Irreparable rotator cuff tear - anyone?

[FortasseRequiris]

Has anyone had a rotator cuff tear that surgery couldn’t repair? I’m looking for opinions/info on what function it would be possible to regain.

My husband ripped his a few weeks ago; managed to get in fairly quickly for surgery but disappointingly, the surgery was not successful. It was described as a massive tear (rather than a complete tear) and only a partial repair.

He’s had very little information/advice following on from the surgery; will be referred for physio but in an immobile sling for at least 8 weeks. He thinks he may not regain much function at all, which would be disastrous; from what I’ve read it sounds possible that he can get strength back and the other muscles will compensate to a degree. It’s the supraspinatus that is damaged

I’d love to be able to tell him some optimistic stories if anyone has any experience or decent sources of information?!

Look up Adam Meakins, he is a leading physio specialising in shoulders. He has a lot of good info on his website www.thesports.physio/

Thanks @Pilatesteacheruk that website does look good and I see there’s some of his stuff on YouTube also.

Have you had a shoulder injury or do you know it from your work (noting your username!)

What function did he have while he was waiting for surgery?

He was able to use his arm but not to put any pressure on - so no heavy lifting or starting the lawn mower etc. Fine for driving but no sport. A lot of pain at night.

Is it likely he would go back to that state and be able to physio from there?

I'm not an expert and certainly not with that exact issue, however I've always found a good chiropractor 1000% better than any physio.

TBH @Imtoooldforallthis I’m not sure I’d know what the different benefits would be! I had a good physio when I had a frozen shoulder and he really helped but I never thought of a chiropractor

I bust mine more than 20 years ago and still have limited movement. Most activities are ok, but I can’t do push-ups, shoulder presses and it causes pain when I need to use that arm for any period of pain. Sports requiring upper body strength/dexterity are over for me.

I know a lot of people don't rate chiropractors but I've had nothing but good experience. Physios, certainly NHS usually tell you what to do and send you off with exercises. A chiropractor is completly hands on and physically manipulates you.

have literally just filled the kettle and carried it with the “weak arm” and it hurt. 🤬

Don't see a chiropractor, you definitely need a physio with experience of shoulder surgery. Look up the Torbay Shoulder programme, I would expect them to follow that protocol or similar. He will need to put the effort in as there is no magic cure, but as long as he is in reasonable health he could get pretty good function back. Good luck

I had similar and my bicep tendon burst during the surgery I'm 8 years on and it's changed things but I can use my arm. The kettle, carrying it and pouring from it still hurts. I find a good sports massage every few months to stop my neck locking up helps as does regular yoga/ pikates. Weight training, boxing and cycling are all in my past now. Personally I think Chiropractorare expensive and over rated a good sports massage help far more

Thank you all! Plenty to think about here.

He knows he won’t be able to play tennis, badminton or squash any more but it would be great to have some progress towards useful function. I don’t think it had crossed either of our minds that the surgery wouldn’t work tbh

Sorry to hear some of you have similar pain; I know from my frozen shoulder how debilitating it can be (fortunately mine is fine now albeit with limited “twist”)

@FortasseRequiris I have a lot of experience through my work as a pilates teacher, shoulder injuries are very common. NHS physios aren't great in my experience (and many private), they look at just the injured bit, give basic exercises and send you away. Please look up Adam Meakins, he really is the best for this sort of thing and works with the latest research.

Thanks @Pilatesteacheruk i thought that must be the case! I’ve passed on that website etc; looks like a lot of good content there 👍🏼

I had rotator cuff surgery a year ago. I had three years/partial tears. It was tough and I faithfully did my physio three times a day as required. I still do physio every morning to keep me moving. Truth is the surgery has helped but it has not been 100% successful. I have regained most of the strength and that awful resting pain is gone. I still have daily pain on some movement and still need painkillers occasionally but overall I am 80% better. Physio and heat creams/bags are key to keeping me mobile. My other shoulder is now showing signs of a tear from the overcompensation but I am seeing a physio for that in a couple of weeks and have fingers crossed she can help. I hope your husband feels better soon.