Rotator Cuff + More
April 2005, my right shoulder started hurting. My physician kept trying whatever the insurance company said had to be done. The physician kept stating that he wanted me to get an MRI, but the insurance company wanted him to try anti-infammatories, PT, and combinations of both. Finally, in December last year, the insurance co finally authorized an MRI. The orthopedic surgeon looked at the results and scheduled me for surgery two weeks later. I had a torn rotator cuff, 3 tendons completely torn loose from the bone, torn cartledge, and arthritis in the collar bone. The surgeon put my arm in a sling for 6 weeks with no use at all and no PT. After the six week period, I started seeing a therapist. Now, 5 months later, my ROM sucks (90 degrees unassisted and 145 degrees assisted) and the OS is having me start using a "Flex Splint" and continue with PT for another four weeks. He says after that, if it is not better he wants to go back in and manipulate the shoulder. I'm not a surgeon, but I think that a good part of the problem was having my arm in a sling and not worked with for 6 weeks after surgery. In PT I have met people who have had whole shoulder replacements and working it a week after surgery. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? If so, is it a light of hope or is it a train bearing down on me?
From:
megookin@yahoo.com
