|
I am 15 days post op. 16 days ago I had never even heard the word glenoid labrum used in a sentence, let alone what a torn labrum actually means to your life. I have posted a copy of an email I sent to my DO, I''ve eliminated names to protect.
Hi Dr.(DO - not the surgeon)........ It's bmpskir: Been bummed out about what has happened to me with my shoulder, thought you should know. I'm just whining! Recall that I came in with a shoulder pain on July 24, we did the X-Rays as well schedule the MRI (with the dye) for July 27. At the beginning of August, I received a cortisone shot, I was told that I had Distial Clavicular Osteolysis, common with football players and weightlifters,and that surgery may be necessary to clean up the bone. I was told that to rest for a month, come back and get more X-rays. On Sept 8, we met again, the xrays showed no real improvement, surgery was recommended. I got to meet surgeon, Dr. (actual surgeon) that day, we discussed the current x-ray, he agreed surgery was necessary. He explained the procedure as grinding the collarbone to clean up the tissue, overnight in a sling, therapy possibly the next day, total recovery 3-5 weeks. Based on that information, I scheduled the surgery for October 16, the perfect time to finish up my cycling season, have the surgery, recover, and get back to work before a sudden decrease in income that was looming in January as well as be ready for the ski season. During surgery, Dr. (actual surgeon) found my shoulder to be mmm...shredded! In addition to the collarbone work, there was erosion at bicep tendon and rotator cuff, and a tear at the labrum . Of course, as he should, he fixed it. Well, this is where it gets depressing, and it has to do with the surprises in the recovery phase. Surprise # 1. Dr (actual surgeon) wakes me up and tries to explain to me that he found more than anticipated, "3 weeks immobilzed in a sling" was all that I really heard. The following day when I was more coherant, we talked, he explained what had happened and why he did what he did, he stated recovery as " 3 weeks immobilzed in a sling, 3 additional weeks of babying it - see you in two weeks for follow up". Surprise # 2. Yesterday at the two week follow up, I find out that usual recovery is really, 3 weeks in a sling, 3 weeks babying, 4 months to heavy lifting, 6 months to athletic contact. I can't move my arm, I can't work, ski season is shot, and NOW I face a real decision about using my arm, I either take the time to recover fully which will hurt financially, especially in January OR use my arm too soon, tear up the shoulder repair and work to support my family, by the way I'm a handyman. I thought the dye in the MRI made it a "HDTV", what happened?! I'm depressed, dissappointed, and whining! Stupid Labrum! bmpskir |
