I am almost through therapy. I supposedly have two tears. Had an MRI. The therapy didn't help much for the pain, but I have more flexability than I did when I first slipped. Guess I babied it too much and it got stiff on me. Anyhow, they are recommending surgery, and I am thinking on getting a second opinion. The pain is the worst at night when laying in bed and if I putmy arm behind my back. Other times I can stand it, and don't know if I want surgery right now. I have a friend who had two operations on hers and now can not lift her arm at all and it has me scared and I am thinking I can live with it. Wondering if anyone else on here had this, and what did you do. Did you also have to go for therapy after surgery? Just between the therapy and running to the orthopedic doc, it is really getting expensive too! I do have insurance, but have co-pays.

I'm afraid my story won't comfort you much. Yes, I did have rotator cuff surgery. It was about 10 years ago after having it lock up on me over and over along w/a lot of pain. I would have to manipulate my arm to get it up to do my hair. I had the surgery followed by months of physical therapy (grueling). It didn't get any better, so I had to have a manipulation done under anes and more therapy. After all that therapy (6 months total) and 2 surgeries, I still can't lift my right arm above shoulder level. Very disappointing to say the least.

Having said this, I know TONS of people who have had the surgery w/therapy w/great success! I like to think of mine as one of the few, not the many (lucky me!). I have RA which probably puts me in a different place anyway since I have a lot of damage to my joints. Do get a second opinion, but keep in mind that many people find this surgery successful. I hope some post here.

Good luck!

I had the surgery back in the early 90's followed by therapy.
Mine was a severe tear and so I did lose a certain percentage of use but that was due to the severity of it AND by prolonging the surgery. I have full use of my arm until I raise it above my shoulder height. I can only get my hand up even with my head. To comb my hair I have to use my other hand to boost it up farther.
Would I have the surgery again? Yes, but I wouldn't put it off. I would have it done before trying all the other methods first. They do the surgery laproscoproly (sp) now as opposed to the old fashioned way of cutting it wide open like mine was.My advise would be get it done ASAP.
Good luck to you in what ever you choose to do. Keep us informed of your progress.

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Barb


My GOD Bless our Country and our Troops, and rid the World of terroists.

OMG! DH tore his rotator cuff on the 8th at work. I got a phone call from the ER that morning. We are currently awaiting the results of the MRI to figure out if he needs surgery.

He has been to the Orthopedic Surgeon once already - he told DH to get the MRI.

DH said that it feels like his arm is just dead weight. He can move it to cut his food or use the mouse on the computer, but can't lift it hardly at all.

And it is his dominant (right) arm!!

He is having a tough time doing so many things.

I am hoping they get him in for sugery SOON!! We have pretty much come to the conclusion that it will need to be done. He also has a bone chip floating around in his shoulder from the accident (a 400+ food cart fell on him at work) so that will need to be removed anyway.

I am going to save this post to have him read when he gets up.

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"Yesterday my life was duller, now everything's technicolor!"

Ooooooh yes, and praise be for the MRI machines. Before I had my surgery I had to have an Arthurgram to diagnosis the torn rotator cuff. They didn't use MRI for that at that time. The arthurgram was a treat in itself. A long probing needle inserted into the shoulder and wiggled around until they got it into the proper place so they could inject die before pic. They could watch the needle on a tv camera. I just about came right up off that table. Like I wasn't already in enough pain already.

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Barb


My GOD Bless our Country and our Troops, and rid the World of terroists.

Had the surgery. I have more pain now then before the surgery. My opinion is that if i had a second chance i wouldnt have it.

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When you don`t know what to do-Walk fast and look worried.

I had the surgery exactly two months ago, and I would have it again. Yes, it hurt, and sometimes (especially two weeks afterwards) I regretted doing it, but I now believe it was the best thing for me. I am currently going to physical therahy three times I week, and I can see a lot of improvement. I still have a lot of pain every now and then, but it's early yet, and I know it's going to reduce as I get stronger. I did not do pt first...I opted to just go ahead and do the operation. I have been told, however, that if you do physical theraphy BEFORE your surgery, your recovery is a lot faster and easier. So, you are at an advantage! Good luck!

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If you're not living on the edge, you're wasting space.

Thanks for your replies! I finished the 4 weeks of therapy yesterday. I am due at th orthopedic doc on july 1. I have decided to get one other opinion, as I have the name of another doc that I would like advice from before I decide about the surgery. I first slipped the week between Christmas and New Years. I thought it was a sprain and just kept hoping it would get better and finally went to the doctor. I will let you know what I decide to do. Thanks for your concern!

DH got his MRI results back today. He does not have a torn rotator cuff like we originally thought - he has a labral tear (tear on the shoulder joint). This explains why his arm slipped out of socket the other day.

I am not sure how that compares to the rotator cuff, if it is a lesser or more complex injury.

He has his surgery on the 8th, to repair the tear and to clean up the bone fragments and cartilage pieces that are floating around in his shoulder.

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"Yesterday my life was duller, now everything's technicolor!"