Would some of you kind folks please tell me how long/difficult the recovery period is for rotator cuff surgery? I am scheduled for Jan. 12th. In addition, the surgeon told me there is a bone spur that is feathering the tendon and that could be as problematic as the tear.

I'm experiencing some severe pain at times that can be mostly avoided by limiting my arm movement. A dull pain is present 24/7 but it is tolerable.

I'm hearing mostly bad things from folks that I've talked with about it who have been there. I doubt it can be as bad as the last back surgery I've went through involving titanium rods/screws and bone fusion.

If you've had this done, give it to me straight. I want to hear what you have to say. TIA

Joe in SC

I had it done 4-5 years ago, it wasn't too bad. Hopefully yours won't be on your master arm, so that certain neccessities (involving toilet paper) won't be affected. Just take it easy for a few days, do the physical therapy, and you'll soon forget all about it.

I've had 4 surgeries on different parts of my bod, the rotator cuff surgery was my favorite - i.e., least life affecting. And now I can lay on my right side again!

If they can do it laprosopically (sp?) it probably won't be too bad. If they have to cut it open the old fashion way expect a long recovery, 2-3months before you start getting back to normal.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

My acriomioplasty (took a bit off the shoulder end of the collarbone) was done the old fashioned way, and while the initial recovery (a couple of weeks) really sucked, the rest of it was tolerable. The best part is that the shoulder has been problem free going on 15 years now. Well worth the few months of recovery. I hear that the laproscopic surgery recovery is just a fraction of the time/ pain/ and down time of conventional surgery.

It could be worse. This could be 1865 !


Best of luck to you. It won't be as bad as you think. Keep us posted.


WG840

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Freedom above all else.

I am lucky enough to have both rotator cuffs torn. My doctor said he could fix them without much of a problem, but at my age-70s- they would probably tear again. He advised the cortizone shots. This was several years ago and I'm doing fine - only occasionly do I have any discomfort and thats usually when I'm laying on one of the shoulders.

Hi:
Expect several months of "Recovery" with decreasing pain as healing is taking place.
BIG PLUS is having a Reclining Chair at home. This is the only way I could rest/sleep.
Jimmy

I did the Torn Rotator Cuff Surgery back in 2002. While it relived the pain, when I wasn't doing anything, it did cause me to retire at 51 from my physical work job, for the DPW. Any heavy lifting ....bags of leaves in the fall, shoveling snow in winter, causes a great deal of pain. Cortizone shots help, for the most part, but not entirely.

I've been retired for 8 years, it nice to have free time.....but the money (pension) sucks. Bob

im looking at the same thing, its better some time and then it hurts like hell for weeks i have been just trying to deal with it, but i know im only putting it off i know it wont go away untill i get it done, hope your goes well, keep us posted i would like to know more about the surgery mike

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

OK... Doctor said I had a 'rather large tear'. Had to do conventional surgery in Feb 07.
Did it hurt? Hell, yes (Morphine is 'good stuff'). My previous five back surgeries were a piece of cake compared to this.
Recovery period: Not sure yet.
I've quit shooting 3 1/2 mags, I now duck hunt with a 20 gauge, plan to go to a 28 or 410. And 22's seem to be a lot more fun to shoot now.
Did I mention that I had a rejection/revision in Apr 07? That was really fun, got to experience everything twice. Happens to about one of every two hundred people. Yea, I got lucky.
Good news: I get to have the other one fixed in Feb this year after hunting season goes out. Can't wait.
I would seriously evaluate how much you hurt and how much it affects the use of your arm. I'm not trying to discourage you, most people don't have the issues I did with mine. They get over it pretty quick, it's just according to how bad its torn. I had to fix mine, I couldn't lift my arm. Now I'm about 90%. The next one won't be so bad, I can pick the date to get it fixed. It might just need a spur trimmed. And they probably can do it with a scope.

Best wishes and better luck than I had! But when the doctor tells you to start taking your pain medication when you get home, do it.

My bride (of 25 yrs.) has had both shoulders done. It hurt me almost as much as her to see her suffer after the surgery. She can't take the Oxy pain meds, so we had Tylonal 3s to deal with that, and not all that well. There is a 'cuff' that uses ice; that helps. The worst of it takes about 2-3 weeks. Do NOT let the pain get ahead of the meds.
Good luck!

I had my business arm shoulder (same problem as yours) scoped in 2007 at age 60 and was back at work (pipefitter) in 3 weeks. Big difference if you have to be sliced open-- about a 3X to 4X multiplier. Would go for it if I was you--you'll feel much better after.

Jim

Just a personal perspective:
I let my doctor talk me out of surgery, and I'm still paying for that choice.
It took over a year to heal to some semblance of normalcy, and a sudden wrong move with resistance would drop me to my knees. Friends who had the surgery took about as long to fully recover, but they are now
normal. Without decent insurance, I will never have a fully functional,
full-range shoulder. Since you have the option, get the surgery: the
return of function is fairly quick, you just have to keep with the
exercises. It's not overnight, but you'll be whole.
TACC1

Tore both of mine in November of '07. Right worse than the left. Didn't want to pay what they wanted to fix 'em. Just now getting back to where they don't hurt,UNLESS I do something stupid. Really sucks not being able to throw the ball around with the grandkids though.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Thanks for the straight dope folks. I'm gonna get it done Jan.12th. I think it's getting worse and that's what the doctor said would happen. Trouble is it is my right shoulder and I'm right handed. No shotguns or rifles for 3 months says the doc. We'll see about that. I can't imagine how it could hurt to shoot a .22 heavy rifle from the bench rest or maybe my hornet. I plan to do the therapy as directed. My experience is that it is important. I type with two fingers so it shouldn't slow me down here. Already retired due to serious back injury at work a good many years ago so I'm good to go in that area.

I'll let yall know how it goes. Happy Holidays and thanks again.

Joe in SC

One of my friends had it done two weeks before Thanksgiving (regular surgery) he is to have sling off tomorrow he hopes.
He shoots often and well, very favorite thing is sporting clays.
It will be some months, undefined, until he can shoulder a shotgun or rifle, light caliber handguns sooner, perhaps a bit later this month.
I detached a ligament doing heavy lifting in the gym (2002), I opted to “bridge” it (Docs advice), it was a small tear. Physical therapy was the only treatment. That worked out ok but it was a long time until I could reach into my back pocket with my right hand.
Rotator cuff tears are very common among the bench press guys at the gym. Many have had multiple surgeries; I think 3-4 per shoulder is the limit then the Doc says forget it.
So I would say do not re-injure your arm, this is nothing you want to do over.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

I had it done a couple of years ago in my master arm. A tear and a bone spur. The pain had gotten to the point that I couldn't sleep. Cortizone injections lasted about a month. After three of them, I had the micro surgery.

I had an indwelling local anesthetic pump that really did control the post surgical pain. The arm will be immobilized for a while. Then you will begin on a rehab program which will consist of stretching with a broom handle, rope and pulley, and increasing resistance rubber bands. DO THEM!!!

Your recovery WILL depend upon you following the rehab program. Don't get discouraged but it will take time. Expect it to be about one year before you are back to complete recovery. It is worth it. The repaired shoulder is better than ever now.

Bob

i go for mri the 17th, i guess its better to just get it over im tired of hurting, got two shots today and still hurting

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

Had my mine on left shoulder done amost a year and a half ago. Mine was frozen and had to be literally torn to be released. They razor-vaccumed/scoped the socket, shaved a spur and repaired a tiny tear in one tendon. The shots did absolutely NOTHING for me before surgery.
I had 12 weeks of professional therapy after surgery along with a computerized programmable chair that was delivered to the house for 28 days to raise and turn my arm at the correct angle and twist. This was a horror to sit in for 6 hours a day (I had them place it in our ex-garage/computer room in front of a TV) and it coincided with the physical therapy 3 days a week of which I had to drive there. They had no mercy.
It was almost 6 months before I was cleared to go back to my job.
Today, I am back to what I would say 85% of normal in my left shoulder. Before the surgery I would wince in pain just to retrieve my wallet (I am left handed for a lot of activities), could not reach across to touch my right shoulder in front and could not reach straight overhead. My ordeal was certainly not a gravy-train. In 6 months you will feel better but you should NOT do ANYthing heavy or you could end up right back where you were. You must give yourself a year before you really start "shoveling coal". I know a gentleman that went golfing after 5 months and after he swung, he had to be taken back home. Be careful and don't believe everything is gonna be just fine in a few months. You WILL have to start movement immediately and keep it moving however painful that might be, just no weight that can hurt it again for quite some time. Hope this helps and I wish for you the best in your recovery. Sincerely, Wilson

p.s. I'll try to find you that YouTube showing that surgery. It does exist. I watched it before I went in and had it done. They put 3 tiny holes in my shoulder cap. One in back, side, and front for the microscope and tools they use. That razor vaccum is really cool. Take the meds. You're gonna need'em. Wear the sling when you leave the house. It serves no purpose other than to give others warning to stay away from that arm. They wanted me out of that sling and exercising as soon as I got home. I was so drugged I didn't know where I was. I had to sleep. The surgery takes about 45 minutes max. Wilson

Joe,

All good info from these folks. Each case will vary a little in recovery time, prognosis, discomfort, etc. depending upon the circumstances. But in general I will say: Take your medications. Follow the surgeons/therapists orders to the letter. Do not try to push the recovery faster than they tell you. Do all of the rehab movements as many times a day as they tell you. Be positive. Don't get discouraged, it will all be worth while in about a year. (Now, that doesn't mean that you will be an invalid that long, but it will take that long before you will be completely recovered in all function.)

Good Luck. Keep us posted as your recovery progresses.

Bob