Torn Rotator Cuff

[dart4forte]

Yes, well adding insult to injury I have been diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff. As some of you remember I had a major medical event back in February. I ended up falling hitting my head and right shoulder. After I got out of ICU I complained about my arm. I had a bunch of blood clots in the right arm and I could barely raise it. Thought it may have to do with the strokes.

Anyway start 12 weeks of therapy. We haven’t discussed surgery. Although I’m now walking still a little weak in my lower leg don’t quite at 100%. Anyone experie the surgery involved?

 

[ProjectBazza]

Anyway start 12 weeks of therapy. We haven’t discussed surgery. Although I’m now walking still a little weak in my lower leg don’t quite at 100%. Anyone experie the surgery involved?

Not me personally, but my brother (he was a tile guy) tore both of his shoulders, and based on what he's gone through, I sure hope the therapy works for you.

Good luck!

 

[tinman2]

I have. Surgery was in Oct 2018 just before I turned 63. I had already gone through a couple rounds of physical therapy. At rest, I felt zero pain but, there were certain movements that hurt quite a bit. Then they did an MRI and said I had a one inch full thickness tear across the top of my right shoulder. It wasn't going to fix itself.
The surgeon said he would make 3 small incisions to stitch it back together. After the bandages came off, I found out I had 8 incisions. He sad when he tried to stitch it back together, the sutures would pull out. Soooo..... he anchored it to my arm bone but, to do that (He called it Biceps Tendonesis (not to be confused with tendonitis)) he had to cut my biceps tendon from my shoulder and anchor it to the front of my arm bone. So my biceps muscle was now way down towards my elbow (looks strange).
They sent a chair with a motorized arm rest to move my arm up and down so it wouldn't get stiff. My shoulder was so weak, I couldn't lift my arm. About 8-10 weeks later, I started physical therapy again. For a while, at PT, I couldn't move a coffee cup from the countertop to the upper cabinet.
I don't remember how long the PT lasted this time but, there must have been a goal set by my company or workman's comp. On the last day of PT, I got the head guy. He had a chart in his hand and said "Let's see... you did the 80 lb lift and the 80 lb carry. Looks like you're good to go." No way. I struggled to carry 40 lbs. Then he said "You did it. It's documented. End of discussion." BS. He was out of his mind.
So... if you are in a similar situation as me, I suggest asking plenty of questions to the surgeon about outcomes if things don't go as planned. Pay attention and document everything. Same with PT. Document your progress.
It took me about 2 years to reach my peak strength which was still much less than before this all happened.

 

[68gtxman]

I tore mine about 20 years ago. The ortho guy said PT would not repair the tear (of course). Two cortisone injections helped a little with the pain. It took about five years for the pain to become just background noise. The doc said that there was a 50-50 chance that surgery would make the pain worse or better, so he did not recommend it. I do OK now, unless I lift something like 40 pounds with my right arm. Then, it will hurt for about 6 months. Good luck with your injury @dart4forte

 

[MMissile]

That sucks. I've lived with both torn cuffs, since the late 80's. After many years, The pain isn't really there...unless I work overhead. Then they still ache for a week.
I didn't sleep well for years, because of their pain.

 

[Quantum53]

About 5 yrs ago, middle of Dec. went out to help wife carry groceries into house. Didn't think the steps (concrete) were icy, they looked dry. Right foot out from under me and down on my right shoulder. Just missed hitting my head, or I wouldn't be relaying this. Jumped up and finished the chore. Next morning couldn't hardly move my arm. Into the hospital. X-rays. It's not broken, were going to put you in a sling and send x-rays to doctor. Sling lasted about 30 mins. I could move but with some pain. Went to doctor, 2mm tear, recommended surgery and sent me for a consul. Assistant came in and had me do some movements. You need surgery. I asked am I going to be able to raise my arm like my left. No, you'll never be completely healed up and won't be able to raise your arm very high. F... this. If I'm not going to improve, this ole boy ain't getting cut. I went for MRI, same conclusion. We have a Tens machine. I strapped the pads to my shoulder and cranked it up as high as I could stand. When taking a shower I would stand with my shoulder under the head and let hot water (as hot as I could stand), run over it while raising and lowering my arm. Then I would switch to cold. I would go to the basement and get a block of wood and drive 16p nails. I would pick up a brick and raise and lower my arm. Eventually going to several bricks and then 4" blocks. Go to the garage and tighten something up with air gun, then take a flex bar and break it loose. 5 yrs. later it's not perfect, get up close and it sounds like a broken ratchet, but the only time it bothers me is holding something overhead for extended period of time (plywood). My wife gave me hell for not getting it done. She had hers done and miraculously, hers worked. I have a good friend who had it done 3 times and he still can't get his arm above mid chest. My theory, "What would the mountain man had done? He would have worked it out on his own. Good luck with what ever you decide. Q

 

[ProjectBazza]

About 5 yrs ago, middle of Dec. went out to help wife carry groceries into house. Didn't think the steps (concrete) were icy, they looked dry. Right foot out from under me and down on my right shoulder. Just missed hitting my head, or I wouldn't be relaying this. Jumped up and finished the chore. Next morning couldn't hardly move my arm. Into the hospital. X-rays. It's not broken, were going to put you in a sling and send x-rays to doctor. Sling lasted about 30 mins. I could move but with some pain. Went to doctor, 2mm tear, recommended surgery and sent me for a consul. Assistant came in and had me do some movements. You need surgery. I asked am I going to be able to raise my arm like my left. No, you'll never be completely healed up and won't be able to raise your arm very high.

Sounds like my brother. He can't lift a gallon of milk up to the top shelf of the refrigerator with either arm.

 

[tom999w]

My torn rotator cuff took 8 months to heal. Then it was good for a month until I ripped it again hiking down a steep hill. But the good thing is that it healed much faster the second time around. It also healed faster once I changed computer mouse arms with the other non-hurt arm.

My young doctor also requested therapy and an operation, but he was immediately dismissed as a clown and lost all my trust as soon as I saw him and his assistant "confirming" the injury on Google.

 

[jos51700]

There's a few different ways to hurt your rotator cuffs, but a guy at work had one done in July, the other done in December, and he's no worse for wear at this point. He's sixty and kicks along pretty good.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Kitty's had both of hers done. She's real glad she did, to.

 

[67Dart273]

I wish you all well. I tore both mine up in separate falls over 15 years ago. I've never had surgery and likely never will. I have learned to be careful. I cannot effectively swing a hammer, and one of the worst things I can pick up are those damned little tiny gas weedeater engines with the tiny pulleys and recoil starters. When they fire and jerk it just KILLS me.

I am 77, and just try to be careful.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I wish you all well. I tore both mine up in separate falls over 15 years ago. I've never had surgery and likely never will. I have learned to be careful. I cannot effectively swing a hammer, and one of the worst things I can pick up are those damned little tiny gas weedeater engines with the tiny pulleys and recoil starters. When they fire and jerk it just KILLS me.

I am 77, and just try to be careful.

https://www.amazon.com/LawnMaster-NPTGCP2517B-No-Pull-Trimmer-Electric/dp/B09129YL95?tag=fabo03-20

 

[Demonx2]

I've lived with a right shoulder tear for 25 years and for 20 years on the left. Each tome, the surgeon recommended therapy and home exercises with those big rubber bands. I followed everything to a 'T' and it really did help.

BUT...both shoulders cause me a lot of pain. I have to be sure to only lift things in FRONT of me. Off to the side or behind...forget it. Sharp pain will be there for 2-3 weeks. Reach in the back seat while driving? Are you outa your mind!!! Lift a gallon of milk to a top shelf on a side by side fridge...don't even think about it!!

That being said, I wish now I had insisted on the surgery. I have 2 friends in their 60's who recently had it done and both took about 8 months for a full recovery. Meaning they can now do what they want, but with a bit more caution. And generally pain-free.