Time have the surgery

[boltman]

I have had a torn rotator cuff since 2008 when I slipped and fell back into my boat using my right arm to break my fall, didn't hurt for about two days later. Pain has been an issue but I put it off all the time , well Saturday night changing the oil in the wife Cadillac , oil drain plug was really tough , yanked hard to loosen it and heard a pop in my shoulder . Sunday morning couldn't over my arm, pain radiated through my neck , it is time , I'm a wussy afraid of needles and doc says it's going to hurt a lot when surgery is over, but it's got to be fixed pain is intense . How many guys have had this surgery , doc says in a sling for 8 weeks how in the world will I wipe my rear without my right arm ??? That scares me !!!!!


Boltman

 

[Ruff Life]

Had this surgery and more in 2004 after blowing out my right shoulder heaving weightlifting. I could hear the tearing when it went bad. Mine was really bad and I could hardly move my arm. I was in a sling for at least 8 weeks and then 13 months of rehab. I was doing well after 4-5 months just not full strength. Now I am the old guy in the gym and am still heavy weightlifting with my shoulder feeling 100%. My right shoulder is my good one now. It's a tough surgery and lots of rehab but follow doctors orders and you will be fine. I learned to do lots of things with my left hand and arm during rehab.

 

[Chris Nowell]

Good luck with the surgery and recovery, from a fellow wussy. You have to keep focused on the future benefits from the relatively short term but excruciating pain. Listen to the medical professionals and don't try to push the healing. It'll take time and working it too much too soon will only do long term damage. Can't help ya with the potti problems however,,,,,, I'm left handed :grin:

 

[blaster]

Sorry to hear about your injury. I messed up my ankle but so far I haven't injured my shoulders, I'm working my way up though. Just got over some displaced ribs.

They will take good care of you but I totally understand your apprehension. I didn't want to have surgery either until I walked like an 80 year old. I'm good to go now minus a little pain now and then, I'm sure you will be too.

Don't worry, in a month you will be much better off. Probably throwing footballs in 6 months.

 

[ZZ13]

Good luck. Tore my rotator cuff in 1988 throwing a football straight up in the air. Managed to get through the next 20 years of basketball, softball and competitive masters swimming without surgery. First couple years were tough. In between games and swimming workouts often couldn't lift my arm above my head without tremendous pain. Relied on ice, heat and selective weight work to keep playing. After a few years I adapted and now I have no idea I ever tore it.

 

[HUMPH]

Get the surgery done! I tore mine playing racquetball 100 years ago when I competed and went through physical therapy for 4 months. It hurt for a long time after that so I always had to ice after I played for the rest of my "career".

 

[Dsybok]

I have a partially torn cuff myself, after I did it, it felt real bad for about 3 months, then bad for another six months , but its feeling ok these days. I think my day is coming though.

My neighbor had this surgery also, I do remember him being in a sling for many weeks and he mentioned the rehab, and you REALLY need to do the rehab to get the most out of your surgery and get your full range of motion back.

Here is possibly the controversial part: I don't know how much blood you lose in a rotator cuff surgery, and I am sure it depends on the type surgery. But if it is an option, donate your own blood in advance so it can be used for transfusions during the surgery. I mention this as I had a close relative nearly die from complications due to a blood transfusion during a routine knee replacement. I did also have a co worker who recently had rotator cuff surgery at age 65 and died 3 days later, but I do not know if it was directly or indirectly related to the surgery or if he had other health issues or if it was blood transfusion related. Still can't be too careful when vetting your surgeon and considering the blood transfusion risks.

 

[Woody]

Never had a torn rotator but I did have a total shoulder separation once. The repair in my case was reasonably simple in comparison but still sling time and important rehab for a while. Good as new when they were done.

 

[jthatcher]

I can however, help you solve the other issue. Over in Japan, back when I was flying, I found these wondrous toilets. I'm sure you can find one and have it shipped over.

View attachment 37922

You won't need to worry about wiping, but I do warn you, after about a half hour of sitting on one of these, you have a hard time getting back up. Also, it is possible to be too clean down there, so don't over do it. Some of the guys I flew with confessed that they spent the whole layover on the toilet for some reason.

And these are much better than the hole in the ground. Never could figure those out.

 

[Sal A]

Good luck with the shoulder.

 

[boltman]

I have full motion in my arm now, it just hurts on my collar bone and shoulder , this is why I'm getting an MRI first to see how bad and my doc does it all arthroscopically no blood lose out patient surgery


Boltman

 

[Do Over]

prepare yourself for the sadist physical therapy technicians.

 

[bmac]

I had the surgery about 15 years ago. My surgeons plan was to do it arthroscpically as well. After going in through the front and then the back he had to do an open cut because there was just too much damage to make a proper repair. I was on the table for 6 1/2 hours, which freaked my wife out because no one came out to tell her what was going on (plan was for me to be under 90 minutes). When I came out from under the anesthesia I felt like my shoulder had been hit by an ICBM. At first even morphine only provided temporary refilef from the pain. That problem diminished every day such that I was off all pain meds in under a week. But, as others have said, 6 weeks in a sling and then months and months of therapy....I was as good as new. At the end, I would say the surgery was worth it but you will have a painful period to get there. Good luck.

I have full motion in my arm now, it just hurts on my collar bone and shoulder , this is why I'm getting an MRI first to see how bad and my doc does it all arthroscopically no blood lose out patient surgery


Boltman

 

[SeaAyeOwe]

Boltman - in 2008 I had to have a rotator cuff op, and a Latarjet. When they were in there they found a detached triceps so they did that as well - I am a career desk Jockey so no excuse but many years of sporting and recreational abuse.

I was really lucky in that I was living in Houston at the time and one of he worlds leading shoulder surgeons was a resident. For me the recovery was miraculous - I flew long haul within two weeks and was playing golf within 5 weeks. I was Stupid - I think I got so carried away with my super human recovery that I got arrogant about the physio ............ GOP TO THE PHYSIO !!

It took me three years to get full rotation back - though I was swinging a club OK - I had adjusted for the lack of mobility and ended up in a holy mess with at least +8 on my handicap from pre-op.

Moral of the story - op was not bad at all, really glad I had it done - but the Physio is what really matters, make friends with those rubber bands they give you ..... and if they ask you to do 5 extensions every hour, do them and do not be as dumb as I was.

Dave

 

[BryanOnTheBay]

Boltman - in 2008 I had to have a rotator cuff op, and a Latarjet. When they were in there they found a detached triceps so they did that as well - I am a career desk Jockey so no excuse but many years of sporting and recreational abuse.

I was really lucky in that I was living in Houston at the time and one of he worlds leading shoulder surgeons was a resident. For me the recovery was miraculous - I flew long haul within two weeks and was playing golf within 5 weeks. I was Stupid - I think I got so carried away with my super human recovery that I got arrogant about the physio ............ GOP TO THE PHYSIO !!

It took me three years to get full rotation back - though I was swinging a club OK - I had adjusted for the lack of mobility and ended up in a holy mess with at least +8 on my handicap from pre-op.

Moral of the story - op was not bad at all, really glad I had it done - but the Physio is what really matters, make friends with those rubber bands they give you ..... and if they ask you to do 5 extensions every hour, do them and do not be as dumb as I was.

Dave

+100

I deal with clients with rotator cuff tears all the time. The biggest impediment to the recovery is adhesive capsulitis, aka frozen shoulder. If you don't keep up with the PT, and you do get it, the fix is to put you BACK under anesthesia, they the strap you to the table, the doctor the takes your arm and wrenches your shoulder lose. Then you immediately go back into PT. it is my understanding that patients have been known to scream under the anesthesia during this procedure. Do your PT.

Bryan

P.S. Do your PT!
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P.P.S. Do your PT!

 

[OldSkool]

Sorry to hear about your upcoming surgery. I'd imagine you'll feel much better once it heals up. I have had two hip replacements, and am on the verge of rupturing both achilles tendons, but have not had rotator cuff surgery, so I can't provide much insight.

I can however, help you solve the other issue. Over in Japan, back when I was flying, I found these wondrous toilets. I'm sure you can find one and have it shipped over.

View attachment 37922

You won't need to worry about wiping, but I do warn you, after about a half hour of sitting on one of these, you have a hard time getting back up. Also, it is possible to be too clean down there, so don't over do it. Some of the guys I flew with confessed that they spent the whole layover on the toilet for some reason.

Scott,
While I was doing a customer clinic for a new machine launch in Korea, we were working in very muddy soil. The apparatus you show became an invaluable boot wash. Took the mud right of the soles. Just needed to flush more oftener. :lol: :lol:

 

[Billfletcher]

Had rotator cuff surgery in 2007. It is a fairly long recovery process. for me, I was allowed to breast stroke at 3 months, swim at 6 months, and light paddling at around 9. Full recovery time is generally a year. Take the PT very seriously and stay on the therabands religiously.

Also, ask for an ice pump for the first few days after surgery. It will pump cold water around the shoulder. Big.

 

[Searaybio270]

Ok - Mine was dislocations and rotator cuff tear.
1973 - Mag Stack repair for dislocations (didn't work very well)
1985 - New procedure for dislocations (1973 to 1985 some 100+ dislocations) Had this one done at West Point by the creator of the procedure.
2000 - Torn rotator cuff full procedure.

I am going in on either 11/21 or 12/19 to have a total shoulder replacement. I am 63 and still very active. Ski (hip replaced in 2011) golf, swim and clean my boat. LOL
I have been looking into stem cell replacement or PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) procedure. This procedure takes your blood, puts it in a centrifuge and then they inject it back into the troubled area. Sports figures have been using it for some time. Kobe Bryant to name at least one. Hospitals in my area UofMaryland Med center, Hopkins etc.
So my advice to you ask them if you are a canidate for this treatment before you go under the knife. I have calls in before I go to surgery which is why I am postponing my surgery until Dec 19th. If there is a chance I can have it I will. The results are in the 90% range and the use of your arm/shoulder/knee/hip/back issues is noticable within a few days. I again this is from the research I have done over the last month of so.
I Googled PRP and this link is just one of many:
https://treatingpain.com/treatment/regenexx-platelet-rich-plasma-prp
Joe

 

[Billfletcher]

Joe, that PRP looks interesting. We are living in a parallel universe when it comes to shoulders. About 7 major dislocations on the port side arm before surgery, and then rotator, impingement, and torn cartilage on the other shoulder. Slide in to home plate with nothing left to give. The only way to go.

 

[230weekenderUSC]

7 shoulder surgeries here since 2006. 4 arthrocopically, 2 open capsular repairs, 1 open latarjet..... Do the therapy! It drove me to go to PT school and get my DPT.