Who here has had Rotator Cuff surgery?

[SummitWhite11]

Long story made short - I have always been athletic my entire life. Been involved in sports at a young age and always been keeping up in the gym with free weights. Fast forward - We sold our home in South Florida and moved to Palm Coast to start a new life with the family. Been out of the gym since November 2018 in which I have started working for the USPS as of February 2019 and just now found out after an MRI that I now have torn my Rotator Cuff. It was initially determined to be bicep tendonitis and surely that wasn't the case. Still waiting on an approval from the Dept of Labor to allow me to see an Orthopedic for further diagnosis and treatment.

Supraspinatus tendon: 7mm full-thickness tear supraspinatus tendon anteriorly near the humeral insertion.

Infraspinatus tendon: Partial tear undersurface near the humeral insertion involving approximately 60% of the tendon thickness.

Labrum: No linear full-thickness tear seen. Circumferential degenerative labral fraying.

Who here has done the same and have had surgery to repair the damage. What has life been like after the surgery? Recovery times and range of motion? Have you been able to be restored to normal or is there still that potential of re-injury again in the back of your mind? Cannot believe this has happened and worried about the potential setback I may encounter which may alter my way of life.

[JamesMyBoy]

I had my left shoulder done in 2013.
It was hurting pretty bad, so I went ahead and had the surgery in September of that year. I went to rehab for about three months (I can't remember exactly how long), which was pretty painful. My surgeon told me early on that recovering from shoulder surgery is the hardest of any joint in the body... after all is said and done, I'd have to agree. If it's really hurting and limiting what you can do, there really isn't much of a choice. Get it done, but know it will not be an easy recovery. I'm guessing that it was pretty much a fulll year before things got back to normal, although it's still not as good as it was when I was younger.
Now, six years later, my right shoulder is hurting, maybe a little worse than my left was at times, but I'm holding out until I just can't stand the pain any more.
Over all, just not a pleasant experience, but then it wasn't promised to be!
I wish you the best of luck with yours!

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by JamesMyBoy

I had my left shoulder done in 2013.
It was hurting pretty bad, so I went ahead and had the surgery in September of that year. I went to rehab for about three months (I can't remember exactly how long), which was pretty painful. My surgeon told me early on that recovering from shoulder surgery is the hardest of any joint in the body... after all is said and done, I'd have to agree. If it's really hurting and limiting what you can do, there really isn't much of a choice. Get it done, but know it will not be an easy recovery. I'm guessing that it was pretty much a fulll year before things got back to normal, although it's still not as good as it was when I was younger.
Now, six years later, my right shoulder is hurting, maybe a little worse than my left was at times, but I'm holding out until I just can't stand the pain any more.
Over all, just not a pleasant experience, but then it wasn't promised to be!
I wish you the best of luck with yours!

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am expecting it to be a long road to recovery. Just do not want to end up disabled and limited to what I was able to do before the damage took place.

[CFD]

These types of repairs are no joke. Listen to your doctor and me. I had a bad tear and it was repaired in July. It has been problematic so I had an MRI yesterday, today I met with my doctor and got the bad news, it tore again and is no longer repairable. My arm is close to useless anything close to parallel and above. Regardless of how good it feels after the surgery do not rush, allow the time needed for proper healing.

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by CFD

These types of repairs are no joke. Listen to your doctor and me. I had a bad tear and it was repaired in July. It has been problematic so I had an MRI yesterday, today I met with my doctor and got the bad news, it tore again and is no longer repairable. My arm is close to useless anything close to parallel and above. Regardless of how good it feels after the surgery do not rush, allow the time needed for proper healing.

Sorry to hear of this. How did it tear again?


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[CFD]

No way to know for sure, I had a completely torn tendon that was shredded at the end, had 5 anchors to rejoin it, most likely trying to do to much to soon. Pulled all 5 anchors and there is nothing left to work with.

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by CFD

No way to know for sure, I had a completely torn tendon that was shredded at the end, had 5 anchors to rejoin it, most likely trying to do to much to soon. Pulled all 5 anchors and there is nothing left to work with.

Are you able to get a second opinion and have them reattach the anchors again? I just find it very hard to believe this day and age with the advanced medical technology, that there is nothing they can do for you now. I would refuse to accept that. Mine is torn 7mm thickness all the way through at the top and the bottom is partially torn. I wonder how this will turn out once I meet the Orthopedic surgeon.


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[BMR Sales]

Originally Posted by CFD

No way to know for sure, I had a completely torn tendon that was shredded at the end, had 5 anchors to rejoin it, most likely trying to do to much to soon. Pulled all 5 anchors and there is nothing left to work with.

I haven't had a Shoulder Surgery, but a lot of other ones on my body. I had a Cadaver's Achilles Tendon as a ACL in my Knee before I had it replaced. I've got plates, screws etc. I would think that they could do something!

[CFD]

Originally Posted by SummitWhite11

Are you able to get a second opinion and have them reattach the anchors again? I just find it very hard to believe this day and age with the advanced medical technology, that there is nothing they can do for you now. I would refuse to accept that. Mine is torn 7mm thickness all the way through at the top and the bottom is partially torn. I wonder how this will turn out once I meet the Orthopedic surgeon.


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There are other options in many cases but I am not a candidate. There are grafting and rebuilding options which will increase range of motion but I have reasonable range of motion but no strength, the options above will do little for strengthening and also not an option due to arthritis. I'm just about 65 yrs old and my body has been through a lot through the years.

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by CFD

There are other options in many cases but I am not a candidate. There are grafting and rebuilding options which will increase range of motion but I have reasonable range of motion but no strength, the options above will do little for strengthening and also not an option due to arthritis. I'm just about 65 yrs old and my body has been through a lot through the years.

This is all new to me. Still learning as I go throughout this whole ordeal. I understand what you are saying. I also found out through the MRI that I also have mild osteoarthritis. Not sure what this means for me. But can only imagine I may end up in the same position as you and I am only 42 years of age.


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[CFD]

Originally Posted by SummitWhite11

This is all new to me. Still learning as I go throughout this whole ordeal. I understand what you are saying. I also found out through the MRI that I also have mild osteoarthritis. Not sure what this means for me. But can only imagine I may end up in the same position as you and I am only 42 years of age.


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From my understanding these types of repairs have a good success rate. I had the same surgery on my right shoulder about 3 yrs ago, it actually took close to two years before I was completely pain free and had full strength back. The most important thing is allowing the repair to heal and it is a lengthy process. Don't make my mistake in thinking because you gain back range of motion and have minimal pain that you have healed, it takes time.

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by CFD

From my understanding these types of repairs have a good success rate. I had the same surgery on my right shoulder about 3 yrs ago, it actually took close to two years before I was completely pain free and had full strength back. The most important thing is allowing the repair to heal and it is a lengthy process. Don't make my mistake in thinking because you gain back range of motion and have minimal pain that you have healed, it takes time.

I believe you. Will keep that in the back of my mind. Glad it worked for you for the time being.


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[DBHWT]

I have had both shoulders replaced....make no mistake...the first few days are gonna be tough. Sleeping gonna be tough also. Very hard to get comfortable. Take the pain meds BEFORE it starts hurting. Ensure you get one of those ice recirc machines that have the cuff that goes over the shoulder area. Much better than the bag of peas routine. Take the physical therapy serious. You'll do fine. Expect about 3-4 month before normal activites.

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by DBHWT

I have had both shoulders replaced....make no mistake...the first few days are gonna be tough. Sleeping gonna be tough also. Very hard to get comfortable. Take the pain meds BEFORE it starts hurting. Ensure you get one of those ice recirc machines that have the cuff that goes over the shoulder area. Much better than the bag of peas routine. Take the physical therapy serious. You'll do fine. Expect about 3-4 month before normal activites.

Thanks for chiming in. Can you send any links to the ice recirc machines you are referring to? Much appreciated!


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