Shoulder replacement

[dsprik]

Hi guys! I was just informed this afternoon that I would need a full shoulder (left) replacement. Nothing I was shocked about. I had surgery on it in the fall of 2005 for rotator cuff repair and the doc wasn't too enthused about the general condition at that time.

The doc has said that recovery/rehab was 3-6 months. I vote for 3. I need to be well for our Rally at the end of Sept. Has anyone had this procedure?

[HamRad]

Dave,

I am sorry to hear that you are going to replace your shoulder. Man that sounds painful! I wish you the best. And I also vote for the 3 months rather than the 6! Not that will make any difference. But we can hope.

Keep us informed and best of luck.

Dennis and Mary Kay

[dsprik]

Doc showed me the x-raysthe socket - what's left of it - and the ball were not even touching. Very large bone spur and much arthritis. Lots of pain for the last six months. The doc says that the pain will be alleviated by the surgery. Didn't say how long after the surgery, though...

[RC and Samantha]

Dave, Dick and I were sorry to read about your pain and upcoming surgery. We will be keeping you in our thoughts and of course prayers for a speedy recovery. Heck you and Cheryl with a C, just have to make it to the fall rally. I'm sure everyone will be able to assist you and keep your arm movement to a minimum so you'll be real comfortable.

I have no knowledge of shoulder replacement but know my mom had a full knee replacement and although there was post surgery pain it was short lived and the relief that came to her shortly was well worth going threw the surgery in her words.

Patty

[SAndreasen]

Sorry to hear about your need for shoulder surgery. Knowing your past history of pain in the shoulder it doesn't surprise me. You'll heal FAST (can't keep a good guy down) Do your rehab like they say and Cheryl will have you up and going again in no time. Where and when is the surgery going to be done? We'll keep you in our prayers.

[Ozzie]

Getting rid of the pain will be a relief for sure, but everyone heals differently. Some heal quick and others are in for a tough go...same goes for surgery. I hope you heal quick.

[dsprik]

Thanks, Patty for your kind words and prayers. I really am looking forward to getting this done. The doc was very reassuring that I would really appreciate the relief form the pain. We will make it to the Fall Rally if I have to hire someone to drive (don't tell Cheryl I said that...). But I should be fine by then.

Steve, I am having it done at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. I am waiting for a phone call from the physician's nurse (tomorrow?) for an appointment. My regular ortho doc does not do shoulders (he's basically a "leg man"), so he is getting me set up with a specialist. I am pretty good at staying with rehab. I spent a year and a half in the rehab facility during my three failed surgeries on my right shoulder. I do not expect those kind of problems with my left one - different type of surgery.

Thanks also for your prayers.

I'm believing for the "quick" on this, Bruce. I had the other way a couple times. No fun.

[Ozzie]

I didn't want to say it, but I've been there too...had a double fusion done to my neck and it failed.
I'm not even supposed to do what I'm doing, but you know...full steam ahead.

Staying with the therapy is where it's at too - if you can do that and work though it, you'll be that much further ahead.

[boylanag]

Dave - We are so sorry to hear of your continued pain. You are in our thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. See you in Goshen!

[ole dude]

Hey Man, Hope all goes well with your shoulder and a fast recovery is in store for you. Remember, everything is chicken but the gravey. Best wishes for you.

[dsprik]

Thanks, guys! Really do appreciate it!

Still wondering if any MOCers have ever had this procedure... or maybe someone had a family member that had it done?

Wow, Bruce! That sounds like a complicated surgery. Hopefully, mine will be a common standard procedure.

[Waynem]

Dave,
As previously stated, everyone's recovery time is different. I had rotator cuff surgery on the left shoulder back in May 07 and finally gave up therapy in March 08. It still is not totally back to a state that I would appreciate.

With that said, I do know a person who had a total shoulder replacement. He is a softball player for the company he works for. I don't know the recovery time, but he was youngerrrrrr, and he has full use of his shoulder including playing softball.

Good luck. Prayers are with you.

[dsprik]

Rotator cuffs are a pain (pun intended) to try to fix. I had three surgeries on my rt shoulder for this and all three failed. The tear was apparently "massive" and two different surgeons could not reattach it. I'm hoping that a shoulder replacement has a higher success ratio.

I do have a concern about that left rotator cuff, though. It may also be torn, which means when the surgeon goes in, he may have two procedures to do...

And thanks for the thoughts and prayers, Wayne.

[richfaa]

I don't think that was much of a surprise to you.Things like that are routine now days.Get in there and get it done. Will you now be "bionic"???

Keep us advised.....

[gkbutler]

Dave,

I don't know about shoulder replacement, but I had a total hip replacement last August. Told the surgeon that I needed to be able to go to Florida by mid October. He said that would not be a problem. Had the surgery on the 29th of August and went home on Sept 1. Had four weeks of rehab and therapy and left for Florida on October 15. Have not had any problems since with the rare exception of some aching, but only when the weather is changing. I can do pretty much everything I did before the surgery except running.

I have not regretted having the surgery. Considering the pain I was in before the surgery, I was pretty much pain free within 24 hours.

Good luck!

[Ozzie]

...and now your weather casting is more accurate than the guys on tv...priceless...LOL

[fulltimedreamer]

Dave,

Sorry to hear you need the surgery. We will keep you in our prayers.

God bless you,

[dsprik]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

I don't think that was much of a surprise to you.Things like that are routine now days.Get in there and get it done. Will you now be "bionic"???Maybe, but don't tell my wife. I still don't want to vacuum...

I will try to schedule ASAP. The ortho doc I had the appt with Wed farmed me out to a shoulder specialist and he told me that he would indicate the "need for speed" in this instance, so I could be ready for Fall driving - at the least.

Thanks, Fulltimedreamer.

Bruce, my weather forecasting was already better than those guys on tv. Wasn't hard.

[sailer]

Wewll Dick if you are in florida yet i strongly sugest to come to ft myers and see dr john kagen ,, he is tops i had the rt torn rotter cuff torn 2 yrs ago but then i smashed my left shoulder and when he tried to fix he said it was all mush so he took out the spurs and atthritis but put it back together.. he told me only to have a replacement when you carry that hand in your pocket 100% of the time as its a 50 50 operation , its will be ok on 1 person and the next it will be stuck out or up in the air call me anytime to talk about it and i will give you kagens # my pm me and i will give you all the good and bad and my phone #
sailer

[dsprik]

Thanks, John, but I am going to have to have it done up here. And my hand is in my pocket 100% of the time, so it is time. I have taken an IBU800 about a half hour ago and I just took a Tylox for bedtime. I don't mind the Ibuprophen 800, but the Tylox - while it does help me get to sleep - will wake me up in about 4 hours with a rebound headache and restlessness that will keep up for a couple hours, unless I take another one, which I hate to do.

I have Vicadin, but that stuff just gives me a stomach ache and keeps me up all night.

[Waynem]

Hydrocordone!(sp) Only way to go.

[Rondo]

Dave there was a thread on shoulder replacements about 4-5 months ago, I think! Do a search on it and see what you come up with! Seems to me someone was going to have the same surgery and they asked the same thing and had numerous replies to it! I havae a bad right shoulder- had a comp related injury or as they called it disease back about 12 years ago or more. I now have tendenitis in that shoulder and the doctor told me I will eventually need it replaced. Holding off on it since the "doctors assistant" told me to hold off on it as long as possible since I will never have total or full movement in it again. I "play at" the game of golf and the assistant told me I would probably never be able to play it again if I went through the surgery. Now this is what I've been told and I have done some research on the subject via Googling and other search engines and they all seem to say the same thing about the replacement-- to hold off as long as possible because of the loss of total movement or rotation after the surgery. You're in our thoughts and prayers and hope all works out for you! Keep us informed!

[dsprik]

Rondo, I hope you're assistant was wrong on the motion. I was told that I should have full range and no pain. BUT, I know the are people who have not faired that well. I will have a positive attitude and Faith and that's the best weapon against anything going wrong.

It is time for the surgery, though. Wasn't going to, but I will share with you what I related to a MOCer through a PM. I don't want to look as though I am bragging. This is just a good story for my grandkids. Don't know if I even told any of my kids this story...

I originally dislocated that left shoulder during my college football years (1970-1975). During a game my sophmore year I caught a pass and broke two tackles to score a touchdown. I was sandwiched by two linebackers at the 5 yd line, which dislocated the shoulder. Never felt the pain (adrenaline) until I ran into the endzone. Then I collapsed. It did pop right back in, but unbelievable pain.

That was right before the half. I played the entire second half on Darvon with my left arm taped to my side. Don't remember much except I remember how I marveled at how, when I took a hit, the pain was there momentarily, but by the time I got back to the huddle, it was totally gone. I remember feeling like I was walking on a cloud.

We won that game 7-0 for the conference championship.

I have been living with pain in that shoulder for years. Actually about 20 yrs ago I had cortisone injections in it.

The pain finally culminated in rotator cuff surgery in Oct of 2005. Would have been sooner, but I was going through those 3 failed right shoulder surgeries 6/2004, 10/2004 and 5/2005, so I had to wait.

When the doc did finally go in to the left shoulder, he repaired the partially torn rotator cuff and removed a few bone spurs, but he was not happy with what he saw in there. That was when he mentioned that I would be looking eventually at a shoulder replacement.

After the Oct 2005 surgery, I started taking glucosamine and their was a gradual improvement and some lessoning of the pain. However, I started working the turnstiles at Epcot last Nov and, while I tried to limit movement of that arm as much as possible, the pain gradually began to increase.

I was scheduled for an ortho appointment May 20 (2 days ago) since last Feb, so I waited until I was back from FL.

The pain is constant and I am looking forward to the surgery to alleviate this aggravation.

The pain has been everyday now for the past 6 months or so. On a scale of 1-10, it has ranged up to a 10. I have a high pain threshold (no brain - no pain???) but it is not getting any better and my ortho doc recommened immediate surgery. He's the Detroit Red Wings early camp team doctor.

They now have what is called a reverse shoulder replacement - the ball and socket are reversed. Not sure if I am a candidate for this or not.

Still waiting to hear from the shoulder surgeon.

[sailer]

Dave the surgeon told me it was to be a reverse as you say but the recover is not good so do a lot of checking and praying as you have a 6 month deal ahead sailer

[sailer]

Well Dave after much thinking i was frozen on the right shoulder 2 or 3 yrs ago and had the rotacuff done but still in therpy and we always walk the beach every am in bonita and i was in a sling and i watched a guy , the rt arm was swinging like mad but the left was in his pocket , we walked all winter and i said doc told me he has a series problm,, 1st its now frozen as they call it and he needs a total replacement , i talked to his wife a few times but not about the arm but i knew it was gone as you say ,, i hope you have a great surgeon , you have confidence in him and are ready to go on recovery, as i still have the pulls and the handels from the beam in the garage as i did it for 3 years to finaly get it where i want it but it still wants to hit my side at times but i saw doc last week as sharon had 2 new hips for the 2nd time done by him ,, he did not do the first ,, so we are in his office every month as we are on a first name case after 3 years as we know most of the staff by name now , he told me i need a total some day but i was to hold off but it sounds like you are ready if the hand is in the pocket already , so it also is frozen , i guess,, do what ever he says to do and do it extra on the rehab as you will be much happer in the long run ,,,,,sailer

[Rondo]

Dave keep me informed on the procedure and how things come out! Im sure I'm going to have to have the surgery eventually but I'm trying to hold off as long as possible. Take care and as I said keep us informed on the procedure.

[capn chris]

Dave,
Keep us posted. Lynn and I will be by to check on your rehab process when we come to Bellaire this summer! Headed to the NE Rally this week, then on to MN, WI, and then MI. Best of luck and stay in touch. Yikes.

[sailer]

Dave I hope i see you in mackanaw at millcreek or at the show in elkart in sept ans you are doing great good luck but get it done,,,, sailer

[ols1932]

Dave,
Having had multiple skeletal type surgeries in the past few years, I believe you'll come through fine. There have been so many advances in the technology that really overcome all the "horror stories" you might hear. Sure, there may be some who don't have great results but I've found that if you do the rehab required you'll likely regain full range of motion again. Look at it positively.

Orv

[dsprik]

Thanks for all the encouragement, everyone! I will be a stickler for rehab. I am counting on the newest technology also to eliminate any negative results. Still waiting on the referral to get faxed from my ortho doc to the shoulder specialist. I will keep everyone posted. The pain is pretty severe. I took a couple guys fishing tonight. We did catch a nice walleye - 23", but driving the boat was very painful.

[sailer]

Can't you teach someone else to drive the boat ,,,, sailer

[dsprik]

Yes, just too stubborn to let someone else drive my boat. Didn't claim to be smart.

[txkrumm]

dsprik,
Check into a shoulder block either before surgery or directly after. Talk to your anesthesia provider about an interscalene block or possibly supraclavicular block. It is basically injecting local anesthetics into the shoulder/neck area and can provide post op pain relief for 16-24 hrs post op. My patients love it! When it works, it is awesome.
Good luck,
t
PS: For now, you could talk to you Doc about Voltaren, or diclofenac, it is a superduper NSAID, like the Ibuprofen but I believe it to be better! They just came out with a patch for transdermal administration.

[dsprik]

Thanks for the info, Tara! I will write that down for the Doc.

I have had the interscalene block on my last two (or three?) shoulder surgeries. Did work great for about 16 hrs if I recall. Then they had me on a mobile pain pump, which didn't work well as the tube kept coming loose and finally I just had to pull it out.

I will have a different shoulder surgeon this time around. My old one moved to Sacramento, CA from N. MI.

[mail2us]

Dave,
Our thoughts and prayers for you on your upcoming surgery and a good recovery. I read this entire thread and find that you have many good folks cheering you on. Mickey probably would also wish you well if he were on the internet!!

[dsprik]

Thanks, guys! I received a call from the appointment nurse yesterday afternoon, after a little badgering. I have a logistics problem which will have to be resolved. The earliest the nurse could set me up for is July 22 - almost 2 months from now. That is only the initial consultation. THEN they have to schedule surgery. My experience is that takes another 2 months to get in. THEN I am looking at 3 months rehab. I need to up and able by the Goshen Rally and then to drive to FL later in Oct.

I have been put on a "cancellation list", but something will have to change somewhere. I will be in the ER before July 22 with the pain building as it has been over these past few weeks. I am hopeful for a cancellation.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Dave,

We will all swing some beads, and send forth VERY positive thoughts, so that you can get this thing done way before the dates they are giving you.

[dsprik]

Thanks, Carol! I love the positive energy. I'll take all I can get...

[RC and Samantha]

quote:Originally posted by dsprik

Thanks, guys! I received a call from the appointment nurse yesterday afternoon, after a little badgering. I have a logistics problem which will have to be resolved. The earliest the nurse could set me up for is July 22 - almost 2 months from now. That is only the initial consultation. THEN they have to schedule surgery. My experience is that takes another 2 months to get in. THEN I am looking at 3 months rehab. I need to up and able by the Goshen Rally and then to drive to FL later in Oct.

I have been put on a "cancellation list", but something will have to change somewhere. I will be in the ER before July 22 with the pain building as it has been over these past few weeks. I am hopeful for a cancellation.


Dave still keeping you in our thoughts & prayers. In the meantime why don't you hone Cheryl's driving skills with the Montana. Yep I sure know that the price of fuel may make that difficult...I know, I know another thread. She took the class with us I think & I'll be she'll do great. That should get you guys to the Fall Rally.

I hope a cancellation comes threw for you, so you can get this all done sooner than later. It amazing isn't it how complexed the specialty field has become & how long one has to wait to even get their initial consultation.

We'll continue the prayers & watching this thread for your updates.

Have a great summer in the meantime.

Patty

[8.1al]

Dave,
It must be awfully frustrating when it takes so long. I know you would rather you didn't have to do this but I also know how much pain you have had and know when this is over you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner. In the meantime we'll hope and pray that you can get in soon.

[dsprik]

Thanks, Patty and Al!

[ols1932]

Dave, I had the same problem of having to wait when I was scheduled for back surgery. Had to wait 24 days. At that time I couldn't even walk using a walker. Pain in my legs kept me from sleeping, sitting, standing, walking, you name it. Most excruciating pain I have ever experienced. But the surgery was successful as will be yours. The rehab will be a breeze, once you get started.

Orv

[dsprik]

My pain isn't that bad yet, Orv, although it is quite painful every time I move. I've gone through several rehabs with my several shoulder surgeries. I'm pretty good at staying with it.

I will keep the pressure on the office. I will swing in and visit that office every chance I get. I will get to know the nurses and staff. I will do everything I can to accelerate the process.

[sreigle]

Ouch, Dave, I'm sorry to hear about this. I'm sure it will be painful but if going through that pain results in eventually the pain is gone, then that's a good thing. I wish you well and will keep you in our prayers. I'm sure you'll be conscientous about the rehab but don't rush it. Be sure to do it right so you are as healthy as possible when it's all done. Please let us know as this progresses.

[dsprik]

Thanks, Steve. People that I have talked to who had this done said it was the best thing and they are totally pain free now.

Wonder if that appointment nurse likes flowers...

See... this is where I get in trouble. A Court psychologist once labeled me as "manipulative" during a bloody custody battle about 16 yrs ago (I did win custody of my three children). I was stunned.

I just thought I was exceptionally good at "people skills". Is that a bad thing?

[dsprik]

OK, calling (nicely) and stopping in to visit the gals in the office has been fruitful. I have been rescheduled for a July 1 consult instead of July 22. This is great news. I will update on a surgery date ASAP...

[vickster]

This is good news. Don't forget to take the flowers for your July 1st consult!!

[dsprik]

Update:

I was able to get in on a cancellation and see the shoulder surgeon for a consult on 7/1. He set me up for an EMG (electrodes-nerves) for the next day to check the numbness in my lower arm. This is like a taser jolt, only they drag it out over 45 min while poking you with needles. Fun.

Their preliminary thought was that it was my elbow, not my shoulder, that was causing this. I am not sure on this.

On 7/10, I went in for a CAT Scan. First they had to do a blood draw, then they took me into an operating room and a Dr and a nurse laid me on the operating table and they prepped my shoulder for a dye injection - just like they would have prepped for a surgical procedure - into the joint under an x-ray machine. The only guy missing was the anesthesiologist.

They also attempted to pull any fluid out of the joint to see if there was an infection. They couldn't pull any fluid, which was a good sign.

Then they took me into the CAT scan room and ran the machine over me a few times.

Fun day. Shoulder ached pretty good yesterday, but seems a lot better today.

I am now waiting for the Doc to review the results and then call me in for an appointment. His next regular opening was Aug 21st. This, of course, won't work for either of us - too far away - so he will rearrange his schedule to review the results with me within a few days - probably next week or the following week at the latest.

His main concern and focus right now is the post op complications that I suffered from some of my earlier 4 (3 rt/1 lf) rotator cuff surgeries. I had some sort of infection (sterile) develop. For a rotator cuff surgery that is not good, but for a joint replacement surgery it is devastating, as they may have to re-do the joint replacement.

He even talked about maybe going in arthro and taking a small tissue sample and a small sample of the sutures from the previous operation to check for a certain type of bacteria that the other doctors missed.

He is aware of my timeline and he mentioned that if time becomes an issue, he has a friend in Tampa who is one of the best in the world - along with this guy - who could possibly do the replacement down there after we return to FL in Oct. Don't really want to do this as I really don't want to drive all the way to FL in pain...

I pulled into Walmart in Gaylord last Wed and I saw a Montana sitting in the parking lot. The guy was just getting in. So I naturally drove over and found out it was Roger (Bear Hunter). He had just had a shoulder replacement recently and he said it was much easier than the rotator cuff surgeries. Smaller incision and much easier post op. He said he was only unable to drive for two weeks. His wife said that the Dr told him 4 weeks, though. He was very happy with the results.

Everyone I have talked to has been very pleased with their shoulder replacement. This is good. They all say the pain goes away within a few days. I have lived with this pain (last 6 mos have been the worst) since I separated it back in a college FB game. I am now 56.

So that's were I stand right now. Anxious to get this done.

[ols1932]

Dave,
We're keeping you in our prayers. Having been there, done that, I know what you're going through and what the recuperation period is going to be like. Don't overdo it, but DO it! With your previous experiences, I'm sure you're readily aware of the benefits of a little pain during rehab.

Orv & Marge

[dsprik]

Thanks, Orv. I realize that we don't want to re-do this. We will follow the Dr's orders.

[sailer]

Good luck dave as you need it and after this many you deserve it , i will be thinking of you all the way as my left is still mush as doc says so he said don't let it freeze or its a replacement .. the left was easy compared to my rt ,, that was hell on wheels as they say sailer

[dsprik]

Thanks, John. No mush for me. :D

[richfaa]

Great to hear that you are making progress.I know how much you want that problem to go away. Besides I can make a list of all the things that you can help lazy ole me with while in Florida this winter..:) No more "I can't raise my arms that high. The mouse will also be happy.

[dsprik]

Great, Rich! I have a list of things that you can help me with when we get down there, too. That is, if Aram and cust service can't get to them at the Rally... :D

[fulltimedreamer]

Dave,

I hope they can get this set up for you soon. We will keep you in our prayers.

[dsprik]

Thanks, Lamar! Still waiting to hear. I will probably give them until Wed and then either call or stop in.

[jimcar827]

Dave, so sorry to hear of your future surgery. I understand the anxiouity (sp) as I also had to wait several months to get surgery on my left shoulder, a muscle that was torn completely in two. Hope to see you next week, maybe horseshoes or bowling? Shotput maybe.
Jim

[dsprik]

quote:Originally posted by jimcar827

Hope to see you next week, maybe horseshoes or bowling? Shotput maybe.
JimMaybe a little softball or basketball, too? Now all we have to do, Jim, is find someone who we can watch do that stuff... Maybe the wives? :D

[sailer]

Hi Dave I hope to see you at millcreek in mackwauna in late aug or so but then at goshen for sure we will have the new 3465sa then so are looking foward to that ,,,, sailer

[dsprik]

John, I am waiting to see about the surgery date. Would love to go to Mill Creek this year, but everything is on hold until I get that date from the Doc.

[dsprik]

Well not good news. I talked to the nurse at the the surgeon's office today. She consulted with the doc in between his patients. I cannot get an appointment to discuss my options until Aug 21st - five weeks from yesterday. Seems even Drs need a vacation. Can't begrudge him that, though.

She said the the tests indicated that I did need a full replacement on that left shoulder and maybe a "Reverse Replacement". This is a new procedure that I have recently been reading up on. Usually done on athletes. The "ball" and "socket" are reversed with the ball in the shoulder and the socket in the arm bone (humerous).

I mentioned to her the trip to FL and she said that the Doc was aware of that. She said that even if I had the surgery today, I wouldn't be ready to drive by the end of Sept (to the Rally). I beg to differ that point! This was strictly her opinion as I asked her and she did not question the Dr on this - she just came back with that reply as soon as I asked her. Should be 2-3 weeks as per other shoulder replacement people I have talked to. Bear Hunter, an MOCer I ran into just last week was one of these sources.

Sure the Doc always has extended plans for your recuperation. I would follow all rehab instructions, but the not driving for two months would be a little out of the ordinary according to my research.

I am not sure what I want to do yet. It seems my options are now limited to having surgery in FL and missing some work at Disney, which I don't want to do, or waiting until next spring and working at Disney in some pain this winter.

I am looking into a good part time job this summer that will carry over next summer. I don't want to come back in the spring and tell them, sorry can't work right away now. I'm sure everyone would be willing to work with me on this, but it just depends on finances.

It would help if the price of diesel would drop back to Aug 2007 prices...

[dsprik]

Talked to the Dr's office today. Food for thought for me over the weekend. We just plain have to do something. I talked to the nurse today and I told her that it was apparent that Dr Chuinard was not going to be able to do my surgery within the time frame that I needed the surgery to happen and I needed him to recommend someone else. She hesitated for a moment, then responded that she would have him call me...

So we'll see what happens there. When I get to Disney I need to be working when I hit the ground there. I really don't want to have surgery in a hopsital I have never been to before by a surgeon I am not familiar with. I have done that before.

I could wait until next Spring. The pain does not bother me, but I would be concerned about the degradation of the shoulder even further than it is now. It has been going downhill rapidly the last 6 months. I really don't want to face the possibility of complications by waiting another 9 months...

[8.1al]

Dave,
Hopefully you can light a fire under the doc, all the waiting and runaround must be frustrating.

[dsprik]

Yes it is, Al.

Talked to the Dr's nurse again today. They wanted to do the elbow to help what they think is nerves being pinched from the EMG test. She said they had a surgery date to do my elbow for the end of Aug. For some reason the shoulder surgery was not as easy to schedule, with the probability of that coming the end of Sept.

I will call back tomorrow and tell them I want the shoulder done first - then the elbow. I want to see how much the tingling/trembling will clear up after they fix everything in the shoulder. What if they do the elbow, then discover that the shoulder damage was mainly responsible all along? I am suspicious of this being the case anyway.

It might be that the elbow procedure is a much simpler procedure that they can do right in the office. I have seen some minor surgeries done that way. That would explain why they could get a time for that way before the shoulder procedure?

Has anyone ever had a procedure done on their elbow to relieve nerve pressure? What kind of a procedure is it?

[exav8tr]

Dave, I feel your pain in regards to scheduling all this. I have a big toe that doesn't bend much anymore, losing the joint space, sometimes can barely walk it hurts so bad. Two years ago, while in AK, I had surgery on the left one, it was the worst of the two, it is great now. I chickend out on the second surgery at that time and am kicking myself in the butt now. I want to get it done this winter, which means I will probably have to winter in California near Travis AFB. I had hernia surgery done there last October and my surgeon said she would be glad to help me again. I guess it's just a matter of sucking it up and get it scheduled. I know my pain and solution is small compared to yours and I sure hope you get it figured out and totally repaired. I had fluid removed from my bursa in my elbow and low and behold I developed a post op infection and became septic and nearly croaked. Please check out your surgeon and facility well before going under......

[dsprik]

Will do, Phil. Sounds like you could use your own live-in surgeon, too.

[exav8tr]

Well, after I get my toe fixed it will be time to work on a constantly sore neck muscle, maybe both at the same time...I hate this getting old crap. Someone said 60 was the new 50 but it feels like 70 sometimes. I am actually quite lucky, I can, at least, still do outside chores on the Monty.;)

[Rondo]

Dave-- I told the DW about your elbow surgery and she said she knew of two that had it done. It's about the same surgery they do for carpel tunnel that has gone up into the elbow. Of the two that had hit done it was a relatively simple operation and both came out of it successful! The shakes and etc that some have are attibuted to carpel tunnel that has gone to the elbow also. I have it in my right arm and I think it is do to the shoulder deal but it isn't bad enough for the doc to operate on it- according to him anyway. I think my left shoulder is showing sympathy pains for my right now too! It's been hurting some also! OH well, the price of playing all the sports I did in high school, working construction and working on the farm!! Keep me informed on what happens and how things turn out! If needed we have some really great orthopedic docs down here in Omaha at the University Hospital, Methodist and the Alegent hospitals here and it's partway to Florida too![8D]

[dsprik]

Thanks, Ron!

[dsprik]

OK... Talked to the nurse today and I told her that the elbow surgery was secondary. And that I needed the shoulder replaced ASAP, ASAP, ASAP!

She told me that I could have had the Aug 21st date, but I told her I didn't want that... NO, NO, NO! She told me they could do my ELBOW at that time - not my shoulder. So there was a miscommunication. I told her to get me in for the shoulder at the earliest date and I would worry about heading south later. She gave me Sept 10th. I told her I was extremely upset that I missed that Aug date and that if something loosened up earlier to get me in!

She said that if I had the surgery in Sept that it would be early Dec before I could pull a 5th wheel to FL. I said, "FINE! Put me down!" She did mention that driving a car would be sooner than that. After talking to several shoulder replacement people, I have determined that 2 weeks after, I can drive.

The Rally starts 2 wks to the day of my surgery. I will be good to go. I am not in a good mood right now. My wife is trying to be consoling and she is staying on the other side of the trailer as I type this...

That Aug date would have been PERFECT! I can't believe that this was bungled!

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Sounds like the Peyton Place of shoulder surgeries.

Keep the faith Dave, well, try. Very discouraging, we are all sending good vibes, maybe the nurse will get some of them???

[dsprik]

Thanks, Carol! Appreciate the support. Got to get my attitude straightened back out about this. I know we will get a break.

[dsprik]

Drs nurse just called back. Aug 28th. This is doable. I am now a "Happy Camper"...

Sept 10 was doable also - just would not have made a lot of people happy (Doctor, wife, multiple family members, etc) as I would have been at the Rally anyways. Yes, I know I'm stubborn. I like to call it "determined and focused". :)

[Rondo]

Dave-- They call it "Bullheaded" our here in Nebraska! Great to hear you got your wish on the operating dates! Keep me informed since I figure I'll have to go through it eventually!

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

hey, NOW we are talking!

COOL BEANS, as our own Ozz would say![}:)]:D[}:)]

[VanMan]

I don't think your surgery date affects Cheryl's driving the 5th wheel, does it?

[dsprik]

quote:Originally posted by VanMan

I don't think your surgery date affects Cheryl's driving the 5th wheel, does it?Unfortunately she already has a job. She has to drive the Park Ave behind me... She has pulled the Montana previously and she went through the driver training put on last fall by Keystone at the Rally. She would do it as a last resort. We're not there yet. :)

[ols1932]

Dave,
Don't expect too much too soon. I also thought we'd be back on the road within a couple months after my back surgery in February. But, lo and behold, I'm still stuck here in Desert Hot Springs, CA. The doctor will not release me to begin traveling again until I can lift at least 35 lbs freely without effort. I'm pretty sure your shoulder surgery will be just as serious as my back surgery and from what I remember about my rotator cuff surgery, the rehab was the worst. Although I was able to return to normal(??) things fairly readily.

Orv

[8.1al]

Great news Dave!!!!! You may be cutting it kind of close with the rally, just have to wait and see. With that "determined and focused" attitude I'm sure you can make it.

[dsprik]

Doctor's visit yesterday. On Aug 28 they will do a normal shoulder replacement on my left shoulder. The reverse replacement would be if my rotator cuff was not functional. Unfortunately there is some additional damage. My rotator cuff is torn, as well as my deltoid muscle.

They will do the replacement first - 1½ hrs, then they will repair the other 2 muscles - 1 hr. In between, they may have to wait on some lab work to test for possible infection source (bacteria). I could be on the table up to 4 hrs. I will spend 1-3 days in the hospital.

Rehab is supposed to take 6 weeks. The Rally will be 4 weeks after surgery. We will have to play by ear. Based on past surgeries I have had on my shoulders 4 weeks may be OK. We will follow Dr's orders, though. Don't want to have to go back in...

[boylanag]

Dave, you continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. Hope to see you in Goshen.

[dsprik]

Thanks, Jim! Unless something unusual happens, we will be there

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Yep, we will all be pulling for ya. And, yes, FOLLOW THE DRS ORDERS!!

[mail2us]

Rally would be nice. Successful surgery, therapy and recovery is the goal.Good luck Dave. Dennis