There is some good advice here, especially to young Rudy. If you have a rotator cuff injury it's very important to rest it and get medical advice before doing anything else. I had an injury for a long time and eventually it was exercises and stretching that helped alot but it's critical to make sure you're doing the right exercises in the correct manner as otherwise you can make things alot worse - especially if overuse was what helped cause the injury in the first place. Those that found cortisone helpful were lucky - it did nothing for me and I've heard it can have some negative side effects too. If anyone would like to find out more about which exercises can help and how to do them I've included a link. Just make sure you see your Doc before you start the exercises! Here is a link that might be useful: Rotator Cuff Exercises

Hope for the best but plan for the worst, gal. IF you end up having to have surgery, demand enough time to do some preparing. Stock your fridge and pantry with easy to fix stuff....try to be as healthy as possible. Do a little cooking ahead of time so that you have some comfort food ready to pull out of the freezer. Get some food from those restaurants you frequent! Getting dressed and undressed will be a PITA, as you already know....so think about that. Easy to pull on robes, etc. will be friendly to you. I've had very debilitating shoulder pain, too. Nothing like yours, mine responded to PT. But I've had months when I could not do things like hook or unhook a bra, do my hair, etc. I'm also left handed, and we seem to be MUCH more adaptable to using our right hand than righties are able to. Who's going to stay with you for a few days? You might be fine on your own, though uncomfortable, after just a couple of days. I'm sure that your son and grandson will be helpful. If I lived closer, I'd be over there in a minute. All my best to you.

Women do seem to do better than men or at least the ones that I know. However much of it depends on the type of surgery that the surgeon is planning on doing and the individual doctor. There are several different methods. One just replaces the knee cap on both bones. Another cuts the bones and inserts a whole new knee. You need to talk to your surgeon, not regular doctor, on what is planned. There are many videos showing knee surgeries on YouTube. You did not say which knee. If it is the one you most frequently used to drive it will be dangerous for you to drive before at least some of the tissues heal. Keeping the leg elevated but also using it is important for healing. Along with your individual home situation. Things like, are there people there that can help you for a couple of days or must you do everything yourself. If there is no one there you probably would be released to a care facility. Some hospitals have their own areas like a skilled nursing facility. You will be asked to sit up and walk the day you have the surgery. Depending on how well you do that will help depend on when and where you go. If you do go home you will need someone there at least the first day to answer the door. Although I have not had the surgery my husband has. He was first sent to a skilled facility then released to home. The first day home it seemed like there was a steady stream of people bringing medical equipment, walker, bedside commode, icing machine, a machine that moved his leg up and down while he laid in bed, sorry do not remember the name, medical person to check his vitals and the wound. Your dog may object to your using a walker so be aware that you may need to find someone to help until the dog becomes used to it. Although your insurance may not pay for it one of the rolling walkers with a seat that you can fold down would be great. When you tire or someone wants to chat while walking the dog you can sit down and remove pressure on the knee. Husband was gifted with one and it was wonderful. A side note is that if it is rated high enough, the amount of weight that it will support, it can act like a temporary wheel/transport chair. Only temporary because the material on the wheels is soft and will be destroyed if used this way too often.

DH had his surgery 2 weeks ago. I am a huge fan of his doctor and the joint center he and the hospital have put together, but I can't send you that. Each doctor and place will have their own preferences and ways of doing things. DH had a partial nerve block in his thigh for the first 2 days, or nearly -- it ran out a bit early. That helps with the period of greatest pain -- apparently very well. DH really hasn't had many complaints of pain except the stiffness that comes with swelling. His other concern is that he wants to get off the oxycodone as soon as possible but he's still using it. He handles it pretty well, but I can tell he's a little loopy at times. They did suggest taking a dose an hour before PT. The powered icing machine seems to have a lot of fans, but here they sent us home with a Cryo Cuff and that was more of a pain than it was worth. We use a few ice packs in rotation and it has been much easier (we have an XL gel one like they use at the PT office and some Igloo Natural Ice sheets of Target (sold in the camping/outdoor section (where they have lunch boxes and thermoses year round). If her doctor wants her to wear compression stockings, I would have 2 pair and get them in the size for her legs now plus at least one larger size (1 and/or 2 sizes larger) and practice putting them on before the surgery. DH has thigh high stockings on both legs -- not sure if that is until his 6 week check. I don't know how widely available they are, but there is a "baby" company (her words) called ROMTech. The ROMTech is an interactive version of a cycling machine that includes passive, active and resistance pedalling in 6 different circles. I was a skeptic and thought it was just something more for them to bill, but it has been great and DH is swearing by it. He is nearly to his 6 week range of motion goal at just past 2 weeks, he's taking short walks and getting back to near normal activity levels around the house -- he just can't be out and about very long. He credits the ROMTech for helping him get there. I would recommend it to anyone having knee surgery -- if it is available where you are.