Shoulder surgery? Help!
emmab0902
Posts: 2,338 Member
Anyone managed an out of place bicep tendon and superficial rotator cuff tear without surgery?
I got MRI results yesterday showing torn supraspinatus muscle, plus bicep tendon has come completely out of place so is likely to rupture. This is all subsequent to a fall eight months ago (damn kids inflatable indoor playgrounds!) In the meantime I've had full range of movement, very occasional pain which is annoying rather than severe and only occurs at rest not while swimming, AND have trained to achieve 12 national gold medals (having only started training about 6 weeks pre accident.) Hence the degree of pathology as shown on MRI came as a huge shock.
One option is surgery (tendenosis plus supraspinatus repair) with apparently 12 weeks recovery. However the specialist, who is the highest regarded where I live, is saying that "surgery in general would be indicated based on pain levels, not on radiological findings" ie not an option now because pain not bad enough. He will review me in 6 weeks said to train hard in meantime.
Is this an overly conservative approach? I am at risk of ending up in serious swimming shite if he doesn't operate? Or do I trust him and be guided by (lack of) pain level and keep swimming until situation worsens and really warrants surgery? If I elect for surgery now it'd cost me a fortune I don't have whereas if pain indicated it I'd be covered by ACC.
For what it's worth our competitive season starts in mid October until end of March. The coming season isn't critical but the 2016-2017 season is as I want to compete in the Austrasian Police and Emergency Services Games as well as the World Masters Games.
Any advice or experiences hugely welcomed!! Sorry for the novel length post.
I got MRI results yesterday showing torn supraspinatus muscle, plus bicep tendon has come completely out of place so is likely to rupture. This is all subsequent to a fall eight months ago (damn kids inflatable indoor playgrounds!) In the meantime I've had full range of movement, very occasional pain which is annoying rather than severe and only occurs at rest not while swimming, AND have trained to achieve 12 national gold medals (having only started training about 6 weeks pre accident.) Hence the degree of pathology as shown on MRI came as a huge shock.
One option is surgery (tendenosis plus supraspinatus repair) with apparently 12 weeks recovery. However the specialist, who is the highest regarded where I live, is saying that "surgery in general would be indicated based on pain levels, not on radiological findings" ie not an option now because pain not bad enough. He will review me in 6 weeks said to train hard in meantime.
Is this an overly conservative approach? I am at risk of ending up in serious swimming shite if he doesn't operate? Or do I trust him and be guided by (lack of) pain level and keep swimming until situation worsens and really warrants surgery? If I elect for surgery now it'd cost me a fortune I don't have whereas if pain indicated it I'd be covered by ACC.
For what it's worth our competitive season starts in mid October until end of March. The coming season isn't critical but the 2016-2017 season is as I want to compete in the Austrasian Police and Emergency Services Games as well as the World Masters Games.
Any advice or experiences hugely welcomed!! Sorry for the novel length post.
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Even in the US the approach is to avoid surgery until pain become life inhibiting.
I had foot x-rays indicating that I needed surgery on my left big toe. I was able to put it off for a year before I finally gave in. (Cut off the toe about an inch from the end of the first metatarsal, Grind down the damaged bone growth, screw it back together) Less pain and more range after the surgery but it still pretty much ended my martial arts training. Eventually my right foot will need the same surgery. Staying out of aerobics classes and avoiding walking a lot, except in china, will put that off for a good long time.
I have degenerative osteoarthritis in both feet.
I also have it in my left shoulder. PT stretches worked wonders for virtually eliminating the pain which had gotten pretty bad. I'll never have full range motion again but I love not having the pain. No surgery yet.
I doesn't impact my freestyle but I can no longer do a back stroke.
Ask your doc if there are any sort of PT stretches you can do that can help the injury self correct. There just might be a non-surgical solution.
Personally, I trust the judgement of a surgeon that is not quick to grab his knife. )0 -
I would be guided by what the doctor says, he's the medical expert. He's going to re-evaluate you in 6 weeks, if surgery becomes an option then I don't see it interfering with your long range plans & which season is more important. See if you can do any research on how long it might hold up before you need the surgery, if the time frame is likely to fall where it affects the long range plans you can lobby him in 6 weeks to go ahead & get it done so you can recover & have time to train. At that point you'll hopefully have more information for making any decisions.....0
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Did I read this correct? That he will review you in six weeks, but in the meantime you should train hard?
I'm not the expert, but from what I hear and read for a lot of these injuries, they recommend rest first, then evaluation! And the period of rest would be measured in months as opposed to weeks!
You've probably been googling like crazy and read all the articles anyway, but let me point out another one:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00064
Quote: "There is no evidence of better results from surgery performed near the time of injury versus later on. For this reason, many doctors first recommend nonsurgical management of rotator cuff tears".
The doctors know best. If in doubt, it doesn't hurt to get a second opinion. Either way, just 6 weeks of rest before making a decision on surgery seems pretty short if you ask this untrained swimmer who's read around abit on the issue!
I'd say consider the coming season in October forfeit, and concentrate on the rest and recuperation needed to try to get yourself ready for the 2016-2017 season, that you indicate is the big one! That way, it hopefully won't completely give out on you next season, after serving this coming season.
Your shoulder will be very grateful to you for the rest, and will thank you by speeding up its own recovery!
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He's told me to train hard now and it will either get worse or it won't. And if it does then surgery will be an option. I guess he thinks given the injury was 8 months ago and in the interim I've trained to a level to get national titles maybe it won't get worse?? Will have to see what happens but it's made me a bit paranoid about swimming - ignorance was bliss lol0
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Or maybe you have a really high threshold for painHe's told me to train hard now and it will either get worse or it won't. And if it does then surgery will be an option. I guess he thinks given the injury was 8 months ago and in the interim I've trained to a level to get national titles maybe it won't get worse?? Will have to see what happens but it's made me a bit paranoid about swimming - ignorance was bliss lol
I have a nephew that stepped on a few sea urchins and had multiple spines in each foot. Not a peep from him.0
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