Posted , 9 users are following.
Hi I wondered if anyone has had this rotator cuff injury to their shoulder and has had the operation to have it sewn back.
Am trying to decide whether to have this operation or put up with it.
Be interesting to hear of other peoples experiences.
1 like, 23 replies
deni1 shera48
Posted
shera48 deni1
Posted
I have had a ultrasound which found the tear. I have been referred to physio and am doing exercises but have also been referred to a consultant who said I could have the operation.
I have to decide whether to or just put up with it.
Did they make you lift up your arms and do certain movements to diagnose this. How are you finding things movement and pain wise.
deni1 shera48
Posted
shera48 deni1
Posted
deni1 shera48
Posted
belinda68662 deni1
Posted
clurbur belinda68662
Posted
Poor you hun it's certainly not fun firstly to fall and then to find you've damaged yourself, I hope you have punished the floor you landed on (something my mum used to make me do as a child when I hurt myself...bad tree that I climbed up and fell off - lol!)
I had my surgery in March and was discharged from physiotherapy in August.
Although my issues are different I think all shoulder surgeries result in slow recoveries and pain for a while.
I won't lie the first 3 weeks were terrible for me I couldn't sleep, my muscles contracted in my neck, which put pressure on my tendons, I had to push to get extra pain meds as the codeine didn't even come close to pain relief and I regretted having the surgery.
After physiotherapy and continuing hydrotherapy I have a pretty good range of movement, certainly 75% better than before the op. You have to do the physio and work hard to get your strength back, it's not just the surgery you are repairing it's the months/years of limited movement that have weakened muscles/ligaments and tendons.
I go to hydrotherapy once a week and the first thing I do is a range of exercises with arm weights to free up my shoulder.
10 months on I have niggles still and bedtime still raises issues as I still get pins n needles and lose sensation in my arm but I have other conditions that effect my shoulder, day to day it's much better.
I'm glad I had the surgery now it's been a struggle but it's worth it.
I hope this gives you more insight into recovery etc... I hope whatever you decide it helps you feel better.
ian06941 shera48
Posted
I had a tendon repair operation 10 years ago and it was very successful.It was carried out by an orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.I was still working then but apart from that it was explained that long term rotator cuff tears can lead to arthritis,The repair would probably still be good if I had not overdone at Badminton.I can say that I have had a fully functioning right shoulder for past 10 years and will certainly go for an op again if it is recommended.
AliceVictoria shera48
Posted
It has been interesting reading your comments,and also those from Deni.I had a fall in the local supermarket before Xmas,but it wasn't until three weeks later an XRay and ultrasound showed I had two rotor cuff tears,one is almost through.I also have Bursitis in the elbow,and I had a cortisone injection,that was only a partial success as some inflammation is still there As I have had a previous collarbone fracture,and I have Osteoarthritis in both wrists,hip,neck and spine,my exercises are almost non existent.The hardest thing I have found is,because my partner has his own business,and I often help out,I am forgetting I shouldn't be carrying heavy things,or lifting.Not too bad when I am doing things,but my neck and shoulder hurts,and even my bra strap on my collarbone hurts.When I wake up in the morning I can hardly move it,and the pain is bad.I have been told by Physio that any type of medical support won't help.I really think he is a bit unsure of what to do,as he is mainly a sports Physiotherapist.In a few months I am to have another scan,and if it hasn't healed properly I will need surgery,although at my age they would rather it given the chance to heal naturally.I am otherwise,a slim,healthy,active,almost 69 years young.☺️
shera48 AliceVictoria
Posted
i hope things can improve for you.
AliceVictoria shera48
Posted
Apparently it is more prevalent in women,aNd also in sports people,and like you said,people can go years with them without knowing,as normally they repair themselves,according to the Physiotherapist.I also hadn't heard about it,until I was speaking to a friend,who said mine might have been rotor cuff tears,as she had them years ago,they were diagnosed when they went right through,and she is still having pain and trouble.
I am not sure what is going to happen with me,as I got a letter from head office of the store where I fell,and now the won't pay any out of pocket costs,until everything is thoroughly investigated,and my Doctor has to release all previous Medial records,right back from when I first attended the clinic,even previous operations,medical conditions not related to the injury.I am devastated,although the Doctor,and Nurse,who did my care plan recently warned me,it might happen.
Good luck with yours.I hope everything works out.Keep us posted IOS what your outcome is likely to be.
Alice
clurbur shera48
Posted
I was told I had an RCI to my left shoulder around 14 years ago.
I was advised as a fit 21 year old not to have surgery to let it heal and carry on swimming etc when it was less painful.
Over the years I've had numerous steriod injections due to pain, inflammation and nerve issues but got to around 18 months ago and it really ramped up pain wise. I couldn't drive (manual gearbox), lift or use my arm/shoulder above my chest, twist or turn my arm out and decided this was now limiting me.
After an MRI last year I was advised that I had ganglion cysts on my tendons, inflammed bursa and my acromion is hooked causing the entrapment of everything underneath.
Nobody is really sure whether this was the initial injury 14 years ago as there was a slight RC tear but I was young and no Dr wanted to open me up and mess because the recovery time is quite long.
I'm now on the waiting lift to have this repaired and have been told up to 6 months recovery time, I just thought they shaved off the bone but apparently its not that straight forward lol.
I suppose it depends what you can cope with and what quality of life you have with it. I wish now I had pushed harder years ago as I have other conditions now that will make my recovery slower. If you can cope and physio is helping then carry on, shoudler surgery seems to have slow recovery rates but if you are limiting yourself then think about the surgery, 6 months is a long recovery time but better than it not healing or other issues arising from it.
xx
shera48 clurbur
Posted
Gosh it all sounds so painfull. Did all this happen because you did not have the repair. You take advice don't you as you think the doctors know best. I hope this will make the others things better. I am waiting for more information myself about the repair before I decide. Hope it goes ok.
clurbur shera48
Posted
I think the end result I have now started all those years ago, I never really recovered from the initial injury and it's got progressively worse. I kept having cortocosteriod treatments but ultimately wrongly placed injections are just as bad for you!
I saw a Rheumatologist last year who said enough was enough, got all the tests re-done and he was right my pain wasn't the RC scar it was everything next to it!
I've had two Rhuematology consultants now tell me that I'm the best judge of my body and if my orthopaedic consultants refuse to give reason for diagnosis or dismiss easily to question it - they should never be offended that you ask for more information or another opinion, you are just gaining facts for yourself. Fortunately my shoulder & knee consultants are a lot nicer than my spine consultant!
I'm amazed that I see 5 different consultants for 5 different conditions and there seems to be no communication it's a bit like everyone having a piece of a jigsaw to put back together but someones hiding the box to see what it should look like!!
I completely agree that surgery isn't always the best option but if it gives you a quality of life even after a slow recovery it's got to be worth a try.
You are right to make an informed decision, get all the facts together and weigh up what you can live with.
I hope whatever decision you make it heals well for you.
AliceVictoria clurbur
Posted
Just wishing you well with everything.
Alice.
clurbur AliceVictoria
Posted
Join this discussion or start a new one?
New discussion Reply