Rotator Cuff surgery

[Pepi]

Was it fun? Haven't had an MRI yet but the doc thinks it is torn. He won't do an injection because he said the med can do tissue damage he may need for repair. Do you really have to sleep and wear a sling for 6 weeks.

 

[Lpherr]

Yes, the sling isn't supposed to come off and no use of the arm.
My father had the surgery, and went through all the therapy and released. He tore it a second time, and they had to use sheep stomach or something (could be incorrect on sheep stomach, but was something from an animal), to repair it the second time. They wrapped whatever they used, from his shoulder blade, around the shoulder, and down his bicep in two directions. He now has about 60% use of his arm. He can't reach above his head either. Hope it goes well for you.

 

[BoilerWes]

Get the MRI and report back. Also, if you are not seeing someone that specializes in the shoulder, I would recommend seeing them before you decide to have surgery. I can advise accordingly. I’m a PA and work directly with a fellowship trained shoulder surgeon for the last 12 years.

 

[Flingarrows]

I’ve had both shoulders done. Get the recirculating ice machine pad thing, it will be your best friend.

My recovery times were 4 and 5 months. Therapy started on week 2 or 3 and lasted the whole recovery time.

Find out how many sessions that your insurance will cover, because the therapy place may not tell you, but start billing


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[nascarfantoo]

I’ve had both shoulders done. Get the recirculating ice machine pad thing, it will be your best friend.

My recovery times were 4 and 5 months. Therapy started on week 2 or 3 and lasted the whole recovery time.

Find out how many sessions that your insurance will cover, because the therapy place may not tell you, but start billing


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Only my right shoulder done. Fling is right. Keep ice on it religiously. Follow the PTs orders during rehab and do your at home exercise. My PT said most people don't and it hurts them in the long run.

 

[ISP 5353]

I had one done. Had a great surgeon. Very easy procedure and recovery. Pain level was very low! I hit PT hard and had great results. I had better movement than even the surgeon expected. If you want the surgeon's name, pm me. Good luck!

 

[schmart]

This thread is scary! I've got an appt mid July for a consultation on my left shoulder. I'm pretty sure something is torn. 5 month recovery doesn't sound pleasant at all!

 

[KokomoDave]

Last surgery was a complete replacement after 3 other shoulder surgeries. I may have a SLAP tear in my left shoulder now.
This thing kept my sanity level in check...I mean that is debatable to anyone that has met me.

Note: woobie under my fat arse and preztel legged in my grandpops chair. This pic was taken on the same day after surgery. Outpatient!

 

[hoosierdoc]

I think i have a SLAP on right. Bad pain for two months, friend gave me a steroid injection and felt so much better.

Def get MRI and as Wes said, get care from a sports med or upper extremity specialist

 

[Nazgul]

Wife had a complete shoulder replacement about 3 months ago. Minimal pain, yes on the ice pack. Had a follow up with the Dr this week and she has full movement. Still some lingering pain in a couple areas but it is slowly subsiding.

She is very satisfied with it.

Don

 

[Pepi]

Think I may continue my therapy and Mobic until the winter comes. Looks like a good winter project

 

[510picker]

As others have said, definitely get an MRI so they know exactly what's going on in there. I injured my right shoulder on Christmas Eve of 2020. My ortho doc said it was just a sprain and would be better in three weeks. Saw him again in three weeks and it was not any better. He recommended physical therapy. No improvement after PT. An MRI revealed a completely torn subscapularis tendon. The tendon was now completely retracted and the subscapularis muscle had atrophied. The moral of the story is, get the MRI!

 

[Doug28450]

I've torn both rotator cuffs. I had a great doctor both times. As noted above, after two weeks I started PT and that is just stretching, working on getting range of motion back. Somewhere around the eight to twelve week range they'll start adding resistance and weight for strength. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[KokomoDave]

Think I may continue my therapy and Mobic until the winter comes. Looks like a good winter project

The only problem is if the tendon is d1cked, the longer you wait...the harder it is to reattach it. MRI 1st. The insurance company may say you have to go to therapy but the doc can nix that if he has bravado. If you attend therapy with a tear, you can actually make it worse and then you are pooch screwed.
I'm no doctor, just a volunteer 1st responder that has had 18 spine surgeries, 4 shoulder surgeries, a hernia with strangulation and other fun stuff. It's your shoulder but I would have a competent shoulder specialist orthopedic surgeon look at your MRI before waiting til winter...

 

[bwframe]

There are a fair handful of therapists, trainers and doctors on YouTube suggesting their recommended techniques could avoid surgeries? Anything to that?


.

 

[WebSnyper]

As others have said, definitely get an MRI so they know exactly what's going on in there. I injured my right shoulder on Christmas Eve of 2020. My ortho doc said it was just a sprain and would be better in three weeks. Saw him again in three weeks and it was not any better. He recommended physical therapy. No improvement after PT. An MRI revealed a completely torn subscapularis tendon. The tendon was now completely retracted and the subscapularis muscle had atrophied. The moral of the story is, get the MRI!

Agreed, I've never had an issue pushing Dr/Insurance to do the MRI/imaging, etc first rather than risk more time/damage, etc in trying to PT something that we are not sure what it is/cause.
That said, I have pretty good insurance, but your Dr should be able to push on this for you.

It's never made sense to me to start PT on something that the Dr/you isn't sure what the cause is, except for insurance wanting to avoid the cost of MRI.

 

[Doug28450]

There are a fair handful of therapists, trainers and doctors on YouTube suggesting their recommended techniques could avoid surgeries? Anything to that?


.

I suppose anything is possible. However, on both occasions, the doctor told me that a torn rotator cuff will not heal/repair itself correctly. The only way to get it put back together is surgery.

 

[Pepi]

YES ... No MRI until therapy says Medicare I'm done with the therapy now and it was getting a little better but I hurt it again whipping the garden hose like a fool Guess it's time to call and get the MRI

 

[funeralweb]

Was it fun? Haven't had an MRI yet but the doc thinks it is torn. He won't do an injection because he said the med can do tissue damage he may need for repair. Do you really have to sleep and wear a sling for 6 weeks.

Follow the doc's orders to the letter. To. The. Letter. Maximize your recovery!

 

[Timjoebillybob]

As others have said, definitely get an MRI so they know exactly what's going on in there. I injured my right shoulder on Christmas Eve of 2020. My ortho doc said it was just a sprain and would be better in three weeks. Saw him again in three weeks and it was not any better. He recommended physical therapy. No improvement after PT. An MRI revealed a completely torn subscapularis tendon. The tendon was now completely retracted and the subscapularis muscle had atrophied. The moral of the story is, get the MRI!

I'll 3rd or 4th this. My wife tore hers, the ER checked her out gave her some pills and told her to make an appointment with her primary care. She did and her Dr wanted her to go for an MRI but insurance said no, if they would have done it at the ER would have been fine, but PT first. Right before she finished up PT is when everything shut down. Atrophied muscle and retracted tendon later... The surgeon said he was surprised, got the tendon back no problem and the muscle reattached better than he expected but not as well as he would of liked.