Rotator cuff surgery

[Hank]

49 minutes ago, hubcap said:

You will need to have an X-ray at the minimum before my Dr will schedule the procedure. When you do the consult you get the orders for the X-ray. Insurance should pay for the X-ray.

I did everything to avoid surgery--therapy, shots (they hurt like hell but provided 2-3 pain-free weeks each, but two was all they could give); rays, MRI, etc. This all took 6-8 months to go through everything. Then got a second opinion before agreeing to be cut on.

Now, 23 years later, it feels like it's starting all over again.

[PeytonM]

You’ll need MRI to visualize the tear.  
23 years sounds pretty good…although the thought of going thru it again on the same shoulder. Yikes.

 

[Hank]

Hey, @N201MKTurbo, how're you doing? My surgery was much less invasive; I began exercises the next morning holding a can of soup.

Hope you're doing well. Take the pills, they'll help your recovery. After my surgery last fall, I set alarms on my phone to take a poll every 6 hours, no pain at all. It's much easier to keep it gone than to make it stop once you start feeling it.

[N201MKTurbo]

1 hour ago, Hank said:

Hey, @N201MKTurbo, how're you doing? My surgery was much less invasive; I began exercises the next morning holding a can of soup.

Hope you're doing well. Take the pills, they'll help your recovery. After my surgery last fall, I set alarms on my phone to take a poll every 6 hours, no pain at all. It's much easier to keep it gone than to make it stop once you start feeling it.

Actually, the pain is mostly gone. I want to start using it, but I saw my surgeon today and he said I have to not use it for 4 weeks. It is going to drive me crazy. 

[cliffy]

Even when it feels better- FOLLOW THE DOCTORS INSTRUCTIONS

Doing something else is at your own peril 

[Hank]

Chill and relax, Rich. That sling is partly to give support, partly to remind you that your arm isn't ready to be doing things yet.

[PeytonM]

I’ve been told to plan on 20 weeks. Too many horror stories. 

[hubcap]

On 3/5/2025 at 6:16 PM, Hank said:

I did everything to avoid surgery--therapy, shots (they hurt like hell but provided 2-3 pain-free weeks each, but two was all they could give); rays, MRI, etc. This all took 6-8 months to go through everything. Then got a second opinion before agreeing to be cut on.

Now, 23 years later, it feels like it's starting all over again.

I would definitely check out the stem cells and PRP. It wont cost much to find out. I would avoid the cutting if at all possible.