I went for a second opinion as well and am going back to the 1st tomorrow. I can't make heads or tails of the MRI report either.

1. Superior Laberal Tear with extension into biceps tendon anchor and... with bicepital tendinosis... associated paralabral cysts.

2. Moderate to advanced tendinosis involving the supraspinitus and subscapularis tendons without convincing full thickness perforation. Mild bursal fraying of the distal supraspinatus tendon.

3) Grade III separation of the acromioclavicular joint.

There are a number of comments stating "grossly intact" as in "the muscles of the rotator cuff are grossly intact". I'm hoping this is a good thing?

Ortho 1 does the procedure as a combination of incision and arthroscopic. Surgeon 2 says he can do it all arthroscopically. I like surgeon 1, but after looking through this site am open to options for a faster recovery. I can live with this but would really like to have the use of my shoulder back, even with regular working out I see my shoulder strength diminishing.

Any input is appreciated. maxi

Hi Maxicrom

Unfortunately this is also new to me and I won't be much help with the MRI interpt.

I can say that I went to see three different doctors and am (i think) going with the third.

If you don't like both that you have seen for one reason or another, see a third if you can.

It's important to me that I feel comfortable with my doctor and he is a great surgeon, this is what I found with the third doctor I saw.

Best of luck.

Thanks for the input...

I agree fully, I feel very good about the Ortho that I'm working with, I've been a patient on an off for about 15 years. I live in the DC area and went to the shoulder "Top Gun" surgeon and did not care for his manner - more about what he could do than long a term view for my shoulder and lifestyle. I'm sure he is very good. Yesterday I did get some MRI info - also some Artho vs. open surgery info which I'll post in the surgery thread. Basically tendinosis has more impact than the tear if I got it correctly, and until the joint and supporting structure are intact the tendons cannot heal and cause extra strain on the SLAP and rotator cuff adding to the discomfort.

In my case, since I have reached a level where I can tolerate the daily ache the doc said that it needs to be repaired but unless there is a significant change the surgery can wait until until after the 1st of the year (my date, as we have a lot going on until then).

BTW: "Grossly Intact" is better than "Grossly not intact", he said that some radiologists have a language of their own and they look at the finding then the MRI to make the diagnosis.

Hope this helps,

MB