Wellness

[mac116]

@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.

[TwinkleBell]

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@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. 

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@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!

[CalminHeart]

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@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. 

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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.

[CalminHeart]

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@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. 

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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!

[Boomernichols]

@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!

[CalminHeart]

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@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!

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

[Growing]

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@CalminHeart wrote:

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

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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. 

[fbm8282lsm]

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.

[violann]

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.