Shoulder Issues -- Therapies, Surgeries, Etc.

[Prince-of-Lies]

Just want to ask, I have a problem with my shoulder "popping" (my doctor says its not really popping as in dislocating just a slight movement). during service motions. This makes my arm really sore for a couple of days each time this happens. My doctor says its due to my deltoids being too strong relative to my rotator cuff so apparently my scapula or shoulder or something isnt moving in tandem. Would the best way back be just to work on my rotator cuff muscles? I gave physiotherapy a miss cause my arm healed pretty quickly each time it happened so I assumed there wasn't any problem with it.

Also due to those shoulder injuries I have impingement in my shoulder (internal rotation) like one of the earlier posters mentioned( can't scratch the back of the other shoulder without pain). What would be the best way to increase my mobility?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[danix]

OK, first of my updates typed very slowly.
It is now Wed, had surgery around 48 hrs ago.
First off - there are many different shoulder injuries, and repair of these varies so dont compare your recovery time to someone elses unless you had the exact same work.
I had done:
- debridement
- deburrment
- mumford
At least as I understand it. Doc said the tendon was highly inflamed but in good shape, everything went smoothly.

Day 1: hurt quite a bit, spent most of the day sleeping and popping vicodin.
Day 2: moved around a bit, actually went for a walk around the block, removed sling and let my arm hang so I could do "pendulum" exercises as recommended.
Day 3: removed bandage, took shower. Surprised at how small the incisions were (only 3). Pain is manageable, only took 1 pill today.

[Kaptain Karl]

Originally Posted by Prince-of-Lies

... I have a problem with my shoulder "popping.... My doctor says its due to my deltoids being too strong relative to my rotator cuff so apparently my scapula or shoulder or something isnt moving in tandem.

I really recommend you start with conservative approaches ... and gradually go more drastic if each conservative step fails.

Get a 2nd opinion from a different discipline: See a Doctor of Chiropractic. (One with a specialty in Sports Care.) Maybe you will get a very different diagnosis. More information means you make a better decision.

In my opinion surgery should be a last resort.

Would the best way back be just to work on my rotator cuff muscles?

How about this ... how do you like my topspin forehand? (My point is, don't ask complete strangers on a forum to diagnose or prescribe treatments for you.)

I gave physiotherapy a miss ...

What's this mean? (I must be too old.) I don't get this....

... cause my arm healed pretty quickly each time it happened so I assumed there wasn't any problem with it.

Each time what happened? Stop posting in CODE!!!!

- KK

[dtd82]

Danix, great to hear things are going well - sounds like yours is moving back to OK as fast as mine did. I was all geared up for horror, but within a few days, I had range of motion and very manageable pain....just keep things slow...! Amazing the size of the incisions....I've got no scars at all!

I'm now two months out, and things are good, but still definitely in recovery....I'm hitting the gym regularly to get in shape and gently strengthening the shoulder. Its surprising how much strength is lost with the injury and the surgery, though I'm sure if I keep at it all will comeback.

Keep us posted.

[Prince-of-Lies]

karl tx for the advice... jus started my rotor strengthening regime a couple of days ago

[danlalane]

Okay so I posted a while back that I was having surgery 1/6, well it has moved up to 12/11...... I had some mandatory work stuff in January I couldn't move.

Couple of quick questions to you folks who recently went under....

1.) Were you able to sleep in bed the first couple of nights? what position? Did any of you forgo the pain drugs? or, are they really necessary....?
2.) Are you doing any strength training of your off arm?
3.) how soon do you feel you can run?

I have been working out 5-6 times a week since I was 17 (34 now).... being laid up drives me nuts.

Thanks All.. wish me luck.

[princemidplus]

Originally Posted by danlalane

Okay so I posted a while back that I was having surgery 1/6, well it has moved up to 12/11...... I had some mandatory work stuff in January I couldn't move.

Couple of quick questions to you folks who recently went under....

1.) Were you able to sleep in bed the first couple of nights? what position? Did any of you forgo the pain drugs? or, are they really necessary....?
2.) Are you doing any strength training of your off arm?
3.) how soon do you feel you can run?

I have been working out 5-6 times a week since I was 17 (34 now).... being laid up drives me nuts.

Thanks All.. wish me luck.

1) You should be able to sleep the first night as you will still have anaesthetic effects and strong pain killers. it is more at home that people seem to struggle. Most people end up sleeping upright in a recliner or popped up on pillows.

I would recommend the pain killers to control pain if you have it. Most shoulder surgeons use a nerve block (depending on operation you having) which will make your arm numb and pretty much paralysed for about 2 days. when it wears off the pain may kick in at which point you will be glad you took the painkillers from the hospital.

2) By all means you can keep training your other arm - follow surgeons advice for operated arm though. if in doubt, ask the surgeon what you can do for the other arm or if there is anything you should avoid. Who would be better to answer that question for you?

3) You should be able to run once the sling is off and you have full movement in the arm. Anywhere from 4 weeks (again depends on the operation performed and the protocol of the surgeon doing it.

Hope this gives some idea

[danix]

Originally Posted by danlalane

1.) Were you able to sleep in bed the first couple of nights? what position? Did any of you forgo the pain drugs? or, are they really necessary....?

Yes, I was able to sleep pretty well. Facing straight up, arm slung to my chest. By day 3-4 I would let it lay at my side.
I'm now about 2+ weeks out and only now able to sleep on my side and somewhat on my belly.
I don't think you can skip the drugs. I went every 4 hours for the first 3-4 days, then started stretching it out, then switched to nighttime only.

Up until a few days ago, I was still waking up at 3AM with shoulder pain, but since I'm back to work, and also because the vicodin causes me dizziness, I am not taking any more.

Originally Posted by danlalane

2.) Are you doing any strength training of your off arm?
3.) how soon do you feel you can run?

These are related so I will combine them. As I've said, what level of pain you have depends on what you're having done. In my case, the first few days I had trouble walking without pain. You don't realize how important balance is, and how you use those shoulder muscles even when walking. I was able to stroll around the block on day 3 and have been building from there.
Today at day 16 I still don't think I could run without pain but I've been walking more and more.

This might as well serve as my update post. I am still working on the 3 exercises the doctor gave me (let arm dangle and make circles; raise your arm straight up, reach behind you). They cause considerable pain but I'm not taking any more drugs, just tylenol or advil as needed and ice. This doctor isn't big on PT and says if I do what he tells me, I won't need it. We'll see.

If you think of me standing with my right side facing you, and pretending I'm a clock going counterclockwise, I can take my arm from the 6 up to the 2 (my left arm could go past 12 to maybe 10, just for comparison). The only other way I can describe this exercise is the motion made by a former German dictator (being vague so I don't offend anyone).

Good luck with your surgery.

[bronco_mba]

My experience with post-op pain and recovery is in-line with princemidplus and danix. First few days post-op are the worst, after that, you slowly regain movement and function.

I was able to sleep on the shoulder I had worked on about two weeks after the surgery. I could run around then too. You can always hit an exercise bike probably one week after surgery to stay active.

[danlalane]

Had Surgery Thursday morning -- it is Sat night....
Things done:
Torn Rotator Cuff
SLAP Tear
Bone Spurs _ AC joint
Bursa was in bad shape, cleaned up

Day 1:Groggy - recovery room blows.. sore throat. Had block so arm was numb
Day 1Night/Day2 PAIN - some of the worst of my life. Took Oxycontin and the last hour before i could take my pills was unbearable> Had tocall dr to up the amount i could take - 2 pills evry 3 hours instead of 4 hours.
Today: better - pain more manageable..... regretting procedure (iknow it is early but jeesh) sorry left typing tuff.....

[Kaptain Karl]

Hang in there, danlalane. We're pulling for you!

- KK

[dtd82]

Danlalane, good luck, things will get better....your rack of work sounds alot like mine. I'm coming up on 3 months out, and looking forward to starting play in January....once you get past the first few days/week, you should see some noticeable improvement...I'm pretty sure the worst of the pain problems I had stemmed from the bone spurs - if yours is like mine, once the pain from the bone cutting/scraping wears off, you;ll feel much better and movement will be much easier.

Good luck, keep us posted.


Danix - things sound good - have fun in PT!

[drak]

hey danalane we are twins, had pretty much same surgery on 12-11. they had to reattach a rotator cuff tendon, had slap tear as well, and bone spur impingement and significant arthtitis. i guess i am lucky, pain has not been bad - have taken no pain killers since surgery, perhaps best thing i did was get the game ready ice/compression recovery device - its been awesome and i started it immediately and use it constantly and i think it has helped immensely. got my first pt appt tmmorrow, hope you are better.

drak

[danlalane]

Thanks guys - bit better today. Didn't help that the night following surgery lost power for two days to an ice storm. so ice machine wouldn't work....

Tylenol during day now - oxy at night. Sleep still tough.

Been doing pendulum etc......

[drak]

hang in there amigo, patience is going to be huge for us. i have had 3 knee scopes and combined they were easier than the first 3-4 days after this shoulder surgery. bandages off and a shower tomoorrow, that will be nice. when's your first pt session?

[danlalane]

5% better today. Dr appt on 12/24, PT starts after that. My dr is adamant about no moving the shoulder for at least 2 weeks because of rt cuff tear - only pendulum.....

[basil J]

Dan, after talking to you yesterday, I postponed my shoulder surgery until late spring early summer.. I am getting a cortisone shot on wednesday to see if it will alleviate some of the pain I am currently dealing with. My doctor seemed too eager to cut me open instead of trying other options first and I don't want the "gold plan" if I don't need it yet. I spoke to a second doctor today and he suggested the cortisone before any surgery to see if the inflamation could be controlled without surgery. I am glad I talked to you because I was ready to go..

[drak]

good play, my cortisone shot and rehab did not work, then got an MRI which revealed a lot of damage so i had no choice.

[danlalane]

Good plan Basil. You can always do it later. Besides not sure how many of you have young kids who had surgery, but it is a bear. They get freaked out and your wife just loves how useless you are, and needing some help yourself.

BTW: Armpit cleaning is an issue. I have found that a washcloth folded over with antibacterial soap makes a big difference. Plus a little spray on deodorant

Every day gets better.... the ice machine helps a ton. I am off the hard core drugs, just tylenol, arnika for pain, 2000mg vitamin c and lots of ice.

Typing lefty one handed is such an *** chapper

[bronco_mba]

Just dropping in to lend my support, Dan. Hope you have a speedy recovery.