Rotator cuff surgery - anyone had this?

[Nzou]

I had an MRI scan and X rays of my shoulder on Friday, with a view to surgery to repair what the surgeon thinks is a rotator cuff tear. Obviously I'll get a whole lot more detail before I decide to go for it. But I'd appreciate anyone's opinion on the idea. Especially from anyone who's had this kind of surgery. Does it work, did you get back to training heavy again afterwards?
I've had all the usual conservative treatment - physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs etc - nothing works for long.
thanks
Alan

 

[Prime Rib]

Alan, I tore up my left rotator VERY badly a few years back, and had to have surgery. It's not that bad of a procedure actually, all my doctor did was stick this prod lookin thing(I think they call it a scope or something) in my shoulder, and burned out all the bad tissue and stuff and that was it. Stitched me back up and I went home.

Recovery? Wasn't so to bad, it actually took me a little 6 months to get back to working out like normal again. I'll also mention that I was 19, so my body was still young enough to have good healing power. Overall it was hell for me, but I made it through and now i'm back in the gym lifting stronger than before. Lots of anti-inflammatory after the surgery, then you'll be put through a few months of rehab (DO THE REHAB!!! This helped a ton), and then when your DOCTOR gives the ok to go back into the gym, start VERY light and continue to do your rotator cuff training excercises for as long as you continue to train with weights. This will insure they stay strong and don't tear again. I work my rotators at LEAST twice a week to keep a piece of mind..

I am sure I left some stuff out, so feel free to email me if you have anymore questions. I dont get to check this board very often, so email would be the best way to get me. Good luck!


Josh

 

[Nzou]

Thanks for the response PR
Alan

 

[Liftbig]

i know people who have had it done. and they are stronger then before.

 

[lucidblue]

i know people who have had it done. and they are stronger then before.

So do I. Therapy is supposed to be a bitch though. Both the people I know took recovery and therapy very seriously and it paid off. They both feel like their shoulder is stronger than it ever was.

 

[Latamier]

We do this surgery everyday. Before I would let anybody cut on me for a POSSIBLE tear, I would get a gallidum enhanced MRI. This is where they inject a dye into the shoulder and then do an MRI. If the dye has leaked outside the joint, then you 98% of the time have a tear. Otherwise, dont let somebody cut on you with a hunch. PM me if you have anymore questions.

 

[Prime Rib]

We do this surgery everyday. Before I would let anybody cut on me for a POSSIBLE tear, I would get a gallidum enhanced MRI. This is where they inject a dye into the shoulder and then do an MRI. If the dye has leaked outside the joint, then you 98% of the time have a tear. Otherwise, dont let somebody cut on you with a hunch. PM me if you have anymore questions.

Agreed. I had the dye put into my shoulder as well. It hurts like hell when they are injecting it, but this will tell for sure.


Josh

 

[WarriorPL]

Do they just cut off old/bad tendons and let them regrow? or do they add something in place?

Isn't there a certain elbow surgery that lets pitchers get 5+ mph on their pitches after getting the surgery? Could this be the same deal, but with strength? Just a thought...

 

[Prime Rib]

Do they just cut off old/bad tendons and let them regrow? or do they add something in place?

Isn't there a certain elbow surgery that lets pitchers get 5+ mph on their pitches after getting the surgery? Could this be the same deal, but with strength? Just a thought...

I am not sure exactly what the procedure does, but I know it works well. And no, this surgery will not make your shoulder any stronger. Tons of rehab is why people come back stronger after surgery, not the surgery itself.


Josh