I recieved bankart repair surgery about a week ago and I am in immense pain. I called my surgeon and asked about the pain and discomfort and he said at this point the pain should have subsided a little. As soon as the medication is no loner in my system I am in unnerving pain. I am having alot of pain around the lower part of the bicep tendon and the anterior part of the shoulder. There is no comfortable way to sit with the sling. Is all of this normal? I'm starting to freak out a little bit.

Normal? At least fairly typical I think. Trying to get comfortable is tough for awhile. They need to help you manage the pain better it sounds like. I would get back on the phone, there is no reason to be that miserable.
I had to medicate the maximum amount for the 1st. month, skipping a dose wasnt an option for me. It takes too long for it to catch back up.
I dont think they are real honest about how bad the pain is going to be. Of course everyone is different.
It will get better,but be proactive dont sit there in misery. Pain management is just as important as the surgery. good luck. sk

Joe, my experience was similar. I was in tears, literally, for days; damned near uncontrolable pain for weeks. Now at 9 weeks, I have periods of relative comfort but still resort to the pain meds here and there.

Always a concern is infection. Get labs done to rule out such for piece of mind. It is doubtful such is occuring but better safe than sorry!

Hang in there, it gets better (as all will tell you).

Brian

Thank you for your response. I am also feeling as if my shoulder is very loose. No matter which way I move it feels as if the shoulder is coming in and out of the joint. Along with that I don't feel as if I could move my arm even if I wished too. Thanks for any comments, it's nice to hear from someone who has gone through or is going through what I am.

I'm post-op day 12 from my RT shoulder bankart repair, and feel as if I'm going crazy from the limitations. I ditched the pain meds 4 days post-op b/c the pain was manageable with Advil, whereas the nausea was unbearable. I'd rather be in pain than nauseated.

I absolutely despise my sling--I'm supposed to be wearing it for 8 weeks, but by day 4 my arm felt much better without it on. I try to keep it on most of the day, but I refuse to have it on at night when I sleep. I can sleep ok on my back, but occasionally have found comfortable ways to sleep on my LT side and even on my stomach. Hopefully this doesn't cause any problems--I think I'm pretty careful in positioning my arm in order to keep it within my allowed ROM.

My OS says at this point I'm not doing any PT? When does this start? I see him again in 3 weeks, but until then the only exercise I'm allowed to do is a passive pendulum exercise, along with flexion/extension of my elbow.

I know everyone says this will get better, but coming from such an active lifestyle I'm a bit impatient, and I'm hoping that being younger and in good shape prior to surgery will help speed up the recovery. Am I expecting too much, being just nearly 2 wks post-op? Has anyone had any success getting cardio in by using the bike or elliptical?

Thanks for listening, best wishes to all in the recovery process.

Mae