[Closed] Shoulder Arthroscopy

I have messsed up both shoulders unfortunately and athroscopy about 3 years ago on the left, small tear in rotator cuff and messed up AC joint, i had prolonged physio, then steroid injections and finally they did the op. supposed to be just exploratory but as the tear was small they fixed it there and then and within 5-6 weeks I was symptom free, wouldn't hesitate to have it again if needed.

Pretty much the same diagnosis from my consultant. Ac joint pain, and tear in Rotator cuff with muscle wasting. I've been putting it off since 2010. Fell heavy on my shoulder October 2013, it got worse. Had some physio and it hasn't improved so saw consultant today. Had injection today and another in three weeks.

Getting mine mid may, unfortunately mines going to involve some rasps and a pin, 6 weeks immobilised,even when sleeping, another 6 weeks basic movment NO lifting, then 6 weeks before I can get on a bike and almost a year before i will be back kayaking. This is my second on the same shoulder,i didnt take my recovery as seriously as i should last time so this time i will be going all out on it.

I've had both shoulders done and had mixed results, happy to share with you how this went so you're aware what could happen.

Both shoulders were worn tendons/muscle. Too much bone had grown, not enough space for shoulders to move freely so lots of grinding/crunching/clicking etc. End result was any movement above shoulder height became painful. Pain would also be present when you weren't doing anything. Physio did nothing, injections temporarily helped, end result = surgery only answer.

Right shoulder was done first, easy enough and was playing golf within 10 days afterwards. Couldn't be happier. 2 years later, left shoulder was done (it wasn't as bad as the right, me being right handed). This had the opposite effect compared to my right shoulder, it simply made the problem worse.

Cue 2 years of starting the whole treatment procedure again. Go to GP, refer to specialist, x-rays etc etc. Ended up having another op in Feb 2013 and so far so good.

Both ops were done on the NHS but by different people. I ended up asking for the second op on my left shoulder to be done by the guy who'd done such a good job on my right one.

In summary, it should be a simple procedure with a good outcome. But, it's not a given (hence why you sign forms beforehand). The absolute key thing I can recommend to you is when you have checkups with the consultant/surgeon afterwards, make 100% sure you're happy with things BEFORE he discharges you from his surgery.

With me my left shoulder still hurt quite a bit, 6 weeks after the op. He just said "give it more time and it'll be allright" then signed me off. Well, it wasn't and I had to waste many months waiting to have it looked at again. If you're concerned it might be taking time to heal after, whatever you do ask for another checkup with the surgeon some weeks later so he can review it again. This will save you an awful lot of potential aggro.

Hope it goes ok though. Best of luck!

I seem to get pain when helping sit patients up, when lifting my arm above my head and when I'm in bed it's like very bad toothache type of pain. Lying on it wakes me up in pain.
Also get numbness radiating down to my thumb.
Consultant says she is 99.9 % certain it's a rotator cuff tear. But wants to check if it's also bone spurs pinching the tendons. So had a x ray done, then mri scan and she will book me a date.

One thing that worries me is the recovery time, is it really up to three months and six in a sling?

Thats a basic recovery time. I will have that off work,then up to 6 months before im back doing normal activities Mountain biking kayaking and a year of intense physio before im back to the standard I was before.

By no means think its going to fix the issue,some people still get pain after, all the surgeons can do is give you a shoulder you had before injury, you can rip it appart again, or it may cause other issues.

I havn't riden my mountain bike or kayaked since jan, I'm on painkillers every day, and it was my fault for rushing after my previous surgery,a shoulder is a delicate joint.

What would be the likely time of being back at work on a hospital ward? A few months.

Had my right one done in early Dec, no tendon or muscle work, only bone - ASD and excision of AC joint. Just about fully functional now as a builder, still some discomfort if I overdo things. Before the op physio was saying 10-12 weeks and I'll be back to normal, after the op Consulatant says 6 months 90% shoulder, 1 year before 100%.
Muscle and tendon work takes longer to heal and become strong again, and usually results in complete immobilisation of arm for a period of time afterwards - 4 of my friends/clients have also had shoulder work. Vital you do the post op exercises to get best outcome.

Would I have it done again, absolutely, it's much better already than it was before! Out for the first time in the racing kayak today to see how that goes! Hope I don't swim, the Thames is still a bit too cold for my liking 🙂

I think 3 months is a reasonable time to be expecting to be back at work, places like the NHS should have things in place for light dutied people,i know we do at Aldi and we are living so far in the past.

imexpecting to be on light duties such as no deliverys or warehouse work for at least 2 months.

Hi
Mrs G had her shoulder done by Len Funk after nhs referral, He must be close to you in Bolton? Good job done stuck to physio to the letter and 6 weeks off work joint now better than ever. Search 'shoulderdoc'

My wife had arthroscopy and joint excision done 5 weeks ago. She is recovering really well and has pretty much full range of movement with no pain, [i]except[/i] following the physio routine she's been given. I know how important physio is but if it's the thing causing pain should she ease up on it?
Unfortunately she can't get back to the physio for 5 weeks.