decision about shoulder surgery.

[rebtar]

Saw ortho surgeon today. he says my choice shoulder surgery or not. would definitely recommend for younger person, at my age "optional", my choice.

no surgery would likely result in a more or less 30% loss of strength and ability to lift arm overhead.

surgery is 1.25 to 1.5 hours likely anesthetic propofol.

ER xray reading: FINDINGS: There is a comminuted fracture of the proximal left humerus involving the humeral neck and greater tuberosity. Acromioclavicular joint is intact. There is no dislocation. Left axillary surgical clips are identified.

Ortho says displacement is "moderate" of greater tuberosity fragment.

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Please give me your opinion, if it is from personal experience or thoughtful consideration. i can't find the posts on anaesthesia, but my doc says propofol is what dentists use for "twilight" and that she doesn't think it's a problem.

==========================================================

i"m trying to schedule for Thursday as apparently time is a consideration in outcomes.

Shoulder surgery options

Have surgery:

pro

-Will most likely return full mobility to left/arm, shoulder.

-Can start rehabilitation immediately after surgery.

-Rehabilitation time might be somewhat less, but will be long in either case.

-Sleep might be better sooner with surgery (and i already have sleep issues).

-With surgery any soft tissue issues will be seen and can be repaired.

Con

-Anaesthesia 1.25 to 1.5 hours.

-Plate/screw (can be titanium or stainless steel) can give problems down the line but fairly rare.

-Anesthesia always entails risks.

-may need narcotics post op for pain, not sure yet. trying to get topical compounded (my doc is helping) and/or Toradol injectable (preferred) or oral.

No surgery:

Pro

-No anaesthesia/surgery risk

-No plate/screw risk

-no narcotics

Con

-Movement (lifting arm above head) and strength in injured arm, likely reduced by around 30%, could be less, could be more.

-Can be more problematic in the future. Would definitely recommend surgery for a younger person, at my age (65) it’s 50/50 option.

Recovery in either case will be long. 1-2 years max movement and pain resolution... i think i can get there in less time, my doc has already given me suggestions for helpful therapies.

my functional medicine doc says for 65 i'm in good health and she is in favor of the surgery.

Thank you my friends!

[Bolt_Upright]

That is a tough choice. Anesthesia seems to be a risk factor for cognitive decline. I was not sure about that so I just Googled my sentence: sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Good luck whatever you choose.

[rebtar in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Thanks. i'm 65. study refers to over 70. doesn't mean it's not an issue. additional issue i didn't mention above is making great progress on sciatic pain (l4/l5 stenosis, other arthritic changes). using core exercises. no pain at present. need arm/shoulder to do these well, long term commitment to avoid greater back pain/surgery. will need to find alternative core exercises while rehabbing shoulder either way.

[laglag]

I just had eye surgery for a growth and they used propofol. It was easy to come out of but I did have a few problems for about 2 weeks, but I'm getting back to where I was before. I also have had a double mastectomy with some strong anesthesia and it did the same thing. I was "off" for a few weeks. I know a couple of other PwP's that had shoulder surgery recently (last year to 3 yrs ago) and they too had a long recovery but it was worth it. My dad hurt his shoulder at age 85 and they wouldn't do shoulder surgery on him but they did work with him in therapy and it has helped but not a lot. If you think you have a good surgeon, I would go for it. You don't want it to get any worse. 🥊🙏💕

[rebtar in reply to laglag]

yup. good surgeon. scheduled for Thursday.

[laglag in reply to rebtar]

🙏🙏🙏

[rebtar in reply to laglag]

❤️

[Hidden in reply to rebtar]

Best wishes.

[glenandgerry in reply to laglag]

You are one amazing lady.......didn't realise you'd also been through treatment for cancer as well!

[Astra7]

I think you should do it. Our bodies are already struggling with movement and if you lose 30% strength your mobility will be very challenged. I’m battling with crutches for the broken foot and a sore shoulder and it’s very difficult to get about.

Once my foot is sorted I’ll have to find out what’s wrong with my shoulder and get it fixed.

Good luck either way!

[rebtar in reply to Astra7]

Surgery scheduled for Thursday.

[Millbrook]

Hi .

My 90 year old mother fell last June and needed shoulder surgery. It was smashed right at the joint.

They assessed that inspite of being diabetic, high blood pressure, cholesterol etc she would benefit from the surgery. This was at a public hospital. Leaving her without surgery would limit her mobility and probably lead to depression. So inspite of some risks the benefits outweighed the risks.

After physio and exercises my mum has recovered completely.

Wish you all the best

[rebtar in reply to Millbrook]

Thanks! Surgery is now scheduled.

[MarionP]

Anesthesia will not hurt you and people's fear of it is exaggerated. All you have to do is ask to visit with the anesthesiologist before surgery. Your problems with the shoulder are going to advance and advance and advance and you're going to be freaking sorry later if you don't do the surgery. And if you think you're going to have pain post surgery for a while and need pain medications, consider the narcotics you are definitely going to need in about 5 years if you don't do it. That pain and loss of mobility alone is enough to make you into a junkie in the end so bite the bullet and take the pain meds if you need to and quit worrying about getting addicted or anything like that. You can always dose hard on the NSAIDs, and reserve opioids for absolutely necessary and no more than necessary, if you are conservative you will be just fine. You'll get through it. Just because the Sacklers are sociopaths doesn't mean you don't need some opioids on occasion and judiciously. It's not like you're the British empire intentionally enslaving the entire Chinese race with opioids for the benefit of your big Banks and trading houses, and your doctors aren't either. More important is that you have rehab with qualified PT and do follow it even if it hurts that's definitely worth it and will make all the difference in the long run.

[SilentEchoes]

RE: MarionP's comments, "Anesthesia will not hurt you and people's fear of it is exaggerated." This a false statement. I went into cardiac arrest during surgery from succinylcholine. I do tolerate propofol.

I fell and shattered my ankle last Feb., it was a trimalleolar fracture with dislocation, surgery was a must. I took opioids for a couple days then switched to CBD oil, which has the benefit of being anti inflammatory. I didn't need any pain meds other than CBD and it's not addictive.

I personally avoid NSAIDS like the plague. Tylenol depletes glutathion in the liver and ibuprofen is an insecticide.

Best wishes for your recovery.

SE

[Hidden in reply to SilentEchoes]

What brand of CBD oil do you use?

[SilentEchoes in reply to Hidden]

If you're in the US, Burmans is a reliable source. burmanshealthshop.com/

[eschneid]

Best wishes for a complete, smooth recovery.....I believe Propofol is the popular choice for colonoscopies, which I have struggled to pick up the phone and make an appointment for, but will do today as your quick decision on surgery inspired me.

For all of you that are due as well, get on the horn and schedule it.

[rebtar in reply to eschneid]

I am, but will get further into recovery first. Surgery went well, luckily no soft tissue damage which would mean more difficult recovery. Thanks for all the good wishes.

I went for it quickly because surgeon said the sooner the better, to avoid a more complicated surgery. Now eat, ice and yo bed…

[Goldencbc]

I had shoulder surgery at age 69. No problem and completely recovered in a year. Before I couldn’t move my arm above my shoulder. Now is fine.

[PalmSprings]

Best wishes on recovery from surgery!!

[Smokeypurple]

So glad it went well 👍 here's to your full recovery

[Moondaughter]

"-Sleep might be better sooner with surgery (and i already have sleep issues" this one intrigues me....what is the connection I wonder if a shoulder previously misaligned put back into alignment directly impacts sleeping?