Re: rotator cuff tear

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

The person who gave you that advice was not far off the mark.

An Orthopaedic surgeon specializing in shoulder should be the one giving you an opinion. That said, do you know the extent of your tear? Has it been determined to be small, moderate or severe?

From personal experience, I can tell you that I have two small tears: one in the infraspinatus and one in the supraspinatus. When these tears "kick up," the pain is really pronounced and quite uncomfortable. When I keep up with my shoulder exercise program at home, these bouts of tear pain are very much lessened in number. There have been retrospective studies which prove this to be true. My shoulder doc has stated that I'm definitely not a surgical candidate and I'm glad to hear that.

Rotator cuff surgery is very serious business. Not only is the rehab a long, slow process, but many, many patients end up with frozen shoulder syndrome, which also must be rehabed.

I would encourage you to go online and watch a rotator cuff surgery, paying special attention to the suture technique used. This is one reason why rehab takes as long as it does. Note: Note every surgeon realy has this technique down pat. I've seen this first hand.

You must be thinking, "This lady has to be full of bologna." Well, before I retired a few years ago, I worked at a very large hospital/clinic campus that was also a medical school, complete with Residency programs in 12 surgical disciplines. To that end, we developed comprehensive surgical training courses for each surgical discipline/department, one of which included Orthopaedic Surgery. Hence, a body of knowledge is with me after years of experience with these 12 disciplines, as well as E.D. and additional trauma arenas.

At this point, if you have had an MRI, then you will know the status of your tear or tears and have had a conversation with your Ortho doc. If you've not had an MRI, then you need one. If you've not been referred to an Orthopaedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, find "The Best" in your area. I say this, because the shoulder is a complex joint and not every ortho surgeon is gifted in outcomes when we're talking shoulder surgeries.

All the best to you in your quest to understand and move on.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@sophiamarie wrote:
Has anyone ever had a rotator cuff tear and if so, what is the treatment. I am having a back and forth with someone on another BB, who says that surgery is the last thing she would do. I don't know why she would say that because my neighbor just had the surgery and he is back to normal now.

She says she would do anything else but never have surgery. I would like to hear from others who have had this problem.

@sophiamarie

There are levels of rotator cuff tears. I have had tears in my right cuff twice, in different tissues. My choice for it was Physical Therapy. Went to a PT for 3 weeks where I had different treatments, but mostly which specific exercises to use to strengthen the supporting/surrounding muscles and connective tissues.

I gradually regained my range of motion (not pain free of course), with several times a day exercise routines and using ice pretty much constantly when not exercising. It was probably close to 6+ months before I could throw a ball the same distance as before the tear.

I never have quit doing the exercises and my last tear was about 10 years ago. While it at times feels a little tight, I can't say it ever restricts any range of motion of my arm or shoulder.

Surgery? My Ortho friend, who specializes in shoulders/hips and knees, said most his patients do well with PT, IF they follow through with their Home Therapy Exercises, even after it feels like it has healed. He does surgery on a small minority of his patients.

He advised me to avoid surgery, as in my case, he said it could go either way. Knowing me well, he no doubt of my dedication to recover through PT and working hard at home. That is my experience and comments from a Sports Med Certified Specialist in shoulder injuries.

hckynut(john)

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

I have a torn rotator cuff. I had the MRI and all...when they told me how for 8 weeks I could not use the arm....( my right arm and I am right handed...) I decided to live with the discomfort rather than have surgery. No way!

I am not one afraid of surgery. I have had both hips and both knees replaced. But the thought of being one armed was too much for me.

NeNe1010 · ‎03-26-2010

OK, I know this is going to sound crazy but I had a bad Rotator Cuff tear several years ago. I went to physical therapy etc and it was stil very painful. I had just started getting grandkids and I thought great, I cant even pick them up without shoulder pain. Then I was at a horse show with a friend. We can upon a booth selling Tuning Bracelets. You can read about the claims online. Anyway my friend and I both purchased one and were both laughing about what suckers we were to fall for it but to this day we will neither one ever take our bracelets off. Within about 3 weeks of getting my bracelet my Rotator Cuff was greatly improved and I now have 100% range of motion in my shoulder and no pain. Like I said I know it sounds crazy but just wanted to put it out there. I hope your injury heals soon.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@NeNe1010

Glad this seems to be helping you and your friend with your shoulder(s) issue, one never knows! But, whatever you learned in PT, it might be wise to keep the strengthening exercises in mind.

As in thousands of studies, a placebo works, because a person feels it does. Never heard of "tuning bracelets", but if you feel they work for you, that's all that counts. In many things, people forget that the mind and the body are 1 unit, not competing against each other.

Ever hear anyone say: "I'm going to finish this even if it kills me"? That is one's mind trying to overrule their body. Doesn't always work out well. 1 unit working in unison is by far the best

I personally feel optimism(the mind) is what has got me, and will continue, to get me through whatever life throws my way. Right now I am optimistic about getting over a hurdle in my life, an I am sure my optimism will see me through it.

hckynut(john)

violann · ‎03-10-2010

I had a "severe partial tear" I did 2 months of therapy and had no more pain.

The therapy was mostly strengthening and stretching. The stretching part was painful, but I tolerated all that I possibly could, and it ALWAYS felt better after she had finished the stretching.

The surgeon who had diagnosed my shoulder problem had advised PT first, and I've always been grateful that he was right.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

My DH has had this on both shoulders. No surgery - just rest then PT & they have healed but he has very little strength in either arm now.

dubll2011 · ‎01-25-2011

Had rotator cuffs repaired in 2015. First all 4 on right side then four months later all 4 on my left side. Twelve weeks recovery for each and a total of eleven months of PT. I have torn them again. Not as bad as first time but very upsetting. I am not a candidate for having them repaired again. Only fix is replacing the shoulder joints because the rotators are removed when the shoulders are replaced. Decided I don't want any more surgery if my quality of life is acceptable (I am 72 and have a blood cancer). I started PT last week hoping that will strengthen my arms. Also trying to be aware of what I am doing with my arms. Good luck.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@151949 wrote:
My DH has had this on both shoulders. No surgery - just rest then PT & they have healed but he has very little strength in either arm now.

@151949

Neither my doctor or Physical Therapist said anything to me about rest. It was Exercise for Strength and Flexibility, then, ICE, ICE, and more ICE. Of course the PT started out as pretty much going through the motions, small short stretches, and very little resistance.

If his have healed, why do they say he lost the strength in his arms? The muscles that my exercises isolated in PT, I have continued to do regularly since. They are stronger now than before my injuries. Primarily because I learned how to isolate the main ones, with specificity from my Sports Med Physical Therapist.

Could your DH lack of arm strength be from something other than having injured his rotator cuffs? Arm and leg muscles, without any major underlying causes, usually get weaker because of lack of the use necessary to maintain their strength. I must have missed something here, because I don't get the connection of "being healed and losing the strength in his arms".

hckynut(john)