My turn for shoulder surgery

[Tensaw]

I read the recent post and replies regarding shoulder surgery. My take away was painful and long recoveries. My recent MRI shows two torn tendons, so surgery in the near future. The surgeon has excellent reviews. He was a left handed pitcher for LSU, an all American and pitched in the college world series. He had to have Tommy John surgery which was the deciding factor to become a surgeon.

Now I have to decide if I want surgery as soon possible or wait until after the holidays. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[jimbo1096]

Get it done right away. I would want to be in full recovery for Christmas and starting off the new year moving in the right direction.
I don’t know about those lefties, they work from the wrong side of the operating table.

 

[RC44Mag]

Me, I would wait till after the Holidays, enjoying time with extended family. I’d rather not deal with everyone hovering asking lots of annoying questions.

 

[gjgalligan]

Torn tendons? Get them fixed ASAP.
I knew guy that had torn tendon that if it tore the rest the way apart it might be irreparable.
One thing to get a second opinion but waiting for no good reason doesn't seem like a good idea.

 

[WAYNO]

I had a rotator cuff repair, roughly 9 years ago. It was a tough surgery. The results were good and I am pleased I had the surgery.

Now, my other shoulder has the same symptoms. It's now a different doctor and all they want to do is injections. It helped a little, but bottom line is, I am miserable and I want the surgery.


.

 

[eveled]

I’m recovering from my third rotator cuff repair. The sooner you get it done the better off you will be.

 

[Huskerguy72]

I am going in Tuesday for an MRI on my left shoulder. Several years ago I had shots in both the shoulders at different times and they really worked. As I understand it, they can help with inflammation but not repair any damage. If I have a choice, I want to get my surgery after our last match at the range in two weeks which is also after the pheasant season opener. Then I have all winter to rehab and be ready to go in the spring. I just will have to find someone to scoop snow!

 

[Dukesoprano]

Make sure you get the ice water pump and sleep in a recliner for a few weeks. I attached a pulley to a rafter in my basement with a pull rope from a lawnmower. Besides going physical therapy, I used the pulley system to use my good arm to lift my surgery arm over my head.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I have had several shoulder surgeries.
First pins were put in.
Then pins taken out.
Then tendons stretch and reattached.
The last surgery , 3 inches were cut off my collar bone and the top of my shoulder blade was cut off.
That was all between 1982 and 1984 while in the service. It has never been right since.
All this because of a 3rd degree A/C shoulder separation.
Yes recovery was long and painful.
I have been a carpenter all my life ( except during the military ) and I can still swing a hammer.

 

[Rustynuts]

Had 2 left rotator cuff surgeries about a year apart. The second one was needed because I tried to rush the recovery and paid the price.
Get the surgery done asap...often times recovery time can be long, and then there is the PT afterward. Sounds like your issue may be more involved.
If it were me, I'd get it done, and start the road to recovery

 

[wproct]

My wife had a shoulder replacement but tendons weren't involved.

 

[mirglip]

11 years ago a Doctor told me I needed rotator cuff surgery. Instead I went to a Physical Therapist and Registered Massage Therapist. It took about a dozen visits but they cured it and I haven't had any problems since.

 

[Tensaw]

11 years ago a Doctor told me I needed rotator cuff surgery. Instead I went to a Physical Therapist and Registered Massage Therapist. It took about a dozen visits but they cured it and I haven't had any problems since.

I went to PT for a month but it didn't work because the MRI shows tendons pulled away from the bone.

 

[Cofaler]

I had a rotator cuff tear and bicep separation from a fall about 5 years ago when I was in my mid 50s. I was still working on elevators at the time and toughed it out for over a year until I couldn't lift my right arm to turn on a light switch. Wife told me to get it fixed because she was tired of seeing me in constant pain.

I got it done and the results are amazing. Recovery was slow but I had little to no pain, took the about 1/2 an oxy pill on the first day out of the gallon jug of them they gave me, it made me feel like crap and I never took another one. I think I might have taken tylenol once or twice but nothing for pain after that. I only lived 3 miles from the hospital so I walked to my PT appointment 2 days after surgery which shocked the clinic, but they said it was fine but be careful not to slip and fall on the ice. You will get sick of the pillow sling pretty quick but use it until they tell you not to.

I got carpal and cubital tunnel surgery a year or so after that and it was a mistake. No positive result from that. I was not impressed with the young cocky surgeon.

Short answer:
Shop around for the best surgeon in your area, or even out of your area. Tons of surgeons out there doing this stuff, many of them suck.

Do the PT they tell you to do, stay active and eat right but don't overdo it. I had a couple incidents that scared the crap out of me, thinking I damaged it again.

Get it done as soon as practical. I would not wait like I did if I had it to do over. There will never be a 'good' time to do it, so just pull the trigger and get it done. It will go by much quicker than you think.

I was back to work and my normal routine in probably 2-3 months IIRC, but I probably wasn't 100% for 6 to 8 months, meaning where I would lift heavy weights at the gym or do really strenuous activity and not even think about it. If you overdo it, your body will let you know.

 

[RPM Enterprises]

Just had my right shoulder done about 7 weeks ago. 2 muscles repaired from tears the 3rd muscle the labrem was completely severed so they re attached it, then had a bone spur ground off and the bicep tendon was very fraid and ready to let go so they detached it and pinned it to my arm bone. It sucks. Pain was pretty bad for about 4 weeks been sleeping in a recliner since surgery. Can't drive, no lifting pushing or pulling. Finally just got to where I can take a shower by myself. One positive thing is I can sit behind a computer and have been buying guns like no tomorrow. My wife hates it. LOL. This morning she told me being you can use a computer I made this inventory document. So I've been busy working on gun inventory with costs and value. I guess she wants to know how much my dependency/habbit is costing. I tell her it's worse than a drug habit. Guess when I kick the bucket she will be cursing me for a long time getting rid of this stuff. She will like the money I'm sure, but I will continue to haunt her for a long time. Not sure who will get the last laugh.