Rotator Cuff Tear

[RiverDog]

Anybody hear ever have a rotator cuff repaired? I see a surgeon tomorrow to set up a time to get it fixed. How long till it will be usable. I know people heal differently, I just need an idea on time. Two weeks, a month, forever?

 

[bignateyk]

It all depends on the person. I had a tear about 9 months ago, and chose to go without surgery for it. Took about 6 months of rehab before I could start lifting again, and even now it still isn't 100% (I doubt it ever will be).

I don't think i'll ever be able to do dips or barbell bench press again (I can do dumbell because I can drop my right shoulder as i'm performing the motion so it doesnt pop my shoulder)

Good luck. Just don't expect it to be a quick fix.

 

[911paramedic]

Depends on the extend and how they repair it.

But count on it being REALLY tight at first, and lots of physical therapy to get your range of motion back. I can't give you a time frame because I've had 5 surgeries on my R shoulder, all were different lengths of time. (multi-directional instability, got front/right/bottom worked on, and my teres minor muscle repositioned.) That was 17-18 years ago, felt great ever since... but those three(?) years hurt like a mofo.

 

[jandrews]

did you injure it dunking a basketball or is it the old people version of getting out the car too fast

 

[rudder]

I had a full tear in my right shoulder... twice. It would have never healed on its own so I had to have surgery to repair several tears both times.

The surgery is not bad... I went to The shoulder doc

He has a twenty minute procedure normally. My tears were more numerous so it tool a little longer. But don't plan on doing anything significant for 6-12 months afterwards. You will not be able to drive for at least 3 weeks after so be prepared for that. Also have a nice recliner you can sleep in. It will be some time before you can lay on your back.

Other than that.. make sure you stick with your physical therapy and when the doc says keep that arm immobile... do it.

Lortab will be your trusty companion. Make sure the doc is a good one and tapers you off.

btw... my last surgery was in January and it still hurts.

EDIT: and one more thing... see an good orthopaedic surgeon... not just a general surgeon. My sister and law had a rotator cuff repair done and now has a 3 inch scar on her shuolder. I've got 4 small spots even after two surgeries and it is hard to see the scars. She may have seen an orthopaedic surgeon... but he did not know what he was doing.

 

[JF060392]

same problem with me im currently in physical therapy though

 

[GenHoth]

Originally posted by: rudder

EDIT: and one more thing... see an good orthopaedic surgeon... not just a general surgeon. My sister and law had a rotator cuff repair done and now has a 3 inch scar on her shuolder. I've got 4 small spots even after two surgeries and it is hard to see the scars. She may have seen an orthopaedic surgeon... but he did not know what he was doing.

 

[ognabor]

mine healed on its own, but it was so long ago i dont really remember how bad it was to begin with. definitely do go to a specialist though, if you go for surgery.

 

[RiverDog]

Originally posted by: jandrews
did you injure it dunking a basketball or is it the old people version of getting out the car too fast

Na, a couple of (er.. 6) Ninjas attacked me after pulling four people from a well on my way to play tackle football with some 18 year old weightlifters. I was able to beat off all 8 of them but the 9th one threw a puppy and when I jumped over the burning car to save it I think that?s when I screwed up the arm?. Or it might have something to due with age. :laugh:

 

[RiverDog]

 

[RiverDog]

Originally posted by: rudder
I had a full tear in my right shoulder... twice. It would have never healed on its own so I had to have surgery to repair several tears both times.

The surgery is not bad... I went to The shoulder doc

He has a twenty minute procedure normally. My tears were more numerous so it tool a little longer. But don't plan on doing anything significant for 6-12 months afterwards. You will not be able to drive for at least 3 weeks after so be prepared for that. Also have a nice recliner you can sleep in. It will be some time before you can lay on your back.

Other than that.. make sure you stick with your physical therapy and when the doc says keep that arm immobile... do it.

Lortab will be your trusty companion. Make sure the doc is a good one and tapers you off.

btw... my last surgery was in January and it still hurts.

EDIT: and one more thing... see an good orthopaedic surgeon... not just a general surgeon. My sister and law had a rotator cuff repair done and now has a 3 inch scar on her shuolder. I've got 4 small spots even after two surgeries and it is hard to see the scars. She may have seen an orthopaedic surgeon... but he did not know what he was doing.

The doc confirmed everything you said. I get the surgery on Monday. He said 8-9 months before it's back to full use. I hope this guy is good, just moved to the area and didn't even know where the hospital was. This will be a big PITA along with the shoulder. I bought a nearly 200 year old farmhouse and there is a TON of stuff that needs done. I hate the thought of just setting there!

 

[waggy]

oh man that sucks.

shoulder surgery should be the last option!

 

[James Bond]

Mine is hurt, but it's not too bad. I have full use of my arm, but I can't really throw with it anymore... If I throw a football or baseball more than 5 or 10 times I can start to feel it get painful, and if I continue, then the next day is very bad one.

 

[RiverDog]

Originally posted by: Tizyler
Mine is hurt, but it's not too bad. I have full use of my arm, but I can't really throw with it anymore... If I throw a football or baseball more than 5 or 10 times I can start to feel it get painful, and if I continue, then the next day is very bad one.

I don't really know when the problem started. I noticed if I tried to do anything that required raising my arm, it hurt. They said three of the four tendons (or whatever they are called) are damaged. It seems that every time I learn a new medical term, it hurts and costs me money!!! Todays word is Rotator Cuff :Q

 

[slimrhcp]

HGH is your friend in this situation.

 

[RiverDog]

Originally posted by: slimrhcp
HGH is your friend in this situation.

:beer: :beer: :beer:

 

[malbojah]

Look at it like this: Pedro Martinez went on for surgery last October and is only now coming back to pitch.

 

[FP]

I had a similar injury and opt'd for PT instead of surgery.

Took me 2 years to get back to full strength at the gym. I no longer have any problems with any exercise and can do bar dips without any problem. In fact, my shoulders/delts are stronger than they have ever been because I have kept doing the PT exercises at the gym.

Prior to PT I couldn't raise my arm above shoulder level at all and getting it to shoulder level was intense pain.

 

[slsmnaz]

The rehab looks painful too. I was in therapy with some people recovering from shoulder surgery and it looked harder than my knee. Of course YMMV but it took me 5 months and they weren't sone yet.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: RiverDog
Anybody hear ever have a rotator cuff repaired? I see a surgeon tomorrow to set up a time to get it fixed. How long till it will be usable. I know people heal differently, I just need an idea on time. Two weeks, a month, forever?

My brother has had both repaired. The second one was done orthroscopecly (sp?) and repaired much faster and much more effectively than the first one.

I have a full thickness tear of my supraspenitis (sp?) and decided not to repair it because I have two young children and didn't want to forgo lifting them up for months.

 

[Liviathan]

I have a torn labrum. Waiting on my second opinion, but most likely I will have surgery for it. I've had shoulder issues for a while and PT helped, but then the pain would just come back. Kinda at the end of my rope pain wise...and not being able to play all sports because of fear of pain sucks.

So hopefully it won't be too bad, can do the PT for however long and then be 100%.

Just told my flag football friends that I'm on IR.