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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
  
Location: Kansas | mtcanchazer - 2018-11-28 11:37 AM What were your first symptoms of rotator cuff injury? I have shoulder pain, but am keeping from going to the doctor as long as I can.
I originally went to a physical therapist for what we thought was arthritis, in the shoulder. Went to a couple appointments, did stretches to loosen tight muscles around the shoulder area. Felt better for several weeks. Probably had a tear at that time. Over the next several weeks I loaded square bales, rode my horse and helped a friend vending at a show (loading and unloading racks of inventory clothing). When I threw a saddle on my mare I felt an incredible pain in my shoulder. Went back to PT and they looked at the shoulder via ultra sound. That showed lots of fluid around the humerus / shoulder joint and what looked to be a tear. We discussed and I went to my GP as I needed a reccomendation for an MRI. MRI showed the complete tear. I just thought I had arthritis and sore muscles.
LIke Luvropin said if you can't raise your arm (front or side) without pain / strength loss it would be worth checking out. If you have a partial tear there are other options before surgery. |
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Good Ole Boys just Fine with Me
Posts: 2869
Location: SE Missouri | My post surgery diagnosis was:
Torn subscapularis, torn supraspinatus, impingement syndrome, breakdown anterior roatator cuff interval and glenohuneral joint.
So two anchor screws, lots of debriment, decompression of something, and I was sent home with a nerve block and pain meds (and Valium). I didn’t have a recliner so i used lots of pillows and a down comforter which I set up prior to surgery lol. I had a polar pak also. I don’t remember much my first 14 days bc I was probably over medicated honestly and definitely made from some entertaining videos thanks to my hubby pushing my buttons to get good material, lol.
My procedure required three weeks of immobility in a sling before I could start PT. It was arthroscopic also by a top sports surgeon in STL. That was July 5th and did PT 3x’s a week for 6weeks (once released). I didn’t get on my mare til September and didn’t throw a saddle on until mid October and made my first run back in November. My PT (and a long time family friend) was AMAZING she used a machine that was like a supped up TINS unit that kept my discomfort to a minimum following sessions. I do not regret my decision at all. I was having trouble sleeping at night and could lift the back of my hand away from my lower back. It was not fun. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
Location: Kansas | abrooks - 2018-11-28 6:20 PM My post surgery diagnosis was: Torn subscapularis, torn supraspinatus, impingement syndrome, breakdown anterior roatator cuff interval and glenohuneral joint. So two anchor screws, lots of debriment, decompression of something, and I was sent home with a nerve block and pain meds (and Valium). I didn’t have a recliner so i used lots of pillows and a down comforter which I set up prior to surgery lol. I had a polar pak also. I don’t remember much my first 14 days bc I was probably over medicated honestly and definitely made from some entertaining videos thanks to my hubby pushing my buttons to get good material, lol. My procedure required three weeks of immobility in a sling before I could start PT. It was arthroscopic also by a top sports surgeon in STL. That was July 5th and did PT 3x’s a week for 6weeks (once released). I didn’t get on my mare til September and didn’t throw a saddle on until mid October and made my first run back in November. My PT (and a long time family friend) was AMAZING she used a machine that was like a supped up TINS unit that kept my discomfort to a minimum following sessions. I do not regret my decision at all. I was having trouble sleeping at night and could lift the back of my hand away from my lower back. It was not fun.
Wow...you really touched every area of the shoulder. Your recovery time gives me hope that my simple tear might not take as long as I believe.
I have been prepping as much is feasible....recliner, extra pillows / couch, sweat pants, slip on shoes and anything I can think of to make it easier. I'm sure I will find plenty to be frustrated. |
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Good Ole Boys just Fine with Me
Posts: 2869
Location: SE Missouri | In the moment it seems like time is dragging on and i definitey hit a depression spot but I think that was as much from the medicine as anything. I actually stopped most of the pain meds and Valium at 3weeks bc I was a zombie and couldn’t take it anymore. I would take a 1/2 or 1/4 pill if I we had a tough PT or I was going be out a lot. I wore my sling most of the way thru august (bc I had so many work meeting So a I wouldn’t chance someone bumping me).
Good luck! Hopefully yours is minimal! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1100
Location: Southeastern Idaho | runnin hard - 2018-11-28 7:12 PM
abrooks - 2018-11-28 6:20 PM My post surgery diagnosis was: Torn subscapularis, torn supraspinatus, impingement syndrome, breakdown anterior roatator cuff interval and glenohuneral joint. So two anchor screws, lots of debriment, decompression of something, and I was sent home with a nerve block and pain meds (and Valium). I didn’t have a recliner so i used lots of pillows and a down comforter which I set up prior to surgery lol. I had a polar pak also. I don’t remember much my first 14 days bc I was probably over medicated honestly and definitely made from some entertaining videos thanks to my hubby pushing my buttons to get good material, lol. My procedure required three weeks of immobility in a sling before I could start PT. It was arthroscopic also by a top sports surgeon in STL. That was July 5th and did PT 3x’s a week for 6weeks (once released). I didn’t get on my mare til September and didn’t throw a saddle on until mid October and made my first run back in November. My PT (and a long time family friend) was AMAZING she used a machine that was like a supped up TINS unit that kept my discomfort to a minimum following sessions. I do not regret my decision at all. I was having trouble sleeping at night and could lift the back of my hand away from my lower back. It was not fun.
Wow...you really touched every area of the shoulder. Your recovery time gives me hope that my simple tear might not take as long as I believe.
I have been prepping as much is feasible....recliner, extra pillows / couch, sweat pants, slip on shoes and anything I can think of to make it easier. I'm sure I will find plenty to be frustrated.Â
Don't forget a robe (preferably a zip up) to wear home. That was a life saver for me since I did out patient surgery. Once I was awake and coherent they wanted me out of there. Zipping on a robe over all the bandaging was the easiest way to get home. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
Location: Kansas | Surgery update.... all went well. Able to have arthroscopic procedure. I am home, feeling great and pain meds are on board. No issues so far with pain or mobility (ha ha). |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | runnin hard - 2018-12-07 8:51 PM
Surgery update.... all went well. Able to have arthroscopic procedure. I am home, feeling great and pain meds are on board. No issues so far with pain or mobility (ha ha).
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Duct Tape Bikini Girl
Posts: 2554
| I had my left rotator cuff repaired in '09. I didn't compete for 6 months, but began riding sooner. I don't throw saddles on horses anymore. I get on a mounting block and set the saddle down on the horse's back. If I had it to do over again, I'd get a shoulder replacement. Don't allow yourself to lift to heights over your shoulders or you'll rip it out again. |
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 Famous for Not Complaining
Posts: 8848
Location: Broxton, Ga | Think this is what I am headed for.....just had my MRI today.........not looking forward to this but tired of the pain.... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1100
Location: Southeastern Idaho | CJE - 2018-12-10 9:07 AM
Think this is what I am headed for.....just had my MRI today.........not looking forward to this but tired of the pain....
I promise you will be glad you did it and wonder why it took you so long. I sure did. Wish I would have taken care of it sooner ... I can't get those wasted years back. |
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Famous for Not Complaining
Posts: 8848
Location: Broxton, Ga | luvropin - 2018-12-09 11:54 AM
CJE - 2018-12-10 9:07 AM
Think this is what I am headed for.....just had my MRI today.........not looking forward to this but tired of the pain....
I promise you will be glad you did it and wonder why it took you so long. I sure did. Wish I would have taken care of it sooner ... I can't get those wasted years back.
Looking back I think my pain began late summer and I had it injected right before NBHA World show (October) ...I felt GREAT!!! Didn't last.......but only a couple of weeks.....the pain wakes me up and I hardly have any range of movement....I am just ready to get over it....! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1100
Location: Southeastern Idaho | CJE - 2018-12-10 10:04 AM
luvropin - 2018-12-09 11:54 AM
CJE - 2018-12-10 9:07 AM
Think this is what I am headed for.....just had my MRI today.........not looking forward to this but tired of the pain....
I promise you will be glad you did it and wonder why it took you so long. I sure did. Wish I would have taken care of it sooner ... I can't get those wasted years back.
Looking back I think my pain began late summer and I had it injected right before NBHA World show (October ) ...I felt GREAT!!! Didn't last.......but only a couple of weeks.....the pain wakes me up and I hardly have any range of movement....I am just ready to get over it....!
I waited 2 years...stupid. Glad you are more proactive than I was! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
Location: Kansas | I can now say... don’t wait. I was able to have arthroscopic and surgery went great! I argued / stood my ground day of surgery as I was supposed to have a polar pac according to surgeons information sheet. Found out the facility didn’t offer those only gel packs. As I said I stood my ground and surgeon ordered one. Best thing I did for healing. Today was first PT appointment and ouch only three days following surgery. I know it will get better as I’m willing to do the work. Without surgery my riding days would be done. I’m looking at 7 months realistically to be horseback. It’s tough but will be worth it in the long run. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Y'all are making me rethink the "put it off" attitude I have about my shoulder pain. After 32 years of crutches, I hurt all the time. . . . |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
Location: Kansas | For those on the fence that are putting off this surgery.....don't put it off!!
I am five days post surgery and two PT appointments. Yesterday I had one dose of pain meds and today none (2 tylenol only). PT isn't a bunch of roses but im not finding it over the top painful either. I plan on going to watch a local series finals and cheer on everyone this weekend.
If you need it do it and get back on the wagon of "full enjoyment living"!! The longer the wait the harder the repair.
Edited by runnin hard 2018-12-12 5:09 PM
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