rotator cuff decision, fix or not

[cougar14]

I hurt my rt shoulder (I'm LH) in the spring, and after weeks of rehab, I believe what I have is the best I will ever have unless I have it fixed. I'm not crippled by any means, but I have limited upward and side extension, almost zero rear extension, and am relegated to the recliner after 3 or so hours in bed. When it doesn't hurt, it's as though there is no injury at all, but a sudden jerky movement (like you drop something or someone tosses something to you) results in serious pain for 2-3 minutes and moderate discomfort for a good while. Anyone go through this, longer term than me, thoughts?

Forgot to mention, MRI says 2 muscle tears and Cuff tear.

 

[bigolddave]

If you are under 75, get it fixed. The limitation and pain will only get worse if you don't.

 

[H Richard]

There are newer procedures and technologies available, a good surgeon and do a good job. But, be sure to do all the rehab he orders to gain back all the range of motion.

 

[WardenRoss]

A few years ago I broke my LH collar bone, tore up some cervical discs and injured my LH shoulder. After they repaired my neck, my LH shoulder was killing me.

The MRI indicated I had a tear in the cuff. After the surgeon got in there, turned out I had a 100% tear and both biceps tendons were completely detached.

I had four incisions and had to wear my arm against my chest for five weeks being careful not to tear loose the biceps repair until they healed. Then long, long rehab.

The rehab was awful. Complete torture as the cuff repair had scarred over due to the long wait not wanting to rip off the repaired biceps tendons. My wonderful therapist finally got the full rotation back. I was at the limit of time and they were going to have to go back in and surgically remove the scar tissue. Her persistence (and good pain killers) paid off.

My repaired shoulder is now perfect. Better than an 18 year old. Better than my RH shoulder by far.

The key is to have a good therapist and follow the home exercises. It's a long and painful rehab, but it can be done.

 

[twodog max]

Get it fixed. I have had both shoulders done. It is not a lot of fun but being able to sleep and not having pain with shoulder movement is worth it. I know a guy that had the problem and did not get it fixed. used to be a big time shooter. Now he sits around and complains about the pain.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

The pain got so bad I had mine fixed. After rehab and a year, no more pain.

 

[bglz42]

Had my left fixed Tuesday. No fun, but if it heals as good as my right one did I will not regret it. Did the right 6 yrs ago.

Get all your chores done beforehand. You will be useless LOL!

 

[bigwheelzip]

Hurt mine 19 years ago, jetskiing. Orthopedist made it worse with injections and PT. Chiropractor got rid of the discomfort, except in certain positions, with just a few treatments, but mild pain starts at about half extension/rotation.
Just recently, the discomfort has started to worsen, but is still tolerable. I'll visit the Chiro again, before I'd go to the Ortho.

Good luck with yours.

 

[walkin jack]

From what I've seen the recovery is a long and painful process even when you get a good job done. My BIL had his done a few years ago and it ruined him. He can't even lift a gallon of milk now. And even after several years he has to take pain medication to get a good nights sleep.

If you really need to do it be sure to check out your surgeon very thoroughly and get references.

 

[GaryS]

Get if fixed. My wife has a bicep tendon tear that has not got any better and she's going to have the repair done after the first of the year.

The PT or OT can be painful, but is a necessary part of the process. A friend of mine had the surgery, but blew off the PT. That was a big mistake.

 

[dave1918a2]

Get it done as soon as possible. Research Your surgeon. A partial tear is usually three weeks immobile and 20 weeks rehab. Total rear is 6 weeks immobile and 20 weeks rehab. Make sure to check the rehab place out. Most of the time the tear is actually a cut caused by bone spurs above the cuff and they have to be removed. Most likely the cause of Your pain.Good luck with whatever You choose.

 

[Rpg]

Get it fixed.

The PT is no fun but, in the end, well worth it.

I would have had to give up shotgun and long gun shooting (all hunting) as well as handgun shooting except for bullseye shooting if I hadn't gotten the work done.

 

[Jimmyjones]

I'm 59, have had both shoulders done over the last 3 years. I did PT at first, had descent range of motion, but almost constant pain.

Lost my right bicep tendon, so before I did anymore damage I had surgery. Did it in Dec and by May did a 6000 mile motorcycle trip.

Left one started giving me issues, recognized the symptoms and got it fixed, labrum was gone, so they relocated my bicep tendon. Did it last Jan, used the same surgeon and Physical therapist. Did 6700 mile bike trip in May.

I have full range of motion, no pain, best decision I ever made.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

Had my right done and collar bone whittled on. Six weeks with it pinned on a pillow and then a long rehab. Doing great now and I really had no choice about doing it. I tell all my guys if you think learning to shoot with your off hand is tough, try wiping with your off hand. UGH!!! After I was well enough to shoot I took that pillow thing out to the range with all gathered around and we all shot it to pieces. You'll be fine the result is worth the trouble many times over.

 

[EQGuy]

Cougar 14
I have had both shoulders done. I had bone spurs that had to be removed as they were the cause of the tears. I also had to have the opening the tendons passed thru opened up as they were too tight and were also causing issues. One shoulder only required arthroscopic surgery which only entailed three small holes in the shoulder. The other one required an incision to do the repair. I did not require extensive PT for either one. I just had to do some simple exercises at home and wear a sling for a few weeks. I now have full use of both shoulders with no pain. The surgeries were in 2011 and 2012. I see you are in Concord. I can give you the name of my Orthopedic Surgeon in Mountain View if you want to make the trek across the bay for a consultation. If you want more info shoot me a PM.

 

[rwsmith]

I would have preferred surgery.....

My treatment was physical therapy and a lot of time. Years later it still bothered me. I'd opt for the surgery any day.

There have been a few times in life I've suffered pain that would make a grown many cry. Physical therapy for that shoulder was one of those times.

 

[Watchdog]

I have no personal experience with it. My cousin, who is a good bit older than I am, had the surgery. Her recovery time was about 7-8 months and involved lots of physical therapy. The doctor did provide her with some good post-op pain meds. She says it was worth it. That's all I know about it, for whatever that's worth.

 

[cmort666]

If you are under 75, get it fixed. The limitation and pain will only get worse if you don't.

Easier said than done.

I have the same problem in BOTH shoulders.

The only jobs I can get in this economy don't have sick days or vacation. Any days on which I can't work, I don't get paid.

And that leaves aside the deductibles.

We have returned to Dickensian times.

 

[Tom S.]

Many years ago, I had a truck I was working on end up parked on my shoulder and chest. Besides the obvious damage of several broken bones, the muscles in my shoulder were, as they say in the army, *****. I had surgeons waiting in line to operate on me. Instead, after getting out of the hospital and giving the bones a chance to heal, I went to physical therapy. It hurt. It hurt like hell. But after 6 months, I went to see an orthopedic surgeon out of the area for another opinion. He told me I had the best looking shoulder he had seen all day. I recounted my story and he was in awe that the shoulder looked as good on film and had the range of motion it has. 360 degrees, but there's about 40 degrees in there that still come hard.

Maybe I'm just lucky (if you can call having a truck resting on you lucky), but I ended up never having one cut made. My advice is find a good physical therapist and try that route first. And any time a doctor wants to operate on you get a second opinion. They might just want to make another payment on their Mercedes.

 

[Doug627]

Not having it fixed could result in a frozen shoulder. You don't want that. Get it repaired and it will be a distant memory in a year or so.