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FLYING BUTCH · 06-25-2013, 05:28 AM

I'm starting to feel like "humpty dumpty" being put together so many times!! I guess the good thing is that 20 or 30 years ago I would have really been screwed as they couldn't have done anything. I received great use out of my first knees but not so lucky on the shoulder. I am also going to wait and see how my shoulder heels this summer before considering complete shoulder replacement. I play pickleball 6-7 days a week so am very active. I'm playing left handed right now but near as much fun. Headed out RVing for a couple months Friday.
Sorry to have jumped your post. Hope you are doing well and keep up the rehab. Only way to get use of your shoulder. Guess you better hope you don't have to have a knee replaced as it can be harmful to rotator cuff surgery??

Wayne M · 06-25-2013, 08:09 AM

Tow knee reconstructions of the ACL. That is when they drill a hole up from through the Tibia and then in the into the Femur. The Patella tendon is tripped of 1/4 of its tendon and that is pulled down, up through the Tibia and screwed into the Femur. Then it is all put back together and you walk out of the hospital the same day - well my doctor tells me to "Git!"

So both of my knees had that done, then the right one replaced, and both rotator cuffs repaired.

I really need to get the left knee replaced but I just don't like the "down time."

I do not regret having any of the operations. I can say unequivocally that I felt nothing during the operations but the PT was something else.

Alsdas88 · 06-28-2013, 12:03 PM

Since my surgery on June 10th, things have been going very well. I have been to physical therapy 4 times now and I am gaining the use of my arm once again. I can now dress myself and do most things that do not require lots of movement or strength, but I am thankful for my DW and her efforts the last two weeks. Determination and following the PT requirements have allowed me to do well. PT is not easy and is painful bit a good PT team that you are comfortable working with is invaluable for a productive and workable recovery from the surgery.

spinn · 06-28-2013, 04:34 PM

Glad you are feeling better, metro up the therapy!

1ciderdog · 11-19-2013, 05:31 PM

I've joined the rotator surgery club. Surgery was Monday 11-11-13. One ligament was detached and one was well torn. They put in two pins(posts) and attached the ligaments to those pins. Not much pain now but do have difficulty sleeping at night and getting this sling in comfortable position is a real challenge. The most positive thing is I am feeling no pain from the surgery and the pain I was feeling before the surgery is gone. I go back in on Monday 11-25-11 and get stitches removed and have the first visit with a therapist (and yes I'll closely follow the therapist's instructions - don't want to do this again).

This started in February when I fell off my porch, I kept thinking it would get better and it did a bit but was still painful so went to the doctor in April and he referred me to the specialist. In May the specialist gave me a shot in the shoulder and suggested surgery should not be the first choice. The shot seemed to work well but in July I was having pain and in August another shot. That one didn't seem to do much to relieve the pain so surgery was set up. After surgery the doctor told my wife that it was a wise decision to have the surgery - that damage was more severe than the MRI indicated. The damage was on the right shoulder and I'm right handed - sure miss the full use of that hand/arm! My spouse has been great - almost to great in that I'd like to try to do some things myself but she tells me next week and I should enjoy her "service" while I can.

I did read this thread and others I found on the internet - lots of information available to help make a decision on surgery.

Dmorgan6375 · 11-20-2013, 09:53 AM

Good Luck and God Speed to recovery!

Alsdas88 · 11-20-2013, 01:16 PM

Quick update on my surgery back on June 10. All is (was) going well until last week. I was feeling very well and doing most everything without pain, then I decided to install a Big block 396 engine into my project truck. Ouch. Engine went in fine, but now I am feeling the pain of maneuvering that engine and crawling around under that truck. Fortunately, no damage was done, but I have to do PT for a few more weeks as I overstressed that shoulder while it was healing. Basically, the Dr told me it would be about a year before I would be "normal", and I did my own thing at the 5 month mark.

Lesson learned.

Enokie · 11-25-2013, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifftall

Sorry to hear. I tore mine twelve years ago and was all set to have surgery. Pre op physical and blood tests. I met a nurse who told me at least ten times ( in a five minute conversation ) to cxl the surgery. She explained that a large percentage have poor results and the recovery was a bear. She suggested that I try physical therapy. I went for four weeks ( 2x a week ) and had the exercise bands at home and never needed the surgery. It hurts some when I abuse it ( wax the MH ) , but feels better in a few days.
Therefore , I pass along the same advice and wish you well.

Totally agree with you here! I tore both rotor cuffs at the same time and was in slings and a brace for 8 months, sleeping in a chair so I didn.t roll over, pain insane, took no drugs after 3 weeks except for one at night so I could sleep, did the therapy exercises and and kept telling my 'self' ... I AM WELL ... the Dr said it would take years to heal and never come back, well I did do this in 2009 and am almost at full capacity, I went to a Chiropractor after I took a bad fall and my shoulder seemed to be worse than ever, to find I had dislocated 3 vertebra, I had a few treatments and couldn't believe the difference, so I continued for another 4 mos (one a month ) until I felt the healing had really begun...
(I only quit because he was going down to Texas for the Iron man Competition,,, he came in 32nd I believe, he is 57 years old!! (over 200 entrants)

I have to say it was the best $70.00 (total) I ever spent.. !

I would NEVER get surgery until I had tried all other options, and certainly not on my dominant arm /or hand.
I did also overcome carpal tunnel in my dom. hand and the worse shoulder is on the left too... one Dr I saw practically had the knife out in his office and a bed booked! Boy did I run hard and fast .. the next surgeon cited the surgery as a LAST resort and allowed me to conduct my own therapy, all is well and I even taught him a few things to try on other patients...

PLEASE do NOT get this surgery unless there is no other option...
A friend of mine had it done and she is in really great shape, but sadly it is not the same for everyone... as she puts it I m one of the lucky ones...

Think long and hard and if this is your choice to go forward with it I will pray it all goes well.

PS check out your surgeons 'well rate,' and be sure when you go in, that he, not an intern , does the surgery... you don't want to be the one who becomes the 'practice patient!!'

All the best, whatever you decide...

1ciderdog · 02-10-2014, 09:44 PM

I had the surgery 11-11-13 (see post 33) three months ago. Visited the doctor and the therapist today. Both released me without any follow ups. My shoulder is almost back to where it was in the Good Old Days. I'm not disagreeing with the above post but each person is different. I was in very good shape and working with my arms and shoulder using chainsaws up to the day before surgery - many people don't have a job or hobby that uses or exercises the arms and shoulders to that degree. I followed the exercises given me after the surgery but if the directions called for 20 repetitions I did 25 or 30. I'm thus far very pleased I had the surgery. One thing I was thinking of prior to surgery was if I live as long as my mother I'd have 25 years with a problem shoulder & arm and the pain could get worse and ability to use the arm/shoulder could be more limited as I grew older. The decision worked for me and I hope it works well for anyone deciding to have the surgery.

MSHappyCampers · 02-11-2014, 01:35 PM

I had rotator cuff surgery about a year ago. No problems on the surgery but the physical therapy is MURDER!

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-11-2014, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I had rotator cuff surgery about a year ago. No problems on the surgery but the physical therapy is MURDER!

Yeah. Doc did his half easy. Your half was harder. Same with my knees. My surgeon told me he'd do his half but I had to my half if I expected good results.

spinn · 02-11-2014, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifftall

Yeah. Doc did his half easy. Your half was harder. Same with my knees. My surgeon told me he'd do his half but I had to my half if I expected good results.

Lol knees! I am on my second set of replacements, med industry calls them "revisions" I had another name lol. During my recovery I managed to tear a rotator cuff just to help equalize the spread of physicians to all quadrants of my body :-)

Summerhouse · 02-11-2014, 09:18 PM

I had rotator cuff and bicep repair performed on my left shoulder 4 years ago. I had been battling pain for months prior, couldn't sleep more then a couple hours at night without waking up. The week before my scheduled surgery, while making the bed, I somehow managed to further tear the bicep muscle. The result was instead of the small arthroscopic incisions, I ended up with a big incision and several staples so the Dr. could make the complete repair.
Don't delay the surgery. Once the decision is made to do it, schedule and get it going as soon as feasible, get it going and get on to healing. The post op pain was virtually non-existent for me. I took the prescribed pain meds (Vicodan) on schedule without fail and had no pain. Some discomfort after a few days just because I was tired and stiff from laying around so much. I did sleep in the recliner several nights as the general position was just more comfortable for me.
I listened to my surgeon and did absolutely nothing until he released me for PT. Then I worked like a dog. I went to PT 3X/week and did the exercises, stretches and motions several times/day every day. They released me from PT early as I progressed so well. Now four years later I am still without any discomfort in that shoulder and it is stronger then the other one.
It will be a trial for you and your spouse, but aside from that, it is a blessing to get it done, feel better and be done with it. It is as much mental as physical and you are strong enough to handle both.