Rotator cuff surgery

Hi David,

Sorry to hear that, I'm guessing you are still in a huge amount of pain, how long did you have to wear the sling for?

I can tolerate it during the day but it's worse at night.. 

I had the sling for 4 weeks day and night. Then slowly started physio which did help

Hope all goes well next week for you 

Thank you, hope your pain eases very soon

Thanks Nick

My problem/pain started last October, just out of the blue, severe pain in my shoulder, had physio and a cortisone which helped a bit but once it wore off the pain was back, had a scan and X-ray done eventually after a lot of persistence convincing my GP , when I got a diagnosis

Hi suzanne24444

I have been following your post and am sorry to hear you are having suchh

a bad experience with the surgery and also after care op problems too.

I had the ultrasound scan and it was found that I had a tear right through the tendon in the front.  The doctor called the consultant to ask if he should give me cortisone injection for this as well as the ac joint and was advised injections for both.  I felt virtually no pain for the ac joint but a strong pain when he injected into the tendon.

A few days later I saw the consultant for follow-up and further plans for treatment.  His advice was that I go back to my physio and follow all the exercises for the next 3 months or so after which depending on physio etc, surgery may be advised.  I havent started on the physio yet but will do from next week.

He said that there was approximately a 90% success after surgery; asked him about the 10% - he said that for perhaps 10% of people surgery makes no difference.

Coincidentally, I had a cousin and husband visiting us a couple of weeks ago (from Fiji/Australia).  Her husband is a doctor and his advice to me was that I should seriously consider whether to have surgery or not.  His view was that if my shoulder/ac can function reasonably I should not consider surgery especially given my age (72) and that sometimes surgery doesnt suit everyone and can make it worse in some people.

I really am not sure what to do at this point.  However, I will diligently follow my physio advice and do the exercises she will set for me.  If I considered surgery, I will not be able to drive for a month and that would pose a problem or me as I have to take my husband to the doctor, dentist etc and also ferry my grandchildren to and from school.

I hope suzanne all goes well with your shoulder specialist physio and you will be pain free.

 

Hi

I sympathise with your condition. I am taking painrelief tablets. I can advise you need to take care of your health too. Can you gain home support with your care for your family I wonder.

I see my consultant in clinic tomorrow for more advice in advance of my op to repair my rotator cuff and remove pin and plate (mended my arm after fall and fracture). I am to request ultrasound scan or mri scan to find out more about the rotator cuff tear before my op on July 13th.

Please can you advise what is ac joint too. Thanks.

Kind wishes

Sue

Hi Sue,

Thank you and thanks for your concern.  At the moment the cortisone injections seem to help but I am trying to be careful not to overdo things.  We have an adult son living with us who helps a bit. 

The AC joint according to wiki is a joint at the top of the shoulder.It is the junction between the acromion (part of the scapula that forms the highest point of the shoulder) and the clavicle.  If you google AC joint problems you will see a lot on this subject with diagrams.

I hope you get referred to have an ultrasound scan or mri.  My GP mentioned that MRI is too expensive but that an ultrasound scan which is much cheaoer is all that is needed.  I guess if the scan is not satisfactory you will need to be referred for an MRI.

Best wishes with the meeting with your consultant.

Kind regards

Vimla

 

Hi Vimia

Pleased you are receiving good support too. Thanks for the AC joint information helpful also. I am happy withan ultrasound scan if ok.

Thanks for your kind wishes

Sue (-:

Hi Sue

I had my surgery on 5th June, I think I have been very unlucky, came out of surgery in a lot of pain, after what seemed like the doctors giving me every pain killers possible I then had a morphine injection and had to stay overnight in hospital, the morphine worked well, I was discharged the following day with ora morph. On my first Physio app a week later I was in so much pain the Physio said this was normal for all I had done, I asked what she meant 'all' she explained that as well as the tear repair and bone shaved is also had a bursectomy, I was unaware of this as post surgery I did not see my surgeon! I had another Physio app a week later at this time she raised concerns at my level of pain and lack of movement, she rang my surgeons secretary to ask for a review due to her concerns, only to be told I could not see him for 3 weeks! After I made a formal complaint I finally saw the surgeon yesterday, he is blaming the Physio, saying she over did things on my first two sessions! Even though she followed the correct protocol. I'm at a loss. The surgeon changed my pain relief to Pregabalin, however after two doses I was nauseous, dizzy and lightheaded so have had to stop it, I think I have just been unlucky. The surgeon had referred me to a shoulder specialist Physio so will see how that goes. Ice really helps with the pain.

I hope all goes well for you

Hi Sue,

Sorry, to answer your question, I didn't have an MRI scan, I had a ultrasound scan and X-ray

Hi Suzanne

Thanks for your swift reply too. I sympathise and needed painrelief after the repair to the fracture in my arm December 13. There is the question of how early should phsio start after an op I think. My first physio was later and with gentle movement of my shoulder first on my own (with physio leaflet). Are you with UK NHS hospital as I am I wonder? Your information is supportive for me and helpful too. I have now requested an early clinic appt. with my Consultant on Tuesday re scan and why rotator cuff tear only detected now.

I hope you recover well too.

Kind wishes

Sue

Hi Sue, yes I am an NHS patient, I have done so much research am have been left totally confused regarding the length of time you are immobile in the sling ( I wore it for 2 weeks ) and the level of Physio. There appears to be a lot of conflicting protocols which are followed. I will wait to see what the new Physio I see says.

Suzanne