Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire My Girlfriend Has a Complete tear of the Rotator Cuff

Doc wants to do surgery. Have any of y'all had this problem? Did you have surgery?

Sorry, not an orthopedic surgeon. But I am an amateur gynecologist.

There's other fish in the sea

make sure she does the rehab

I had the reverse shoulder done 10 weeks ago. I go to rehab 3 times a week, bought most of the equipment they have me use and I do my routine twice a day, every day, just recently increased it to 3 times a day. I am within 10degrees of full stretch, but still below what I should be in strength, but it can't be because I'm an old man. I have no pain, would do it again in a heartbeat. Cannot shoot a gun for a couple more months. Mine was not tore, just bone on bone.

Yep. I tore mine completely into when I fell off a roof.
Here's the procedure my Dr. used to fix it: Allograft shoulder reconstruction

Look into https://www.bioxcellerator.com/ and do your homework on shoulder repairs. The potential outcome is lifetime permanent.

My right shoulder is testament to that. Shoulders are trick. Recovery from surgery blows big time.

Why’d you fall off a roof?

Actually the fall wasn’t that bad, it’s the landing that was a b____!

DF

Not quite a complete tear but my arm was worthless before surgery. Rehab sucks and takes a while.

If it's her dominant arm she'll appreciate a bidet and electric tooth brush.

Did you have the cell therapy?

Always get a second opinion...

Shoulder pain is terrible. I had frozen shoulder syndrome in both shoulders. Couldn't sleep except for on my back with arms to the sides, brushing teeth was near impossible and good luck pulling a starter cord. Finally convinced my wife to tear them for me one night while I got near pass out drunk. That was some serious pain but the relief was almost instantaneous.

I suffered a complete tear while on a fire call in 2005.
The muscle retracted to the point that it couldn't be reattached. I worked hard in rehab to the point that my surgeon said he never had a patient with that injury recover that much strength.

My only problem is a lack of strength lifting above my head. Can't do it. Didn't affect my ability to work for another 18 years. Just retired June 30.

I would imagine that they've probably perfected ways to repair such an injury since '05.

I'll offer a prayer for your girlfriend's complete recovery.

I had a complete tear off, had arthroscopic surgery to repair. Did PT to strengthen muscles prior to surgery, sent home with a cold water pump for the shoulder. PT after surgery was passive for the first 8 weeks, I went in and laid down while the therapist stretched the muscles in my shoulder. There was substantial pain involved, the final 8 weeks was the same exercises as I did for a medium/large tear in the other shoulder. I have pretty much full range of motion in both shoulders, only limitation is that I cannot work over my head for a prolonged period of time.

I had my right bicep tear and drop into my elbow , It was very painful then after mri doc said I also had a complete tear in my rotorcuff so had both fixed at same time 4th of may 2023. I did all the therapy and have fully recovered. the therapy is very important. last month I pulled real hard on a piece of equipment and had a god awful pain shoot through my left shoulder and up into my neck . Dang it ! so went for a mri and chit if i dident have the same frickin thing in my left shoulder. now got surgery for 18th of dec . uhgggg!!! anyways if your girl has the surgery. DO THE REHAB !

Total replacement.

Trade in value is severely diminished but might be time to shop. How many miles?

IF she won't do the rehab she will not recover.

I had the same surgery, rehab was a breeze for me. Totally pain free in that shoulder, the other shoulder is another story. Arthritis is a bitch.

Slipped and slid off?

I know some women who would enjoy doing that to a guy....

I'm sure your wife's motives were fully altruistic and helpful.

That's basically what the surgeons do, sedate and physically break up adhesions. Works pretty well.

DF

At least she didn't tear her lab . . . uh, labrum

I tore my right rotator cuff completely, had surgery mid-July this year. First 8 weeks were hell, 5 of them in a sling for 23 hrs/day. Worst pain I have ever experienced. Could take the sling off to carefully shower and do some ROM exercises. Then gradually moved to strengthening exercises. Still going to physio for a few more weeks. Missing the entire hunting season as I can't shoot yet. I'll never be able to work above my head for very long again. Won't be able to draw a bow in the future but I should qualify for a crossbow permit during regular archery season.
Do the physio fanatically and she should have a good outcome. Shoulder surgery is one of the toughest to bounce back from. Avoid frozen shoulder syndrome at all costs!
Jeff

Pretty common injury. Usually a pretty straightforward arthroscopic repair.

Find an orthopedic surgeon that has done a shoulder fellowship, or that does shoulder surgery on a weekly basis. Preferably both.

If you can't find one in your area, it would be worth it to travel, IMHO.

I had it done in Feb. My weak side. Been going to PT ever since, finally pretty much pain free now. Will have my last PT this morning. PT has recently applied dry needling, sort of like acupuncture with electric current. Seems to have helped turn the corner. As others have said, follow the doctor's and PT's instructions faithfully.

Have you ever had a fat girlfriend with a torn rotator cuff?

Yeah, you well know from experience why physical therapists are sometimes referred to as physical terrorists.

If the shoe fits…..

DF

Not bad advice.

You basically get one bite at the apple.

DF

My girlfriend is 74. How old were y'all when you had the surgery?

I had the surgery. I was in a lot of pain before the surgery. Doctors told me surgery is the only fix. After surgery, there was very little pain. Mostly inconvenience. Long recovery, but I'm glad I did it. I was 55 when I had it done.

Tell her to use the other hand 😉

About that age when I had shoulder surg.

If she’s in good physical condition, 74’s not that old. I’ve seen “old” people much younger than 74.

DF

pictures please.

Only because you wouldn't stop beating off.

Indian Love😂

Yep: Physio Terrorist can definitely apply LOL.
Jeff

I'm 62.
My tear was so large they surgeon ended up opening my shoulder instead of the arthroscopy that was planned.
A 1 hr procedure turned into a 4 hr repair.

If offered, take the nerve block as well as the general anasthetic. The result is a slower return of post-op pain vs waking up in sudden pain.
It will give the chance to start taking your pain meds as the pain increases gradually. My first night was very manageable at home.
Worth it!
Jeff

Yeah, if the shoe fits…..

They tend to just laugh it off when accused of being physical terrorists.

DF

Had someone tell me today they had a new procedure where they implanted a ballon and filled it with saline, they were the second person this surgeon has done. He was bragging about how much it helped and recovery was a breeze ?

Knocked off your bike?

One size doesn’t fit all. That procedure seems to be for impingement syndrome when the A/C joint has a spur that rubs on the rotator cuff. The balloon acts like a buffer to keep those parts separate from each other.

Torn RC or Labrum, probably needs fixing.

DF

Had the right shoulder done Jan '20. Detached the suprous spinadis (sp?). When checking in at PT I would say Sean, torture by Grace 10:00. Surgeon said bicep was 75% torn when he went in, so drilled another hole and pinned/riveted that one with cadaver bone too. As for PT, swimming was by far the best therapy. Full motion, low impact. I have full motion now, but still not the strength.

Pretty common surgery, the key is being very committed to the rehabilitation exercise and stuff.

I had the left shoulder done 3 years ago. I go in for my MRI on the right shoulder Monday morning. Both doctors that have checked me out says it's a torn rotator cuff. I hope I can get in for the surgey this year while all of my deductibles are paid from the neck sugery! Car wrecks are a bitch!

Very important to follow the rehab instructions for any type of shoulder surgery. Such a dynamic joint that the rehab is key. I always tell patients to go to a ortho who does a lot of shoulders.

Yep, an ortho who does lots of shoulders and stick with the PTs he (or she, gotta be PC) has faith in and recommends. It’s a team effort. Don’t need any weak links in the chain.

DF