RE: Torn Rotator Cuff???
 

lazydude,

I tore the anterior labram in my right rotator cuff and had an arthroscopic procedure done three years ago. Spent six months in therapy. Most painful thing I have ever experienced......the therapy, that is. The surgery was cake, the recovery was killer. Best thing you could do, tho. My doc' said that I could have blown off the surgery and still led a semi-normal life......just no lifting, no sports, etc., etc. Could not even think of pulling my bow back for the first four months. Got tempted many times, but I'm glad that I stayed away. Could have really messed myself up. My right shoulder is now stronger and 'tighter' than my left. Amazing what they can do through such a tiny incision. Arthroscopic is the way to go. I've seen guys with old centipede-looking scars from back in the days when they'd open you up nice and wide.

Bottom line is, if you have a reputable surgeon and can stick to your therapy schedule without cheating, you can be back in the saddle (and back up to your peak draw weight) in about 5 or six months.

Good luck!

RE: Torn Rotator Cuff???
 

My father in law just had it done last year. His was a nasty tear and he's just now able to do a lot of things. He had it done by a top notch surgeon...and the doc told him that eventually he'll be back to about 90% of what he was. GOOD LUCK!

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RE: Torn Rotator Cuff???
 

doctors only want your $ not what is right for you. as a avid whitewater kayaker ive seen dozens of rotator cuff problems. the best solution is to start a physical therapy program with no surgery. ive have personally come back with no surgery but lots of physical therapy and im as good as new. ive also seen many surgery peopler who are not 80 % what they once were. once your cut open how can you ever be the same or better? i know every injury is different but id get a second and third opionion before id let someone cut on me. they told me id be 100% after my acl tear . ha not even close. if i had to do it again id of done rehabit instead of surgery.

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RE: Torn Rotator Cuff???
 

There's a bit more to my story, and nidahoscott made me remember it.

When I first got injured, I described for my doctor the pain and 'slipping' sensation I was feeling. He immediately had me go to physical therapy to see if strengthening the muscle group around the rotator cuff would tighten things up. Did it for 2 1/2 months with little improvement. See, the thing is, most medical plans will not spring for a costly MRI right off the bat. They'll suggest therapy or, worse yet, cortisone injections. Once I'd gone the PT route with little or no success, an MRI was approved and the imaging showed conclusively what had occured nearly 3 months prior. The tear to my labram looked like a little piece of spaghetti that needed to be reattached in order to keep the humerus from slipping out of it's socket, so to speak.

Without an MRI, it's hard to say what's going on inside your shoulder. Here's a good link with lots of info:
http://www.communityorthopedics.com/pages/shoulder.htm

RE: Torn Rotator Cuff???
 

I just injured mine in September!
My MRI showed a complete tear
I went thru phyical therapy, its better but
still can't shoot a bow! (tried the lightest bows available)
I had 3 weeks vacation during bow season & couldn't hunt, that hurt.

Surgery is the answer for me & the Doc. says it'll be better but not to expect 100%

RE: Torn Rotator Cuff???
 

Did the same to myself several years back playing baseball...The repair set me out for almost 9 months..I for one and glad I did it...The surgery that is....LOL...I am able to shoot my bow now better than I ever was before....Made me more concious of how I treated myself in the future...Don't want to repeat it that is for sure..Rehab is a B...c...LOL..Best of luck to you..

RE: Torn Rotator Cuff???
 

Never had mine worked on but have worked on lots of them. I work in surgery with 7 Ortho Dr.s. Just remember:
NO REPAIR IS GOOD AS NEW!
Small tears get larger in time,
If you could not hit it before getting it fixed does not mean you will hit it afterward (does give you an excuse),
Surgery is not a problem, The work comes afterward,
If you are not going to do the PT. dont get it worked on! No matter how good the repair its up to you on how well it will work.
If there is a will there is a way to tear it again if you do not take care of it.
Last but not least Its up to you on what you want done, BUT, you need to do somthing Pt, Surgery,.... injurys not taken care of tend to get worse and can do it quickly.
Take care and good luck,
Rick

RE: Torn Rotator Cuff???
 

I'm 42 and have 4 damaged limbs: Partial rotator cuff tear in right shoulder. Full tear in left. Full torn ACL in right knee. Partial torn cartiledge in right knee. The only operation I have had was the right knee cartiledge. It is also the only limb that chronically gives me problems. All the other bad joints I was able to greatly strengthen with mostly self-rehab.

I still mostly play competetive basketball to stay in shape. I tone it down a lot from my early days, but still compete well for my age. I warm up my shoulder for archery now, and have gone down in draw weight from 70 to 64. Sometimes my right shoulder has some pain. I just take it easy and hope it lasts as long as possible. Would hate to use a crossbow but someday probably will have to.