Following rotator cuff tendon repair surgery for the shoulder, most patients will require stronger narcotic painkillers such as oxycodone or tramadol for several weeks or months. If still taking narcotic analgesics two months post surgery, they will need to be wound down gradually.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen, are used to ease discomfort by reducing the inflammation around the torn tendon. Strengthening and stretching exercises Physical therapy focuses on strengthening the muscles around the rotator cuff.
Your doctor may suggest taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to reduce inflammation and pain. If severe shoulder pain prevents you from participating in daily activities such as going to work, doctors may offer prescription pain relievers for one or two weeks.
Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) may help reduce inflammation and pain.
Medications. If given Oxycodone, this should be used as a supplement during the first few days after the Surgery. As the pain level improves you should transition to just Percocet medication for residual pain.
Most people who have rotator cuff surgery can expect to feel some level of pain for at least six months after their procedure.
In most cases we expect recovery from surgery to be 3 months, when patients can usually get back to full activity, but pain medication after shoulder surgery should only be need for the first few days, then before or after physio sessions.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may help. Rest. Avoid using your shoulder in ways that cause or worsen pain. Ice.
Getting To Sleep With Rotator Cuff Pain
Before heading to bed, try icing your shoulder (or using a heat pack, if you prefer) for between 15 and 20 minutes. This helps to reduce inflammation and ease pain, but remember to wrap your ice/heat pack in a towel; this helps to prevent burning and damage to the skin.
Typically tears occur in those over age 40, but occasionally tears are seen in younger individuals. Typical signs of a rotator cuff tear include pain with overhead use of the arm, weakness or pain preventing or disrupting sleep.
Stop doing what caused the pain and try to avoid painful movements. Limit heavy lifting or overhead activity until the shoulder pain subsides. Icing the shoulder may help it feel better. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) also may be helpful.
Rotator cuff tears do not heal on their own without surgery, but many patients can improve functionally and decrease pain with nonsurgical treatment by strengthening their shoulder muscles. Just because there is a tear, does not necessarily mean a surgery is needed.
Laying on your back won't put pressure on the injured shoulder or force it into an awkward position. For the first few days or weeks, when symptoms are at their worst, consider sleeping on a wedge pillow or in a recliner. Sleeping on a slight incline will help you avoid rolling on to your side or stomach in your sleep.
Most commonly, a rotator cuff injury is caused by: Repetitive motion (doing something too much) An acute injury while lifting something heavy overhead (doing something too fast or with poor form)
The pain can be a dull general ache, or it can feel severe and sudden if you tear your rotator cuff in an accident. Sometimes the pain can spread down towards your elbow. Shoulder pain often gets worse if you're doing something where you lift your arm or raise it above your head.
If OTC medicine isn't working to relieve your shoulder pain, your orthopedic doctor may prescribe a stronger pain-relief medicine to help lower the level of inflammation and decrease your level of pain.
Rotator cuff tears.
All of these injuries can worsen at night, Dr. Broach notes, because the inflammation can get worse when the area is compressed as you lie down. "You're also in bed without as many distractions, so you're more aware of the pain," she adds.
To aid your recovery, it's best to avoid sleeping on your injured shoulder or on your stomach, even if these are your preferred sleeping positions. Instead, experiment with other sleeping positions, and if you really have to sleep on your stomach, consider: Putting a pillow under your hips for proper support.
For superficial joints – like hands, wrists and even knees – it can be very effective. However, the joints of the cervical spine in the neck, and most of the shoulder joint, are deeper than the Voltaren can penetrate. Voltaren is not appreciably absorbed into the blood, so all of its actions are local.
Frozen shoulder is one of the most painful shoulder conditions due to its persistence, long recovery and ever-growing pain. In early stages of development, pain is at its height, but slowly minimizes through each of its three phases.
Symptoms. Rotator cuff pain commonly causes local swelling and tenderness in the front of the shoulder. You may have pain and stiffness when you lift your arm. There may also be pain when the arm is lowered from an elevated position.
What are the symptoms of rotator cuff tendonitis? The classic symptoms include a 'toothache' like pain radiating from the outer arm to several inches below the top of the shoulder. Pain may also occur in the front and top of the shoulder. It may interfere with sleeping comfortably.
- Take Oxycodone 5 mg 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for pain. o The most frequent side effects of oxycodone include drowsiness, constipation, nausea, and itching. Do not drive or operate machinery while taking Oxycodone. Oxycodone can be habit forming and should be avoided if possible.
PAIN MEDICATION: You may or may not have gotten a nerve block for your operative shoulder prior to procedure. Regardless, make sure you are taking Norco hydrocodone (10/325mg) two tablets by mouth every 6-8 hours for pain as scheduled for at least the first 3 days post-operatively.
I avoid nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because they impair healing. Now a new study from a prestigious journal shows that two of the most common, ibuprofen (advil, motrin) and Celexobid (Celebrex)greatly increased the failure rate after surgical rotator cuff repair.