I was just told that I will possibly be having surgery sometime in Jan for a slap tear in left shoulder , then 8 weeks later I will have another slap tear repaired in the right... I have no clue as to what level my tears are other then one is from the 10 o'clock through 2 o'clock and the other is 10 o'clock through 3 0'clock...My Doctor is not informative... I do know that first I have to see a hematologist due to two blood clotting disorders and I am on coumadin for life before he will even consider doing the surgery..... My question is how invasive is the procedure ? How long does it take to repair it? Also is it too soon to have second surgery in 8 weeks?

Have you considered getting a second opinion? It is so important to find a doctor who will be as informative as you need him to be!

I am not a doctor, a physical therapist or in any way related to the physical health field (I work in mental health). HOWEVER, having experienced this surgery, I would not want to have a second surgery on my other arm just 8 weeks post-op! It just seems to me that it would put an awful lot of pressure on the previously operated on arm to be doing all the work 8 weeks post-op.

Hopefully, someone with more knowledge of physical health will respond to you...but I just wanted to throw in my two cents worth from someone who has experienced this surgery.

Tammy

Although SLAP repair is done using arthroscopic 3 hole technique there is alot that is done beneath the incision, drilling holes into the bone and anchors to attatch the torn cartilage. The threat of clotting is low with these surgeries and a few poster have had the same issues as you. I agree with Tammy, get another OS to give you another opinion, you want the best shoulder specialist in your area ONLY to do the surgery. Get as much information and read, read until you understand more of what is involved with rehab and recovery. This site has so many posts on people who have gone before you. I would be hesitant to have one after the other.

At eight weeks you will probably have half a arm in terms of functional strength and ability. I have only now been able to really sleep on that shoulder at 14 weeks. Do the worst shoulder first and then you can see if you want to have another down the road. And I will say it is a long road. I cannot imagine having disabilities in both shoulders from surgery unless of course you live in a bubble or are a queen and have everything done for you. Was this work related? How did you get tears in both shoulders? How limiting is your pain and weakness to doing everyday activites. Are you hoping to return to a sport or work or just life? It sounds like you have little say in having this surgery "you were told" or am I reading your post wrong. Sharon

Thank you for your input... I do believe it was work related, but it beens almost 4 years now ,so hard to go back on them now... I actually had to run a tactical course in the winter and took land dive to both of my knees.... had knee surgery two times.. I think It must have happened at that time.. not soon after the pain started in my shoulders... pain sleeping on either side , eventually in any position sleeping. I lost most of my ROM.... tend to drop things at times...some numbness goes down to hand in left arm.. having eeg soon on that... Had PT but it didn't do any good.... Aggravated it at best... Had cortizone shots in both shoulders.. still no relief... Had reg MRI's with no contrast, both showed SLap Tears... The Doc only word of surgery was the chance on bleeding as of being on the coumadin and he would not be able to use turniquet is something went wrong.... I went to him out of last resort as I couldn't take any more sleepless nights and the constant pain I was having in the night and into the day... I am 44 years old, And know I don't want to live another 20 years like this... I think I will get a second opinion tho as I feel if he dont have confidence in doing any surgery then maybe I should go to another whom will have....I been reading alot on this site but not to much when concerns someone on blood thinners for life... Like how serious it can be having that kind of surgery on blood thinner.. I had stroke when I was 36 , so that does add some concern with surgery....

MHarleyGal wrote:

QUOTE:
Thank you for your input... I do believe it was work related, but it beens almost 4 years now ,so hard to go back on them now... I actually had to run a tactical course in the winter and took land dive to both of my knees.... had knee surgery two times.. I think It must have happened at that time.. not soon after the pain started in my shoulders... pain sleeping on either side , eventually in any position sleeping. I lost most of my ROM.... tend to drop things at times...some numbness goes down to hand in left arm.. having eeg soon on that... Had PT but it didn't do any good.... Aggravated it at best... Had cortizone shots in both shoulders.. still no relief... Had reg MRI's with no contrast, both showed SLap Tears... The Doc only word of surgery was the chance on bleeding as of being on the coumadin and he would not be able to use turniquet is something went wrong.... I went to him out of last resort as I couldn't take any more sleepless nights and the constant pain I was having in the night and into the day... I am 44 years old, And know I don't want to live another 20 years like this... I think I will get a second opinion tho as I feel if he dont have confidence in doing any surgery then maybe I should go to another whom will have....I been reading alot on this site but not to much when concerns someone on blood thinners for life... Like how serious it can be having that kind of surgery on blood thinner.. I had stroke when I was 36 , so that does add some concern with surgery....

Wow! Your experience is very similar to my own. I am 41 years old married with 3 kids. I have a busy job working at a large church in children's ministry. I have lived with shoulder pain for years. I had tried cortisone and PT as well. I had also tried chiropractic care and massage. I finally decided it was time to do something when as I also could not stand the pain at night and the pins and needles. I had an MRI without the dye which showed a cyst in the shoulder and they assumed it was caused by a SLAP tear. I do not remember any one incident causing the tear.

3 years ago I had life-threatening bilateral pulmonary embolisms. I was in the cardiac unit on Heparin then Lovenox and then Coumadin at home. I am no longer on the Coumadin but I am on aspirin therapy. Once surgery was decided for my shoulder I talked to OS about my clotting issues and then met with my cardiologist. I was told by both that the risk of clotting from shoulder surgery was extremely slim. I have learned that there is a limited blood supply to the shoulder which is one reason why it takes so long to heal. I specifically asked my cardiologist also if there was any risk of clotting with my arm being immobilized for up to 6 weeks and he said he was not concerned about that. I have seen many cardiologists over the years and the one I have now I just love. I trust him. Together we developed a plan. I stayed on my aspirin and also was placed on Digoxin for another heart condition I have. I wore TEDS stockings both during and for 48 hours after the surgery. I made sure after the surgery to get up and walk around and stretched my legs and body reguarly while I was sitting (the recliner was my friend for several days) My OS knew there was a possiblity that the cardiologist might want me to go back on Coumadin before surgery (although he did not think he would) but said he was comfortable doing the surgery either way. While my OS is a doctor of few words - I felt I had to ask a lot of questions - I also trusted him and he came highly recommended.

I am now 7 weeks post-op and could not imagine going back in to have the other shoulder done. PT is painful and it takes a lot of work to stay on top of recovery. I have been struggling with pain especially at night. I also suggest getting a second opinion and talking with your doctor who has you on the Coumadin. I felt so much better about the surgery once I had a plan in place and felt that I was doing everything I could to have a positive outcome.

Maybe the best route for you is to have one shoulder done and then wait until YOU are ready to do the other. It may be just 8 weeks or it may be 2 years but I think that decision should be up to you and decided on how you heal after the first. Blessings to you and let us know how it all works out!

Thank you again. I was wondering whether my family doctor should be the one I speak to concerning my coumadin and surgery, but the surgeon specifically told me I had to go to Hematologist... I go on the 19th for consult with him.. hopefully he will give the go ahead, as not day goes by the pain lessens.... For 12 weeks of shoulder surgery versus lifetime of pain will be well worth it for me... I have many worries but knowing what others been going through will definitely give me a positive outlook knowing that their surgeries have all been for the better in the end...I just wish that my doctor was alittle more open with things . i have heard he is excellent surgeon just not very informative to my liking... I would least liek to know if it will be open surgery or arthoscopy procedure, block or no block... have anchors or not, just something to know prior to surgery.. I am not one for surprises, at least give me some details LOL!!!Will keep you informed ....Thanks again for your blessings and for all of you as well...Marianne