Coping with one arm

[RoCas]

Hi,

A relative is soon to undergo rotor cuff surgery to attempt to repair a torn tendon in her shoulder. From what I understand, recovery takes at least 6 weeks, for most of the time she will not be able to use the arm and she lives alone.

I wonder whether anyone has had the experience of having to take care of themselves with only one arm ... perhaps whilst waiting for a broken arm to heal, etc.

Would you have any experience on what will be the most difficult day-to-day? How best can one prepare for this? What tips are there for getting round one-armed difficulties?

Thanks everyone.
RoCas

[astonsmummy]

Hi, what arm is it, is she left or right handed? i'm sure that would make a bit of difference, my mum just had surgery on her right hand and she is right handed, she has coped better than she thought she would, she has been wearing loose fittng clothes, but she was able to move her arm, dos your friend have anyone that could stay with her for a while just to see how she gets on?

[RoCas]

Hi, what arm is it, is she left or right handed? i'm sure that would make a bit of difference, my mum just had surgery on her right hand and she is right handed, she has coped better than she thought she would, she has been wearing loose fittng clothes, but she was able to move her arm, dos your friend have anyone that could stay with her for a while just to see how she gets on?

The operation is on her right shoulder/arm and, unfortunately, she is right handed. We're not sure yet if there will be anybody who will be able to stay with her. The idea of loose fitting clothes is a good one, astonsmummy - thanks.

We have been trying to envisage what the most difficult daily tasks are going to be so that we can try to plan ahead - if that's at all possible!

[inkie]

Opening cans with can opener, doing up buttons, trousers/tight up and down for the loo, putting tights/socks on, washing up, ironing, carrying washing to washing machine/loading/emptying etc....
Opening post, telephone coule be a bit difficult unless you have handset withe buttons on.

[hardpressed]

Would probably be a good idea for her to practice doing things with her left hand before the op. I know someone who had this done and although she couldn't use her arm, it was in a sling, she could use her fingers so she could hold light things. I would think the loo and dressing would be the most difficult.

[Savvy_Sue]

Is there an Occupational Therapist she could talk to before the operation? Would she be able to get help via Social Services? If she's elderly, I'm sure she should, but it may take time to arrange ... Hospital Social Worker might be able to advise on this.

[RoCas]

Opening cans with can opener, doing up buttons, trousers/tight up and down for the loo, putting tights/socks on, washing up, ironing, carrying washing to washing machine/loading/emptying etc....
Opening post, telephone coule be a bit difficult unless you have handset withe buttons on.
Pretty much everything, then!

Would probably be a good idea for her to practice doing things with her left hand before the op.
That's a good idea, thanks - I'll suggest it.

Would she be able to get help via Social Services?
Thanks, S_S. We'll call Social Services and also her GP to see what can be arranged.

Any other suggestions or experience?

[astonsmummy]

Opening cans with can opener, doing up buttons, trousers/tight up and down for the loo, putting tights/socks on, washing up, ironing, carrying washing to washing machine/loading/emptying etc....
Opening post, telephone coule be a bit difficult unless you have handset withe buttons on.
Other than opening a can with a can opener, the rest of these things are doable, just not doable in the normal way, hanging the washing to dry i'm unsure if this doable with one arm, but she will be able to load it up and epmty it, just wont be able to fold the clothes up. I presume she wont really be going out all that much so the washing should be a bit less, there are people who have lost arms and cope so i guess they do it somehow.
My mum has worn jogger trype trousers as this is easier to pull down and up with one arm, telephone will be fine even if the buttons arent on the handset as she can dial the number then hold the phone bit.
Edit - and socks are doable, dount tights will be, but as somene has said get her tp practice these things, but it's amazing how well people adapt to these sort of things.