MR

Just found out that one of the tendons in my rotator cuff is torn almost completely through. I got a cortisone shot in it today and have to go for physical therapy. I also can't lift any more than 10 pounds with that arm for at least a month. If you've been there, done that, how were you treated? And how much range of motion/strength did you get back in it? Just wondering how long the road I've started down is.

Depends on how long you've had the tear. I know that it's not fun at all. I've had one since I played hockey, and that stopped 10 years ago. I didn't get it checked when I had insurance, but it was torn very badly at the time. It's never really healed, because I do too much physical stuff. I've had periods when it hurt for just a few days, and I've had excruciating pain for months at a time, and no shots or meds or trips to the hospital helped. I was told to get surgery to fix it, "maybe".

It started last summer with tendinitis. Had a cortisone shot then and PT. It got better. Last month, my son and I went skiing. When I wiped out one time, my skis didn't come off, and I started to slide down the hill. In a desperate attempt to save my knees, I dug my elbows into the snow to stop the freefall. I think that's when it tore. Plus, I do a lot of heavy lifting and repetitive movement at work. I'll be going to the same physical therapist that I saw last summer. I guess I'll just wait and see what she has to say.

OW! Heal quickly!

Good timing on this subject...I just went to my general care doctor yesterday and, though I haven't been diagnosed, I'm afraid I probably have a tear in the rotator cuff. I have very limited motion. I can barely lift my arm a few inches in front of me, can't lie on that shoulder, and can't lift hardly anything at all. I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon in a couple of weeks and will likely get an x-ray or MRI.

Good luck. I found out I'm looking at a 6-9 month recovery time.

Journey Mom wrote:Good luck. I found out I'm looking at a 6-9 month recovery time.

Thanks...My mom has had shoulder surgery and said it's a very painful recovery and was told that it's one of the more painful surgeries to recover from. Fun wow!

Rolled over in bed last night and was finally able to lie on the side of the bad shoulder. However, upon rolling back over onto my back and trying to move my shoulder, I had the worst pain yet from it and almost passed out. My ears started ringing it hurt so bad. This shoulder business is certainly more painful than I thought it could be.

Journey Mom wrote:Just found out that one of the tendons in my rotator cuff is torn almost completely through. I got a cortisone shot in it today and have to go for physical therapy. I also can't lift any more than 10 pounds with that arm for at least a month. If you've been there, done that, how were you treated? And how much range of motion/strength did you get back in it? Just wondering how long the road I've started down is.

Sounds painful...

Tore my rotator cuff in college, it was so bad that I dislocated it one night turning over in bed. Finally had surgery and it was the most pain that I've ever been in in my life. Anyway, recovered and was able to resume playing sports eventually. Make sure that you do all of the rehab work that they assign you and you will be fine. Good luck