 1/2 weeks.

Well, I've gotta get to my pre-op screening.

Thanks again.

I didn't have the clavicle resection, but I can give my experience with a SLAP repair. I am 14 weeks post-op from a SLAP repair with 2 anchors and a capsulorrhaphy. I was in a sling (no pillow wedge) for 4 weeks. Started PT 10 days post-op. I went back to work 1 week after surgery. I was an athletic trainer and worked in a PT clinic, so everyone understood my limitations and what I was going through and helped out a lot. My mom stayed for the first week, and then I was on my own once I went back to work. I couldn't drive for 5 weeks, so I had to rely on my co-workers/friends. I really never was in a lot of pain-was off pain meds the night of surgery. I had almost full PROM by around 5 weeks, so we stopped stretching since I was loose to begin with before surgery (hence the capsulorrhaphy). Started strengthening around 6 weeks. I had decent strength at my last OS appt. which was 9 weeks post-op (was discharged at that point since I was starting grad school). Currently I hardly notice my shoulder at all...am in grad school to be a physician assistant, and am back in the gym lifting. I feel like I have full strength right now, am just a little tight, which for me is a good thing. Just feel some discomfort in the front occassionally.

Hope this info helps...Feel free to ask me any other questions. Good luck with your surgery and have a speedy recovery!!

Thank you Beckyzatc

I've had several surgeries in the past but I have to admit that I'm most concerned about this one. My career is riding on this procedure.

Thanks for the info. I hope my ROM comes back as soon as yours did.

Have a great night.

HI!! I'm 8 days post-op subacromial decompression & clavicle resection. My Labrum was intact.

The only set back I had was a complication to the anesthesia. I vomited for 2 days & ended up in the ER getting fluids & an IV anti-emetic. Other than that, it hasn't been bad at all.

I had the nerve block. That was freaky. I didn't like that feeling (lack of feeling) in my arm. It will help me relate better to my stroke patients.

Surgery was 8/22 & my staples were taken out on 8/25.

I'm doing much better than I anticipated. I only wear the sling when I go out. I started PT on Thursday (2 days ago) & I've been doing my exercises at home. I am positive that I will regain full range of motion. I still hurt a lot when I push the exercises just a little too much, but that's because I'm anxious to regain my ROM. I have to keep reminding myself to progress slowly.

I can straighten my arm down at my side. I'm still working on getting it completely straight up in front & also out to the side. I'm almost there. Yeah!!

I'm still not allowed to drive or lift anything. I hope I'll get the okay to drive at my next doctor's appt.

Thank you to all for your responses. If anyone has any questions for me, please feel free to ask.

Have a great day.