topic Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep in Wellness

Torn rotator cuff and bicep

CalminHeart — Mon, 30 May 2022 11:37:26 GMT

Has anyone had experience letting a torn rotator cuff and a torn bicep heal on their own? How long does it take?

I went to an orthopedic surgeon and he said it can't be fixed with surgery because of the arthritis in my shoulder joint. He gave me a cortizone shot which helped some. Insurance says I am not bad enough for shoulder replacement. The pain is sometimes unbearable.

I love to work outside in the summer. I like endorphine boost and I can totally zone out of the world. I traded my 1 yr old mower (can't pull start it) for a button start mower. I buy from a small business so they know me well. My snowblower has an electric start, thank goodness.

I am going to keep trying but know I have to stop when it starts hurting because it'll get worse fast.

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

Harpa — Mon, 30 May 2022 11:57:55 GMT

@CalminHeart

So sorry about your rotator cuff!

This may or may not help....maybe with the bicep, maybe with the tear. Try massaging in arnica gel (I think it is more effective than a cream).

I thought I had torn rotator....actually could not pinpoint the hurt, since it seemed to travel. This was a couple years ago when I overdid heavy lifting. The only thing that relieved any and all discomfort was daily use of arnica. You want to increase blood flow to the area [for healing], and you get that with the massaging action, along with the healing of arnica.

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

gizmogal — Mon, 30 May 2022 12:05:42 GMT

I'd get a second opinion from a different surgeon in a different practice, if it is a medical group you use.

One professional opinion dooming you to pain with limited or lengthy healing may not be definitive. If another orthopedic surgeon takes your shoulder arthritis into account and also rules out surgery, then you should be more convinced and reconciled to your limitations.

It is now getting more common to have the shoulder replaced instead of repaired for cases like yours. Have you consulted an orthopedic specialist about that possibility?

If you're anywhere near NYC, consider making an appointment to consult with a shoulder specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Their experience and expertise in joint care (and replacement) is nearly unmatched in the United States.

Sounds like you're very admirably doing the best you can with the advice of one doctor. Try to confirm the circumstances for surgery to repair or replace your shoulder to help you come to terms with this as a chronic condition or to decide on a new course of action.

Wishing you comfort so you can remain active.

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

pigletsmom — Mon, 30 May 2022 12:23:48 GMT

I'd agree with a second opinion. I don't think I'm at a point of a tear but both sides get strained and the pain can be unreal and I don't think you should have to live with the really terrible pain like that. If you are expected to just rest it they should at least be giving you good guidance on how to do that. I know since mine comes and goes it's the little things you don't think about that can set it off, so I'd assume all of those little things need to be avoided for healing.

I have to say I started taking Osteo bi flex, the one a day, and I haven't had a big flare since, but I'm not sure if it's related. I still get the early pain once in a while but it doesn't turn into more. Not being able to sleep or lie down is the worst.

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

NicksmomESQ — Mon, 30 May 2022 14:04:46 GMT

@CalminHeart I tore my rotator cuff last Summer.The pain was terrible. My orthopedist sent me for physical therapy. It has made a huge difference. I'm about 85-90% better.

I regained close to my full range of motion. I still have some pain at certain movements but nothing like before. I've been off anti inflammatories & muscle relaxers for several months.

Twelve weeks of PT along with diligently doing my home exercises is what helped me.I still keep up with the home exercises because I'm hoping to get back to where I was prior to my injury.

You should definitely seek out a second opinion & inquire about PT. Good luck!!

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

Shelbelle — Mon, 30 May 2022 14:36:23 GMT

Time for a second opinion!! make sure you see an ortho doc who specializes in shoulders.

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

kristina1 — Mon, 30 May 2022 14:46:48 GMT

Exactly!

Get another opinion. They can differ greatly. You want to be able to have choices.

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

kare29 — Mon, 30 May 2022 15:10:21 GMT

I also had a small tear at the top of my right shoulder that happened from over doing it with heavy house cleaning etc. That was when I learned to slow down a bit. I think lifting the frozen 18 lb Thanksgiving turkey did me in. The orthopedic surgeon wanted to operate but luckily for me this was during the holidays so it would not have happened for several weeks. By Christmas I was greatly improved because I was still able to hostess the day.

As for the pain, I was given a prescription for Lidocaine patches that I would put on the shoulder at night which helped me sleep. I had even tried Oxycontin that I had had from a previous surgery and they did not budge the pain. During the day I could manage with Tylenol and or Advil.

This was a good 10 to 12 years ago and I do feel like I am fine now but for a long time after I was very careful lifting anything heavy especially over my head

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

ellaphant — Mon, 30 May 2022 15:36:06 GMT

I'm so sorry that sounds terrible. I had a torn bicep and luckily after 2 cortisone shots it healed on its own.

I would definitely get a 2nd opinion with a shoulder specialist.

One thing that helped me a bit was to keep my arm resting on a pillow.

Best of luck!

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

Growing — Mon, 30 May 2022 16:00:22 GMT

I had the shoulder surgery on 12/31. Mine did not fix itself after six months of terrible pain. I had three tendon tears but they only fixed the long head bicep tendon.Plus a lot of arthritis issues in the joint, too numerous to mention but they surgically worked on that, too. It is a long recovery. The first 12 weeks are bad, you can't lift or carry anything. The second 12 weeks are rehab. I am not at full recovery yet. A whole lot better but certain motions still cause pain and I am still going to PT. They take the tendon and cut it and restitch the tendon into the bone for the biceps tendon.

Find a surgeon that is up to date. I can still feel where the tendon is stitched into the bone, but I have a top notch shoulder only surgeon. Replacement is not the needed surgery because your tendons need to be repaired. They do not repair all tears depending on the size. My rotator cuff tendon is fine but was impinged by bone spurs which they removed.

It is a painful painful surgery, not going to lie. You will need help to bathe and cook as the surgury arm is not to be used for a while. You have to sleep sitting up in a recliner so as not to move on that shoulder. But what else are you going to do? If you have waited six months and done conservative treatment and are not better, then do you want to live in this horrible pain forever. My pain is much less now six months after surgery but it is tough road. I still can not wear a bra although I am finding racer back bras are slightly okay.

Also, you should have had an MRI and you can get that written report and read it. My MRI said the two other tendon tears were very minor. So when they only fixed the long head tendon of my bicep I was comfortable with that. Will I ever be back to 100%, no I think the honest answer is just no.

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

mac116 — Mon, 30 May 2022 16:03:19 GMT

@NicksmomESQ:

I had a dislocated shoulder and torn rotator cuff. Surgery was not recommended until 6-8 week course of PT was tried. The PT worked well for me. I was faithful to the sessions AND home exercises.

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

TwinkleBell — Mon, 30 May 2022 21:58:38 GMT

@CalminHeart wrote:
Has anyone had experience letting a torn rotator cuff and a torn bicep heal on their own? How long does it take?

I went to an orthopedic surgeon and he said it can't be fixed with surgery because of the arthritis in my shoulder joint. He gave me a cortizone shot which helped some. Insurance says I am not bad enough for shoulder replacement. The pain is sometimes unbearable.

I love to work outside in the summer. I like endorphine boost and I can totally zone out of the world. I traded my 1 yr old mower (can't pull start it) for a button start mower. I buy from a small business so they know me well. My snowblower has an electric start, thank goodness.

I am going to keep trying but know I have to stop when it starts hurting because it'll get worse fast.

~~~~~~~~~~

@CalminHeart .. so sad to hear of this awful pain you're in..

(I have a "torn rotator cuff" also & !! IT SUCKS !!

..... ** HURTS LIKE HELL**

........... I FEEL YR PAIN!!!!

Recovery from surgery repair to "torn rotator cuff" is a long haul. ask the doc abt it.

# 1) And while you're considering other suggestions here on chat,

.. (ex: 2nd opinion, or phys therapy)...

# 2) In the meantime, I've been helped (temporarily) with:

--> "SALONPAS"--> * "JET SPRAY"<-- (specifically*) **

. . . . . . . .(in the skinny, blue foil can)

.... aim it right at that hurt'n "rotator cuff" .. let it fully dry

# 3) If "yr posture" aggravates the "rotator cuff pain,"

. . . . consider some kind of "brace" or wrap,

that the --> PT, or (shoulder) Orth Doc Specialist <--specifically recommend.

...(If you rely only on yr choice, you cld do even more damage.)

@CalminHeart

PLEAZZZZ... let us know of yr progress, cause sometimes, .. many times, "trusted friends," can be a great "double check," & can alert "danger spots," .... or, if something doesnt make sense..

. . . . AND "trusted friends" LOVE & SUPPORT their beloved ("patient") friend!! We dont want our friends to be in pain! .. or made worse!

It's darn near IMPOSSIBLE, for *one person*

. . . to be *BOTH* "the patient".. *AND*

. . . to be one's OWN "PATIENT ADVOCATE".. both!

Rely on "trusted friends"

- to take some of the "heat off" ya,

- after all, YOU are patient!

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

CalminHeart — Tue, 31 May 2022 11:44:07 GMT

@gizmogal wrote:
I'd get a second opinion from a different surgeon in a different practice, if it is a medical group you use.

One professional opinion dooming you to pain with limited or lengthy healing may not be definitive. If another orthopedic surgeon takes your shoulder arthritis into account and also rules out surgery, then you should be more convinced and reconciled to your limitations.

It is now getting more common to have the shoulder replaced instead of repaired for cases like yours. Have you consulted an orthopedic specialist about that possibility?

If you're anywhere near NYC, consider making an appointment to consult with a shoulder specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Their experience and expertise in joint care (and replacement) is nearly unmatched in the United States.

Sounds like you're very admirably doing the best you can with the advice of one doctor. Try to confirm the circumstances for surgery to repair or replace your shoulder to help you come to terms with this as a chronic condition or to decide on a new course of action.

Wishing you comfort so you can remain active.

I got a second opinion in April. He said the same thing. My arthritis would make it nearly impossible to sucessfully fix these with surgery.

I still try to do things a 30 yr old would do. My injury was caused by hauling heavy furniture upstairs and outside to be picked up by a charity. I need to remember I'm 68 more often.

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

CalminHeart — Tue, 31 May 2022 11:48:10 GMT

@Growing wrote:

Also, you should have had an MRI and you can get that written report and read it. My MRI said the two other tendon tears were very minor. So when they only fixed the long head tendon of my bicep I was comfortable with that. Will I ever be back to 100%, no I think the honest answer is just no.

I have a copy of my MRI report. It's not pretty. They found so much arthritis in my shoulder too.

The cortizone shot has helped but it's certainly nowhere near normal yet.

On the plus side, after 5 months, I can often hook my bra in the back again. Yea!

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

Boomernichols — Tue, 31 May 2022 21:18:35 GMT

@CalminHeart Please seek out a second opinion for your rotator cuff. My mother fell and broke her leg, arm and tore her roator all in the same night. The ortho surgeon only fixed the weight bearing limb(leg) due to her heart and only one functioning kidney. My mother never was able to sleep in her own bed again. When she would try to lie down, she was in too much pain and slept in a recliner with her oxygen Do not place limits on your physical being and take care!

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

CalminHeart — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 11:13:42 GMT

@Boomernichols wrote:
@CalminHeart Please seek out a second opinion for your rotator cuff. My mother fell and broke her leg, arm and tore her roator all in the same night. The ortho surgeon only fixed the weight bearing limb(leg) due to her heart and only one functioning kidney. My mother never was able to sleep in her own bed again. When she would try to lie down, she was in too much pain and slept in a recliner with her oxygen Do not place limits on your physical being and take care!

I've seen 2 orthopedic surgeons from 2 different practices. They said the same things.

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

Growing — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 16:46:40 GMT

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

Growing — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 16:50:12 GMT

@CalminHeart wrote:
I've seen 2 orthopedic surgeons from 2 different practices. They said the same things.

How are you doing this week? I am at 5 months out, not six as I was thinking. Ha! Life goes so fast. I have better range of motion and less pain but I know have a radial nerve issue so PT gave me different exercises. I had no pain yesterday until I went to PT. I think I am glad I had this surgery and repair but I'll tell you what, it has been a long and bad year with my tendon tears and shoulder arthritis. My shoulder joint still hurts at times where they "fixed" some of it and removed bone spurs etc. Voltarin helps some, and doctor/surgeon said just use heat not ice at this point. I wish you well and hope you find a way to recover quicker than myself. I am not doing my PT exercises like they want but I am busy with other stuff that exercises my arm and shoulder like just going to the grocery store. That is a nightmare still.

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

fbm8282lsm — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 22:46:41 GMT

I am 6 weeks out from rotator cuff surgery, bone spur, and frayed bicep. It's a long process, I am out of my sling except for distance walking and sleeping. I was told by 2 different orthopedic surgeons that my best option was this surgery or may need a total replacement down the road. I am 65 , excellent health and an avid hiker.

It's a hard, painful process but I'm making progress but very slow.

Re: Torn rotator cuff and bicep

violann — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 21:40:17 GMT

I absolutely benefited from physical therapy. It wasn't easy or fun, but I needed no surgery and the improvement has lasted for almost 20 years.