SIGforum
This temporary handicap isn’t easy

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/9280070915

January 15, 2026, 02:26 PM
400m
This temporary handicap isn’t easy
Today the doc went in and fixed my rotator cuff. They gave me a nerve block which should last 12-24 hours. I just responded to Fender Benders last post with 8 lines of text that must have taken me 10 or 11 minutes to type. I’m right handed and can only use my left for a while. This is proving more difficult than I thought it would be. It’s crazy how fast your off hand fingers tire.
It is one thing to not be able to use an arm but it’s really weird when you have no feeling or control from your lower jaw to your fingertips.

If ever I’ve given you a reason to give me a piece of your mind, today would be perfect, my fingers aren’t up to a lengthy character defense! Big Grin
Happy Thursday friends!
January 15, 2026, 02:40 PM
ArtieS
Good luck! I did that 10 or so years ago. You will be amazed at what you learn to do left handed. You will lose the left hand skill again after you get the right back, though.

Do exactly what they say with the sling, sleeping in a chair, not using it, etc, etc. Don't cheat.

I followed the instructions and got 100% mobility and 100% strength back after the full course of healing and rehab.

5 years later, I tore it again, and now I just live with it, but that is another story entirely.



"I vowed to myself to fight against evil more completely and more wholeheartedly than I ever did before. . . . That’s the only way to pay back part of that vast debt, to live up to and try to fulfill that tremendous obligation."

Alfred Hornik, Sunday, December 2, 1945 to his family, on his continuing duty to others for surviving WW II.
January 15, 2026, 02:44 PM
kkina
Doesn't your browser support dictation? (I just dictated this myself.)



ACCU-STRUT FOR MINI-14
"Pen & Sword as one."
January 15, 2026, 03:00 PM
400m
It does but I figured I need the practice and probably wouldn’t save too much time after corrections anyway.
January 15, 2026, 03:02 PM
Prefontaine
Been through it. You need to ice that shoulder as much of the day as possible. And get a cheap TENS machine off Amazon and use that as well. You’ll be real far ahead when you go to PT once you get out of the 1/2 straight jacket.



What am I doing? I'm talking to an empty telephone
January 15, 2026, 03:03 PM
Johnny 3eagles
I had mine repaired on October 6 2025. PT lasted from October 8 until December 23. Last 6 weeks were only once per week. On January 7th I needed a steroid injection to alleviate the recurring pain. I am 79 next month and this recovery has been a long road.





Any dog can be a Guide Dog if you don't care where you're going.


NRA ENDOWMENT LIFE MEMBER
January 15, 2026, 03:41 PM
CPD SIG
BT / DT
Shattered right wrist.

Just wait till ya gotta wipe your ass Wink


______________________________________________________________________
"When its time to shoot, shoot. Dont talk!"

“What the government is good at is collecting taxes, taking away your freedoms and killing people. It’s not good at much else.” —Author Tom Clancy
January 15, 2026, 03:52 PM
tatortodd
I had dominant hand rotator cuff surgery when I was 16. It was difficult at the time but nearly 40 years later and I'm still pretty ambidextrous.
quote:
Originally posted by CPD SIG:
Just wait till ya gotta wipe your ass ;
^^ THIS ^^

And for bonus points try figuring out while at max dose of the opiate pain killer. Big Grin

Speaking of opiate pain killers and BMs, the day before last fall's Achilles tendon surgery a surgical nurse gave me a great tip. Take 2 prunes for dessert every evening while on the opiate pain killers plus a couple more days. It was my 7th surgery with opiate pain killers and by far the easiest (no hauling ass to toilet for diarrhea, no constipation, no passing out on toilet, etc) as far as post surgery BMs.



Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.
January 15, 2026, 04:29 PM
400m
Ahhh the joys of life. Well I’ve never had a prune so I get to try something new. How are they on vanilla ice cream?
January 15, 2026, 04:48 PM
tatortodd
quote:
Originally posted by 400m:
Ahhh the joys of life. Well I’ve never had a prune so I get to try something new. How are they on vanilla ice cream?
Never tried on vanilla ice cream. Prune juice is disgusting, but actual prunes tasted like giant raisins to me. I like raisins so it was a good thing.



Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.
January 15, 2026, 05:00 PM
Redleg06
Had mine and a biceps tenodesis done two days ago. The nerve bloeock pump helps a lot.


"Cedat Fortuna Peritis"
January 15, 2026, 05:30 PM
Oaklane
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Do the PT and whatever else they tell you to do I was fortunate that mine was the non dominant side but do need to have the other side done at some point. I’ve had a hip and knee done and so far the rotator cuff was the hardest and most painful. Hoping you fair well and recover fast.
January 15, 2026, 05:42 PM
sigarmsp226
400m - Get you one of these - best money you can spend. You can also use it on knees and ankles.

We took five - 2 quart Tupperware containers, filled with water, and froze. Drop one or two into this unit every two to three hours, and your shoulder will thank you.

Never have to use an ice pack again.

https://mycoldtherapy.com/prod...qEAQYASABEgJyP_D_BwE
January 15, 2026, 05:50 PM
sigarmsp226
400m - The second best money you can spend. I know firsthand having had the same surgery you had.

https://www.brondell.com/swash...ssential-bidet-seat/
January 15, 2026, 05:53 PM
Russ59
quote:
Originally posted by Redleg06:
Had mine and a biceps tenodesis done two days ago. The nerve block pump helps a lot.


Me too. Had mine done four weeks ago and met with PT today. I'm optimistic based on my 2019 left rotator job.

I would type with my wrist sticking out of the sling and did OK.


P229
January 15, 2026, 06:34 PM
HRK
quote:
Originally posted by sigarmsp226:
400m - The second best money you can spend. I know firsthand having had the same surgery you had.

https://www.brondell.com/swash...ssential-bidet-seat/


Costco has a good deal on those, several brand choices from basic up to ToTo level toilets ...
January 15, 2026, 06:49 PM
shovelhead
It was about twelve hours after surgery when I got some feeling back in my pinky and once I could move it I got all giddy! That nerve blocker scared me, the thoughts of “what if this is permanent?” kept going through my mind.


-------------------------------------——————
————————--Ignorance is a powerful tool if applied at the right time, even, usually, surpassing knowledge(E.J.Potter, A.K.A. The Michigan Madman)
January 16, 2026, 07:53 AM
buddy357
I hope that you don’t live alone or that you at least have someone helping you. I recently had surgery for a distal bicep tear and live alone. It has been surprising how hard little things like getting set to take a shower or pulling your pants up can be without help. I’ve been eating a lot of microwave meals and fast food. I wish you well in your recovery.
January 16, 2026, 09:25 AM
400m
I’m married. She is burning vacation time to take care of me at home. The selflessness of a woman is incredible. Surprisingly the pain is not nearly what I thought it was going to be. The nerve block was definitely making it difficult to take in full breaths. Thankfully that’s all gone now.
January 16, 2026, 09:53 AM
HRK
On sale was $299 now $199 just in time.

Link Costco Bio Bidet