Recovery with Comfortable Sleep: The Missing Link in Shoulder Surgery Care – Talk with Sam Jacobsak

Episode 23

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In this episode of the Prime Health Podcast, Dr. Derek Baron interviews Sam Jacobsak, former professional baseball player and founder of Shoulder Sleeper. Sam Jacobsak shares the “aha moment” following his own labral surgery when he realized the standard medical sling offered zero support for sleeping, leading to severe inflammation and sleepless nights. Together with his physical therapist co-founder, Sam Jakobsak developed the Shoulder Sleeper pillow—a patented, custom-fitted sleep brace that props the humerus, prevents rolling, and eliminates painful neck straps. They discuss the transition from professional athletics to entrepreneurship, the upcoming clinical trial measuring the pillow’s impact on reducing opioid use, and how comfortable sleep is transforming orthopedic recovery.

Key Takeaways:

  • Solving the Sleep Gap: Standard post-op slings are designed for standing with gravity, offering no support when lying down. The Shoulder Sleeper fills this gap as a dedicated, custom-fitted sleep brace.
  • Immediate Relief: Many patients report getting their first full night of sleep in weeks on the very first night they use the Shoulder Sleeper, drastically reducing morning pain and inflammation.
  • Beyond the Rotator Cuff: While designed for post-op shoulder surgery, the pillow has proven effective for dislocations, clavicle fractures, and even lymphedema patients recovering from breast cancer surgery.
  • Pre-Hab Benefits: Sleeping with the pillow before surgery can reduce inflammation enough that some patients have successfully delayed or canceled their procedures by making physical therapy more effective.
  • Reducing Opioid Dependency: An upcoming clinical trial will measure whether patients using the Shoulder Sleeper require fewer opioids for nighttime pain compared to those using a standard sling.

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