Rotator Cuff Surgery?

[QRTRHRS]

Bird, I read through all the threads, thanks. And thanks to all who replied. I was told maybe six years ago or so that only surgery would fix me up. Therapy would only be temporary. I know what I need to do therapy wise having been through menicus surgery on my knee. I just have to get a few ducks in a row to cover what disability will not then set a date.

I don't really even know when I did the damage. After 20 years in semi-conductor work, I got laid off so I went back to driving truck. I figure I did it doing a delivery. I only noticed my arm going numb when I did a lot of shifting. I got off the driving and I was good for a few years but now it's back and I am losing motion.

Sometimes getting old just "ain't" no fun.

 

[MossRoad]

went to see a doc. at the V.A. yesterday and he scheduled me for a new hip in June.Not looking foward to it but am tired of the pain.Bad knees too but the hip is worse.too many jumps out of airplanes,too many miles running and old age all caught up to me.the doc. said I can't run no more so I gotta figgur someway else to exercise. russ

Get a bike. My father in law is 83 and rides a stationary bike for an hour each day. After an hour, he then rides until a car goes past his house. Sometimes he's on that thing for three hours! :laughing:

This year for father's day we got him a real bike. It is a simple one speed coaster brake bike with wide handle bars and fat tires. He rides that about 13 miles a day around the neighborhoods, then comes home and rides the stationary bike some more.

He has had knee replacement. Before that, he walked for a couple hours each day. He likes the bike a lot better and says it helps to loosen up his knees.

He's a tough old dude! :thumbsup:

 

[forester2]

Your base question was how long you'll be laid up. Two years ago, I had rotator, bursitous removed and a torn muscle repaired in late Dec. Was able to play softball that summer (careful not to over throw though). Key was to do the streching and exercises right from the beginning. It's important to go as far as the doc says you can safely. If you don't work through the initial discomfort to get full mobility back quickly you risk never getting it back.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Your base question was how long you'll be laid up. Two years ago, I had rotator, bursitous removed and a torn muscle repaired in late Dec. Was able to play softball that summer (careful not to over throw though). Key was to do the streching and exercises right from the beginning. It's important to go as far as the doc says you can safely. If you don't work through the initial discomfort to get full mobility back quickly you risk never getting it back.

I can disipline myself to do the work I will need to do. When I had knee surgery, the projection was 10 weeks, it took me seven to get the okay to return to work. Back when I was getting diagnosed, the projection was four months of downtime. Having relocated since then, I need to find a surgeon and meet with the therapists and all of that.

Did you have your arm imobilized? Excepting the pain and limited range of motion, what was your progression as far as range of movement, being able to pick something up, such as even a cup of coffee, etc?

 

[coobie]

Been thinking about biting the bullet and getting my shoulder repaired. I am concerned about the downtime both short term and long. By short term I mean being able to toss a bale of hay down from the mow, etc. with my good arm of course. My insurance is going up from 30 bucks a specialist visit to 40 in 2011. Think the doctors will allow me one visit a week if I work it out on my own? No way I want to go the usual three times a week at 40/per. I have been through knee surgery under workmans comp and they let me go with once a week when they saw I was doing good by myself. Any hints on what will help me recover? Thanks.

Had my left shoulder done about 5 years ago,still doing good.coobie

 

[nue2farm]

My right rotator cuff repair was in March of this year. My arm was immoblized for a month or six weeks. It was two months before I could lift anything. PT lasted four months. Keep up the PT forever it seems. It may take a year or so to get back to "normal", whatever that is... . Good luck

 

[jwatt51]

It was good to see so many responses on this.I too am going in for rotor cuff surgery on Jan.5th.I had a knee replacement last year and was also told that the PT was the biggest part of the recovery and followed everything they said to do and it worked out great.

 

[Redbug]

I have had a torn rotator cuff. It ain't fun. If you have the choice between surgery or therapy...I recommend doing the physical therapy first. It takes a long time to recover fully after surgery...which also includes a lot of the same physical therapy. They told me it could be maybe 9 months or more for a full recovery after the surgery. I decided to go the physical therapy route instead of the surgery.

I have to admit that I felt at first that physical therapy was quack medicine. But, I was wrong. I stuck to the schedule I was given and was back to 100% in about 6 months. It was a cheaper and a faster recovery for me.

I now have a torn rotator cuff on the other shoulder, now. Since I know the symptoms and the exercises, from going thru it before, I am doing my own physical therapy sessions with bungee cords, weights, etc., in my workshop. It may not be as fun in the workshop since the therapy center has some fine looking scenery...instead of grimey old tools. However...It is working and I am recovering on that side, now. I guess I should have seen the doctor and had the MRI's and all that to make sure, but I am more of a do it yourselfer...and decided to give it a whack. I do admit the cortazone shots helped a lot during the first rotator cuff tear, so I am going slower at first without them on this second shoulder.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I am about due for some bloodwork and a physical anyway. I guess I will set that up for early Jan and get some referrals from my doctor, go for a fresh MRI and a fresh opinion or two. Guess this means I have to clean up my rec room and set up my exercise equipment that has been buried in a sea of boxes since I moved nearly three years ago, lol!

Besides the rubber bands, is their any particular type of equipment that would come in handy like a Bowflex or a multi-station workout machine of some sort? I only have a bench, some dumbells, a Nordic Trak, stationary bike, an a Step. Used to do a lot of anerobics.

 

[jwatt51]

I HAD MY ROTOR CUFF SURGERY DONE THIS MORNING AT 7AM. THE NERVE BLOCK IS JUST STARTING TO WEAR OFF NOW AT 10PM,BUT I HAVE BEEN TAKING MY PERCOCET AND TOOK AN OXYCOTIN AT AROUND 5,SO I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PAIN YET. THEY HAD TO REMOVE BONE SPURS AND DO A COMPRESSION AND SHAVE DOWN SOME BONE IN THERE.THE TEAR WAS LARGER THAB WHAT WAS SHOWN ON THE MRI. WELL,SO FAR SO GOOD,BUT IT'S STILL ONLY THE FIRST DAY.