Rotator cuff complete tear in all 5 tendons

when i say 5 i mean 4 rotator cuff tendons and long head biceps tendon

Hi, I used to be a scaffolder and a very strong person.  I had only an x-ray the day of my injury and then agonising physio, constant pain 10 out of 10, and had to wait four months before I was given a scan and they found out the extent of the injury.  My should had been crushed by a very large log, I haven't been told how many tendons have been ripped, just that it was the highest grade tear.  I've had micro surgery, they were unable to sew together the tendons.  They are now refusing to operate again, saying I already on my own, through scaffolding and other diy, recovered as much movement as they could give me.  But I still, after eight months, have no strength in my arm, and find that due to the weakness I have a job to lift my dressing gown up on to its hook on the door with my left arm.  I used to jive, but find it nearly impossible as I need to lift my left arm.  I understand from the surgeon that the strength cannot return as the tendons are no longer connected.  I haven't finished trying to get more surgery.  Good luck with yours.

Update........I had surgery to repair a massive rotator cuff tear on 11th August plus Bicep tenodesis. My surgeon was able to fully repair two of the 4 tendons and partially repair one more. I am seeing him at the end of this week to discuss further surgery. The teres minor wasnt repaired as, in my surgeons words "it doesnt really do much". I had read many stories of people being in severe pain following surgery but I have to say I haven't really experienced much pain, just a minor twinge or two but I have been in an abductor sling for 4 weeks and will be for 2 more weeks at least. If I have further surgery I'll add a few more weeks to that. It's inconvenient but necessary as the tendons can't be put under tension while they heal to the bone. I'm guessing the physiotherapy will be tough after so long without moving the joint but it's got to be worth it. All in all I'm pleased with the result. My surgeon thinks there shouldn't be a problem returning to work in due course

I'm genuinely delighted, and very envious, about the success of your operation.  I had my failed operation four months after the accident.  I've since had a second opinion, which has so far resulted in no further medical intervention.  I am due to see the surgeon again in October, and will try to persuade him to operate again, perhaps using a patch?  I wonder, had I had a full operation rather than micro surgery, if it might have facilitated the joining of the tendons.  Other people I know in my local area who have had open surgery have had successful surgery and regained the strength in their arms, following physio.  One of them is 70 years of age, four years older than me, and recently demonstrated to me that he can lift a chair above his head!  Hope your shoulder continues to improve and you manage to get back to work.  All the best.

further update....surgery to fully repair the supraspinatus tendon was unsuccessful unfortunately. I waited 8 weeks since the first operation and the surgeon was unable to suture the tendon due to severe fatty infiltration. To say I'm disappointed is putting it mildly. I believe the system has failed me because too much time passed between the first and second op although this isn't the surgeon's fault it's the fault of the NHS booking system. Anyway he intends to refer me to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital for consideration of a tendon transfer (Latissimus Dorsi). Having done a bit of reading up on this it looks like a major operation with, in my case, no real chance of major improvement because my Teres minor tendon hasn't been repaired and due to the length of time it's been ruptured there isn't much chance that it can be now. I am reluctant to go through more months off work (without pay) and a tough rehab for potentially minimal gains. I have read of a non-surgical alternative in which physiotherapy retrains the deltoid to take over the job of the damaged tendon. Does anybody have any experience of

deltoid rehabilitation? From what I have read on the internet people with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears have seen marked improvement in function and range of movement.

As I said before, my op failed, after six weeks I went back to see the surgeon, who referred me to another surgeon, who was doubtful about taking further action.  I have today seen him again, having continued religiously with my physio in spite of my rotator cuff not having been repaired.  I am being referred to a third consultant for yet another opinion as to whether or not surgery would work - it is now nearly a year since my injury.  I have regained some movement of my arm due to all the physio, but very little strength, the other muscles haven't yet compensated.  I would be most interested to hear how much strength you regain via physio, I imagine it will take months of hard work.  I know a number of people who have had the op and are doing fine.  

Hi, Not sure if we know anyone who has actually had the tendon transfer - I am also going to ask this new consultant about the patch, do you know anything about that?  Apparently the tendons are sewn to it and grow together.  You can find webpages about these ops on the net.  I will ask someone I know who had a successful op whether he had a tendon transfer.  Wonder what happens to the bit from where the tendon is borrowed?!  Good luck with your treatment, would be very interested to know how you do.  If I do eventually go on to have a further op, I will let you know the outcome.

as far as the tendon transfer operation is concerned, it depends which part of the rotator cuff is being repaired. It really is a salvage operation and used as a last resort. From what I have read it is generally more successful if used as a primary method rather than when one or more unsuccessful attempts have been made to repair the cuff. If, as in my case, the supraspinatus tendon is involved, an incision is made under the armpit and usually the latissimus dorsi tendon is passed under the deltoid and attached to the humeral head to replace the missing tendon. Sometimes the Teres Major tendon is also used. If the tendon is not long enough to reach the humeral head they will remove a piece of tendon from elsewhere ( usually the thigh area) and use that to lengthen it. YUK!  All I know is that it is a major and very complex operation and requires a surgeon with great skill and experience. As with any procedure there is no guarantee of success and sometimes patients can be left worse off. I hope you get somewhere with your shoulder. I personally have had some very down moments since I had my accident but there has to be some light at the end of the tunnel. I could've been confined to a wheelchair or dead, but I'm not. I just cant raise my arm. I can still work and I can still do a lot of the things I did before, I just need a bit of help :-)

How long is rehab/physio after the op ? im a gas engineer and need full strength for obvious reasons. Im expecting some period of time