Shoulder surgery and recovery

[Marble]

I know there have been a few threads on shoulder issues over the last year. Just thought I would share my story in hope it might give someone else aomee info to help them.

In Nov 2018 I tore the labrum on my shoulder in to two pieces. Had surgery in January and had it fixed. After recovery and a good amount of PT, i was doing fabulous. Then I fell and reinjured it in June. Started to make noise when I would move it, hurt to do a lot of movements at the extremes and then general weakness. I delayed any treatment until after hunting knowing if surgery was needed I would be out for a bit.

Had an MRI in December and they didnt see anything wrong with the joint requiring surgery. But there was a 5mm x16mm "unknown object" just floating around in there. Dr. says at minimum it needs to be removed and then while he's in there, he'll use a camera to look at the rest of the joint. Then fix what he see's.

Well it turns out the foreign piece was a broken/dislodged anchor from when the original surgery was done. Old anchor removed, new one put in. So no real repair to anything thank god. Seems the anchor was just moving around in the joint causing pain. The tear healed perfectly and a full recovery with little to no pain is expected.

My expereince has been very positive. For those considering getting their shoulder fixed, choose the right doctor, and facility. Go to the recommended PT and follow instructions.

Good luck guys!!

 

[Sobrbiker]

I had a SLAP repair five years ago.
I agree 100%: best advice is to do what is told, as told. Recovery time sucks but I know folks that pushed it before they should have and did more damage. And wear the damned sling at least as long as they tell you to, I slept in mine for a few weeks extra after hearing horror stories of people jacking up repairs with weird sleep movements.
Thanks for sharing, I really hope my anchors don’t come out...

 

[Marble]

I told my wife it feels like that little sliver that gets pulled out and there is instant relief.

 

[Travis Bertrand]

I’ve had 3 surgeries on the same shoulder. Most complicated joint in your body. First surgery was a waste of time and money, second two hand positive outcomes.


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[Cdroot89]

PT is the key to a fast recovery. Do what they say, especially in regards to the home exercise programs. I think prehabilitation helps you recover more quickly(rehab/PT prior to the surgery). Ask your Ortho doc and PT about it if you have some lead time prior to getting scoped.

 

[Islanderflyer]

I had rotator cuff repair on 10/23/19. My bicep was completely detached at my shoulder as well as two other muscles at my scapula. It had been bothering me for over 2 years and finally got to affecting my work and especially sleep. I did everything the doc and PT told me to do and the recovery is still very slow. I can do things like comb my hair with pain. I had to go back to work two weeks ago for my sanity and to avoid bankruptcy. Had my doctors approval and my boss insisted I be on light duty. My shoulder now hurts just as bad as before surgery. Im 42 and otherwise in great shape, don't smoke or drink and eat healthier than most. My doctor was the best I could find locally. I am hoping things eventually heal but if they don't, I am prepared to just keep living. Whats a little pain and reduced mobility? At least I can still do most things I enjoy.

 

[Marble]

I had rotator cuff repair on 10/23/19. My bicep was completely detached at my shoulder as well as two other muscles at my scapula. It had been bothering me for over 2 years and finally got to affecting my work and especially sleep. I did everything the doc and PT told me to do and the recovery is still very slow. I can do things like comb my hair with pain. I had to go back to work two weeks ago for my sanity and to avoid bankruptcy. Had my doctors approval and my boss insisted I be on light duty. My shoulder now hurts just as bad as before surgery. Im 42 and otherwise in great shape, don't smoke or drink and eat healthier than most. My doctor was the best I could find locally. I am hoping things eventually heal but if they don't, I am prepared to just keep living. Whats a little pain and reduced mobility? At least I can still do most things I enjoy.

Well I hope time and PT help fix the issue. Dont stop doing the recommended exercises for the shoulder, it helps.

I've been unfortunate enough to have had cancer and this shoulder issue. When I need something specific medically, I go wherever the best is. For cancer i went to chicago and for surgery UC Davis sports medicine. A specific office that does only shoulders.

Money can be a limitation, but travel to the best doctor shouldnt be. Doctors are like any other profession. There are good ones and bad ones.

 

[elkguide]

Being in good shape prior to surgery and then following through with every detail of PT afterwards are the real keys to a successful recovery. If you are not totally out, I highly recommend getting together with a PT specialist and getting in shape first, have the repairs done and then get on the PT bandwagon. I've messed up..... no, I've destroyed some parts of my body and when I did good preparation and followed through with good PT, those are the times that I've come out the best.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

I'm in need of surgery to repair a torn 70% labrum. I've only been to one doc so far and he told me he would "clip off one of my bicep attachments to help prevent re-injury to the labrum". That doesn't sound right to me.
What was your experience?

 

[RAM190Hog]

I'm in need of surgery to repair a torn 70% labrum. I've only been to one doc so far and he told me he would "clip off one of my bicep attachments to help prevent re-injury to the labrum". That doesn't sound right to me.
What was your experience?

Had a full thickness rotator cuff tear and torn labrum - fixed in June 09. Also had this procedure...it's called a "biceps tenodesis." My understanding is they cut the biceps tendon and reattach to an anchor drilled into top of your humerus. The anchor eventually absorbs into the bone and the tendon attaches to the top of arm bone. Otherwise your bicep would cause the labrum repair to fail as it connects in there as well. I've had pretty good success with mine going on 11 years. The shoulder will still get sore if I overdo it, specifically throwing, too many archery shots, or a fall. I found the best thing to do is keep the strength up, and keep it moving. Good luck.

Biceps Tenodesis | Rothman Orthopaedic Institute

Explore biceps tenodesis, a surgical procedure for treatment of shoulder biceps tendonitis. Learn about the patients most likely to undergo this procedure.

rothmanortho.com

 

[Marble]

I'm in need of surgery to repair a torn 70% labrum. I've only been to one doc so far and he told me he would "clip off one of my bicep attachments to help prevent re-injury to the labrum". That doesn't sound right to me.
What was your experience?

Is it at a university type place that specializes in that surgery?

 

[Milestone522]

I had my labrum muscle tear almost 90% after being broadsided by a drunk driver in 2014. I could not raise my arm above my waist after the accident. I had surgery with 3 anchors strapping the muscle together. Being in the Bay Area I was able to use an orthopedic surgeon who handles several of the pro sports teams here. I lost some range of motion permanently but with the help of a PT specialist , and PT, and more PT, I was able to get a good use of my shoulder back.

Get a good surgeon and like elk guide noted get some good PT.

 

[alexanderg23]

I had rotator cuff surgery 3 months ago. Shoulder still sucks. Going to and doing PT at home. I need to be ready for actual physical work in about 2-3 months.

 

[targetpanic]

I had 2 full thickness tears (infraspinatus and supraspinatus) in my rotator cuff. The recovery is LONG and you can't rush it. Do all the PT and home exercises they prescribe. My surgery was 11/14/18...it took a full year to get back to 80% strength and range of motion that I had before injury. Now 15 months post surgery I probably have 90% range of motion, still not real strong though.

 

[OutdoorsMD]

There are many variables with regards to shoulder surgery and recovery. Not all rotator cuff tears are the same, not all labral tears are the same. As an Orthopaedic Surgeon I would advise people to be very careful what you read on the internet. Talk to your surgeon and make sure your questions are answered. Doing a little self guided research to educate yourself on anatomy will make it easier to understand what is being fixed and what the goals of therapy and recovery are. There are good resources available from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons web page.