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[juszczec]

Have any of you guys torn a rotator cuff?

Did you have it fixed or left alone? How did it impact your training?

I swim, lift, do bodyweight exercises, do MMA type training strongly influenced by Hock - striking and grappling, both seperately and mixed as well has Hock's stickfighting method.

Given my age (41), level of activity (6 days training per week), the fact the Dr gives me a 70%+ chance of tearing it up worse and the fact that I can eventually tear them up badly enough that they can't be fixed AND the only way to avoid further injury is (per my Dr) to "become a couch potato" I'm really  really seriously considering having the surgery done.

Mark

[Hock]

I guess I would see/ask a sports doctor, if you haven't.

I started to fall apart in my 40s. Age 44 to be specific. I wish I had spoken to smart, sport doctors than GPs back then.

Hock

[Dawg]

Mark,

I ignored a torn rotator cuff problem for years due to my deployment schedule and other responsibilities. While performing a pre-test for our PRT program (I was our Command Physical Readiness Coordinator), both front and rear interconnecting muscles b/t my rotator cuff and my deltoid came completely apart. Wasn't really that painful of an injury, but I completely lost the ability to move my left arm at all.
My military doctor said that was the end of all my physical fitness type activities, but the surgeon said, with time, I could expect a full recovery. It took a little over a year, but I got the full use of my arm back and now enjoy a very active lifestyle, six years later.
I've been told by several people with rotator cuff problems that the earlier you have the surgery, the less it will entail and the quicker you'll be able to recover.
So, you can take a break from your training for about six to eight weeks and have the surgery now (as my training partner, Master Carr, did), or play the tough guy (like I did ) and be forced to take a much greater period of time  off.
Although I learned a lot from my experience, I wouldn't wish it on anyone else! Good luck with whatever you decide. 

[juszczec]

I guess I would see/ask a sports doctor, if you haven't.

I started to fall apart in my 40s. Age 44 to be specific. I wish I had spoken to smart, sport doctors than GPs back then.

Hock

I asked my physical therapist (who has been successful at keeping me going since 1990) to recommended someone to look at me based on the folks in my insurance plan.  She says she'd trust the guy I got with her mother.  She also confirmed that he got the best guy available to read the MRI that shows the torn tendon.

I've been the GP route before and have learned to be careful, the hard way.

You also have to be careful of the physical therapists you choose.  The physical therapist I trust once spent 9 months rehabbing injuries other physical therapists told me to go home and take Advil for.

Mark

[juszczec]

Although I learned a lot from my experience, I wouldn't wish it on anyone else! Good luck with whatever you decide. 

I'm looking at this as a choice between time off from training now vs possibly having to give up training later.

Based on how much I train and how hard I like to train, I think its closer to 100% that I'll tear up this shoulder more.  I know that an instability can increase the chance of further injury.  My PT confirms that eventually a rotator cuff tear can get bad enough so that any fighting type activity is gone.

I think the only question is - general anesthesia vs nerve block.

I am still interested in hearing about people's recovery.

Mark

[Milldog1776]

Mark,

Drop me a line. I have some information on a product that may help you out.

keith@sacramentocqc.com

[Jamie Flory]

Mark,
    My father in law messed his rotator cup up about 20 years ago.  Had the surgery, did the physical therepy.  Was back to running his hog farm in about 3 months.  He was just shy of 60 at that time.

Hope to see you at the seminars after you've healed up.

Jamie

[juszczec]

Jamie

Thanks for the info.  I get the feeling that, post surgery, this will end up being another weakness I have to train around.

Fortunately (?) I've had plenty of experience with that.

Hope to see you at the seminars after you've healed up.

I wanted to go to Toronto's in June.  But now that's out because (assuming they do the surgery in February) I'll be at the tail end of the recovery period.

Chicago in October is looking good!

Mark

[juszczec]

just a quick little follow up because i know y'all are worried sick about me 

i opted for the nerve block and had arthroscopic surgery on 2/18 to repair the 2.5cm x 1cm buttonhole like tear in my supraspinatus tendon (hey, I paid a FORTUNE for that diagnosis, I'm going to get all the mileage out of it I can).

while they were in there, they trimmed up the shredded end of what's left of my torn bicep's connection at the shoulder.  turns out that the stats saying a torn bicep occurs in about 90% of supraspinatus tears is, well, pretty accurate 

they couldn't find the end of the bicep that tore off.  they say it got pulled down into my arm and they can't even see it on the mri - i just think that's too cool.

anyway, i've gone back to work (computer programmer, no heroics on my part).  everything is doing just fine.  slept laying down for the first time yesterday. 

the dr, on monday, said i should be in agony.  i'm not.  as a matter of fact i haven't had any painkillers since 2/24 at 11pm.  the pain, at its worst, was a 2 on a 1-10 scale.

i told the dr i think its because I'm Polish and too stupid to feel the pain.

strangely, he was not amused 

PT starts 3/2 and the PT says she can't wait to get started *what's the little icon for abject terror?*

now get this - earlier in the week i was wandering thru a shoe store.  i had my arm strapped to my body in a sling.  the sales guy  told me he had rotator cuff problems and didn't do anything about them.  he can't raise his arm any higher than shoulder level and he can't hold up his 15 month old son.  when he moves his arm (and i heard this) it makes the same sound as if you put some broken concrete in a pillowcase and started shaking it up and down.

OUCH!

mark

[Nick Hughes]

A guy here at the office died last week on the operating table during rotator cuff surgery.  51 years old.

Nick

[juszczec]

A guy here at the office died last week on the operating table during rotator cuff surgery.  51 years old.

I'm very sorry to hear that.

Surgery is a calculated risk.  We've gotten so used to it that we forget the "calculated" and "risk" parts.

I hope his friends and family find peace.

mark

[Karl]

Hi Mark.

I am 55 years old.

I had a 3 CM Infraspinatus Tear, had an operation and have 98 % Mobility back.
No problems with weights or Martial arts.
Was totally off for 3 months after the surgery.
Get an Ultra Sound done, then MRI Scan. that's the fastes way to find out how bad it is.
Full tear, Partial Tear. Unless it it is a full pear they wont advise surgery.
As for Surgery problems i didn't have any I did a lot of rotating exercises and a lot more stuff than i was suppose to do,
 i was told about the problems. Frozen shoulder, Luck of movement.
Did have problems with pain for about 6 month after surgery.

If you want any more info e-mail me at karl4853@dodo.com.au

[juszczec]

Hi Mark.

I am 55 years old.

I had a 3 CM Infraspinatus Tear, had an operation and have 98 % Mobility back.
No problems with weights or Martial arts.
Was totally off for 3 months after the surgery.

i'm 41 and was walking around with an approx 2.5cm long x 1cm deep tear thru the tendon for several weeks.  it wasn't until me bicep tore that anyone suspected there was a prob.

Get an Ultra Sound done, then MRI Scan. that's the fastes way to find out how bad it is.

had a physical exam and the dr said just to be on the safe side, go get an mri.  turns out it was a good idea.

Full tear, Partial Tear. Unless it it is a full pear they wont advise surgery.

i wonder if that's on a dr by dr basis.  mine said, fix it now or it will get bigger.  medical literature i found on the 'net backed him up.  given the activities i enjoy (karate, submission grappling, strength training & stickfighting) i figured they increased the chances i'd tear it up worse.

As for Surgery problems i didn't have any

me neither.

I did a lot of rotating exercises and a lot more stuff than i was suppose to do,

yeah, that's going to be something i'll have to be careful of.

i was told about the problems. Frozen shoulder, Luck of movement.
Did have problems with pain for about 6 month after surgery.

they pretty much had me at "inability to do combat sports"

If you want any more info e-mail me at karl4853@dodo.com.au

will do.

thanks

mark

[rutleddc]

Go slow on the shoulder- it will take a long time to rehab. You have a lot of life ahead of you and you want it to heal right.

[Professor]

A guy here at the office died last week on the operating table during rotator cuff surgery.  51 years old.

Nick

operations shouldn't happen at the office.