Torn Rotator

ubersku · #1 03-20-2011, 03:39 PM

OK, I gigged this weekend, but finally had to tell the guys the bad news of the result of my ultrasound from Friday: torn rotator in my right shoulder. Crap. Surgery is most likely. Still have gigs coming up.

Anyone dealt with this same issue? Were you able to sit in a chair, rest the guitar on your leg and play? Other issues you encountered?

Curious about the experience of others that had this same problem. I know I'll have to hire a roadie to carry all my gear!!

tat2jim · #2 03-21-2011, 06:14 AM

Sorry to hear this. Good luck with playing w/the pain and discomfort. You'll have to figure out a way to stabilize the shoulder with either a sling or better yet, DUCT TAPE. Here's some info:

Rotator Cuff Tears - Your Orthopaedic Connection - AAOS

buzzbass · #3 03-21-2011, 08:47 AM

I played a gig less than 24 hours after rotator/bicep surgery. Just have someone move your rig for you and you'll be fine.

ubersku · #4 04-30-2011, 08:09 AM

So here it is, just shy of 48 hours. I feel pretty good this morning. Not sure I will gig tonight, though! Just tried removing my arm from the sling to dangle, which is one of the exercises the doc wants me to do. Nope. Too painful.

Turn out not only was the rotator torn, it had a huge hole in it. This means the injury happened a long time ago, more than likely over months or even the past couple of years. He was able to repair it and put in four anchors to hold it in place!

My keyboard/guitar player reminded me that we are in this for the long term and not to hurry back. They've found a fill-in for me, so I'm not to hurry getting back.

We have three gigs in May. I figure on missing those, and then get ready for the June 11 show.

madmatt · #5 04-30-2011, 08:16 AM

Your health comes before gigging. If you keep aggravating the injury it will probably never go back to near 100%.

IbanezBass69 · #6 04-30-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubersku

My keyboard/guitar player reminded me that we are in this for the long term and not to hurry back. They've found a fill-in for me, so I'm not to hurry getting back.

I think it is really cool that your band is there for you. I know I have met a few that would have told me to suck it up, even if I had been hit by a bus. Best of luck to you on your path of recovery!

ubersku · #7 04-30-2011, 10:44 AM

I am totally lucky to have been with such a great bunch of guys. We are friends first who would even rather hang out with a beer than playing together. And we love to play, so that very indicative as to how much and how well we get along.

I'm in no hurry, trust me!

Rockmusician · #8 04-30-2011, 11:05 AM

I had shoulder surgery last Friday. Mine was more severe than what you are describing. Did you get an MRI? An ultrasound won't show everything. I had a torn rotator cuff, two labrum tears, bone spurs and impingement of the bicep tendon. I had outpatient surgery. I arrived at 6 AM and was home by 11 AM. They did a nerve block so I wouldn't feel any pain and then general anesthesia. The surgery took about 90 minutes. They had to put in 4 screws. The nerve block wore off at about 11 PM. That's when it started to get very painful. Doctor gave me percocet which helped but it was still uncomfortable. I stopped taking it after 4 days but I am still having trouble sleeping. I am in a sling and sleeping in a recliner. I still have pain but it feels better each day. The worst part is trying to take a shower. You will need help.

Do some research and makesure you are going to a good surgeon. Many states have websites where you can check the doctor's academic history, hospital affiliations, published articles, etc. My surgeon is one of the team doctors for Northeastern University and all he does are shoulders and elbows. One of his partners is Arnold Scheller who was team physician for the Boston Celtics for 20 years. It is definitely worth going to a good surgeon. I was supposed to be in a sling for 3 to 4 weeks but I am ahead of schedule and may be out this week.

As far as playing is concerned, I would say no. You will not be able to play for at least 2 to 3 weeks. It will be too painful and you will run the risk of tearing the internal stitches used to repair the tear.

If you to PM me, maybe we can talk on the phone.

Good luck.

lowendblues · #9 04-30-2011, 11:25 AM

Had my right shoulder done about 2 years ago. Mine was torn from the side to the center, I didnt have any bicep tendon damage though.

My doc said do to the size of the tear that I'd be lucky to get back 75 % of my range of motion. Today I feel 100 %. I give all credit to therapy. Push yourself work through the pain, and you'll be good as new. Dont slack off on your therapy.

Dont let anyone call you a wimp either, its a painful surgery and a tough rehab.

ubersku · #10 04-30-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockmusician

I had shoulder surgery last Friday. Mine was more severe than what you are describing. Did you get an MRI? An ultrasound won't show everything. I had a torn rotator cuff, two labrum tears, bone spurs and impingement of the bicep tendon. I had outpatient surgery. I arrived at 6 AM and was home by 11 AM. They did a nerve block so I wouldn't feel any pain and then general anesthesia. The surgery took about 90 minutes. They had to put in 4 screws. The nerve block wore off at about 11 PM. That's when it started to get very painful. Doctor gave me percocet which helped but it was still uncomfortable. I stopped taking it after 4 days but I am still having trouble sleeping. I am in a sling and sleeping in a recliner. I still have pain but it feels better each day. The worst part is trying to take a shower. You will need help.

Do some research and makesure you are going to a good surgeon. Many states have websites where you can check the doctor's academic history, hospital affiliations, published articles, etc. My surgeon is one of the team doctors for Northeastern University and all he does are shoulders and elbows. One of his partners is Arnold Scheller who was team physician for the Boston Celtics for 20 years. It is definitely worth going to a good surgeon. I was supposed to be in a sling for 3 to 4 weeks but I am ahead of schedule and may be out this week.

As far as playing is concerned, I would say no. You will not be able to play for at least 2 to 3 weeks. It will be too painful and you will run the risk of tearing the internal stitches used to repair the tear.

If you to PM me, maybe we can talk on the phone.

Good luck.

Wow, you do sound in worse shape than me!

My surgery was Thursday at noon, was home by 3:30. He was a very good surgeon. Yes, MRI, ultrasound, the works. He found that my injury was old, maybe a few monthd to a year! It was not torn clean, but shredded with a hole the size if a dime! He was surprised I wasn't in more pain before surgery. I was annoyed by some pain back in mid-January until late February, but nothing excruciating. Anyway, the good doctor got me fixed and I don't feel too bad today. Taking only half of recommended dose of Oxy, bolstered by 600mg of Ibuprofen. Weaning myself off Oxy beginning tomorrow. Typing with one hand is my biggest challenge, whereas I have great help on the shower! :-)

Rockmusician · #11 04-30-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubersku

Wow, you do sound in worse shape than me!

My surgery was Thursday at noon, was home by 3:30. He was a very good surgeon. Yes, MRI, ultrasound, the works. He found that my injury was old, maybe a few monthd to a year! It was not torn clean, but shredded with a hole the size if a dime! He was surprised I wasn't in more pain before surgery. I was annoyed by some pain back in mid-January until late February, but nothing excruciating. Anyway, the good doctor got me fixed and I don't feel too bad today. Taking only half of recommended dose of Oxy, bolstered by 600mg of Ibuprofen. Weaning myself off Oxy beginning tomorrow. Typing with one hand is my giggest challenge, whereas I have great help on the shower! :-)

Glad to hear it went well. I have had issues with both shoulders for many years. The result of playing full contact ice hockey well into my 40's. Several separations and dislocations to both. I am going to have the left one repaired in the fall. It's not as bad as the right. Problem is that I am right handed so writing and typing are challenging. Plus, I can't play my bass!

It's not all bad. I am also enjoying the help in the shower.

ubersku · #12 04-30-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendblues

Had my right shoulder done about 2 years ago. Mine was torn from the side to the center, I didnt have any bicep tendon damage though.

My doc said do to the size of the tear that I'd be lucky to get back 75 % of my range of motion. Today I feel 100 %. I give all credit to therapy. Push yourself work through the pain, and you'll be good as new. Dont slack off on your therapy.

Dont let anyone call you a wimp either, its a painful surgery and a tough rehab.

Been through an ankle, four knee and an umbilical surgeries, so I agree with the importance of PT.

I appriciate your input.

AltGrendel · #13 04-30-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmatt

Your health comes before gigging. If you keep aggravating the injury it will probably never go back to near 100%.

+1, don't push it.

Fendbassfan · #14 04-30-2011, 12:44 PM

I hurt mine tubing behind by boat. Doc says MRI says I could have surgury but instead I'm dong the Steroid/Vicoden treatment. Man does it hurt after a gig though.

ez-rhino · #15 05-02-2011, 01:56 PM

I had a shoulder reconstruction about 10 years ago. Torn labrum, wound up with three titanium studs anchoring the torn labral tissue to bone. They couldn't get to the tear orthoscopically, they had to open me up, resulting in an 8 inch scar, but chicks always dug my scars, so no biggie.

It took a good eight months to be back on the ice (was an ice hockey injury, one of several). Had much of the same discomfort you described, the first couple of weeks after the reconstruction were bad, but that's what meds are for.

The first couple of weeks you probably don't want to mess with moving the shoulder around, you'll be prone to jacking up your sutures or stitching, and you don't want that.

If you play left handed and it's your right shoulder that's jacked up, you're probably out of commission for a good six months to play semi-comfortably. Sorry.

If you play right handed, after a few weeks, you should be able to play in a seated position, just adjust your body and sling accordingly, you won't be making any external rotations anyway, so if you want to play in the meantime, you're gonna have to suck it up and deal with some level of discomfort.

And listen to your Physical Therapist! Show them your appreciation like take them coffee, or snacks, or something to show your gratitude - they will likely hook you up with extra help and support. Mine was a real darling and cute to boot, hope yours is the same.

tjh · #16 05-02-2011, 02:24 PM

sounds like everyone is on the mend nicely ... I am 5 years out, faily extensive with tendon reattachments, etc ... I still have a few issues, but then I have fallen on that shoulder a few times also .. a stool may be your best friend for quite some time, and people wonder what my fixation is with light basses ... they just dont understand, but you now will ... you may need to experiment with how you wear your bass as well, I keep it nice and high with wrist supported, shoulder/upper arm out of the equation ... good luck, and God Bless!!

jaywa · #17 05-02-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fendbassfan

I hurt mine tubing behind by boat. Doc says MRI says I could have surgury but instead I'm dong the Steroid/Vicoden treatment. Man does it hurt after a gig though.

I would strongly recommend you get that thing surgically repaired ASAP. I know surgery isn't fun, but the steroid/Vicoden thing is tremedously stressful on your internal organs (if carried out long enough), not to mention Vicoden is highly addictive and has some other not-so-pleasant side effects for a significant percentage of the population.

ZanaZulu807 · #18 05-10-2011, 09:55 PM

Don't know how I missed this thread... Tore mine in my power lifting days in high school (2006-2007), never had an injury and thought I could do any weight. Tried to do one rep of 335 on my own and I didn't feel it but saw the weights fall and pound the floor to the right of me, then saw my arm loosely dangling. Went to the doctor and didn't even get the option of other treatments but surgery as I had nerve damage as well. I had a month and a half of intense physical therapy, wearing the body sling, then more physical therapy then at home scheduled physical/occupational therapy.

The good is despite a little stiffness I am back to normal these days, plus I'm ambidextrous! The bad is because of the nerve damage, I can't feel a portion of my deltoid going down to my bicep. Docs still say I'm still looking at some years before the feeling returns, but the movement is what matters most in the end.

ubersku · #19 05-11-2011, 03:39 PM

Update: Two weeks now since the surgery. Saw the doc yesterday for my first post-op visit.

It’s looking good so far. He even said I can take my arm out of my sling as long as I’m “at rest,” meaning watching TV, riding in a car, sitting at the PC, etc. I also have been doing very elementary exercises he wants me to do, so I have to take the arm for those.

Completely off the Oxy during the day now with minimal pain I can live with. I take a half an Oxy (2.5MG) before bed. Back to work today, and with one hour left and I’m ready to go home. I’m fairly fatigued. Aside, from that, my co-workers had a huge birthday potluck lunch, so being stuffed hasn’t helped!!

@Fendbassfan;I have read about alternative methods of rotator repair, and the way you’re doing it is like one they mentioned. One thing the article mentioned was that it takes much longer to heal and the guarantee of full strength a flexibility returning depend on a lot of factors, but isn’t the same as surgical results. So good luck with that!

@ ez-rhino; I’m a righty, so sitting is on the table for me. In fact, I just played the acoustic last Sunday, sitting in a chair having my hand peek out of sling to use! And hockey was never an issue with me, but if you play that game, you know you’ll pay! Next door neighbor played junior hockey in PDX. He’s always breaking down!

@ZanaZulu807; Yeah, you young guys bounce back pretty fast. I remember weights for football and baseball in HS. Some guys went all out, then ended up out for months trying to show off or going way beyond their capabilities. But now at 54, I can tell repair time is real. No getting a quick pass to normal this time. Taking my time. Good thing I am ambidextrous also. Makes things a tad easier!

PT begins 6/09. Good thing my therapist is nice to look at! Had her last year for an odd leg issue she did wonders for, so it’ll be nice to get back to her quality care.

My goal is to make the gig June 17, sitting down, taking it easy…

ubersku · #20 05-26-2011, 02:21 PM

I've been a good boy and not used my right arm for much (I gotta pull up my pants somehow!) and it's feeling pretty good. Gotta wear this damn sling for at least two more weeks, but I can handle that.

Sneakin' my hand out, sitting in a chair and practicing last weekend. Will do more this weekend. I feel it'll be good and ready by 6/17 for our next gig. I'll have meds at the stand-by!

Looking forward to PT - begin that on 6/14. Good lookin' therapist, too. That helps a lot!!

More later...