Bumm shoulder update

[J Miller]

Back in July I spent a week in the hospital with an e-coli infection and 4 weeks of outpatient infusement antibiotic treatments.

Somehow in that agony caused by the e-coli abscess in my back and leg I hurt my right shoulder. The MD doctor called it an "impingement" but didn't think there was any rotator cuff damage. I have too much shoulder movement for that, he thought.

Last month I went in for X-rays and an MRI of the shoulder. I got into see the shoulder specialist' medical assistant two days ago and got to see the X-Rays and MRI pictures. Oh Lord what a mess in there.

There is a bone spur on the top of the shoulder socket that looks like the hook point on the end of a linoleum knife.
That spur has cut the rotator cuff muscle which has retracted and balled up.
Some how I still have nearly complete motion in the shoulder, but that bone spur is causing all the popping and crunching in the joint.

The lady medical assistant was surprised at how much movement I have, she said considering the torn muscle I shouldn't have what I do.
However I have little strength in the shoulder. She put my arm in a number of positions then pushed on it and told me to resist her. I couldn't. Although I have good motion, I have no strength.

She said it needs to be dealt with ASAP. I am not arguing. So I have an appointment this coming January 23RD with the actual surgeon.

The Orthopedic MA described the procedure to fix the problem, and it sounds simple enough, but she also said the shoulder would be immobilized for three weeks while the surgery heals and the bone reattachment takes place, then 12 weeks of therapy.

What bugs me is I am right handed, and because of the arthritis in my back I can't twist to the left. So there are some things I can't do left handed that I do right handed. Oh my, this is not gonna be fun.

But, we gotta do it. Cos my left shoulder is starting to pop and crunch.

Oh, have you ever noticed that when you know somethings wrong, but you don't know what or how bad it is, you can pretty much deal with it by compensating and ignoring? Then when you find out just how bad it really is, IT HURTS LIKE HELL! Well that's what my shoulder is doing. It's gonna taunt me all it can cos now I know what's wrong with it.


So, guys please keep me and my wife in your prayers and good thoughts. I'll keep on keepin on. I've got some projects I need to finish before any surgery.
My wife is kind of freaking out on me.

Joe

[piller]

You are on the prayer list. Prayers sent and will be continuing. You know that I am a Pharmacist, and there are Doctors on this forum, so you have access to medical advice and medicine advice in case you want a second opinion.

Keep us informed.

[Hobie]

Glad to hear an update even if the news is not good. BUT it is good that you've seen a doctor and you're going to get fixed, or get the shoulder fixed...

[handirifle]

My prayers are out for ya. I went through even more of a shoulder surgery than that myself, almost one year ago to the day. Don't know your age r condition, but by Feb, I was done with physical therapy. My Ortho Doc said it was nothing short of amazing, ( I said it was the power of prayer, which I noticed he ignored) considering all I had done. To recount, they had 2 rotator cuff muscles to re-attach, and the bicep had ripped from its groove in the shoulder, so he had to cut bicep tendon, drill a new anchor into shoulder, and attach bicep tendon to it.

It was my left shoulder and I am left handed. Honestly I am almost completely ambidextrous, so that did help.

I say all this to let ya know it will go faster than you think. Do EVERYTHING the physical therapists say, I actually did more, but I let pain be my guide. A little is working it, a lot isn't good.

I couldn't lift a gallon of milk last December, but this past Mar/Apr I cut and split and stacked over 1 1/2 cord of oak firewood.

There is hope and a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there.

I found out I can tie my shoes with one hand and a foot , didn't think that was possible.

I am 60, by the way.

[jdad]

Joe,
I had a fall on the job about 3 years ago. I basically tore the biceps tendon off, split the Labrum in half, and damaged the Ulnar nerve. I was in serious pain until I received surgical approval 6 months later. A great surgeon (who looked all of 16) put me back together leaving just 3 little hole scars.

You'll have an ice water recirculating machine that fits over your shoulder. Use that as much as possible after the surgery. JREED will confirm the value of this.

Best of luck.

[Chuck 100 yd]

We ,in the Chuck 100 yd house, are praying for you Joe. Hang in there friend!

[Grizz]

You are a courageous man Joe. I hope and pray you can find the right medical people at the right time, and come out all better again.

Grizz

[gamekeeper]

Joe I'm sorry to hear your news but at least it can be fixed, I hope it all goes to plan and you are back to your old self real soon. You and your wife are in my thoughts.

[M. M. Wright]

Joe,
I've had both rotator cuffs repaired and it is one of those things that after it is all over you say, "Why did I wait so long." That cold water circulator is the bee's knees, kinda dates me don't it?
Praying for you brother.

[Mike Armstrong]

I'm with M.M. Wright--why did I wait so long? Had my right shoulder completely rebuilt a year ago last July after many falls/dislocations, auto accident, lifetime of 12 guage shooting, etc. My surgeon was Vietnamese American, NO "bedside manner"--he looked at the MRI results and said, entirely deadpan, "lots goin' on in there; you're lucky that's my Blue Plate Special this week!" Apparently it was; I now have gone from about 40% function in my right arm and shoulder to around 95%.

Still can't throw a curve ball for stuff but CAN shoot a .44 one-handed or a 12 guage two-handed, cast all morning with an 11' surf rod, paddle a kayak all day. Couldn't do ANY of that when I went into surgery!

He had to re-attach a tendon and an arm muscle, remove a bunch of bone spurs growing where they shouldn't have been, and repair the rotator cuff. I had almost no pain for the first time in MANY years 1 day after the surgery. Now I'm still learning to be right-handed again after many years of using my left for anything that required any force.

Right on about the physical therapy!!!! It's a bore but you need to get--and stay--"religious" in doing it!

BTW, I'll be 71 in May of next year.

Good luck; you'll get your arm and shoulder back, I'm sure!!!

[Griff]

Prayers up Joe.

[stretch]

Geez, Joe - I hope you heal well!

I have an elderly friend who's had both shoulders done more
than once. And now, at age 86, he's gone and torn one again.
They don't know if they can fix it this time.

Wishing you the best!

-Stretch

[J Miller]

Thanks guys.

I'm 61 as of last August. Still too heavy, but in fair condition. Was decent condition till that e-coli darn near did me in.

I didn't wait any more time than it took for the Drs and agencies to get the appointments made and kept. I don't like being crippled up and I got a lot things left I wanna do in my life.

The waiting comes now. Now that I know what's going on and that it's gonna be fixed I'm impatient.

Joe

[Marvin S]

Best wishes. I had both sides done also.

[EdinCT]

Joe, I have had a spur removed from each shoulder. 5/8 inch long from the right and 1 1/4 from the left. It was no picnic but worth it. Rehab will hurt like heck but tough it out and you will come through ok. I heard a women screaming at rehab and was told she had the same surgery but didn't work to keep it free and her shoulder froze.
You are in my prayers.
Also 7 years and still good for me.

[El Chivo]

Joe, is it your bumm or your shoulder?

Hang in there!

[Borregos]

Prayers up Joe.

[Mescalero]

Get well soon Joe,
there is a lot of Arizona and N.M. to be shot in.

[madman4570]

Hang tough pard, your going to make it!

[Modoc ED]

Prayers up Joe. As I said last time (with the e-coli), PLEASE follow your doctors instructions and carry through with your physical therapy. Best regards to your wife too. She will be a great help to you during this time.