Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Shoulder advice

I'm hoping with the number of members here, and their mean age, I can get some feedback on shoulder surgery.

I had a major tear in my dominant side shoulder and had it repaired last June. It's been seven months since the surgery and I'm finally enjoying the pain being gone and much of the flexibility returning. BUT, I've got a strength issue and some joint binding with led to another MRI (with contrast dye) that revealed one of the repairs tore loose. One of the tendons that had completely torn loose of the bone was anchored back in place with screws and sutures, and apparently have torn loose sometime post-surgery. I followed my rehab to the letter, so this news is beyond frustrating right now.

I just met with the surgeon who broke the news to me, and we talked about a "corrective surgery" that patches some cadaver tissue over the tear in an attempt to reinforce the area. I'm VERY hesitant to throw away the last seven months of rehab, but I also don't want to operate at partial capacity for the next however many years I've got. The only guy I know personally with a similar situation ended up having three surgeries and never got fixed. Depressing as hell. I'd very much appreciate hearing ANY and ALL feedback from you fine people on this matter so that I have more information to chew on. It's a huge decision moving forward either way, and I'm not going to make it hastily.

Thank you very much,
222 Rem

Can't help.I had reverse shoulder replacement two years ago and I am still doing rehab. A lot better but thought it would be much better

Do some research and identify at least one, preferably two of the best shoulder specialists you can find, and get on their schedule for a second opinion (or two). Don't limit yourself to your state or region, and fly to them if you have to.

It sounds like you have one more shot to get it right, so find and pay for the best. Good luck to you.

I could recommend the guy who did my shoulder surgery here, PM me if you want the information. I'm not saying he's "the best" but he's good. Broncos team MD.

What do you find regarding your reverse shoulder replacement? Pros? Cons? I have a shoulder replacement that is 19 years old. It is coming very close to the time that the adhesive fails and I'll need a revision.

Doc that reattached both of my biceps is a member one of the top ortho teams in the US. they take care of the US Olympic ski team.
I recommend them, highly!
Taos Orthopedics.

Where are you located? James Andrews has clinics in Alabama and Florida and I think one other place. He does not work on common folk anymore (pro athletes, royalty, etc..) but has trained some amazing guys who work for him. Well worth the trip, no matter where you are. At least you will know you have had the best care possible.

Stiff in the AM. At my age,I could never recoup the loss of muscle.The other muscles that were suppose to take over, never did.I can raise my arm above my head now, but can't hold any thing up there. If I don't keep doing therapy and keep the muscles tight,it pops out of the joint.I have about 95% of regained range of motion. Pros. It doesn't hurt like it did

[quote=mark shubert Doc that reattached both of my biceps is a member one of the top ortho teams in the US. they take care of the US Olympic ski team. [/quote]

Surgeon that did mine takes care of all the athletes here at the Olympic Training Center Colorado Springs.I think he has too many patients though.

I’m in Oregon, so pretty much everywhere else is a ways to travel. My surgeon is from Boise, ID and has a great local/regional reputation. I’ll definitely research the names suggested though.

I find this discussion interesting as I have been living with advanced osteoarthritis for several years now. I have been to several surgeons and they all want to replace both shoulders. I just can't warm up to the idea. Plus my impression has been that the road to recovery is very long and the end result is typically less than perfect.

In the meantime, I have found that I have grown accustomed to the pain to the extent that it does not interfere with typical activities including loading 50# grain sacks. If I pay attention, I still feel the constant pain but it is now in the background and seldom noticed. Now and then I will extend an arm beyond my impaired range and feel sharp pain but, it doesn't last.

There is a significant risk associated with any major surgical procedure. Some do not survive the anesthesia. Others wake up but with some mental impairment/dementia.

I have undergone surgery several times but they all were absolutely necessary. For now, I consider shoulder replacement an elective procedure for me.

Well, it sounds like your surgeon is good enough and knows what he is doing, so I would feel comfortable sticking with him. I don't believe shopping for a new Dr. is going to do anything for you. The problem has been identified and most any other surgeon is going to recommend pretty much the same procedure to fix it.

It sucks that a piece broke loose and I hate that for you. From what I've read, the failure rate of fixing a big repair like you had done is rather high, so it's just one of those things that happens.

I just had a major tear fixed just before Christmas with a cadaver patch. My tear was extreme, caused by a fall from a roof, and the cadaver patch was my only option, as they couldn't even pull my cuff back over far enough to reattach it. Fortunately, the pain has been zero...nothing. I start PT tomorrow.

Anyway, if you get the revision, you probably won't have as much pain from the surgery as you likely experienced the first time, and your recovery time will likely be much quicker this second time around. Good luck and keep us posted.

The surgeon that replaced both my knees is in Anchorage and I would rate him as excellent. I had a terrific outcome. His specialty is shoulders, and repaired my wife’s torn rotator cuff last May. She also is doing extremely well with an excellent outcome.

Would be happy to share his contact. Hell, be even gave me his cell number.

Try some CBD cream and take a good quality Tumeric. It is helping me.

I've had three left shoulder (non-dominant) surgeries. The first one (02/2001) was an open surgery with three sutures. The second (08/2002) was an arthroscopic with four sutures. Neither worked despite extensive rehabilitation and strength training.

The third (08/2006) was a different doctor and he had all options on the table. I did NOT want to do another surgery as I had learned to manage it and was doing OK with rehab and such. But after my 22nd dislocation I had it done. He went in arthroscopically and was able to get me fixed up. No dislocations since 07/2006 after having 22 between 02/2001 and 07/2006.

I did not want to get it done, but the new doc did a great job. I'm not as strong on that side, but my joint has a LOT more stability. My right side is bad too (8 dislocations).

My advice is to do it, do it now, and get back in shape as soon as possible and enjoy life.

And Mike will get Art to take you fishing.

OK- I'm making that up.....

But good luck anyway.

Thanks. I find brandy works too. LOL

Thanks for the feedback guys. This last 24hrs has been a foggy period of letting the bad news become a reality. Reading about a cadaver patch that actually worked, and was pain free is very encouraging. I’m in the PT’s waiting room right now. I’m going to pick her brain as much as she’ll let me. After seven months she’s family.

You're talking about torn labrum....right?? 222Rem is talking about a torn rotator cuff, I believe.

I'm also interested in this topic. I had a torn rotator cuff repaired 3 months ago. I start strengthening this week. Everything feels good. ROM is good. Shoulder pops at times, but I think it's just weak muscles and rotator cuff, and the surgeon and therapist agree. Also have soreness in areas other than where the rotator cuff was repaired (top of shoulder). Over 2 years of problems before I had surgery, and my muscles were wasting away all during that time due to compensating for the injury.

But I'm fearful. I've talked to 3 different people after I had my surgery that have had to have 2nd surgeries. I guess I was lucky, because I still had a few strands attached, although it was a complete through tear.

My son had 2 surgeries for torn labrum. So I know it's different. The only thing I can do is keep rehabbing and hope for the best.

222Rem.....I wish you good luck with your shoulder. I would suggest doing more research and going with your existing surgeon if you trust him. If not, don't hesitate to seek another opinion. I know I've got the best shoulder surgeon in town, and wouldn't hesitate to let him do a 2nd surgery if needed.

Yes, but I also had some RC issues. My point was that a third surgery can work, and I'd be miserable without having done it. I was in the same place he was, and didn't want the surgery. Now I'm thankful I had it done.

My shoulder issues started when I was 12 when I had my first subluxation. I had shoulder issues in my left (and eventually right) from 12 to 22. Ten years of pain and intermittent, temporary uselessness. Now the one that had the surgery I didn't want to have is my good one.

Whether RC or SLAP, get it fixed. 7 months of rehab vs. the rest of your life isn't a good trade off.

At 80 I had shoulder surgery bythe best surgeon around, He even does the work for the Oakland raiders. I still don't feel right so what ta heck, starting next week I'm going to try acupuncture as arthritis seems to be most of my problem. really don't have nothing to lose and hopefully some relief.