20 y/o spirit, 40 y/o body...

[gobbler]

Went camping/boating/skiing over the weekend w/ family and friends and tore my rotator cuff while riding on one of those stupid tubes. Dr confirmed the tear but I still need an MRI to see how much damage. According to doc, surgery is likely.

Anyone ever done this, if so, how long was your recovery.

Jim

 

[brewerbob]

Jim:
I tore the rotator cuff in my right shoulder about 12 years ago using a post hole digger. I worked in an office at the time, and didn't normally do heavy manual work. I took Volterin for about a year but the pain eventually went away. Now that I've retired and have a much more active lifestyle, my shoulder started hurting me again last year. I went back to the orthopod and he did surgery last November. In addition to the cuff, I had some other problems, frayed tendon on my bicep and what they call impingement. The fix was a reconstruction of the shoulder. I did 3 months of physical therapy. I'm back to normal now, and have a full, painless range of motion in the shoulder. The one thing I would stress to you is to do your physical therapy religiously and also the exercises they give you. Your recovery will probably be shorter than mine. Good luck to you!
Bob

 

[cowboydoc]

I do them all the time and for the typical person it's usually a year of recovery. I can't stress enough how important it is to follow exactly what your doctor says and follow through with all of your therapy. The therapy is just as or more important than the surgery to prevent having problems later on in life. Don't try and do too much too soon for sure even if it may be pain-free.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Sorry to hear about your injury. Get well soon.

 

[Ozarker]

Ditto what Cowboydoc said. Follow doctors orders.

I have never had that particular injury by my neighbors kid did when he was about 19. He blew it off and didn't follow through with the therapy. Ten years later he had to have it fixed again because it didn't heal right.

Now he can't work at anything that requires heavy labor and all he knows how to do is construction work. Needless to say he doesn't get much work.

Of course I can't say how much of that is due to nobody hiring him or his not wanting to work.

 

[Tractorgirl]

Several close friends and acquintances have had rotator cuff surgery. Much of the recovery time is dependent on the size of the tear. Generally, within six weeks the dr. should release you to light duty work (20 lbs or less). Over the year, you'll probably experience some tenderness around the incision area. Most folks will fully recover between 9-12 months. Following surgery, be assured the dr. will prescribe p.t. for a few weeks. Overall, I've seen folks recover well from the surgery.

Best Wishes!

 

[Boondox]

<font color=blue>the dr. will prescribe p.t. for a few weeks</font color=blue>

And as uncomfortable as they might be, DO THE EXERCISES!

Pete (who walks without a limp after having a leg shredded by shrapnel...because of the great physical therapy he got!)

 

[dmccarty]

gobbler,

In case you did not get the message yet, don't forget to
follow through on your PT! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

My grandfather had BOTH of his knees replaced years ago.
He did not like to do the PT. As a result he never got the
full range of motion he should have and he walks with a
wobble. He has very poor balence. I really don't know why
he bothered with the surgery in the first place given the
results.... All he had to do was the PT but he did not like
the discomfort... So know he wombles around the house and
he can't walk for long. Its a vicious circle.

Sorry to hear about the injury.

Good Luck,
Dan McCarty

 

[Mrwurm]

"20 y/o spirit, 40 y/o body"

James, boy can I relate to that. I am nearly 40 and have a few more body aches than I care to admit. Funny thing is, I still think of myself as I did when I was a teenager. I am often baffled by the image in the mirror.

On a positive note... Last weekend I crashed my bicycle into a ditch and flipped over the handlebars. I emerged with no broken bones or bruises. I have no idea how I got so lucky on that one.

 

[gobbler]

Thanks for all the encouragement and will I ever follow thru on all the PT. Even though I'm 40, I still have 2 young kids (7 and 8) at home and I've been real involved with their activities. Coach both baseball and soccer.

Dr. called last night and has me scheduled for the MRI today. Would like to get this thing over with 'caus sleeping has been a bear.

Jim