Rotator Cuff Surgery
Rotator Cuff Surgery
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
I lucked up and didn't have to have surgery. Mine wasn't completely torn, just a partial. They shot it with cortisone and gave me a bunch of exercises to do to heal it. I was out of work for about four weeks. That was about 10 years ago and no residual problems.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1
From: Mercer County, OH
That's good to hear. Thanks for the reply.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,466
Likes: 2,798
First injury: Jan '80
Second one, a whopper, July '80.
--Got PT, pain went away, took years before I could move it "fully". (realize now I never could)
Whopper II Nov '07, a medium tear.
Toughed it out until Jan 15th, couldn't sleep. Went to workman's comp and did a couple months of PT and a cortisone shot. No fix 'em.
Arthroscopic surgery 5/08. Thought I was going to have to take a hit from the S&W when I first got home the pain was so bad. Then, after about 2 or 3 hours, the pain lifted. I could function, albeit slowly, and on the razors edge for pain.
Vicodin, then PT for weeks. Released to go back to work in November.
It is nearly perfect. I get an ache now and then, but I take no pills for it, and my range and strength is better than before.
Hey, I have a DVD of my surgery--a crowd pleaser when folks come over for dinner.
But here, you can look at for yourseff, remember, this ain't me, I can't go posting pics of the inside of my shoulder in case I want to run for office:
Stick with it, the actual video comes along about slide 5 iirc:
Patient Education Shoulder and Knee
Second one, a whopper, July '80.
--Got PT, pain went away, took years before I could move it "fully". (realize now I never could)
Whopper II Nov '07, a medium tear.
Toughed it out until Jan 15th, couldn't sleep. Went to workman's comp and did a couple months of PT and a cortisone shot. No fix 'em.
Arthroscopic surgery 5/08. Thought I was going to have to take a hit from the S&W when I first got home the pain was so bad. Then, after about 2 or 3 hours, the pain lifted. I could function, albeit slowly, and on the razors edge for pain.
Vicodin, then PT for weeks. Released to go back to work in November.
It is nearly perfect. I get an ache now and then, but I take no pills for it, and my range and strength is better than before.
Hey, I have a DVD of my surgery--a crowd pleaser when folks come over for dinner.
But here, you can look at for yourseff, remember, this ain't me, I can't go posting pics of the inside of my shoulder in case I want to run for office:
Stick with it, the actual video comes along about slide 5 iirc:
Patient Education Shoulder and Knee
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Mine is torn almost completely off, and Glenoid Labrum too.
Dropped my insurance last year because I couldn't afford it any more.
I'll be following this thread intently.
Dropped my insurance last year because I couldn't afford it any more.
I'll be following this thread intently.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
1998 for mine. Well worth it. I don't know how they wrap you up now but, if they still isolate your shouter like a mummy you will not be able to take a shower. VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure you have a valid exit plan from the bathtub.
Don't ask me how I know.
Don't ask me how I know.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
I had a total tear of the Supraspinatus.
The VA sent me to the US Navy hospital Pensacola for surgery.
It was an outpatient surgery, in at 6am out at 5pm.
The surgeon repaired my shoulder via Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery.
******** style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ANvDCD_gQR8?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ANvDCD_gQR8?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390">*********>
The incisions were only about a ½" in size
Bandaging consisted of large band-aid type dressings.
I recovered partial use after a week.
Good use in a couple of months.
I was careful to rehab.
I now have full use with no problems.
The VA sent me to the US Navy hospital Pensacola for surgery.
It was an outpatient surgery, in at 6am out at 5pm.
The surgeon repaired my shoulder via Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery.
******** style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ANvDCD_gQR8?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ANvDCD_gQR8?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390">*********>
The incisions were only about a ½" in size
Bandaging consisted of large band-aid type dressings.
I recovered partial use after a week.
Good use in a couple of months.
I was careful to rehab.
I now have full use with no problems.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,243
Likes: 2
From: Chicago and Mt Carroll IL
You should know better than to say "Don't ask me how I know" on here or we're just gonna have to make up a story for you.
I'll start it for you.
It was a dark and starry night.....................................
I'll start it for you.
It was a dark and starry night.....................................
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
I have had both of my shoulders arthroscopically repaired. In both instances I got the major jerk-off by the insurance companies after the accidents and was in agony until I finally got surgery. Post surgery it was about a month of limited to no use of arm before PT started. PT was tough but well worth it. It has been 20 years since my right arm and nine years since my left and both feel great. As was mentioned, an occasional twinge of pain but no meds other than the occasional ibuprofen.
Not wanting to be too gross but anyone expecting shoulder surgery on their predominant arm should practice certain daily functions of the body ahead of time. Some things can be surprisingly tricky.
Not wanting to be too gross but anyone expecting shoulder surgery on their predominant arm should practice certain daily functions of the body ahead of time. Some things can be surprisingly tricky.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,863
Likes: 4
From: Airdrie Alberta
I have had both of my shoulders arthroscopically repaired. In both instances I got the major jerk-off by the insurance companies after the accidents and was in agony until I finally got surgery. Post surgery it was about a month of limited to no use of arm before PT started. PT was tough but well worth it. It has been 20 years since my right arm and nine years since my left and both feel great. As was mentioned, an occasional twinge of pain but no meds other than the occasional ibuprofen.
Not wanting to be too gross but anyone expecting shoulder surgery on their predominant arm should practice certain daily functions of the body ahead of time. Some things can be surprisingly tricky.
Not wanting to be too gross but anyone expecting shoulder surgery on their predominant arm should practice certain daily functions of the body ahead of time. Some things can be surprisingly tricky.
This space for rent...
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 8
From: In the garage
I messed my shoulder up ten years ago. I was in my early twenties and kind of stupid about things. The specialist my work sent me to had one doc tell me my rotator was torn, but another doc immediately interjected that I only had an impingement. I was never given anything other then a months at a sports injury rehab place dong exercises. I wish I would gotten a second opinion, but I was a broke college student just scrapping by. My shoulder is now total junk. However, I'm not sure if I'd be any better off with surgery.. my friend had it done and his shoulder is still messed up years later. I'm too far gone for repairing anyways.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
Likes: 39
I tore mine (right shoulder)4 years ago pounding in metal fence posts . I paint cars for a living & I am right handed too ,so I had to stick it out without surgery . I did a lot of babying it ,& stretching when it was stiff.. 3 1/2 years later I was at about 90percent . If I would have been able to take off work (self employed) I would have had it fixed...