Rotator Cuff Rebuild Recipient Goes Cold Turkey With Post-Op Pain Meds
Cleared to play hockey 30 days after surgery...
Pete still loves hockey, but he was sidelined by a fall. Apparently, the commercials about the perils of cleaning your gutters are real! The result was a rotator cuff tear that had implications beyond keeping him off the ice.
The biggest initial challenge was sleep. Pete had a trip to China scheduled before his surgery, and shoulder injuries are not conducive to restful sleep. He used an ORK (Orthopedic Recovery Kit) that layers cold therapy with bioelectronics during the trip, which allowed him to sleep.
After surgery, he proved that his physiology was ill-suited for pain management via narcotics. Within 48 hours, his wife grew weary of the crying. Watching adult hockey players weep openly gets old.
Despite some evidence that opiates may have an anti-psychotic effect, there is also evidence of depression associated with long-term use (and apparently people like Pete). He was instructed to stop taking the meds on day two following surgery despite the pain.
Result: Surgeon advised 4-6 months for full recovery of ROM (Range of Motion). Post-Op follow-up was postponed due to travel, but the patient continued with layered cold therapy and bioelectronic protocols, and self-guided movement and ROM-focused exercises. At four weeks, the surgeon, who was surprised by the progress of the recovery, asked if he had already been to PT (Physical Therapy). Pete told him, “No”.
After sharing the protocol he followed, Pete asked if he could play hockey. The doctor said, “OK”. He was cleared to play hockey. Adult league — No checking. But still a phenomenal recovery.
