Pain relief for torn roter cuff?

Thanks for all the advice. S he needs a home care person to help her till she gets better. But so far she refuses. It's so frustrating. She cant use wheelchair, sling, onr on handed walker. If she wasn't so rigid and stubborn she could rest her arm a lot more. Maybe use sling parttime also. But only person inhouse with her is brother. Who does very little for mom. Helping her dress and give her food some of the time. Woman comes once a week to clean will help. But it's only once a week. She has other jobs and cant come more. Mom wont accept volunteer eighter.

There's also something called a hemi walker that you could look into. I'd talk to the physical therapist about these options. Or better, have mom talk to the PT about them.

Is it possible for your mom to use a wheelchair while her shoulder heals?

Do not give over the counter nsaids. This can make kidney disease worse. Sometimes a cortisone shot in the shoulder can help. If all else fails see a pain management specialist.

Warm Epsom salt compresses on the shoulder.

Your poor mother! Oww! I sympathise especially, because I had one of those - it's like toothache in your shoulder, even at rest, and really debilitating.

So I hope this is consoling - it does eventually go. Seems like forever while it lasts, but it does slowly slowly heal.

Ask her doctor if she can have one of the anti-inflammatory ointments or gels - you can get them with ibuprofen in, though I think the diclofenac one might have been withdrawn in the States? Ask, anyway. They help a bit, but nothing can really penetrate torn cartilage I'm afraid. And remember the old chestnut about the patient and the doctor…

Patient: It hurts when I do *that.*
Doctor: Well don't do that, then.

Her PT will know what's best so you don't have to worry about her making it worse; but short of surgery (not fun, not a good idea unless it's a dramatic tear) only time will really do the trick. That, and sympathy.

Has anyone suggested prescription strength pain patches?

Now I understand why your mom is in so much pain! How old is she, Barbara? Can this kind of surgery be done under a local ? Does she have dementia?

If there is indeed a tear in a portion of the rotator cuff physical therapy will be very painful and just make it worse. With all this other stuff going on I don't think there is an easy answer. I have surgery on both shoulders. It ain't no walk in the park and I'm a pretty healthy 61 year old guy. It's a long recovery with lots of painful therapy and she would have to have strong pain meds for the first few days of post op. You might try ice packs to reduce the inflammation.