Rotator Cuff Surgery for me too :>( - Montana Owners Club

Longwell · 10-27-2010, 02:06 PM

My left shoulder has been hurting off and on for about 18 months. I went to the family doctor some time ago and had a series of 2 steroid shots that did nothing, then physical therapy which did nothing. Then came an MRI showing a torn ligament.
Went to a specialist and had 2 more shots; first worked, second did not. He says it's time for surgery!!! This will be my first surgery requiring a long recovery period.
I am one of the "fortunate" ones that has full mobility in spite of the intense pain it causes. This may be a good thing.

I have the pre-op meeting mid-November and surgery scheduled for early December. Thanks goodness my wife is off work for a month from mid-December to mid-January so she will be the chauffer and gopher.
I have read the archives about the various people on MOC who have had this surgery so I know to DO WHAT THE THERAPIST AND DOCTOR SAY TO DO.
I'm very good at following instructions so I hope that part won't be a problem. The problem is going to be in a sling with no driving, no anything for 6 weeks then no lifting and no use for another 6 weeks out of the sling. I'm not an inactive-type of person so I have to learn to be for some time.
I'm glad this is happening before we order our Montana in February for April delivery. I'll have this as a powerful incentive to be "good" and not screw up the recovery.
If any of you who have had the surgery could let me know how it turned out I would be interested.
I may not post as much during this period because I usually type at about 55 to 60 wpm and can barely stand to use prostitute typing for messages (you know - " a hunt-n-pecker").
SO, that's the latest.
The adventure continues.
Larry

HamRad · 10-27-2010, 02:55 PM

Larry,
Sorry to hear that you've got to have the surgery. You are obviously ahead of the game by having read about some of us who have already had some sort of surgery. You will be ready for that Monty! Best of luck.

Dennis

pbahlin · 10-27-2010, 03:05 PM

Larry:

Had the surgery in April for severely torn rotator cuff ligament and I would have to say I'm at probably 95% of range of motion. Way better off than before the surgery.I am right handed and it was my right shoulder so I had a huge learning curve with the left hand but thanks to a wonderful "male nurse" made it through and am now full timing and having a great adventure. Had to wear the sling with pillow for 6 wks 24/7 and then sling without pillow for 4 more weeks....couldn't drive that whole time which is a huge bummer.

Best wishes to you on your surgery and already know the "law" do what they tell and no more than they tell you....they do know what's best.

Keep us posted when you can.

Betty

Waynem · 10-27-2010, 03:18 PM

Larry,
I have had the surgery on the left shoulder. I don't remember being in the "pillow" sling but for only a short time, like maybe 2 weeks at most. The first week or so is the worst. You can only begin to imagine the pain when the therapist starts moving, stretching, and generally causing pain when they do it. After about the 1st week you, if you are like me, will be on your own and they will just monitor you. If you are having a specific problem with one of the exercises do not hesitate to ask them for help. They may hurt you a little more by stretching you more, but the end results will be worth it. As for driving - can you think "one-handed" (in the car or truck)? I have had my left shoulder rotator cuff repaired, and my right knee replaced. In both cases I was driving in a very short time with doctor's permission. Actually, in the rotators cuff scenario when I asked if I could drive, he looked at me, then made a steering wheel motion with his hand and arm, and said, "Yes, that would be good therapy." But, I have an aggressive bone surgeon.

I'll be having my right shoulder done sometime in the next two months. typically when I see my doctor he schedules me real quick. I guess my insurance company pays up fast. Some time in the next year I have to have the left knee replaced.

Oh well! There is an alternative to growing old.

Good luck to you.

p.s., I also have full range of motion in my right arm, but it hurts like the devil if i'm just sitting still, or letting it hang by my side.

Oh! as for typing, you will be able to move the fingers with the pillow sling. Your elbow and forarm will be resting on about an 8 inch thick pillow with a sling. If your fingers can reach the keyboard you'll be able to type. Well, I could.

As stated - the end results are worth it.

sfish · 10-27-2010, 04:38 PM

Larry its not fun but the results are worth the time it takes to recover.The recovery period and therapy took me several months because I didnt listen to the pain and continued working out and everything else one does on a daily basis.My muscle became detatched from the bone and the surgery required a groove cut in the bone and sewed in. My point is Get it Done it will only get worse and my results were fantastic.I was told not to lift anything heavy above my head again and I havent its been 4 years. Hope all goes well.

Steve

iowaone · 10-27-2010, 04:54 PM

I have my right shoulder on Monday Nov. 1 so these comments are helpful. I am still working with lot of driving so I guess I will need to take it slow for a while. MOst of my work involves talking and typing plus driving to get to work and meetings. About 2500 miles per month but should be able to work some from home and more at a local office rather than driving 70 miles each way to my regular office. I alos will be taking whatever time off is necessary at first.

ols1932 · 10-28-2010, 12:48 AM

Larry,
I had it done on my right shoulder in '91 to repair an old baseball injury from way back in high school. As you already know, the rehab is worse than the surgery. Grit your teeth and do the therapy.

Orv

nunya · 10-28-2010, 02:50 AM

had both done, 10 yrs apart , both are good to go. Ditto all the stuff there tellin ya, most PT people get ya movin as soon as possible and hurt the hell outta ya gettin range of motion back! Best of luck and go ahead n pecker hunt!!

Peg Jack · 10-28-2010, 03:15 AM

Hey Larry, good thing you're having it done before "FULLTIMING" also thank God for April being off for awhile. We wish you a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you on the road.

Capt Kidd · 10-28-2010, 05:24 AM

I also have a bad left shoulder but have full range of motion and some pain but not really too bad. Guess I need to have it looked at before it gets worse.

footloose · 10-28-2010, 05:45 AM

Larry, I have a question. It sounds like you have had 4 steroid shots in your shoulder. I have had 2. When I got the 2nd shot, the doctor said to try to be very careful with that shoulder as I could only have 3 shots in the shoulder in a lifetime. She said I could have as many as I need in knees, but not in the shoulder. I have full use of my shoulder now, but wonder if she was giving me the right information. Good luck with your surgery. Get well soon so you can enjoy that new Montana.
Sharon

BB_TX · 10-28-2010, 05:52 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Capt Kidd

I also have a bad left shoulder but have full range of motion and some pain but not really too bad. Guess I need to have it looked at before it gets worse.

You should have that checked. I had pain in my right shoulder that would send burning pain down my arm when if I reached up or back trying to lift or move something. Began slowly and increased over time. Generally it was ok thru most movements until I moved it back or up. Then it felt as though my arm would fall off. I was expecting surgery when I went to orthopaedic doctor. He said I had "frozen shoulder" but it was in early stages and I had 3 choices, surgery, physical therapy to work the shoulder to break the adhesions, or do the physical therapy myself. I chose to do it myself. He gave me some exercise gadgets and instructions. Three times a day thru some painful movements. But within about 3 months I had full movement with no more pain.
If it had progressed too far, surgery would have been the only option.

Lee F. · 10-28-2010, 06:25 AM

I had my left shoulder done two years ago. I had two complete tears of the rotato cuff and a detached bicep muscle as the result of an accident. I was prepared for the worst regarding the recovery, but really didn't think it was that bad. Was it painful? Yes, but not as bad as the pain prior to the surgery. I now have about 80% of the strength and full mobility without any pain. Just follow the doctors instructions and you may be surprised. Good luck.

sailer · 10-28-2010, 03:11 PM

Well Larry ;;I had the right side done about 4 years ago and it was hell as i was frozon as they call it.. I went in for a 35 min surgery and it took 1 hr and 15 min. But doc said it was a sucess. it took almost 1 year to get back to 99% but if you work at it you can do it.. The 1st time the therpsit took my arm my feet went up and kicked a big picture off the wall. after that they moved the bed out.. The left shoulder i smashed as i was falling while putting up the awning on the old trailer. I saved my head with my hands but the shoulder is mush as they call it it was a 15 min operation and doc said you some day need a new shoulder. I am living with it and enjoying life .. Put some pullies up on the ceiling of the garage to do your pulls with now .. if you need to see them go to a therpy place and ask to see the pulls for the shoulders ,,,GOOD LUCK ... you will hurt but you will be a better person ;;sailer

You may also like: