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Thread: Rotator Cuff Tear

  1. #1
    Master Pitch3110's Avatar
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    Rotator Cuff Tear **Update**

    Anyone else????

    My left shoulder has been in pain for months when reaching back or lifting my arm above my head, laying in bed on my left is also a pain.

    Virtual appointment with the doc this week confirmed the problem. Physio booked, virtual, but web points to surgery to fully repair which is not good.

    Just wondering if any of the ole boys on here, like me have any experience.

    Ta

    Pitch
    Last edited by Pitch3110; 23rd October 2021 at 14:31.

  2. #2
    Journeyman
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    Went to the physio for the same recently, was given a list of exercises to help strengthen the joint. No surgery for me

  3. #3
    Why is everything still virtual? Surely this type of problem needs to be seen by a GP rather than taking their best guess, hope it gets better soon.

  4. #4
    Grand Master learningtofly's Avatar
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    Nasty injury, Paul. Mine took the best part of 18 months to heal but I was very late with the physio. Get that booked early but be prepared for a fairly long haul; mine is still not 100% and probably never will be but I won't consider surgery.

  5. #5
    Grand Master
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    I had a full tear of left shoulder cuff after a bike accident, surgery the only answer. Bloody sore.

  6. #6
    Master village's Avatar
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    I had something similar which turned out fortunately not to be a rotator cuff tear but a damaged rotator tendon. There was no way that could be diagnosed virtually as it required some physical exploration. This virtual appointment stuff is just a load of nonsense and seems to be another offshoot of COVID that people have jumped on...much like crap customer service automatically being blamed on “that covid”.

    It took a while to sort itself out and required several physio appointments.

  7. #7
    Master Iceblue's Avatar
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    My dads about one year down the line with this shoulder issue he had exercises to do , then had injections and now waiting for a operation , I feel for you all with this as it seems a painful injury

  8. #8

    Rotator Cuff Tear

    I damaged my rotator cuff in my 30’s, was really painful and debilitating - had physio and a cortisone injection (?) which didn’t make much difference, then about 6 months later another cortisone injection and for me it was almost a miracle cure! 20 years later mine is still fine - good luck as I know how unpleasant it can be. By coincidence my wife now has a similar issue and following a face to face gp visit is having physio, exercises etc and last week had a cortisone injection


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  9. #9
    Grand Master
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    Get it diagnosed properly. Initially its worth paying to see a physio who ought to be able to confirm where the problem lies, although an MRI scan may be needed to assess the severity. A good physio will also provide the correct exercises to help recovery if the damage is deemed to be minor. I had a similar problem several years ago, mine was a rotator cuff tendon problem that cleared up eventually but took approx 9 months to do so.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    Get it diagnosed properly. Initially its worth paying to see a physio who ought to be able to confirm where the problem lies, although an MRI scan may be needed to assess the severity. A good physio will also provide the correct exercises to help recovery if the damage is deemed to be minor. I had a similar problem several years ago, mine was a rotator cuff tendon problem that cleared up eventually but took approx 9 months to do so.
    Spot on - you could waste months on physio trying to stick a band aid over the problem with no progress, I've been there several times with other injuries and lesson learnt. Pay for an MRI scan if that speeds things up to be able to deal in facts and then go from there with treatment.

  11. #11
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    Had 12 mths of physio to no avail. Insisted on consultant referring me for an MRI scan. As well as the cuff tear I had also ruptured my bicep tendon. Ended up having an op to repair and “debraid”??
    It’s been fine since

  12. #12
    Craftsman Bluemoon7's Avatar
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    Waiting on an operation now.... I did mine a couple of years ago, had scans and was referred to physio. Problem was that I also had torn ligaments in my right knee at the same time. They had to prioritise my knee as I couldn’t use use crutches properly because of the torn rotator cuff. Then Covid hit! Had op on my knee but that is still giving me problems, the recovery time after the rotator cuff op is about 18 months and they postponed that and will review in a few months. Between these issues and having to extreme shield for 13 months because of chemo, which meant no sharing rooms with my partner, or leaving the house at all, it’s been a tough few years. When I got the news that I could leave the house at the end of March I was like Zebedee for a few weeks..... hope they get you sorted soon... it’s a pain having a torn cuff, in more ways than one.

  13. #13
    Craftsman Bluemoon7's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by craig1912 View Post
    Had 12 mths of physio to no avail. Insisted on consultant referring me for an MRI scan. As well as the cuff tear I had also ruptured my bicep tendon. Ended up having an op to repair and “debraid”??
    It’s been fine since
    I did that at the same time as I tore my rotator cuff. I was lifting something that wasn’t even that heavy out of a car (a dog crate) and heard two loud pops. Felt a bit dizzy then realised that my right bicept had slid down my arm and my shoulder was in agony. They have left the bicept issue. It affects me in that if I lift anything that is a bit heavy it goes into spasm and cramps.

  14. #14
    I would get a consultation with a shoulder surgeon. Which will get you definite answer. I can recommend Punnet Monga and a friend has been treated by Lenord Funk. This was at the Arm Clinic Wilmslow.

    I had a MTB accident and although I had surgery the same day, any further treatment I needed I got there. Definitely worth the trip.

    If you haven't found it already, here is Prof Funks site which is a great resource.

    https://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/


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  15. #15
    If it's a tear then it's a lot more serious but I had impingement in my right shoulder (anterior head) which meant that everytime I tried to bring my right arm over to the left shoulder (e.g. to scratch my left shoulder blade) it was really painful.

    From January I started doing this rotator cuff exercise https://youtu.be/kEVThCTBmpQ?t=413

    every day (3 sets of 10-15 reps) and within 2 months it had healed about 80%; within 3 months the pain had gone. Now I do these every time before training upper body at the gym.

  16. #16
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    Yup, physios aren’t consultant shoulder surgeons, it’s a real naughtiness of GPs to refer people to physios rather a specialists for diagnosis. Request a referral to a consultant, on NHS, and use choose and book (which is a right, not a privilege) There are so many things that could be causing your pain that a physio could end up damaging you: when you only have hammers, all problems are nails.

  17. #17

    Rotator Tear

    I have the same problem done it playing tennis about 3 months ago then stupidly played squash the next day it finished me off so getting quite frustrated now hurts in bed when turning etc lifting so looking on Youtube loads of exercises so I am going down that route.
    Squashy1

  18. #18
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    I had a rotator cuff op a few years ago, went through physio first, then MRI then finally surgery, basically I had trouble lifting my arm without it being extremely painful, the surgeon ended up scraping the joint to give me more movement.
    I won't lie, it was bloody painful afterwards and the exercises from the physio were even more painful, I ended up with "frozen shoulder" probably due to not doing the exercises properly, they injected it to try and free it up but it didn't really work.
    It was when the physio said I might have to have further surgery on it to free it up that I took it seriously, ( not that I wasn't already ), the exercise that really helped me was arm behind your back as far as I could, then, stand with your back next to a kitchen worktop and lower yourself down forcing the arm further up, sounds like torture but it worked a treat over a few weeks, now, touches wood, I don't really have much trouble with it.
    But, as has been said already, get it diagnosed properly by a specialist, if you don't have to have surgery then it's a massive bonus, good luck anyway.

  19. #19
    Master Pitch3110's Avatar
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    Lots a really useful info chaps and many thanks for taking the time to respond and noted, as you mention Tony get it looked at properly.

    I haven't a clue how I damaged it and I just kept thinking it will sort itself but we aren't getting any younger and intervention is required.

    Thanks again guys and for the links posted.

    Pitch

  20. #20
    I wrecked my shoulders playing hockey - goal-keeping on astroturf. They started sublux-ing and then dislocating. I'd rehab and then the other one would go. It became a cycle, so I had an MRI, exploratory look around under general, and then opted to get both done. Was offered keyhole, but they said they might need to open the shoulder up anyway, depending what they found, so just went for the open surgery. They tidied up the mess, repaired some tears and tucked my tendons. It was a hard 18-20 months, really painful at times, incredibly inconvenient, and a long slog back, but since then (2005?) I've had no problems. I ski, swim (backstroke has never come back, sadly) and SCUBA. It's great having joints that are stable. I have a couple of large scars, but they could easily have been caused by a barracuda. Probably.

  21. #21

    Rotator Cuff Tear

    Read this link. I had a frozen shoulder. Really restrictive and agony during the freezing stage.

    I have been through the freezing and frozen stage, and I am now 95% recovered and well into the thawing phase. Took a lot of physio

    https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...er-Pain-Anyone

  22. #22
    Master wildheart's Avatar
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    I did mine playing golf. Went to a physio for 9 months every week. Did the exercises at the gym three times a week. I was lucky and it’s ok now. Hell of an injury, good luck with it!


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  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pitch3110 View Post
    Lots a really useful info chaps and many thanks for taking the time to respond and noted, as you mention Tony get it looked at properly.

    I haven't a clue how I damaged it and I just kept thinking it will sort itself but we aren't getting any younger and intervention is required.

    Thanks again guys and for the links posted.

    Pitch
    Had this for good few years Paul.

    Do the physio for respite and strengthening of muscles etc. I use a pulley wheel to ease and stretch it out. VERY occasionally I use ibuprofen to ease inflammation when its VERY sore. But as I was told a number of years ago by a loving caring sympathetic colleague, “Pain is but a state of mind. Don’t think about it and it’s not there!” Works for me.

    Stick in buddy.

    Jim

  24. #24
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    I self-referred to physio last year and after exercises didn’t fully rectify the problem, a cortisone injection did.

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bluemoon7 View Post
    I did that at the same time as I tore my rotator cuff. I was lifting something that wasn’t even that heavy out of a car (a dog crate) and heard two loud pops. Felt a bit dizzy then realised that my right bicept had slid down my arm and my shoulder was in agony. They have left the bicept issue. It affects me in that if I lift anything that is a bit heavy it goes into spasm and cramps.
    Yep I didn’t have my tendon repaired- just tided up as it had dropped into the joint. I have the same issue but just live with it!

  26. #26
    Grand Master Chinnock's Avatar
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    Sorry to hear that Paul.

    Hopefully diagnosis, possible physio / exercise / time will fix it. Best wishes.

  27. #27
    Craftsman Gromdal's Avatar
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    I've self referred twice in three years to the NHS physio after rotator cuff 'tears' that were what they called bursitis which was just heavy inflammation of the fluid sac providing cushioning in the shoulder. They suggested I was slightly hypermobile in the joint and it was just sheer bad luck that both had flared up within such a small timeframe, but both my shoulders have always clicked horribly as you move them from by your side to above your head so I suspect there's an issue there as my dad had calcium nodules taken off both his shoulders in middle age due to exactly the same sort of injury. I couldn't hold anything out in front of me with any strength, driving was an absolute nightmare if I needed to make a sudden input. The last time I did it it has been niggling for a few months when I was doing exercise so I gave it a month off and then went back to a reasonable kettlebell session only to wake up the next morning in absolute agony and was then unable to sleep without painkillers for a week and unable to do any lifting with that arm for a good few months. I've done all the resistance band exercises etc. but the biggest thing I've had to stop is overhead lifts with anything other than light weights.

  28. #28
    I did this - damaged the tendon in 2017. It is just about right now although I would still be wary of hanging from bars etc at full extension although I can do this now - arm wouldn't lift above my head originally.

    I worked with a trainer at the gym and we progressively stretched it out doing regular exercises and although sore after the first sessions it slowly improved and now is only sore whilst being stretched out during a workout never afterwards much at all.

    I also had to learn to put my jacket on differently so as not to twist it.

    Sorry you have this injury but you will recover !

  29. #29
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    My mum had this with both her shoulders; apparently very common and more common the older you get ... obvious maybe ...

    She managed it for some years with cortisone injections but eventually succumbed to the operation which, I'm told, massivly relived the pain ... however the other one she left too long and now the consultant says it is beyond repair so my advice would be get it fixed asap.
    Last edited by Montello; 5th July 2021 at 17:43.

  30. #30
    I’ve been suffering something similar with my left shoulder for over a year - apparently it’s an age related thing :(

    Been on max strength Co-codamol and signed off since mid-April.

    Had a Steroid injection 3 weeks which has helped a lot and I have been able to cur down on the tablets :)

    Seeing Physiotherapist via Zoom for exercises to strengthen my left shoulder - still aches when I run and at night.

    At its worst, I couldn’t lie on my back or my left side and my finger tips had gone numb. I did find a shoulder brace helped though.

    Because of COVID, only one GP face to face, no offer of a scan and Physiotherapist only seeing serious cases :(

  31. #31
    Master Pitch3110's Avatar
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    Cheers again all, appreciate thoughts and best wishes.

    Telephone call with physio today and exercise sheet emailed. Revert back if no improvement in six weeks.

    I will give it a month and then consider private.

    Cycled (Road Bike) close on 80 miles over the past four days and no discomfort or pain at all. Putting a jacket on this afternoon was just nuts sore.

    Pitch

  32. #32
    Craftsman
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    Such a common injury reading through this thread. Did mine years ago & it's never been right. Every so often I go to a physio, they have a poke around & give me some exercises to do, which I then ignore completely & wonder why it doesn't get better. Must be very annoying being a physio I think. The web is full of people talking about surgery, but in reality this is very much a last resort for most of us. Anyway good luck & I hope yours gets sorted.

  33. #33
    Master ed335d's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pitch3110 View Post
    Cheers again all, appreciate thoughts and best wishes.

    Telephone call with physio today and exercise sheet emailed. Revert back if no improvement in six weeks.

    I will give it a month and then consider private.

    Cycled (Road Bike) close on 80 miles over the past four days and no discomfort or pain at all. Putting a jacket on this afternoon was just nuts sore.

    Pitch
    Do you know if it's a tear, or is that just an assumption?

    I had similar pain, just raising arms. I was put through physio (with acupuncture) and cortisone injections which did FA. Turns out it was calcium(?) build up on the upper shoulder bone that compressed the tendons & stuff when the arms were raised, causing the discomfort. I had a subacromial decompression on both sides which cured the problem instantly (the previous treatments were never going to cure the issue).

    As others have said, get scans & get it diagnosed properly. I wish I'd done it sooner.

  34. #34
    I think my condition was Subacromial impingement syndrome. Basically, something in the narrow channel in your shoulder gets inflamed and presses on the other tendons, ligaments and nerves.

    I’ll never know what was inflamed as I never got offered a scan, but to be fair the Injection and Physio exercises have helped a lot.

    I’ve now been given a large elastic band to do pull down exercises with. My shoulder seems almost..back to normal now, except I can’t bend my my left arm (shoulder injury on the left) quite as far as the good one on the right.

    Weirdly I am right handed and so I am puzzled why I injured my left shoulder

  35. #35
    Master Pitch3110's Avatar
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    **Update**

    Been to Wifey’s massage lady today. Firstly she smiled when I told her telephone call with doctor and physio and rotator cuff was the conclusion.

    90 minutes later and crikey the movement I have back is unbelievable. Basically she told me what I could done to cause the issue, spot on yes I had pulled a half ton bag of logs on Christmas Eve, that figured.

    Lots of work on hip, waist, back and both front and back of my shoulder ‘freeing’ ‘stuff’ up and nerves in my shoulder played with. Clearly she could feel the issue. Needs me back again in a week or so to finish.

    Cheers again all for your feedback and thoughts, well worth seeing someone

    Pitch

  36. #36
    Master
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    Great to hear Paul. Keep the faith bro

    Jim


    Quote Originally Posted by Pitch3110 View Post
    **Update**

    Been to Wifey’s massage lady today. Firstly she smiled when I told her telephone call with doctor and physio and rotator cuff was the conclusion.

    90 minutes later and crikey the movement I have back is unbelievable. Basically she told me what I could done to cause the issue, spot on yes I had pulled a half ton bag of logs on Christmas Eve, that figured.

    Lots of work on hip, waist, back and both front and back of my shoulder ‘freeing’ ‘stuff’ up and nerves in my shoulder played with. Clearly she could feel the issue. Needs me back again in a week or so to finish.

    Cheers again all for your feedback and thoughts, well worth seeing someone

    Pitch

  37. #37
    Interesting to hear the options. I have been weight training the past two years and decided to do some rotator cuff exercises to strengthen the area. Unfortunately I was being thick and was adding progressively higher weights to the exercise. I think my form was poor also. This duality had caused me pain, which can be quite severe. I believe it's tendonitis, and not a tear. I will check massage as well as ice packs.

  38. #38
    Master Pitch3110's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jimmcb View Post
    Great to hear Paul. Keep the faith bro

    Jim
    Cheers Jimbo.

  39. #39
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pitch3110 View Post
    Cheers Jimbo.
    And you P

    J

  40. #40
    Master
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    Fell on the ice while walking the dogs back in early January. Left arm took the fall of my 17 stone. It was still giving me bother so went to see consultant a couple of weeks ago. MRI tuesday past, consultant phoned me this evening. Surgery booked in for 15th September.

    maseman

  41. #41
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    Quote Originally Posted by maseman View Post
    Fell on the ice while walking the dogs back in early January. Left arm took the fall of my 17 stone. It was still giving me bother so went to see consultant a couple of weeks ago. MRI tuesday past, consultant phoned me this evening. Surgery booked in for 15th September.

    maseman
    Well, had the Op yesterday. Surgeon said he managed a good repair on quite a large tear. (Although i did have to email him this morning as I have no recollection of the conversation we had in recovery - must have been some good gear !!"
    So far not too bad, but the nerve block hasn't fully worn off yet. I expect it to be a tad more painful later on today.

    maseman

  42. #42
    Swift recovery Ian. I may need to go down the surgery route :(

  43. #43
    Master Pitch3110's Avatar
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    Fourth session this week and I am virtually pain free and all movement is back, its just amazing.

    Many thanks for all the thoughts above once again and if anyone is suffering get yourself off to see someone, even if it is like me and a good physio route rather than the NHS.

    Pitch

  44. #44
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Great news!
    M
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  45. #45
    Master Pitch3110's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Curta View Post
    Great news!
    M
    Thank you my friend and trusting all is well.

    Pitch

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