Anyone here have experience with torn rotator cuff?

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Tue May 27, 2008 11:19 am

I had this before a few years ago and with care the problem resolved after many months. Now years later the problem is back with a vengence and my whole arm is killing me. My Dr. agrees it is a rotator cuff problem and hopes we can clear it up with anit inflamatories and exercises. This seems much more painful than before. Should I wear a sling?
Anyone have tips?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 27, 2008 2:10 pm

As to the sling, my opinion would be NO. Specific exercises, yes. However, you should be seeing an orthropedic doctor to find out what is actually wrong and how to treat it.

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Tue May 27, 2008 2:24 pm

A torn rotator cuff was my turning point in life. Before my torn rotator cuff I used to tease my wife and parents for using a chiropractor instead of main stream medicine.

Way back when I had my first torn rotator cuff main stream medicine seemed to favor surgery---with a many-months-long recovery period. So I went to my wife's chiropractor. It was my first chiropractic visit. My wife's chiropractor confidently told me she would have my shoulder fully functional in a few weeks. I doubted her, but that prognosis sounded so much better than the first one I was given. I just had to give that chiropractor a fair try.

I was turned for the better...

My present-day chiropractor completely fixed my rotator cuff in a few short weeks, as promised. Years later I injured it again lifting a snow blower over my head. Once again my present-day chiropractor completely fixed my rotator cuff in a few weeks.

Never should have chided my wife and her parents...

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Tue May 27, 2008 2:40 pm

SWS how did your Chiropractor help you out? Exercises or adjustments?
How does it help something thats torn? I am not doubting, just wondering?

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Tue May 27, 2008 3:10 pm

Dieselgal, each time she relied on adjustments followed by home-based exercises. The adjustments entailed literally pulling my arm out to the point that I could swear she was slightly re-injuring it. Maybe she was slightly re-injuring it for all I know. She definitely knew what she was doing each time I visited!

I showed the home-based exercises to my primary physician. He's extremely open minded and is one of the smartest docs I've ever met. He said the home-based exercises were pretty much the same rehab type exercises that mainstream medicine would have given me after surgery.

So the primary difference seemed to lie in the chiropractor's adjustments. I will say that her technique is pure finesse compared to all the other chiropractors my wife has used over the years. At least that's what my wife claims. I've only had the one chiropractor so far.

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Tue May 27, 2008 3:42 pm

Dieselgal wrote:Should I wear a sling?

You really have me jogging my memory, Dieselgal.

Before I went to the chiropractor that first time, my shoulder was sore and had extremely limited range of motion for many months. Seems that keeping it immobilized was the opposite of what needed to happen.

Not that I should have continued using the shoulder despite all that pain without the proper therapy. Rather, it needed exactly what the chiropractor knew to fix. But, if I recall correctly, a rotator cuff that is completely torn needs surgery. So I'm thinking mine must have just been pulled or partly torn---or perhaps both.

.

Niteair · Post by **Niteair** » Tue May 27, 2008 4:49 pm

I had torn my right shoulder rotator cuff about 10 years ago, and had the corrective surgery, the pain after surgery was so bad, worse than my kidney stones. So last July when I dislocated the same shoulder, and found out that I tore the cuff again, 2 places shown on MRI, my surgeon recommended surgery again, but I remembered the pain, and said that I will try to see if I can do without it. I had about 6 weeks of physical therapy, during which, like -SWS said, I thought they were hurting it more, however I got the range of motion back. I still had the pain, especially at night, but managed to relieve that with my TENS unit. I agree with the others, that at least in my situation, doing less and wearing the sling seemed to make it worse. I am still working on gaining back the strength, and think that I made the right decision.
I also agree with the other person that said you should have it professionally checked just in case you may have another issue.
Good luck, and I hope you find the answer.

silver123 · Post by **silver123** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:50 pm

I developed rotator cuff problems including calcium deposits on the biceps tendon in the shoulder, not pleasant to have removed. Too much swimming and archery in my younger days.

Ice, ice, ice when first acting up. I've had times where I literally can't move my arm from the pain. In those times, I have used a sling to support the shoulder and to just not use it. Normally, not more than a day or two. Anti-inflammatories help but be careful of the effect on your stomach. Some docs will recommend taking Pantolac or another RX. Ultrasound, TENS, electro stim can help from a PT or chiro. Once the inflammation is reduced, you can start rehab gradually working on range of motion and strengthening. you might see if your insurance will support your getting a TENs unit with a script from a doc. Your chiro of PT should be able to show you what settings to use.

Be careful of keyboarding, other activities that demand more of the shoulder than you think especially if it's on your dominant side.

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:46 pm

What is a TENS machine?

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:10 pm

It's an acronym for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcutan ... Stimulator

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:14 pm

Owwww!

Both my wife and I have experienced the pain of torn rotator cuffs.

Hers happened sking down a hill. Sexy, vivacious, cool! Living on the edge.

Mine happened falling down the stairs. Not sexy, stupid, looked idiotic! Falling off the edge.

I didn't have insurance at that time, so lived with pain for nearly 3 years on and off before I finally quit having problems. I actually learned to sleep differently, holding my arm against my body to relieve the pain--still hold it that way now.

In my non-medical experience, and from others I've talked to, a sling doesn't help as much as exercise does.

A couple of friends who have torn their rotator more than once have even said that it took as long to recover after having surgery as it did when they didn't have surgery. They suggested not having surgery unless it was an extreme case.

After talking to our doctor, my wife chose not to have surgery, because her tear wasn't as serious, and her recovery time would have been about the same.

On the other hand, the way I suffered with mine, if I had the same injury today, I'd probably have surgery (now that I have great insurance).

I'm empathizing, but I sure don't want to feel that pain anytime soon.

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:18 pm

So . . .

D.Gal . . .

I guess that means that in addition to being "hosed," many of us have also had the experience of being "cuffed."

At least one's less painful than the other.

Catnapper · Post by **Catnapper** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:32 am

I had a completely torn rotator cuff, and had surgery. I wore the immobilizing sling after the surgery night and day for 6 weeks. I started physical therapy a few days after surgery and continued for about 3 months. I have complete range of motion and strength now, full recovery.

The worst part for me was wearing that nasty sling, and that it was my right arm - I am right-handed.

About 7 months after I had the surgery, my husband fell off a ladder and tore his rotator cuff and had the surgery. He tore the left one, and I think it was easier for him because of that.

Try eating soup with your "other" hand, or brushing our teeth, or other grooming tasks. No driving while wearing the sling, either.

sagesteve · Post by **sagesteve** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:58 am

Here's a the cheapest way to go and it will probably work! JUST DO IT...
http://frozenshouldertherapy.com/
buy the instant e-book. This is the answer for all shoulder injuries.
May God bless.

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:54 am

Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions. I usually can tolerate the pain for the first part of the day but by the time it is after 2 and I start getting tired it seems to bother me more. The worst thing for me right now is not having much strength in that arm. Fortunately it is my right arm and I am left handed but I use my right arm a lot more than I realized! Even turning over in bed at night I use that arm and wow that can make me grit my teeth at times!

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