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Help advice needed in regards to high grade partial tear of supraspinatus tendon.

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hope3578
Hope3578

Hi 

I have recently revived mri results showing that I have a 14mm tear on one of my tendons in my rotator cuff. I’m 32 and cannot recall causing myself any specific injury in this area when I first started to experience pain 7 months ago. I’d at that the pain isn’t bad enough to need pain relief but it does affect certain aspects of my life, like sleeping in certain positions, driving and picking things up. ( I work with young children so often need to do this ) 

They have given me two options. To go straight in for surgery to repair it, however I will find it difficult to manage financially due to the amount of time I would have to take off whilst in recovery. Or to try physio to strengthen the muscle around the area to see if it helps, and if not then do surgery. They have said that with tears that there is a chance it could tear more, especially because of my age. 

I’m just wondering if anyone has ever had this same issue? What you have done? Or what you think would be my best choice going forwards? I’m from the UK. 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Hems06
    Hems06 Hope3578

    Posted

    I am sorry to hear that you are having trouble. But what as per my exeperience , 15mm is not a big tear to rush for surgery. I had partial tear which was 30to40 mm tear and was advised to go for surgery. If you are not sport person I think just rehab first for 6 months and see how it goes. try avoiding surgery man. It’s crazy. I regret now not seeking a medical advice when I was having a symptoms at initial phase. I went to see Physio when I felt really worse (which was almost a year after I had felt something wrong) but it was too late.  Yeah, just try Physiotherapy to strength the muscle mate. I am sure it will heal back if you give time. Good luck ! 
    • Hope3578
      Hope3578 Hems06

      Posted

      I’m not particularly sporty no but interested in getting into yoga. This may cause issues in that respect. I guess the trouble I have is if it were to tear more it may be a bigger problem than it already is. However, jumping into surgery first may also not be the answer. I’ve been having very mixed advice from different people, so I don’t know what’s best to do. 
  • ricochetred
    ricochetred Hope3578

    Posted

    Try the therapy first and strengthen the muscles around the cuff. Yoga will help to maintain the range of motion. You are young. The surgery is no fun. get a second opinion as well. If the Dr offered to first try therapy, I would go for that. You may not have done one particular thing to injure the shoulder, but if you have been lifting children without enough strength in shoulders, I would say that could cause a gradual tear that starts to complain. strengthen now before any surgery and you may not need surgery. Good Luck! (ps, I'm a PT and have had rtc surgery and biceps surgery)

  • cindy75646
    cindy75646 Hope3578

    Posted

    I also had a tear from no specific injury.  I did work in the medical field and I lifted and pulled on patients often.  I did not have surgery for 10 yrs until it interfered with my job and it was unbearable.  I had tear repaired. Bicep tendons repaired and bone shaved.  Slight improvement but still pain and limited mobility 8 months post op.   Good luck. 
    • Hope3578
      Hope3578 cindy75646

      Posted

      Thanks cindy. 

      I think I will try physio first and see how I get on. I have nothing to loose really. An op is very invasive and I worry it’ll cause more issues going forwards. But if I have to have it then I will. I’m just going to have to be careful going forwards. 

  • karen84990
    karen84990 Hope3578

    Posted

    Always avoid surgery when possible.   I knew this, I knew this, I knew this.   However I let my desire to return to activity override my common sense.  Now my surgeon left a suture anchor protruding which has torn my tendon.   I have no recourse other than limit use of my arm to avoid further damage until the suture anchor dissolves (I think it takes a year).    In the mean time more pain than ever before with limited range of motion.

     

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