I am hoping a 'Cutie' can offer me some suggestions to a perplexing situation. My daughter was due to go in for reconstructive surgery last month on her shoulder that was injured in a auto accident last Nov. She went in for the pre-op blood work and was told she is pregnant. Her doctor told her she would have to wait until the baby is born for the surgery. She is in a lot of pain as she finally was at least given pain meds so she can sleep...other then that her only pain management is accupunture which isn't helping much and chiropractic adjustments for her neck. OK, now here is where I hope a 'Cutie' can help...she is having a great deal of trouble dressing. Does any one have any idea of any type of apparel that a person with a shoulder injury can put on that won't result in tears? I have thought of making her some maternity tops that have snaps at the injured shoulder but thought I'd ask if anyone has a better idea. I would appreciate any suggestion you may have. I am at a loss. I was thinking tank top type tops with the snaps at the shoulder might get her through the summer but being she is due in January she will need things for the cold Montana weather when it turns wintery. Thanks to anyone who can offer a suggestion. Hugs, Kathy

When my mother-in-law had shoulder replacement surgery, we made a couple of t-shirts that she could wear by slicing down the shoulder seam all the way to the hem of the sleeve on one side, and putting snap tape there. Velcro would work too.

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by teddybear117 01 Aug 2013

That sounds better then the idea I had..Thanks. I will pass on the idea to her. Sounds like something that could work for the winter.

Hi Kathy, Congratulations to your family and the new addition. I could only imagine what your daughter is going though. Pregnacy is hard enough without constant pain. I am glad she has you to help her through... Best wishes, Christine

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by teddybear117 01 Aug 2013

Thank you I will pass on your kind words to her. She could use them at the moment.

I would think that either snaps or Velcro would be the answer.

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by teddybear117 01 Aug 2013

Thank you.

ok i would guess its rotator cuff injury and yes its very painful as you cannot lift or move the arm with out extream pain (ask me how i know)
Any garment should be bigger than normally worn so that she can slide the arm in to the sleeve and pull it up over the shoulder.
a zip ups are great but again get a larger size if possible (use thrift shops) she will be able to use her hands and move from the elbow down without too much of a problem so try to keep the upper arm close to the body and not move the upper joint too much.
get her to excersize the arm each day by simply bending forward a little and letting the arm swing front to back like a pendulum just gently do not force then same front side to side do it about 15 swings twice a day. This will keep the muscles supple and ready for the days after the op.If you wish to know more then PM me.
zip ups are better than pressing down onto the shoulder.get the machine out and put open ended zips into tops. use fleece in cold times.
I hope this will help you as i have gone through this myself.
annie in the uk

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by teddybear117 02 Aug 2013

Thank you, when I talk with my daughter I don't think she realizes what she is in for even after the surgery...although she is one tuff cookie, so to speak because I don't think I could go through the things she has had to endure. Until I talked with her today explaining to her what your and others comments about clothing changes for her comfort did she realize there was something that could be done. She has faced so much and just thinks she has to learn to live with it. A comment my mom use to use. She has to learn to live with it but with whatever help that is available. Thank you for your help. I would pm you but not sure how to do so since the changes.

Any type of clothing that closes in the front including the bra. Put finger pulls on each side of pants to help pull them up. Right now with her being pregnant the bigger/looser the clothing the easier it will be to get up and over her head if she likes that type of clothing. By now she knows to stick her injured arm in first. Clothing with ties are hard to do with limited motion.

Congratulations on the baby and adding my prayers for that along with her shoulder. Have her test some different type of clothing to see what she can tolerate best. I would think a zip-up or velcro (as already suggested) would be the easiest. Call a rehab center and quiz some of the nurses, I'm sure they would be happy to give suggestions.

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by teddybear117 01 Aug 2013

Duh, thanks, I should have thought to ask a rehab or some heath care professional being I worked for the Health Dept CHDP at one time. Thanks again.

Just take into account that the 'higher' she has to raise her arm, in order to dress, the more painful the experience. Been there, done that. Thinking of her. Patricia

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by teddybear117 01 Aug 2013

Oddly enough a month before her accident I took a tumble complete with shoulder injury and it took me 6 months before I could even sleep. My heart goes out to her in a way she I hope she will never understand. I wear house dresses a lot around the house so as far as clothes I didn't have a problem, but then again I am in California and I wasn't hurt as bad has she is. The weather here is nothing like in Montana and I am really worried about her. Her shoulder is not her only physical health problem and I try to help where I can.

Not a suggestion for clothing, but when I fractured my arm I had to sleep in a recliner while waiting six months for surgery. Your daughter would find it easier because getting in and out of bed will be a great pain. I had pillows all around me and under me. That's the only way I could sleep. We all here will be thinking of you and her.

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by teddybear117 01 Aug 2013

Thank you for the suggestion...I will pass it on.

I agree with the Velcro suggestions & I hope that it will ease her pain & congratulations on the upcoming blessing, hugs Loralye

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by teddybear117 01 Aug 2013

Thank You. I will pass on the idea before I get busy sewing and see what she feels is best. I hate trying to guess at things and with 1254 miles between us and not being able to see/help her much tears me up.

So sorry for all the pain and adjustment to life for all of you!
In the past I did some reconstruction on clothing for our wounded soldiers recovering war injuries/surgeries with the metal halo stabilizers/fixators.
We were given instructions for ready made garments to cut open the shoulder and/or the entire side and add wide bias tape and then sew on Velcro.
Women all over the country provided this service.(Sew Much Comfort.org)

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by pldc 30 Jul 2013

wow that is a true gift Joan! thank you for doing this. hugs Loralye

by dquilts 31 Jul 2013

What an awesome thing to do! Our wounded soldiers need some practical things in addition to our prayers.

by teddybear117 edited 01 Aug 2013

Thank you for the suggestion and for helping our service men. I have made preemie baby afghans and Raggedy Ann dolls for young cancer patients but never thought about donating my time and skills for our service men. Thanks again and I can just picture me trying to at the velcro without the wide bias tape-thanks for adding that info as it will make anything I make more sturdy when tugged at.

wrap around with Velcro, I think is a good choice.

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by teddybear117 01 Aug 2013

Thank you. I will ask her if she thinks that would work for her. I don't see her so I really don't know how mobile she is but from the med report she sent me to read I know it is bad.

For casual for summer, a sarong.

What about wrap around tops with bows prettied with Velcro or snaps fasteners. These could be long or short sleeves. Also think of the type of tops that have a wrap but have a one double side(That doesn't explain what I'm thinking of). I will try to find a picture of the last wrap so that you can see how it is put on. These are used in hospitals.

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by teddybear117 01 Aug 2013

Thank You. I would like to see a pic if you find one of the last item you mentioned. I just finished some things for my grand daughters 5th birthday and will be starting on things for my daughter as soon as possible. She also wants me to sew some items for the baby...and naturally Grams loves that idea..she wants some sleep sac's which are easy and will give me time to sew for her. It gets crazier...my 5th great grandchild is 2 months old.

Velcro is also a blessing. I also struggle with limited range of motion and weakness so I can understand how difficult life is for her. Google in Pinterest as well as on the web for adaptive clothing. I know I have seen tutorials on how to make adaptive clothing. that will certainly help.

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by teddybear117 01 Aug 2013

Thank you. I would not have thought of using Google to search for suggestions as I would not have know how to word the search . Thanks once again.

Maybe for winter she could use a "puncho" Not sure if the word is right but it is a square of fabric with hole cut out for the head. Would keep her warm and wouldn't have to raise her arm. I had a frozen shoulder for about 12 months with severe pain. Physio told me it was the worst shoulder he had seen. I put an extension on my bra back and used to do it up at the front and slide it around putting my bad arm in first.The "AHH BRA" might be good for her as well. Not sure about the support though - especially later in her pregnancy. I used to wear jackets also - jumpers were just too hard to put on.Clothing that buttons down the front would be probably easier as well. Just put the bad arm in first and take it out last when removing the garment. I was an aged care nurse and we used this technique all the time with people who were difficult to dress. Congratulations on the baby also wonderful news. Hope this helps - she has my sympathy I know what shoulder pain is like.I am glad she has some meds to help at night. I used to wake up every time I turned in bed in pain. Hugs Lynx

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by teddybear117 01 Aug 2013

Thank you for taking so much time to offer your help. I had. The AHH Bra is not an option as she is more then pleasingly plump due to a foot injury where she broke 3 bones in her foot and they never have healed properly..her body rejects wires and screws as well. So she doesn't get the exercise she needs other then being out in a small pool she has for her daughter. But you gave me an idea about checking into front opening bra's. I forgot I hurt so bad years ago I cried just to pull up my pants (and that was on pain meds) and I had to get that type of bra. And stubborn me insisted on wearing a dress that zipped up the back by putting a safety pin with string on it to zip it up. Everyone has made me stop and think. I will pass on what you have written so she can let me know what she thinks will work. Oh, I think what you are trying to spell is 'poncho' and that is a good idea. I know I got her a cape last year and if that won't work we may have to look into other things being the weather where she is gets down to sometimes 17 below zero.

First of all congratulations on the baby. I am so sorry that your daughter is in such pain. Chris has already given many suggestions. I would add that 'pull on' trousers/ shorts are the way to go with no buttons or zips. Being pregnant will help as far as 'larger' tops are concerned. Hugs Sarah.

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by teddybear117 01 Aug 2013

Thanks..I was planning on getting her some sweatpants being she doesn't wear 'maternity' clothes like I did when I was pregnant so many moons ago. In fact, she is my 'baby' (my youngest) and she is 42. That was when we liked 'cutesy' maternity wear. And with the patterns I got she may just have to learn to like 'cutesy' maternity tops to go with her 'sweatpants'. I just needed suggestions on how to modify them. And everyone here has been wonderful and helpful.

Hi Kathy,

I don't know how hot you have it over there during your summer, but here it's usually in the high 30's (C). First of all how old is she? Might make a difference in styles chosen. Something that she could step into and pull up instead of having to raise her arms and put herself in pain would be great. I love elasticated sundresses when I was pregnant during the summer and maybe she could have some dresses with shoulder straps that could be velcroed or snap closing as you suggest.

Also the Balinese style strapless dresses would be great, along with a zip pull front styled dress. I don't know whether your daughter is casual or more semi chic in her style of clothes either so that will also depend a lot on her choice of clothing.

Amy wore a lot of off the shoulder style tops with one side just tied up and they were great. I hope I've been of some help. Love Chris

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by teddybear117 01 Aug 2013

Hi, my daughter said that it was in the mid 90's where she is. I hadn't thought of sundresses. My daughter is one of those types that gives to others and settles for what she get 'cheap' for herself. You might say 'her self esteem' is severely bruised. I try and do what I can but she is the type of person who 'suffers silently' and makes do. I have tried to change her way of thinking but like any mother her kids come first. So I have a stock pile of fabric and I know how to sew. I know she will be most comfy in sweatpants. She has always loved those. And she has pull on shorts for now. Now just to make her feel good about herself by making some tops with a bit of feminine appeal...and with all of you helping maybe I can make them so she will actually be able to use them. Something has to make her feel better. She hasn't said too much but her voice says more then she realizes.