torn rotator cuff anyone? Need some reassurances here...

[ssfkat3]

I'm falling apart :sad: although that's not really news for me.

I've been having problems with my right shoulder for far too long, finally got to the point where I knew I needed to get it checked (about 8 months too late I think). Of anyone, I KNOW better than to put this stuff off based on my history, but sometimes, you just really don't want to know anymore. I was at that point. But the pain overtook that point.

I have MS and neck issues as well, so no telling what causes what pain in me.

I had my regular (but late) neurologist appt for the MS a few weeks ago. I didn't do good on the strength test at all, told him about my shoulder (planned to ask anyway), and he decided to run a EMG test to rule out some stuff and send me to the Orthopaedic surgeon to get my shoulder checked out.

had the EMG a couple weeks ago, my neuro did that test (they try not to do their own patients, I think its so we don't hate our doctors as much), but he's cool, so had no problem with him inflicting me with pain. (uh huh). Ok, he told me to cuss all I wanted, just make sure it was in sentence form. So he heard a long sentence over what I thought of him when he did the part at the base of the thumb (omg, pain there)

He was finding things in that test he wasn't expecting to find, hence a few more spots got tested. (back of my neck, ouch). He did not find what he was checking for (pinched nerve) so was good to go on ortho appt.

Had that yesterday. was not a good day.

He's not happy I waited this long obviously. Considering I'm barely able to lift a full pot of coffee to pour a cup could explain how long I waited.

He did his testing stuff, had me in tears from the start. Xrays show arthritis (no kidding..), and some pretty decent bone spurs. but he suspects torn rotator cuff as well, so MRI and hopes it shows, in the near future for that.

based on the 15 pg information printout they gave me, and the more than expected conversation surrounding surgery options, I'd say its to the surgery stage now. BUT....not for at least 2-3 months because he gave me the cortico-steroid shot as well, in hopes that might help some. So far it's not doing any good. I'm also scheduled for physical therapy, eval on May 11 for that. Back to the ortho on June 7, and neuro on June 21 (later than he wanted me back but only appt they had anywhere near his time frame, we need more neurologists in this area).

I am pretty sure he went the shot and PT route to give time for what else I found out about. Which also explained his question on whether I'd seen the neuro-surgeon yet (made no sense at the time he asked)

The EMG results were up on the computer, and I had him let me look at the that. All I read was the summary, and there are problems at the C3 and C7 areas, can't for the life of me remember the word used, but it also stated that I would be advised to revisit the neurosurgeon who did the surgery on my neck for further checking.

I have a very long blog written here on all the neck and MS issues so will not repeat all that here. The neurosurgeon part is what scares me more than the possibly torn rotator cuff.

I guess my questions are these....

IF I need my shoulder operated on, AND the surgeon needs to go back in my neck, WOULD it even be possible to do both at one time? I know not same docs, but I'm almost 51 years old, have had three major surgeries since 2004 (2 neck plus hysterectomy), and the last neck surgery at the end of 2007 took a lot longer in recovery time for me to bounce back from. So if I have to go under again, I'd just as soon they do both at one time if both are needed....does that make sense?

I know the neck is a 6 week recovery time (normally), as would be from what I'm reading, the shouder one (4-6 weeks in sling, then PT etc so many months total).

Also, if you have had the torn rotator cuff surgery, tell me what I might expect.

My guts tell me I'm in for a very long road ahead, and I'm really not sure I'm up for the fight again. I know from past surgeries and what I was told then, if the plate goes farther either way (from T1-C3 now), my neck movement will be zero. So the problems showing at C3 just scare me senseless. I've called the neurologist's office and was put on a cancellation appt list, but they get few cancels since its such a long wait to see them. I'll call back again monday since I forgot to ask today, if I should just go ahead and make the neuro surgeon appt now as well. (I'm not supposed to have seen the EMG results or I'd still be oblivious to that).

sorry so long, but any advice would be greatly appreciated. I don't need the horror stories, I have enough of those going thru my head as it is.

needless to say, coupon trading is going to be put on hold for me for a while. :((((

[cybilx10]

I dont believe they can. It would have to be 2 seperate surgeries. Do you kow if they are going into your neck from the front or the back? Most neck surgeries especially for disks or done through the front now.

I have had my shoulder surgery, its not as bad as it sounds. Just learn to wipe yourself with your other hand before the surgery.

[ssfkat3]

neck would be thru the front...got two cute scars now, not sure where they wanna put line number 3......

i'm not positive on the neck yet, but I know when I had the first and second surgery the surgeons both told me going in again would be a high probablility due to scar tissue, spurs, etc that could come along as time went on. the second surgery the surgeon was suprised how much was there in just four years.

yeah, wiping...um, my left arm is so useless as to not be worth hanging there, I've never been able to do anything with that arm as far as solobility, can barely hold a pencil in my left hand, i've very very right dominated. should be interesting when i can't use right arm.

[cybilx10]

Good luck with it all. I know I have tons of scar tissue from my surgeries. ( shoulder and 2 knees) but I have learned to work around it all and fight through the pain.

This may sound gross, but at the medical stores there are things that you can put toilet paper on the end of and wipe with. Its like a mechanical arm but its all powered by you. You may want to check into that.

Good luck and let us know how things work out for you.

[ssfkat3]

lol, medical devices to help wipe, omg, i love it!!! actually had to read that twice to be sure I read what I thought I read lol. Its weird, been trying to practice, but I'd swear my left arm has got to be shorter, it don't reach so well lol. whats up with that????

just to followup here...had the PT appt yesterday. based on what we did, she is willing to 'bet money' its a torn cuff and not the joint itself due to the arthritis and bone spurs. She was able to move my arm a lot farther than I can (once I actually let it go limp without trying to help).

some pretty serious muscle athropy there, and her goal right now is just to keep me moving it, not in strengthening, until after the MRI. Appts are twice a week for an indefinate period of time at this point, with my homework to do daily. Interesting enough that what is on the list is stuff I find myself doing throughout the day now, just not in the quantities and time she wants them done.

I know that there's a long road ahead....MRI is friday morning.

[hellokittygirl]

Awww, big hugs for you! I am sorry. I don't have much advise or expertise, but my dad just had the torn rotator cuff surgery about a month ago and he is doing alright. It was his left arm, which is the one he writes with. He still has to wear the sling but overall he seems to be recovering well and he does his physical therapy exercises. He couldn't do some basic things like shower or lift even small amounts of weight for a bit, but my mom and brother helped him through it.