Shoulder surgery

[ronin]

Looks like my shoulder is worse of than I thought. Ortho surgeon is calling it a Grade 5 rather than 3. So seems like surgery to get it back up where it belongs is my better option. Won't need to have the sleeves lengthened on my long sleeve shirts.

Ribs are healing well. Sneezed this morning without major agony. Lung seems OK.

The healing from the surgery puts the trip to Peru in more jeopardy. Surgeon seems to think I'll make it. I'm in more wait and see mode.

 

[sanfanciscotreat]

Hope all goes well with the surgery. My brother had surgery on both shoulders and had to have the right one done a second time. Still recuperating from that.

 

[Amethyst]

Sorry to hear you'll need surgery...although your surgeon sounds confident, I'm sure no one as active as you are, looks forward to being immobilized for healing.

I don't know your surgeon, but the ones I've been to, have usually been very conservative...so don't give up on that trip to Peru...

Amethyst

 

[Sunset]

Good luck with the surgery.
I had a shoulder issue but still went to Hawaii, just had to forget about learning to surf was the only impact, the rest of the trip was good.

So maybe you have to forget about rock climbing, or cliff diving but the trip would still be great.

 

[Koolau]

My only suggestion would be to get a second opinion. I went to an ortho once who offered to "fix" my shoulder with surgery. He had an excellent reputation, but I still wanted another opinion. Another doc suggested PT which I tried and it was completely successful (cheaper and less pain/healing time.) Just a thought as YMMV.

 

[Bamaman]

I was talking to my physical therapist, and it's shoulder rehabs that concern them the most. They talk of 1 year recoveries.
I have a slight injury in both shoulders--but not enough for surgery. One thing that makes them difficult is rolling over in bed at night--pain.
If you've for sure got to have surgery, do it now vs. later. And good luck to you.

 

[ronin]

It is hard to know what to do. Anecdotally, some people are OK w/o the surgery and some aren't. For mine, the head of the humerus has moved so far down that it is likely to cause problems if I let it scar up where it is. His odds were 50/50. Strapping it up where it belongs at least gives it a shot at scarring up in the right place, hopefully, if the surgery holds true. The motion that I am concerned about is the over hand, over head movement of the arm especially for surfing. That is something that the surgery has a good chance of restoring/keeping. I really don't want surgery but I figure I have at least 3 more months of healing and a bunch of PT either way, so as long as it going to be jacked up either way I'd rather get it fixed now and start working on getting better. But whether or not it is the right decision, I don't know. Seems to make sense, though. Fingers crossed - but Friday morning is the day. Outpatient surgery, hopefully an hour or so under.

 

[ncredulous]

Three rotator cuff surgeries in last 24 mos. for me. If surgery indicated, enthusiastically recommend use of appliance for critical post operative "cold" therapy. CryoCuff and Polar Care come to mind. Ice water reservoir/pump circulates ice cold water through shoulder wrap. All you do is replenish ice every few hours. Don't forget to use dish towel underneath wrap to avoid frostbite. Cost < $200. In my experience, effective and convenient. No affiliation, etc., etc. Good luck!

 

[bld999]

There's not much clear path certainty in any of this stuff.
Imo, PT can work wonders if you keep on it and push into the pain if needed.
The body mechanics adapt, and you find ways to get the job done in spite of things not being exactly the same as they were before injury. I think your instinct to go for it is the right plan.

 

[eytonxav]

My only suggestion would be to get a second opinion. I went to an ortho once who offered to "fix" my shoulder with surgery. He had an excellent reputation, but I still wanted another opinion. Another doc suggested PT which I tried and it was completely successful (cheaper and less pain/healing time.) Just a thought as YMMV.

+1 good advice

 

[pb4uski]

Looks like my shoulder is worse of than I thought. Ortho surgeon is calling it a Grade 5 rather than 3. ...

Hope all goes well with the surgery. My brother had surgery on both shoulders and had to have the right one done a second time. Still recuperating from that.

DS also had his done twice...once by an ortho and to finally get it right by a specialist who did nothing but shoulders. He should have gone to the shoulder specialist the first time. Consider seeing a specialist if you haven't already done so.

 

[Derslickmeister]

I had three separate tears in my right shoulder all repaired during the same three hour surgery. Complete recovery took a year.

 

[ronin]

When I hurt my other shoulder skiing, it took several months to heal. Never saw a doctor on that one. Injured it again in Aikido. Same deal. It is ok, not 100% in every respect but mostly fine.

My doctor on this one specializes in complex shoulder problems for sports injuries. I am comfortable with him. He was my second opinion. Haven't ever had any significant medical issues or surgery or hospitalization so all of this is new. Can't say I like it much, who would, but there it is. It is outpatient, supposed to take an hour but I imagine it depends on what it looks like when it is opened up. One step at a time.

 

[pacergal]

I have had both shoulders worked on; best things for me post op were the Polarcare cold therapy wraps and physical therapy(along with keeping up with the home PT for several months after). I also had a tiny lidocaine self infusion drip in the joint that I removed at home 2 days post op--virtually almost zero pain after surgery!
Best of luck to you and sending healing thoughts your way.

 

[Steelart99]

I had a grade 5 AC joint repair (due to Mtn bike crash) a couple of years ago by a Doc who specialized in shoulder injuries for athletes. Because I told him about my metal forging hobby, he opted to do a dual repair to help support the stess. That included a spectra fiber loop (HIGH strength synthetic fiber) along with a heavy cadaver tendon to help fuse the tissue back together. Took about 9-10 months for recovery and I'd say I have >95% function and strength now. I'm pleased.

 

[eytonxav]

I also recommend a good rotator cuff/shoulder maintenance program at some point following recovery, especially using light elastic tubing. Such programs will also help prevent injuries in the first place.
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/PDFs/Rehab_Shoulder_5.pdf

 

[ronin]

Well, I'm back... typing 1 handed. Surgery went well. Lasted 1.5 hrs. Open rather than arthroscopic. No allograft, just the silly string, but did discuss it. Nerve block still working, ice packs too. Haven't needed anything stronger, yet. See how it goes as the evening wears on into night.

The surgeon, who is also a mtb'er, was negotiating over my new bike with my wife while I was in recovery. Sneaky b@^&*!d!! DW held firm, so that's good sign.

Got a photo sheet of indecipherable flesh & bone photos for all the special memories.

Thanks for all the support. It is appreciated mucho!

 

[ls99]

Good news. Hang in there. Oh wait, no hanging, just get well.

 

[afulldeck]

How's the shoulder now that your 4 months post-op? I didn't do surgery on mine even though it's very unstable ...

Sent from my Lenovo YT3-X50F using Tapatalk

 

[ronin]

Doing pretty well, thanks. Still in PT, 3 more weeks of 1hr sessions/once a week. Slow steady progress. Still a fair amount of low level pain, also not full range of motion or strength, but can do most things (except sleep) just fine. Have been paddling on my surfboard for 3 weeks and as of today can see that I will get that back eventually. Am able to get my arm up enough for my hand to clear the water on the stroke until I get too tired. Can push to the sit up position on the board without too much pain today which is a small victory. Still can't get to standing. Can ride my bike with no major problems except for some PTSD on the trails. Have only ridden dirt roads and a couple of easy, not too steep single tracks. See the ortho surgeon in 10 days, see what he has to say. All in all, glad I got the surgery and can see some light at the end of the tunnel even if it is still quite a ways off to normalcy.