Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Surgery Shoulder surgery in my near future

I would get a second opinion. I don't understand the surgeons logic. I had a tear clear down to the bone, fraying, same exact thing as you have, bone involvement you name it. I had surgery and followed all the strick physio and then had to have it done all over a year later. Same thing again, physio for another year and then they told me, things didn't grow back right so then they disabled the whole arm. It was a nightmare. Wish they just would have replaced it because I was told they are going to have to do it eventually.

I had frozen shoulder surgery in March. Doing well, but recovery is slow and painful but I got more range of motion back! have to do intense physical therapy.

I believe you mean tearing, fraying, etc of the ligaments or tendons not the bones? Bones show on plain film, MRI will show soft tissue problems. Are you looking at shoulder replacement or tendon repair? Not sure you know for sure from your post.

I just saw my shoulder surgeon yesterday. I have a torn rotator cuff with one tendon completely torn off and receded. He's worried he may not be able to fix it because he believes it happened some time ago and the tendon may not stretch enough to be re-attached. It may have atrophied. So he's ordered an MRI to get more information and make a more informed decision. So far I have had the shoulder x-rayed and had an ultrasound which identified the missing and receded tendon. I have fairly good mobility in the shoulder despite nagging pain but he feels I've compensated for so long I've built up muscles to cope. There is also evidence of narrowing in both shoulder joints and both knee joints from my RA.

On another note, I continue to improve after my hip replacement and I got the news yesterday that I am on the list for the second hip replacement although that will be eight plus months away. A good thing - this hip needs to be up to full strength before we do the second one.

What a lot of damage these sneaky systemic arthritis diseases can do.

One more thing - I had a frozen shoulder back in the early 2000's. Nothing to do with my RA. Three things helped it - time, pain meds, and finally, acupuncture! I tried physio but it seemed to make it worse.

As have said before, shoulder physio is *highly specialised. Any ole physiotherapist will NOT do. Need one who is shoulder AND understands spondy stuff. TG I had two super ones in the UK - both really knew their stuff. A bad physiotherapist can ***ruin a good shoulder op in a few easy 'wrong' moves. So, pleeeeese check out IF a specialist 'before' offering up your shoulders to them. OK ? This applies to frozen shoulder, rotator cuff, SAD op or shoulder replacement - hemi arthrosplasty / full replacement / reverse replacement. IOW, anything to do with shoulder. Check the therapist before handing your shoulder to them.

Take care -

My husband had a torn RC with the ends receded. Surgeon said many of the same things you've mentioned, Wendy. Also that he had compensated for it very well over time. He had surgery on it about 10 months ago. Healed up well and went on with life. In the past couple of months, shoulder has started to hurt again, but in a different place. (Wendy, have we had this conversation before?? Seems familiar. LOL) He is resisting going back to the surgeon for some reason. Rheumy did a steroid shot to the bursa and it was better. Not sure what it is this time.

Would be nice to hear back from elmerfudd, though. Hope he is getting better, despite the docs and therapists.

I'm encouraged by the fact that, despite a receded tendon, your husband was able to have a successful repair. I've struggled with shoulder issues since my RA began several years ago so we may have had a conversation about shoulders!!!

Sorry you are going through this too Wendy. It sounds so discouraging. I hope they can fix it. Eight months to have your second hip replacement huh? That should give you time to get the new one up and running but I feel bad for you that you have to suffer the pain for that long. Your a tough lady, lady! Take care.

Looking at some old posts, it as been about 2.5 years ago that my shoulder and arm started to hurt. It's still frozen, but better than it was.
I don't think it will ever be completely healed. I am just glad I am past the point that I wore sweat pants for 3 months because I couldn't button my pants.if I ever talk about the good olé days adhesive capsulitis won't be in my stories.