Rotator Cuff Tendon 'repair' operation
Posted , 3 users are following.
I had the rotator cuff tendon repair operation on my right shoulder in September 2021 and in March 2022, just as I got the green light to use my ‘repaired’ right shoulder my left shoulder RCT tore . I had that shoulder ‘repair’ operation last Monday. Two different surgeons in two different hospitals (two very different experiences). I will add details of my experience later in this thread to help others.
My second post operation report says: Procedure: Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression and Repair of Supraspinatus (Note: my first post op report was more detailed)
I want to know the minute details of EXACTLY what was done and why it was done and I want it in writing. In that regards, I would like to know . . . am I unusual, do other patients simply take the tablets and lay back in the presumption that the surgeon did the best job possible / do others not probe and question? I am seeing the surgeon later this week for the first time since op.
0 likes, 7 replies
colin1964 FortyTwo
Edited
Hi Fortytwo !!.
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glad you feel better. nice time to recover and get a sun tan.
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did you not get the operation notes record as you were discharged in a form of a report. it details down how and what was used and where ?.
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i am very nosey on what surgeons do to my shoulders.
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on my follow up this time for the tendon repositioning. i emailed to the surgeon secretary a list of ( this time 9 questions ).
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he commented on the questions and what i had asked and thanked me for giving the meeting structure. i had instant answers that day and did not go away confused on what happened.
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email all your questions its your right to know. in my first consultation he showed me still pictures of what happened. i photographed his screen for reference.
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please dont sit and wonder as being proactive means you are ready for any complications.
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hope this helped. ask . ask. ask
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colin
FortyTwo colin1964
Posted
Hi Colin, Thanks for the helpful reply . . . .
I have not previously come across the term 'tendon repositioning'.
My first surgeon (who gave me much more time and much more information) put in one fixing point (screw) and sewed up a 3.2cm tear in supraspinatus tendon and a 6mm tear in my subscapularis tendon. I have no idea whatsoever what the second surgeon did. Plan A at the moment is to see him on Thursday, get a verbal account and perhaps ask later for it in writing.
colin1964 FortyTwo
Posted
hi
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it was tenodnesis. they cut the bicep tendon off the labrum and screwed it 4" down the humerous just below the pecs major
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it was severely inflamed
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was just easy to say its repositioned lol
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colin
colin1964
Posted
and yes please ask ask ask. it your right.
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was it NHS or private self pay. just being nosey .
FortyTwo colin1964
Edited
Both done in private hospitals (two different hospitals).
That's another question I have . . . both surgeons are paid for full time employment by the NHS yet are operating and consulting in private hospitals during the day on random days during the week. Watching the news on TV just now talking about a shortage of doctors in the NHS!!!
colin1964 FortyTwo
Edited
i thought you would have had better treatment privately as that's is what you are paying for.
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with me right shoulder= sub acromial decompression done NHS. but at a ramsey health private hospital. in and out same day. did not care less. i was on fire with pain for 3 nights. like a factory line
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left shoulder = spire healthcare self pay. full capsule removed and a decompression as well. and tenodnesis of the long head bicep.
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i opted for the one cost covers all. in patient. full physio. all meds. 3 follow ups. the first time i was naive and had no back up post op. no hospital physio or direction. me and my own physio had to wing it. deep down i feel thats how i damaged the tendon.
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tendon operation. last chance. they decided to cut the long head bicep tendon and leave it tenotomy. i demanded the tenodnesis and forced the surgeon into a corner. he was not happy ( same surgeon ). we kind of fell out over this.
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he did it ( tenotomy ) was £5500, the ( tenodnesis ) cost me £8500. another £3000 more. this time around i made sure i got what i paid for. all the meds . all the support . free spires progress physio specialising in shoulder rehab. i am not rude now just strong in mind to what they want and what i want.
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hence i am over asking now and question why. and you can ask for a dvd of the still pics during the operation. for your personal record. .
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bottom line now is it has made me stronger and not intimidated by a surgeon. even post op. general rule of thumb for tendon operations is ( as you know ) 6 weeks immobilised to heal the fixation.
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he came back to see me at 8pm operation day. his words were exercise on day 4 . out of the immobiliser and stretch. i questioned him and the physio twice.
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thats me story of getting stronger.
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hope you can get your answers that you need.
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colin
FortyTwo
Posted
With my left arm out of use and my right arm in over-use I have strained the tendons in my right elbow. The theme running through all this is 'tendons' and clearly my tendons have lost the elasticity they need to do thier job. I have bought some glucosomine/chondroitin, I am wondering . . . .do I need something else . . . .collagen?