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Old 06-11-2018, 05:50 PM
trigger7mm trigger7mm is offline
 
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Default Rotator cuff help!

Hello everyone, My shoulder has been really bothering me for a while now. 30years of working as an electrician, with my work overhead all the time, has taken a toll. Saw a doctor, and he said he believes I have a complete tear of my supraspinatus (rotator cuff). Has anyone had this problem, and did it require surgery to repair it? Will physiotherapy help or just aggrevate it more? What do you suggest. Thanks for helping me out.
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Old 06-11-2018, 05:53 PM
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pikergolf pikergolf is offline
 
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Ask for Xray and ultra sound. That will give you a diagnosis, then an appointment with a orthopedic surgeon.
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Old 06-11-2018, 06:05 PM
Lites out Lites out is offline
 
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Default worse than first thought

That sucks Bud! We were hoping for a small miracle with the cortizone weren't we! Anyways thats where my expertise run out. Good luck and I\ll stay tuned!
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Old 06-11-2018, 06:11 PM
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Spidey Spidey is offline
 
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I tore my left rotator cuff early in the season when I used to work at a golf course and was giving a lot of lessons - and I stupidly pushed it during a long drive competition. At that time (over 20 years ago), the doctor said that only time would fix it. Sure enough, after 3 months of not pushing it and a summer of just working in the pro shop, by the end of the season I was golfing again.

I'm sure technology has improved since then, but that was what worked for me.
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Old 06-11-2018, 06:18 PM
2 Tollers 2 Tollers is offline
 
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Not sure where you live. I went into Glen Sather sports medicine and saw a very small Asian sports doctor. She did the initial assessment as to whether I would need surgery or be able to use physio to recover. She did one or two different types of movements of my shoulder, dropped me to my knees and said surgery. Surgery was 6 months in a sling and a 1 year to full recovery.
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Old 06-11-2018, 06:24 PM
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blgoodbrand1 blgoodbrand1 is offline
 
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Smaller purse?
Sorry. I’m done now.


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Old 06-11-2018, 06:25 PM
kevinhits kevinhits is offline
 
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My Fathernlaw just went through this and after 4 attempts of popping his shoulder back in, he had to finally have surgery...He was a mechanic for 45 years so I assume his cuff wore out as well...
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Old 06-11-2018, 06:36 PM
jdwilson jdwilson is offline
 
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https://www.regenexx.com/stem-cell-shoulder-treatment/

Stem cell injections are replacing many surgeries. Although, likely not covered by public health care yet.
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Old 06-11-2018, 07:06 PM
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Ken07AOVette Ken07AOVette is offline
 
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Thumbs down

I slipped on ice and fell through the ladder railing at the Canola plant in Lloydminster tearing mine. They sent me for physio which did nothing. I had to let it heal, did not have surgery. After 12 years I could throw a ball or football again.
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Old 06-11-2018, 07:28 PM
landowner landowner is offline
 
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I had the surgery, was very successful went from 30% to almost 90.
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Old 06-11-2018, 07:35 PM
CritterCommander CritterCommander is offline
 
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I healed up over about 6 months, started off running a tennis ball up and down a wall with the affected side over and over and over again graduating to bigger and heavier types of balls over that time frame. Also put away the gas axe and other aggravating types of tools and machinery. Still avoid doing absolutely anything over my head as it doesn't take long for that to cause a flare up....
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Old 06-11-2018, 08:00 PM
Nyksta Nyksta is offline
 
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I had 20 years of shoulder pain and finally last year figured out it was a food pesticides allergy causing nerve inflammation. Very weird i know, but maybe a possibility.
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Old 06-11-2018, 08:15 PM
CritterCommander CritterCommander is offline
 
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I should add my program was given to me by a Japanese Chiropractor in Grande Prairie, first name is Kenzo. Very smart man and helped me through more than a few issues with fixes that last.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. For me surgery was the absolute last option.
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Old 06-11-2018, 08:54 PM
canuck canuck is offline
 
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40 years of hard physical labour and lifestyle here.
I have a 75% tear of the supraspinatus in my left arm, injured at work (thankfully) last summer.
I was advised not to have surgery as the doc said I may not end up in any better condition - likely worse - so I was given a cortisone shot and went through a fairly intensive physio program for almost 6 months.
I still suffer from pain in the shoulder and don’t have the power or mobility that I used to, and have been told I never will.
I have to continue the exercises to keep the other muscles in my shoulder toned to compensate for the torn one.
It sucks getting old - “if I’d known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself”


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Old 06-11-2018, 08:59 PM
trigger7mm trigger7mm is offline
 
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Default Rotator cuff help

Thanks everyone for your input. I am scheduled for an ultrasound, and then maybe a meeting with a surgeon. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but it doesn’t seem too good. I can’t even come close to pulling back a slingshot, let alone my bow. Even holding up my rifle is painful. Thanks again for your help.
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Old 06-11-2018, 09:05 PM
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catnthehat catnthehat is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trigger7mm View Post
Thanks everyone for your input. I am scheduled for an ultrasound, and then maybe a meeting with a surgeon. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but it doesn’t seem too good. I can’t even come close to pulling back a slingshot, let alone my bow. Even holding up my rifle is painful. Thanks again for your help.
I feel your pain, I was off for a year and a bit without shooting so much as shooting a 22LR!
Couldn't hold the gun up , luckily I had a job off the tools!
NO surgery though !
Cat
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Old 06-11-2018, 10:17 PM
Kurt505 Kurt505 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trigger7mm View Post
Thanks everyone for your input. I am scheduled for an ultrasound, and then maybe a meeting with a surgeon. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but it doesn’t seem too good. I can’t even come close to pulling back a slingshot, let alone my bow. Even holding up my rifle is painful. Thanks again for your help.
Can you lift your arm over your head? I couldn't when I tore mine. Took 10 months off work and a year off bow hunting. Never went for surgery or took cortisone shots. Just 20years later and it only hurts when I sleep on it wrong.
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Old 06-12-2018, 07:37 AM
MrDave MrDave is offline
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Start with physiotherapy, get the muscles strong but don't get into going hard. When you have the surgery, the stronger the better.
I had 3 tears in the rotator cuff, and had surgery at Canadian Surgical Solutions. It was only a one week wait, then 6 weeks of suffering. Very painful surgery. Took me a month before I could sleep in anything other than a recliner.
The crappy part was that a physiotherapist was the one who caused the damage. The real bad part was 5 weeks after the surgery, a different therapist tore the repair by being pushy.
Second surgery wasn't as bad, but the recovery has been impossible. 11 months later, I can only lift 15 pounds with the arm. Frozen shoulder after 2 surgeries sucks. I have now been in therapy for most of 2 years, and in worse shape than the day of the accident.

Needless to say a good physiotherapist is vital. Looking after the body before sure would have been better.
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Old 06-12-2018, 07:46 AM
graybeard graybeard is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trigger7mm View Post
Thanks everyone for your input. I am scheduled for an ultrasound, and then maybe a meeting with a surgeon. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but it doesn’t seem too good. I can’t even come close to pulling back a slingshot, let alone my bow. Even holding up my rifle is painful. Thanks again for your help.
Six surgeries later; 2 on my left arm and 4 on my right arm, I can not pull a bow or throw a baseball either. The next procedure on my right arm will be a shoulder replacement.

Once it is torn no physio or cortisone will repair it. It may delay it somewhat or a lifestyle change, but sooner or later it will need operating.

BTW cortisone is not healthy.

For this reason and a surgeons note of permanent disability to Fish and Wildlife, I shoot a cross bow.

Good luck,
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Last edited by graybeard; 06-12-2018 at 07:52 AM.
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Old 06-12-2018, 09:31 AM
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Bushrat Bushrat is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurt505 View Post
Can you lift your arm over your head? I couldn't when I tore mine. Took 10 months off work and a year off bow hunting. Never went for surgery or took cortisone shots. Just 20years later and it only hurts when I sleep on it wrong.
Yup couldn't lift left my arm high enough to hold the forearm of my rifle to shoot offhand. Doc gave me some exercises and favored that arm for a year or so, now it only bothers me when I sleep on it wrong, can feel it when I over use that arm so I favor it and try not to over stress it.
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  #21  
Old 06-12-2018, 12:14 PM
bigjohncdn bigjohncdn is offline
 
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Default Another bad shoulder here

Well, I tore mine up over two years ago. Ultra sounds, MRI's, CT scans and X ray have all confirmed the superspinous tendon is totally torn off the shoulder and retracted over 2 cm. Cartilage is also torn in multiple places.

Of course my GP sent me to physio while waiting for the ultrasound. Physio worked it pretty hard and it was very painful. Then, once the ultrasound results came in, STOP STOP STOP, NO MORE PHYSIO!!!!! Apparently the overzealous use of physio was tearing things up even worse as there was actually damage, not just strain or inflammation. The GP putting the cart before the horse has not helped the situation at all.

So, then I was sent to an Orthopedic surgeon who, due my age he claimed (58 at the time), was too old for him to bother with for this type of injury. Have a cortisone shot, don't use the arm too much, were his suggestions. So back to the GP who at least felt that was not a valid answer and set up an appointment with another Orthopedic surgeon, one that specialized in sports injuries to shoulders.

Am finally, after two years, on the list for surgery with a sports medicine specialist. However, he can not confirm if surgery will even take place in 2018.

This is the worst injury I've experienced in my life, chronic pain wise. Can not sleep most nights more than a couple of hours at a time. Can not lift even the empty hand over my head. Can barely lift a 2litre milk carton out of the fridge as this causes substantial pain. The chronic pain has made me very irritable and short tempered at times, which is hard on those around me. I try to remember it is the pain talking and take medication when I need to, but often the pain has set in before I realize I need the meds. As some of you likely know, taking them preemptively is fine, except that they then lose their effectiveness over time. I must publicly thank my wife and friends for their understanding (most of the time) of the situation!

Using it as little as possible over the last two years has done nothing to improve the situation. If anything it is getting worse with pain now often radiating down the arm into the elbow and wrist joints. Sometimes the finger tips will start to go numb. Saw the surgeon last week and he said unfortunately that is the normal progression of these things. Loud painful clicks in the shoulder when moving it at times as well.

Aren't shoulder injuries fun!!!

Having looked at all the pictures the surgeon is estimating a 60 - 80% recovery. He fully admits the length of time the damage has gone untreated, due to our medical system, is increasing my injury and reducing the prospective outcome.

A friend of mine in BC recently had his shoulder repaired, it was a workplace injury. He, as others have said here, was in the most pain of his life for the first month to 6 weeks after surgery. I do not look forward to this, but at least if there is an end in sight it is better than the situation now.

Hearing from those here who have had successful outcomes does give me hope. Those who have not, give me the awareness to be cautious.

@ trigger7mm, I wish you the best of luck with your shoulder and recovery. Do please keep us updated on how things progress.
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  #22  
Old 06-12-2018, 10:16 PM
heybert heybert is offline
 
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Had my superspinatus on the left shoulder reattached 2 years ago. Made it better than ever. I can lift things overhead now. My right one is being done next month. Have the best surgeon in Calgary doing mine.
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  #23  
Old 06-22-2018, 02:56 PM
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Viking Caliber Viking Caliber is offline
 
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Default torn shoulder

Tore my rotator cuff on the back side of my shoulder in 1999- 2000. (partially dislocated shoulder, 20 years ago)
I saw a doctor and he told about micro surgery first to see if they can fix it, if not then they would have to cut the shoulder open to repair it.
I have built up my outer muscle to hold my shoulder in place, however I can rotate my shoulder back and you can see it partly dislocate and pop back in again.
I am a pipe layer/lead hand for main lines. shoulder doesn't bother me any
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