I had surgery on my right shoulder july 28 2009. My doctor put one anchor and some sutures in. I was in good physical condition going into surgery. Like everyone else I wanted to recover as fast as possible, I took my sling off 6 days post-op on my own accord. I was carefull on what I did with my arm, I have a manual transmission so shifting was about the extent of my use. I started PT aug 8 2009. I progressed fairly fast in ROM and strength. I was cleared from my doc oct 14 2009 to return to full activity. Although I had good ROM and strength, my shoulder still hurts to this day. I researched the internet for people in the same condition. What I found is that it seems to take most people 1 year post-op atleast, (and thats with people that actually wrote about there slap tear recovery that late after surgery). That was really hard for me to soak up. I was doing so well in the first months of recovery I thought by this time I would back to my old self. Just until recently I am coming to grips with this fact, which is insanely hard for an active person. There are positive subtle changes that I am now picking up on. When stretching in the morning the pain seems to be less noticeable, I still get aches every once in while. I tried throwing a football recently and that doesn't seem to happening for sometime. That was not enjoyable. So those of you that feel maybe down or depressed TRUST ME you are not alone! I am now dealing with a plica situation in my knee. I know what it feels like down. Today is Jan 29 2010 I will be sure to write within a couple of months for an update. I hope a speedy recovery to all.
I tore the labrum in my right shoulder about three years ago, due to extensive hand balancing training in a Chinese acrobatics / circus skills course. Specifically, I think it was the move called "levers" that did me in. I was also studying contortion and trapeze, which surely didn't help.
SIZING TEARS ON SHOULDER TENDONS
By VICTOR JOUBERT,
on 23-01-2010 02:04
Hello, I am trying to decide about surgery in my right supraspinatus tendon. I torn it 3 weeks ago playing volleyball in the beach. I have read lots of information about this on the web and apparently, the concensus runs in the sense that if 50% or more of the tendon is torn, then surgery is indicated. What I would like to know is how to size the tear in my MRI scans. I see the full thickness tear in 2 out of 4 images of the humerus head. As far as I understand, each image is separated from the next by a distance of 2 mm (sorry I live in Mexico and don't know the equivalent to English system). This would mean, according to my understanding, that 4 mm of the tendon width is torn and 4 mm is intact. I have severe pain at night and important limitation in ROM because of pain and also weakness.
I have asked two doctors. One told me to leave it as it is an cope with the limitations. The other has adviced me strongly to have surgery asap. THe first doctor warned me that if I asked this same question to 1000 doctors, then 500 of them would recommend surgery and 500 would recomend "conservative" treatment. I already have a sample of 2 doctors and don't want to go on until I enquire the whole 1000. I would really like to learn how to size the tear from the image so I can take my own decision according to the guidelines I have read.
Thank you,
Victor
SIZING SUPRASPINATUS TEAR
By VICTOR JOUBERT,
on 23-01-2010 00:52
I am a 47 yr old male. I am trying to decide if surgery is indicated in my case. I fell on my right arm playing beach volley ball and torn my supraspinatus tendon 3 weeks ago. Still have pain at night and have very decreased ROM because of pain and weakness. I have read that surgery is indicated when tear is 30% or more. How can I know if my tear is wider than 30%? The MRI shows the tendon completely detached in 2 consecutive images and then it shows it intact in the third image. WHat does that mean? Each image, as far as I understand, is separated by 2 mm distance. Does that mean that the tear is 4 mm wide? How wide is the whole tendon? I have seen 2 doctors: one says I shouldn't operate and the other says I should get the operation done soon. One of them told me I could ask 1000 doctors about my case and their opinion would be divided 500 for and 500 against...
Thanks.
Sick to my stomach!
By denise,
on 20-01-2010 17:53
I am sitting at work reading all of this (lunch time), and I am getting sick to my stomach. Afraid of all the pain people has with these procedures. I am scheduled for surgery 2/4. Don't know what to expect, but my procedure paper says, left shoulder arthroscopic inspection with debridement as appropriate and possible cuff repair if indicated/necessary utilizing IV sedation/block anesthesia. It will be OK, will it????? Thanks
All went wll in surgery. There was some partial tearing of my rotator, that was not over 30%, so "protocol" was to just scratch up the tear to let it re-heal. The slap tear was held up with two anchors and some stitches to the labrum.
Rehab sucks... 4 weeks in a sling. Next two out of sling with limited movement, sleeping in sling with a pillow propped under. Cant raise over my head. After 2 months could reach over my head. That was a nice accomplishment. Pain started going down to a 1-3 between 2 and 3 months. PT always made things feel better. Motion hurts at first, but then later feels better. Overall, rehab went well, up until October (3 months out), when I found out that my insurance would not cover me for additional PT, so I stopped PT and continued what the therapist taught me.
4 month doc visit went ok. I told the doc that I was still in pain, but he said no worries, just dont overdo it. I felt pretty good. Met with a PT specialist who gave me a slew of gym exercises. I wrote them down, then continued that PT routine. I later created a workout for the gym, introducting new workouts as I saw fit. Still in a lot of pain.
5 1/2 months out doctor visit went not so good. Doctor had said at 4 months I could shoot around, playing basketball, but not full contact. I tried before the visit and NO WAY. Hurts way to bad. Pain hasnt stopped. It hurts when I move over my head and accross my body. I dont recall doing anything to cause this pain. He sent me for an MRI with Arthrogram, which I had yesterday (1-18-2010). Waiting for results...
Pre-surgery assessment (written July 7, 2009)
By Ben,
on 19-01-2010 15:12
I had my shoulder specialist appt today. He did some range of motion tests and they confirmed the diagnosis that it the motion and pain is "consistant with SLAP tear". He said that the options were to attempt Physical Therapy or go for surgery; options we all knew. His concern was that with it being injured for so long, therapy might not work to fully recover usage of the shoulder. "If it's been 7 years and it hasn't healed itself, it likely will not." I, also, sadly, thanks to this terrible nation's healthcare system combined with the hip, quad and back issues I have had - I have no more PT left on my insurance plan.
So, my options become: Pay $75 a visit to a PT with the hopes that it heals after 8-10 weeks of rehab and $1500 (less likely to fully heal, less risk) or.. Get surgery, be in a sling for 1 month, PT for 4 months after surgery (paid for by insurance because "it's different"). (more likely to fully heal, more risk)
My surgery is scheduled for the 30th of July. - A pretty awesome overview of the procedure and half a year recovery is here... http://www.orthspec.com/PDFs/SLAP.pdf
I know.... How are you gonna type? What about insurance and when it runs out? How can you care for a pregnant wife and a dog with three legs with your left hand? Really, what's the f'n difference. At this point, life likes to throw all sorts of shit at us, and we'll deal with it. We'll continue to play the life-size version of whack-a-mole and get it all figured out. My new motto is "when life throws shit at you, let it harden, then throw it back" :-)
A bit stressed? Yes, but in good spirits. Not looking for sympathy or mass cards, just giving you guys the update.
