Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

[Happy29]

So the last 3 weeks or so I have been having major pain in my left shoulder and have not been able to sleep from it. I went to the doctor the other day and had x-rays done, he diagnosed me with a grade 2 shoulder separation and said he was worried that I had a torn rotator cuff also. I have to go Monday for an MRI. So just in case I am diagnosed with this what am I looking at and how long of a recovery is it?

[av7]

Re: Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

It took me around 5ish months and it still bugs me at times. Some heal quicker than others, so it could be faster or possibly longer for your rotator cuff to heal

Welcome to physical therapy

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

Damn, how do you figure it happened? Seems to me that something like that wouldn't just randomly happen.

Hope you are able to recover quickly.

[Knight165]

Re: Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

I'm pretty sure I have a partial tear right now in my left shoulder.
Very painful at times...but I'm just continuing my work outs for a bit to see if it repairs itself.
I'm too far back into my workout regimen to wait 5 months and start from scratch unless I must.
They are just going to send me to PT anyway if it doesn't require surgery.

M.K.
Knight165

[Happy29]

Re: Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

Damn, how do you figure it happened? Seems to me that something like that wouldn't just randomly happen.

Hope you are able to recover quickly.

I play full court basketball twice a week so I think thats when it happened

[Jr.]

Re: Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

Had a partial tear in mine (along with other damage). Was supposed to be 4 months rehab... almost 4 years later and it still bothers me. Shoulder injuries are the most inconsistent in their repair/rehab. Good luck with it, hopefully the tear isn't too bad.

[Happy29]

Re: Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

Had a partial tear in mine (along with other damage). Was supposed to be 4 months rehab... almost 4 years later and it still bothers me. Shoulder injuries are the most inconsistent in their repair/rehab. Good luck with it, hopefully the tear isn't too bad.

When did you experience your worst pain? During the day and I'm up doing things the paint is very manageable, but at night the pain gets much worse to where I can't sleep or have problems staying asleep with pail levels being 8+.

[oneamongthefence]

Re: Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

You could always ask for advice from Chad Pennington. Jk. I'm going to physical therapy for my shoulder. They've done xrays and can't find anything. My shoulder hurts when I run, throw, or put pressure on it any length of time. I suspect its either rotator cuff or the ligament or tendon. I need to get an MRI done. The doctors also say it could be arthritus. I should also add I broke my collorbone 10 years ago and that's when the pain started.

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

Thomas, I tore my RC in college pitching. I ended up going to University of Notre Dame's sports physical therapist, and they gave me two options bro...

1. Surgery - which would require me to be in a sling for 2-4 months, and rehab for 6 months before I could even think about picking up a ball just to toss.

2. Therapy -it was a lot of unusual therapy, that was meant to build all the muscles up around the injured one.

I choose #2, and while I have full rotation back in my shoulder, my fastball went from 81-84 avg. down to 71-72avg.

So I guess if you're not planning on having a career in pro baseball, then don't be afraid of therapy. It worked great for what it was intended to do..

[Happy29]

Re: Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

Thomas, I tore my RC in college pitching. I ended up going to University of Notre Dame's sports physical therapist, and they gave me two options bro...

1. Surgery - which would require me to be in a sling for 2-4 months, and rehab for 6 months before I could even think about picking up a ball just to toss.

2. Therapy -it was a lot of unusual therapy, that was meant to build all the muscles up around the injured one.

I choose #2, and while I have full rotation back in my shoulder, my fastball went from 81-84 avg. down to 71-72avg.

So I guess if you're not planning on having a career in pro baseball, then don't be afraid of therapy. It worked great for what it was intended to do..

Thanks Bob that's good advice, I'm going to have my MRI Monday and get my results Tuesday or so, I'll decide then depending on the severity of it, but it's my left arm so it isn't my dominant arm. If the DR recommends surgery I might go ahead and go through with it just to get it repaired. I really don't have time for therapy because I have 2 kids that go to 2 different schools and it starts in 2 weeks so I have priorities higher than my own needs.

[oneamongthefence]

Re: Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

Something else to consider. If physical therapy is your route, will it solve your problem or just make it less noticable? You have to also consider your future. Do you really want to limit yourself what you can do with your kids ten years from now? That's the only reason why I'm going to therapy. It hurts to carry him in his car seat and its only gonna get worse. I wanna be able to toss him a football in a few years without having to wprry about constant pain.

[Jr.]

Re: Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

When did you experience your worst pain? During the day and I'm up doing things the paint is very manageable, but at night the pain gets much worse to where I can't sleep or have problems staying asleep with pail levels being 8+.

Mine was at night too, but not that bad. It was more of a discomfort that wouldn't go away. My doctor said it was likely from doing normal things throughout the day without giving it any rest and at nighttime it was sore and tired.

But it never got to the level where it was so painful that I couldn't sleep.

EDIT: As for choosing surgery or therapy, I would ask the doctor how simple or complex the surgery is. Shoulder surgeries can be complicated, and I wish I would've asked my doctor more questions about my surgery. Like bluengold, I was a pitcher in college and had surgery the summer before my senior season. My velocity went from 88-91, to the low 80s and I still don't have full strength in my shoulder. I can't throw much anymore and it's sore for a day or two after any kind of physical activity. Just go in prepared to ask a lot of questions about all of your options and try to get as much information as possible.

[Happy29]

Re: Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

Well I got the results of my MRI today and it aint good. The Dr said I have a major tear of the rotator cuff and he wants to see me Monday to discuss what he wants to do. Pretty dag gum bummed over this.

[ubernoob]

Re: Anybody ever have a torn rotator cuff?

I had rotator cuff (sub-scap tear) surgery 2 years ago. Took me about 8 months to be back to full health.

Not that it matters anymore. I had surgery (same shoulder) June 29th to fix a torn labrum, torn rotator cuff, and the cut the muscle and sewed it back together. My body currently hates me.

Great times in physical therapy. :eyeroll:

It's not as bad as it sounds, you can recover from it. Just take the rehab seriously. I'll probably get kicked out of the Marine Corps for this surgery though, my shoulder is effed.