Guys,

Has anyone here had arthroscopic surgery to fix a rotator cuff tear?

I found out on Thursday that I need to have surgery on my shoulder if I don't want to keep dislocating it, and that the tear is pretty bad. The last time it came out a few weeks ago, I pulling shut the door on my truck!

My big problem is the six month rehab that the doctor told me to expect whenever I have the surgery, and fitting that into my schedule. He said that I have a 100% chance of dislocating it again, and I don't like those odds considering the physical nature of my job (paramedic).

I know I need to have it done, but I really dont know when I am going to be able to do it, between work and nursing school.

Anyways, for anyone who has had it, how did the recovery go?

Thanks

 

The first three of the seven shoulder surgeries I have had were RC repairs. The last surgery I had was a joint replacement...

If you just tore the rc, DO WHATEVER THE DOCTOR AND PHYSICAL THERAPIST TELL YOU. I cannot make that plainer. When I first ripped up my shoulder, I was treated by the stellar facilities of a Naval Hospital, and the swabbie docs screwed up the repair. My shoulder was torn up from a 35 foot fall, and I broke the collarbone and three ribs at the same time, so there was enough other things going on that even though I thought it wasn't feling right, I couldn't tell that I was doing further damage.

Ever since getting out of the USMC, and having other doctors (my current doc is one of the best in the country, IMHO-does lots of pro and college athletes) work on me, I've continued to do better every time I've worked harder at the physical therapy.

Count on the six months until you are back to the level where you were before the injury, but you'll be able to do a lot after about 8-10 weeks. I was supposed to be completely unable to use my right arm for ten months after the joint replacement but was back to work, driving, etc. after about 8 weeks. Still had to have it supported/tied down/in a sling for ten months, but I wasn't stuck in bed or anything...

 

That's a bad tear. I have injured both my rotator cups in each shoulder. Took about 6 to 7 months for them to heal.

You gotta get the surgery, and go through the long rest period for them to heal. You got to give them time to heal.

Luck to you,

 

I had a tear in the labrum from about 1 o'clock to 4:30 on the front side of my left shoulder. i dislocated it 10 times over a 3.5 year period. I had to reduce it myself 9 out of the ten times. Surgery was my only option and now I'm the proud owner of 3 titanium screws that look pretty cool on a X-Ray.

If you follow the doctors instructions & phys therapy to the letter you probably should not have any problems. I will say this, it's been over a year and I still have some soreness & stiffness. Everything I can research tells me that shoulders are the hardest joint to rehab and usually (like 75%) they never return to "good as new". I'm only 32 and I have to accept the fact that my shoulder will never be the same again, such is life...

KC-10 FE out...

 

Had the RC surgery in 2003. Like OnBelay said, do what the Dr. and Therapist tell you to do. The day or two after the surgery is very painful, (keep taking the pain killers) but when you get into the therapy and start to see the way your arm and shoulder can move again it is worth it.

Good Luck

 

I had the surgeury in 1971 while in high school. Spent 2 weeks in the hospital, 12 " scar, no rehab and the pain from the surgery was there for about 6 months. No specialist. Just a general surgeon. Never dislocated it again but only have about 90% use of it.

 

I riped my left shoulder moving a statue in front of my aunts house 2 years ago and had the operation in April 2004. I have a 4 inch scar on my shoulder. They cut me open since i had alot of damage to the shoulder. I work in retail for the last 20 years and over the years did alot of damage. I could not lift my shoulder for about a week and a half after the operation, and Yes i was on major drugs for the pain i was in. my strength sin my arm is about half now. what i mean is i cannot lift things like i use to but i am not in any kind of pain now like i was before i hurt it.

My right shoulder bothers me somtimes but I know it is not ripped just arthritis i guess.
I was out of work for over 26 weeks because of my left arm.