OT- Rotator Cuff Surgery Experiences

[Harry York 37]

As there is a dearth of hockey - at least on the NHL Level- going on now, I have a question about shoulder surgery.

I've been dealing with a 1/3 to 2/3 thickness tear on my right supraspinatus for five years. I was online skating in my mid sixties and fell, breaking my fall to the street with an outstretched hand. This is actually termed FOOSH, which is the acronym for falling on an outstretched hand, and many rotator cuff tears are caused by this reflexive action.
I spent the next five years building up strength and range of motion, I also had a total of 4-5 cortisone injections; the last one was in February.
Entropy being how it is, I suffered another tear after I got a little cocky on a bench press with free weights a little over two months ago:

Crescent-shaped, approximately 9 X 12mm (transverse by anterior posterior dimension ) full thickness rotatgor cuff tear involving the anterior supraspinatus tendon. There is mild tendinopathy to the remaining supraspinatus, anterior infraspinatus, and superior subscapularis tendons.

I have some instability with the biceps pulley as well.

I am seeing a pretty good Ortho Surgeon in two weeks. I will certainly place a heavy weight on his input.


I'm wondering what experiences, if any, the posters here might have had with supraspinatus tears and rehab- including any surgery.
The recovery from surgery is brutal, and there is always a risk of a re-tear.

I gotta tell you, after 2-3 weeks of rest and light lifting the last six weeks after this latest tear, I have really good range of motion, but sleeping on the bad side is not happening, nor are 2 or 3 very specific arm movements. It is improving enough that I no longer see surgery as imperative.

I reckon few if any of us are Orthopedic Professionals, but I would appreciate hearing any respectful input from you all.

[Old_Goat]

As there is a dearth of hockey - at least on the NHL Level- going on now, I have a question about shoulder surgery.

I've been dealing with a 1/3 to 2/3 thickness tear on my right supraspinatus for five years. I was online skating in my mid sixties and fell, breaking my fall to the street with an outstretched hand. This is actually termed FOOSH, which is the acronym for falling on an outstretched hand, and many rotator cuff tears are caused by this reflexive action.
I spent the next five years building up strength and range of motion, I also had a total of 4-5 cortisone injections; the last one was in February.
Entropy being how it is, I suffered another tear after I got a little cocky on a bench press with free weights a little over two months ago:

Crescent-shaped, approximately 9 X 12mm (transverse by anterior posterior dimension ) full thickness rotatgor cuff tear involving the anterior supraspinatus tendon. There is mild tendinopathy to the remaining supraspinatus, anterior infraspinatus, and superior subscapularis tendons.

I have some instability with the biceps pulley as well.

I am seeing a pretty good Ortho Surgeon in two weeks. I will certainly place a heavy weight on his input.


I'm wondering what experiences, if any, the posters here might have had with supraspinatus tears and rehab- including any surgery.
The recovery from surgery is brutal, and there is always a risk of a re-tear.

I gotta tell you, after 2-3 weeks of rest and light lifting the last six weeks after this latest tear, I have really good range of motion, but sleeping on the bad side is not happening, nor are 2 or 3 very specific arm movements. It is improving enough that I no longer see surgery as imperative.

I reckon few if any of us are Orthopedic Professionals, but I would appreciate hearing any respectful input from you all.

I'm going through something very similar. Mine was the result of a stupid/stubborn waterskiing move 32 years ago of not just letting go of the rope while the boat was wallowing in choppy waters during a slow turn and then the rapid acceleration ripping me out of my ski and I'm pretty sure tearing something in there. I guess I'm lucky it didn't rip my arm out! I was busy, had other stuff going on, did not take the time to get it properly taken care of. It has finally caught up with me.
I have gone through PT, have not had a cortisone shot (yet) to lessen pain & friction caused by a calcium deposit at the site in order to more rigorously strengthen.
So, I do not have answers for you, but am very glad that you have put this out there, because I will be greatly looking forward to hearing answers as well!

[OlderndWiser]

I feel for you. I had my first rotator cuff surgery done by Dr. Palleta, the Cardinal's surgeon so many years ago that it was not yet an arthoscopic surgery. Had to cut my shoulder open. Had three surgeries on that right shoulder. My left one was operated in in 2013 when I was 65. It completely tore in two weeks of physical therapy. This is the IMPORTANT thing you need to know...after mine failed the surgeon told me that after age 60, the success rate falls off the table. You should consider this going forward.

You mentioned the biceps being involved. Again, my experience only. I was dealing with having neither rotator cuff at all. Then within six months, I tore both bicep muscles. Had no strength at all. Finally went into the surgeon and had a total right shoulder replacement surgery last April. All the rotator cuff rehabs were bad but this one was torture. Had almost a whole year of constant rehab. That surgery was successful to a point. It moves the reliance for strength from your rotator cuff to your deltoid muscles.

Hope you don’t need that surgery but ASK the doctor about the success percentage for your age. I wish you the best of luck!

[Harry York 37]

Thanks OG and O&W.

Shoulder surgeries seem to be very problematic.
Word is that it’s the least intelligently designed ( or Deity Created) joint in the whole human body.

The word is also out that Surgeons most always advise… surgery.

I think I can continue to thrive ( as much as a fit 70 year old can thrive) with it as it is. It is improving and I am walking into my Doctor visit with my eyes open.

[a smell of green grass]

I don't have a lot of experience with this, but I have some.

If you are under 40, get the surgey.

If you are over 60, do not get the surgery unless the pain, discomfort, or limitations are significant.

Good luck.

[Harry York 37]

I don't have a lot of experience with this, but I have some.

If you are under 40, get the surgey.

If you are over 60, do not get the surgery unless the pain, discomfort, or limitations are significant.

Good luck.

It is like a breath of hope and fresh air to hear you post without a blatantly negative agenda.
Hell, I would even say it's healing.

Please don't argue with what I consider to be healthy praise.

For this post... I sincerely am grateful.

[a smell of green grass]

I don't have a lot of experience with this, but I have some.

If you are under 40, get the surgey.

If you are over 60, do not get the surgery unless the pain, discomfort, or limitations are significant.

Good luck.

It is like a breath of hope and fresh air to hear you post without a blatantly negative agenda.
Hell, I would even say it's healing.

Please don't argue with what I consider to be healthy praise.

For this post... I sincerely am grateful.

[MTblue]

I created an account for this post, I’ve been a guest here for years/early 2000’s and thought this was a good place to start. I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder in 2017. I had a full thickness tear and significant partial tears in 3 of the 4 ligaments. The cartilage in the socket was also torn. No impact on the bicep tendon for me. I also had numerous bone spurs causing progressive damage. It was a progressive injury from work and from playing/coaching recreational hockey. Combined and it took about 12 months for the final full tear to occur. Once that happened, I couldn’t lift my hand above my waist. Surgery was my only option to fix it.

Successful surgery in every way possible. Titanium woven into the full and partial tears. Grateful for the success. But it is a brutal recovery that absolutely involves lots of pain and incurable discomfort. 8 months from surgery until I could return to work. I learned that the physical therapist you work with post surgery is just as important as the orthopedic doctor who did the surgery. Recovery from surgery involves consistent and grinding efforts, or it won’t heal. Having someone to work with that understands the healing process makes it easier to manage.

I’m 8 years out from that surgery and have full range of motion and zero pain. I’m reluctant to do things that involve acceleration of the arm (throwing a baseball, bowling, rock skipping…) because I can get sore in the tendons immediately. But for everything else, it works great. Weight training, golf, skiing, backpacking, making the bed, putting on a shirt, lifting something overhead; are all done without pain.

There years later I began having issues in my left shoulder. Started PT early and built enough tendon and joint strength to avoid surgery. That side still gets impingement issues and pain if I sleep on it wrong. But I’m fully functional and would not do the surgery again unless I lost use of that shoulder.

Shoulders are no joke to get repaired. It is a rough healing process. I couldn’t lay horizontal for well over a month. You can do nothing with the surgical side. You are one armed for months. You are right to seek experiential opinions. I wish you the best of luck!

[Harry York 37]

MTblue... thank you for going a good extra mile.

Now that I am facing it, I see why people don't talk about the experience much. Its brutal and the recovery is... most, if not all of a calendar year.


Now I get why Tarasenko lost some of his shine.

[MTblue]

You are welcome. I stop people in the sling when I see them and offer empathy and encouragement. It just sucks. But not being able to function because of the issue sucks more.

If you get the surgery….figure out the sling before you get it done. The sling and how your forearm and hand rest in it can be the difference in pain. Specifically, if your hand is outside the sling, beyond the wrist, the weight of your hand dangling will cause significant pain. The sling is your friend and partner in the pain train fight.

I had lots of empathy for 91 when he went through it and I’m impressed he’s continued to be productive.

[Harry York 37]

You are welcome. I stop people in the sling when I see them and offer empathy and encouragement. It just sucks. But not being able to function because of the issue sucks more.

If you get the surgery….figure out the sling before you get it done. The sling and how your forearm and hand rest in it can be the difference in pain. Specifically, if your hand is outside the sling, beyond the wrist, the weight of your hand dangling will cause significant pain. The sling is your friend and partner in the pain train fight.

I had lots of empathy for 91 when he went through it and I’m impressed he’s continued to be productive.

I read some AI selected articles and one answered “can I play Rec league hockey at 71 when it heals?”
I know… I’ve always been a dreamer.

It said it’s possible, but I can forget about the slap shot, even though my right shoulder is not the more significant one for the side I shoot from (also the right).

I know Im still dreaming’ but it might motivate me to actually learn a snap shot.


There’s a fine line between setting lofty goals and setting yourself up for disappointment.


You, and everyone in this thread ( I am including The Smell of Green Grass in this present Company) are compassionate folks and good fellows.
May you all remain as blessed as you are at this moment.

[Harry S Deals]

I actually have an appointment upcoming to get my rt shoulder examined. Took a pretty good spill 2 months ago every thing has basically healed except the shoulder hasnt improved. Its not terrible but i cant lift much above my head, lifting a back pack with that arm results in 3-5 level pain and i cant really sleep on my right side. My guess is PT is coming im hoping to avoid a procedure but im anxious to move on

[Harry York 37]

I actually have an appointment upcoming to get my rt shoulder examined. Took a pretty good spill 2 months ago every thing has basically healed except the shoulder hasnt improved. Its not terrible but i cant lift much above my head, lifting a back pack with that arm results in 3-5 level pain and i cant really sleep on my right side. My guess is PT is coming im hoping to avoid a procedure but im anxious to move on

Sorry to hear that, Harry.
You might well require an MRI to get the best idea of the extent of the injury.

[Harry S Deals]

I actually have an appointment upcoming to get my rt shoulder examined. Took a pretty good spill 2 months ago every thing has basically healed except the shoulder hasnt improved. Its not terrible but i cant lift much above my head, lifting a back pack with that arm results in 3-5 level pain and i cant really sleep on my right side. My guess is PT is coming im hoping to avoid a procedure but im anxious to move on

Sorry to hear that, Harry.
You might well require an MRI to get the best idea of the extent of the injury.

Thanks man you have posted some valuable experience im preferring to do that immediately so i know exactly what the treatment will require. My fear is that they want to do PT first to see if that works because MRIs are costly. So annoying.

[Harry York 37]

I actually have an appointment upcoming to get my rt shoulder examined. Took a pretty good spill 2 months ago every thing has basically healed except the shoulder hasnt improved. Its not terrible but i cant lift much above my head, lifting a back pack with that arm results in 3-5 level pain and i cant really sleep on my right side. My guess is PT is coming im hoping to avoid a procedure but im anxious to move on

Sorry to hear that, Harry.
You might well require an MRI to get the best idea of the extent of the injury.

Thanks man you have posted some valuable experience im preferring to do that immediately so i know exactly what the treatment will require. My fear is that they want to do PT first to see if that works because MRIs are costly. So annoying.

It surely is. I can raise my arm up straight in most positions three months after mine. There are still 2-3 moves that are all but impossible-especially if any weight is involved.
I am. fairly active, I be been lifting with a coach three times a week for a couple of years now, but I can’t find a smooth and safe place to inline skate. I do not want to fall awkwardly again.
After i tore it this last time I did virtually no upper body for three weeks but have started up and know what I can do and what I can’t.
I still have to work through some painful stiffness for a lot of movement and I hope that will get better.
I see the orthopedist two weeks from today.
I would like to have it repaired, but the ordeal is so daunting that I am seeking a way to avoid surgery… if one exists.

[Old_Goat]

I created an account for this post, I’ve been a guest here for years/early 2000’s and thought this was a good place to start. I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder in 2017. I had a full thickness tear and significant partial tears in 3 of the 4 ligaments. The cartilage in the socket was also torn. No impact on the bicep tendon for me. I also had numerous bone spurs causing progressive damage. It was a progressive injury from work and from playing/coaching recreational hockey. Combined and it took about 12 months for the final full tear to occur. Once that happened, I couldn’t lift my hand above my waist. Surgery was my only option to fix it.

Successful surgery in every way possible. Titanium woven into the full and partial tears. Grateful for the success. But it is a brutal recovery that absolutely involves lots of pain and incurable discomfort. 8 months from surgery until I could return to work. I learned that the physical therapist you work with post surgery is just as important as the orthopedic doctor who did the surgery. Recovery from surgery involves consistent and grinding efforts, or it won’t heal. Having someone to work with that understands the healing process makes it easier to manage.

I’m 8 years out from that surgery and have full range of motion and zero pain. I’m reluctant to do things that involve acceleration of the arm (throwing a baseball, bowling, rock skipping…) because I can get sore in the tendons immediately. But for everything else, it works great. Weight training, golf, skiing, backpacking, making the bed, putting on a shirt, lifting something overhead; are all done without pain.

There years later I began having issues in my left shoulder. Started PT early and built enough tendon and joint strength to avoid surgery. That side still gets impingement issues and pain if I sleep on it wrong. But I’m fully functional and would not do the surgery again unless I lost use of that shoulder.

Shoulders are no joke to get repaired. It is a rough healing process. I couldn’t lay horizontal for well over a month. You can do nothing with the surgical side. You are one armed for months. You are right to seek experiential opinions. I wish you the best of luck!

Thank you so much!! Extremely helpful information.

And for Harry Deals... I actually got referred to a physical therapist whom specializes in shoulders. My primary Doctor probably for insurance reasons advised the conservative protocol and made it clear that the post-surgery time and experience is last consideration. The therapist is excellent. It helped a lot. There is a tendency for all of us to become to busy, or I'm feeling good so we slack on the prescribed exercises...DON'T!

And for you and Harry York...the hardest part is coming to the realization that I've progressed beyond just growing up. It's hard, but as one of my older golf partner friends told me, "Old Goat, you look great, but you're going to be the healthiest guy in a wheelchair." I gave up playing ice-hockey over 30 years ago. I used to skate with a bunch of other former college guys, but even in a non-check environment, it became time. Heck, a couple of years ago I was helping my young grandchildren learn to skate during a public session, caught a rut while focusing on being bent over helping a little one and also trying to avoid a flailing non-skater...I went down hard, was fine, but determined it is no longer worth it. Being injured and unable to enjoy other things is not worth it. I'm not suggesting to go into couch potato mode, but a long and often brisk walk and some lighter weights, push-ups, pull-ups (those are a little disappointing just now with this shoulder), fewer beers and smaller portions will you keep you healthy and able to enjoy other sports and hobbies.

Good luck to all of us with these dam shoulders!