Torn Rotator Cuff - Going Under The Blade

[rcecale]

Been experiencing some pretty serious pain in my right shoulder the past several months. Usually, it's more of a dull, steady ache, but in ever increasing frequency, there are moments of quite acute pain, as if the muscle/tendon were being pulled away from the bone. Pain would actually shoot down my arm, through the bicep and end right in the inside fold of my elbow.

Started to visit an orthopaedist back in July. Initial diagnosos was bursitis flaring up. Doc prescribed diclofenac for the inflammation, but tht's about it. Oh, wait, there was that one cortisone shot, right into the shoulder....didn't do a thing!

Anyway, long story short, after viewing the films from the MRI I had last week, Doc was able to definitively locate the tear. Film also identified a bone spur, which was tugging on the torn Rotator Cuff area.

Planning on some time in November to have my shoulder splayed open. 4 weeks in an immobilizing sling does NOT sound like a lot of fun, but if it gets rid of the pain, after a while, it will definitely be worth it, methinks!

Randy

[cab83_750]

I had 2 Porsche-accident surgeries this year: hip and shoulder. I am about 80% fully-recovered.

After 7 months, is it worth it? Hell yeah!

Good luck!

[porsche4life]

My dad just had that surgery and is on his second or third week out of the sling and is doing well...The doctor described his as an impressive tear...Anyway the first coupla weeks were rough for him b/c he had to sleep in the recliner.
They went in laproscopically(sp) before the surgery and confirmed the damage and videotaped that and it is interesting to see what the tear looks like.
Physical therapy started the day after surgery and is still basic stretches as he cant do weight training fo the first twelve weeks. So get all your P-car wrenching done before and get your computer chair good and comfortable and be prepaired to do 12oz curls of your favorite beverage.

Good luck and find a doctor or specialist that you can trust.

[Joeaksa]

Randy,

Tell the wife that we told you to have her take care of you after this. If not, there is a pool and margarita waiting for her (oops, her sister that is!) out here in Arizona!

Get well and fast!

Joe

[dd74]

That sucks, Randy. Best of luck to you. I'll PM you my address so you can send me any extra pain pills you might have. I collect them, you see.

[LakeCleElum]

I was close to surgery for the same problem. I opted for a Chortozone (can't spell) shot and weathered it out.....It's now been 20 yrs. and only have rare, minor pain there.....You might inquire about it??????

[Dixie]

You'll be glad you had it fixed. Are they sending you to therapy right after, or waiting a couple weeks? I think going through therapy right after leads to a better recovery.

I had my left rotator re-attached lat year. It was completely torn free. I could not raise my arm over my head. The injury did not show in the MRIs. For several years they said it was just age, not a tear. (Even though I heard it rip when it happened.) Finally I got smart and told the M.D. I could no longer play golf. (I left out that I've never played golf.) That got it fixed.

[Red Baron]

I had RC surgery back in March and they had to repair a torn tendon also. At 42, my power lifting days are now behind me.

It's a tough recovery, at least it was for me and my doctor says to expect it to be a year before full recovery. The doctor that performed the procedure is a well known NFL, MLB doctor and did a really nice job. I've finished PT and have about 90% of my range of motion and about 60% of my strength back. THE PAIN IS GONE! And that's what is important because it was effecting my sleep in a big way.

Best of luck!

[Seahawk]

I begged you to stop throwing the hard slider...did you listen? NOOOOO

All the best, Randy. I have had some shoulder work done. The worst part is trying to get dressed.

[Red Baron]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

The worst part is trying to get dressed.

And learning to wipe your arse with the opposite hand

It took me a month before I could put on socks by myself..

[madmmac]

Originally Posted by Red Baron

And learning to wipe your arse with the opposite hand

It took me a month before I could put on socks by myself..

I totally agree about the arse part if they are doing the shoulder which you are accustomed to for providing that service....I also use a blade razor, really amazing how you can't hardly shave in a mirror with your other arm, at least for awhile anyways.

I had put my surgery off for 4-5 years after the initial injury just to see if it would get better. Took the cortisone shots a few times which really only caused more pain for a while rather than any help. They did what they could with the arthroscope but ended up opening me up and doing some grinding on the bones also.

Recovery at least for me was frustrating because it took so long to get almost back to where I was before the injury. Work your butt off in therapy for the best results and to break up any scar tissue.

I am so glad that I finally had mine done, I often think why the heck did I put it off for so long. Pain free for over 15 years now, but I probably lost 10mph on my fastball.

Best of Luck to you,

[cab83_750]

Originally Posted by madmmac

I totally agree about the arse part if they are doing the shoulder which you are accustomed to for providing that service....I also use a blade razor, really amazing how you can't hardly shave in a mirror with your other arm, at least for awhile anyways.

,

Funny but true! I installed a bidet (and did all wrenching I needed to do) before the shoulder surgery. The bidet provided ease of cleaning, promote health, etc.

[Tobra]

do your therapy, ice is your friend

[rcecale]

You guys never cease to amaze me! Loads of great advice from all. I swear, collectively, there is NOTHING that this BBS does not know. Who needs an Encyclopedia Britanica set?

Tried doing the cortisone shot, and as madmmac said, it actually caused it to hurt a bit more. Tried the hot and cold packs, anti-inflammatories, but nothing helps.

In the MRI film, the tear was easy enough to find. From what the Doc says, the tear is bad enough, but the bone spur underneath it is what's really causing the thing to hurt so much.

He said he'll re-attach the cuff, scrape the spur and, because of a congenitive condition, may actually have to use some screws (permanently) for the reattachment. Some kind of deterioration to the shoulder bone that is fairly common...20% of patients, etc.

Anyway, I'm holding off until sometime in November, I think, unless it just starts hurting too much. Worse case scenario, from the Doc, is, 4 weeks in a sling, with PT starting almost immediately, and prognosis of full recovery in 6 to 9 months. Should be back to 100% I guess I should start practicing shaving and wiping with my left hand....sure hope I don't forget to put the razor down before I....well, you know!

Thanks for the encouragement, fellas!

Randy

[JavaBrewer]

I've been suffering with a torn right shoulder and similar spur from a fall I took 3+ years ago. I tried the cort shots and some PT but still have occasional shooting pain, worse when I sleep, and only have ~ 75% range of movement. I'm terrified of going under the knive for this type of injury and 4 weeks in a sling is a non-starter for me. My friends think I'm nuts...I'm hoping my new aggressive gym work out and stretching will help.

[Red Baron]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

I've been suffering with a torn right shoulder and similar spur from a fall I took 3+ years ago. I tried the cort shots and some PT but still have occasional shooting pain, worse when I sleep, and only have ~ 75% range of movement. I'm terrified of going under the knive for this type of injury and 4 weeks in a sling is a non-starter for me. My friends think I'm nuts...I'm hoping my new aggressive gym work out and stretching will help.

Dude, you're fooling yourself. The sooner you get it done the sooner you'll live life to the fullest again free of pain. I had to put surgery off for over a year because of Hurricane Katrina and also my wife being preagnant and on bed rest. We already had a 4 year old so with her on bed rest I had to carry the load of our daughter and daily routine.

Find a good doctor and get it done. It will not improve and in fact will likely get worse with your "aggresive gym workout and stretching". Ask me how I know....

[rcecale]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

I've been suffering with a torn right shoulder and similar spur from a fall I took 3+ years ago. I tried the cort shots and some PT but still have occasional shooting pain, worse when I sleep, and only have ~ 75% range of movement. I'm terrified of going under the knive for this type of injury and 4 weeks in a sling is a non-starter for me. My friends think I'm nuts...I'm hoping my new aggressive gym work out and stretching will help.

David,

I'm obviously not coming from a position experience, but Red seems to be making sense. If whatever you've tried hasn't worked in over 3 years, you may really want to consider a more aggressive treatment, i.e. surgery.

Personally, I'm not real keen on the idea if having my shoulder sliced open. Apparently, it will be about a 2 to 3 inch incision, from what I've read. And having my arm immobilized for a month will cause some serious issues, I still see it as the best option.

I too wake up with stabbing pains at night, and if I over work it, will feel pain all the way between my neck and into the lower section of my bicep on that arm. I'm thinking that's the bone spur talking. I went jet-skiing with it back in early July, and I paid for that for several days....constant throbbing and stabbing pains.

Certainly I won't know the final outcome of my own surgery for almost a year, but I look at it this way, it's not getting any better on it's own, and the Doc says it won't. So, my only option seems to be "No pain, no gain!"

Best,

Randy

[rcecale]

Originally Posted by dd74

That sucks, Randy. Best of luck to you. I'll PM you my address so you can send me any extra pain pills you might have. I collect them, you see.

Keep that address handy! I'm not a big medicine taker, so there just may be a few left over....to add to your collection of course!

Randy

[pavulon]

1. Find a surgeon who does the vast majority of their repairs via the scope.
2. Fail that, get an interscalene catheter placed for post-op pain control.

[Hugh R]

No help here, but hang in there jarhead. But remember as a Marine, you can do anything including slam a revolving door and put toothpaste back in the tube. Things a non-Marine wouldn't understand.. Ahooogah!