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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 14, 2012 - 03:06pm PT
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MRI confirmed torn rotator and labrum. Seeing a leading Bay area sports orthopedist and will do arthoscopic surgery on Feb. 1.
Would like some feedback from those that have gone through this, specifically rehab, length of time, stuff like that. How long does the arm need to be immobilized?
Thanks,
a humbled and not so happy,
Susan
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jan 14, 2012 - 03:14pm PT
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Did you do something silly (i.e. worthy of a good story) to bring this on? Or is it just gradual wear and tear?
In any case, best wishes.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 14, 2012 - 03:31pm PT
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Did you do something silly (i.e. worthy of a good story) to bring this on? Or is it just gradual wear and tear?
Probably did it to myself, finished 6 months of chemo and decided to rebuild myself and regain my strength, working out like I was 30, and I'm far from it. At least I'm still around to get more aches and pains. So it goes.
Susan
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bentelbow
climber
spud state
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Jan 14, 2012 - 03:55pm PT
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Just went through it. I injured my shoulder in April and basically lost the whole summer.The doc said no pullups till October. Expect about 6 weeks in a sling and 6 months of rehab. But on the good side the surgery was very successful.Ask your doc about Popeye.
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yedi
Trad climber
Stanwood,wa
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Jan 14, 2012 - 04:38pm PT
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Is the rotatorcuff a complete or partial tear? Last SeptemberI had a partial rotator cuff tear,labrum tear and a fracture of the back of the scapula. They decided to not do surgery, doing physical therapy for the last 3 months and it is coming along slowly. The doctor/surgeon wanted to surgery as a last resort. Most folks ive talked to say the shoulder is never the same after surgery. He has said expect 6 to 12 months recovery time at my age(55). Have started back to yoga and dont have the full range of motion or strength yet but im hopefull in another 6 months time I will.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jan 14, 2012 - 04:42pm PT
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Paging Mike Friedrichs!
....... Well, obviously he's out climbing, skiing?
He should tell you his story, but; he had the surgery April 1. He was told no climbing until October. July 4th he was climbing when we went to Reese mtn "only toproping. Only 5.10 and under" then a few weeks later he did some leading. Then when I saw him on the last day of August he had been in maple, the day before where he led a.12c "had it really wired, but I barely made it! This recovery is going to take forever!"
Ymmv, but I suspect will take less time than they tell you.
I've got the stopwatch going on Grug, who just had this as well.
I think the colonel said his recovery was about six months also.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Jan 14, 2012 - 07:53pm PT
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Susan-
Sorry to hear of your problem! But you youngsters need to be more careful when working out. ;)
The docs always tend to give you the most pessimistic outlook, though.
After my demise in Eldorado (2 cracked cervical vertabrae, 7 broken ribs, pneumothorax, and loss of blood) I went climbing with Fritz in the City of Rocks in less than 120 days, and with Ed H.in Yosemite a few weeks later. Granted, I couldn't climb worth squat, but I could get out and at least TRY without further hurting myself. So...keep a postive mental attitude and next time work in to getting in shape a bit more carefully!
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Jan 14, 2012 - 08:24pm PT
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Post op immobilization about 4 weeks maybe a bit longer, passive ROM in all directions, SLOW strengthening, scapular stabilization and strengthening. Look at 6-9 months and don't push the rehab. Labrums take a long time to heal post op and the shoulder can be unstable after surgery for a long period. Work on the scapula immediately post op, forearm as well. Keep the neck and upper trap loose and stretched out. Do stabilization exercises for the scapula!!!!!! Do your rotator cuff exercises religiously and progress regularly. Don't screw up the healing process by thinking you can speed it up, the body will heal but at it's own pace. Shoot me an email if you have specific questions or want to talk. I've worked on hundreds of shoulders and they can have GREAT results if done right. BE PATIENT and be a GUD patient. Best wishes on a successful recovery, hopefully the doctor won't have too much work to do under the scope. OH yeah, you should be askin' yer doctor these questions if you already haven't! The doc knows the procedure and usually has a protocol post op they want followed.
Peace
Rogers last statement....I'll second that!
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Jan 14, 2012 - 08:37pm PT
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I had a bucket tear in my labrum in 97. Went to a USST certifies orthopedist and had it removed, as bucket tears aren't (at least at that time, not sure now) reparable. Anyway, I went to PT for three months and felt healed. A few years, later, at the leap, I subluxed my shoulder again.
Now, its much more functional, but partially because I'm constantly paying attention when stressing it, as it's never returned to being as stable as the other.
As a weird aside, because of it's instability, my right shoulder has developed a freakishly large hump of a muscle in compensation for the missing labrum.
Best of luck.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Jan 15, 2012 - 04:55pm PT
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Susan-
Please keep us posted, as we are all pulling for you!!
Rodger
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Jan 15, 2012 - 05:14pm PT
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I know that I'm going to catch a load of...something...for recommending some dietary supplements, and not the usual "chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate" stuff. Those will help, but probably not as much as the regimen that I use (and have used for 23 years):
Fish body oil for omega 3 fatty acids: at least 3 grams at every meal.
Flaxseed oil: 3 grams daily.
Borage Oil: 3 grams daily.
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane): I buy the powder at a veterinary supply store/feed store. A heaping teaspoon in a glass of water, and wash down the other pills with it. This is THE best source of bioavailble sulfur.
Coenzyme Q 10: I take ~100 mg a day (either 3 or 4 30 mg capsules).
L-Carnitine: 250 mg a day.
Multi mega Minerals (GNC Nutrition) one a day.
Iodoral (an Iodine supplement): 50 mg a day; for healing of injuries, I recommend 100 mg a day. Iodine is THE most overlooked dietary supplement known. (Look it up on Amazon!)
Chromium Picolinate: 200mcg a day.
B-100 B vitamin bolus.
And last but not least, a good multivitamin supplement.
I hesitate to recommend any vitamin E, beta Carotene, or Selenium levels to take, but don't overdo these.
As a professional chemist I can suggest these, and also as a rancher. Nutrition IS the key to healing.
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nick d
Trad climber
nm
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Jan 15, 2012 - 06:03pm PT
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I'm going to have surgery for this next Thursday. I have a total rupture of my rotator cuff and I tore some tendon off my bone.
I expect it to take the better part of a year to recover. I'm using my other thirty orthopedic surgeries as a yardstick.
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sandstone conglomerate
climber
sharon conglomerate central
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Jan 15, 2012 - 06:10pm PT
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3cm full tear that I had repaired on the 13th of December from a wicked t-boning in a company work van back in September (!). 6 scope holes, 4 hours of surgery, and I'm still in a sling for another week. 1st week sucked, but percocet made it bearable. Curious as to what PT has in store for me, as well as what I'll be able to do climbing wise when it is all said and done. Good luck.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 15, 2012 - 06:17pm PT
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Thanks all...all the data seems to be triangulating so I'm getting a better pic of what to expect. Rodger, thanks for your supplement list...many of those I currently use. Although I typically had good nutrition, after my cancer DX I did another major rehaul and found several areas for improvement. And I did feel even better. It helped that it coincided with retirement giving me more time for food prep and regular and sustained conditioning. Unfortunately I pushed a little too hard. Oh well at least I'm not a couch potato.
Nick...30 ortho surgeries...wows a...bionic guy? Setting off all the airport alarms!
Susan
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nick d
Trad climber
nm
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Jan 15, 2012 - 06:35pm PT
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I actually do set off metal detectors now that I have a prosthetic knee. I just wish I could have gotten the Steve Austin treatment, I've just gotten slower and creakier.
My nickname is Nick Danger, because I'm always in danger of getting nicked. Hung on me by Gary Hicks, Sandia climbing legend.
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Chip
Trad climber
Sittin' Pretty in Fat City
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Jan 15, 2012 - 06:45pm PT
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I have had the same and repairs on both shoulders, about 10 years apart. Immobilization time varies but 3 months is required for adequate healing before climbing, or it will never be right. I missed almost a week of work both times (I'm a foot and ankle surgeon) and slept on extra pillows for a couple weeks. PT is usually at least a couple of months and absolutely needed.
One shoulder is perfect and the other never quite got right, because I was stupid and built a new climbing wall in the basement when I should have been healing. It often gets mildly re-injured when shock-loaded, like when a foot pops.
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Jan 15, 2012 - 06:50pm PT
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Glad that people, especially surgeons, are still watching this thread.
Does anyone know what the current treatment for a bucket tear of the labrum is?
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Jan 15, 2012 - 07:26pm PT
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Susan-
The Japanese did a demographic study of Iodine consumption vs incidence of cancer; the study indicated that in Northern Hokkaido where the diet contasins something around 250 mg a day of elemental Iodine from eating fish and seaweed, that cancer is virtually unknown.
Chemically Iodine is a very important catalyst, and speeds up many biochemical reactions. The presumption that tissue healing is accelerated by good Iodine levels in the diet is probably correct. The Iodized salt that most of us consume is barely enough to prevent goiter.
Rodger
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reddirt
climber
PNW
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Jan 16, 2012 - 04:09pm PT
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Probably did it to myself, finished 6 months of chemo and decided to rebuild myself and regain my strength, working out like I was 30, and I'm far from it. At least I'm still around to get more aches and pains.
b/t my partner & I, we've had 2 torn labrums & a rotator cuff... My partner's rotator cuff was proll torn after a long stint on rheumatology drugs (many are chemo drugs) & then climbing as if nothing had changed... so you're mot alone ; P
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jan 16, 2012 - 05:56pm PT
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hey there say, susan... oh my.... heard you spoke of this,... :(
will be rooting and praying for you...
hugs and god blesss... keep up the good spirit, and keep
a smile for the future... you will be enjoying the greatoutdoors soon,
again... :)
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