Shoulder pain.

[Lyneal]

Has any with RA suffered a large Rotor cuff tear in shoulder, with RA damage to joint,. Been told beyond repair and new shoulder is only option. Pain is horrible plus RA pain.

[PaintItRed]

Hi, Lyneal

I had an injury and ripped my entire shoulder apart. Everything holding my shoulder onto my arm was torn. The pain was excrutiating. I put the surgery off until I could safeguard my business knowing the recovery is long.

The surgery was several hours with a lot of pain the first 24 hours-even with a pain pump and my high pain tolerance.

HOWEVER, I recovered fairly well, even with a frozen shoulder, and lots of physical therapy. I am careful with my shoulder but don't have a lot of pain anymore.

You can't really have a functioning life with this problem, in my opinion.

If you are looking for reassurance in having the surgery I would just say, it was well worth having it.

[Lyneal in reply to PaintItRed]

Thank you for your reply., it is really helpful, so sorry about your injury & glad you are now sorted, although you have gone through painful surgery. I am being reviewed in three months & seeing how hospital admissions are going. The pain in shoulder & down the arm is horrible also the ligament has come off the bone aswell, & co-codamol & Naproxin are my friends. We are so lucky to have the world famous Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt orthopaedic hospital just 6 miles away from where I live, the RA Dept is brilliant. I have already had two foot reconstructions there, and was in a cast for five months. Also had my knee carteledge repaired so am used to surgery. So thank you for the positive reply.

[Kags1068]

Yes, I've had exactly that! Both my shoulders are badly damaged and I've been offered replacements. I'm trying to hold off as long as I can as I've had lots of ops, so try and wait as long as I possibly can. I had a large rotator cuff tear repaired in my left shoulder in 2012. It worked although the surgeon said he couldn't say how long it would last due to the "poor quality of the material he had to work with." So far, so good. I have very restricted movement anyway, but the improvement in pain from the muscle repair was very worthwhile. I also had a trapped ulnar nerve in my left elbow that was causing agony and I had that operated on at the same time. I got through them both fine. I've apparently got a tear in the right rotator cuff now, but thankfully nowhere near as bad as the left was, so I can leave well alone for now!

I hope that helps. Good luck 😊🤞

[Lyneal in reply to Kags1068]

Thank you for your reply, yes it helps to know other people out there have similar, so pleased your one shoulder was sorted, I have the mist awful pain in my right shoulder &/ Down my arm. Like you I have had quite a few ops so am reluctant to have a replacement shoulder just yet. Will see how I get on. Many thanks.

[Kags1068 in reply to Lyneal]

Hi again

I'm really pleased my reply was useful for you. I remember that pain from the muscle problem very well - as you say, awful. I used to find it particularly bad at night.

I think when lots of ops come your way, you can find yourself sort of rationing them, or trying to wait until just the "right time" whatever that happens to be for you physically and mentally. Don't know if you do that too?🙂

Anyway, I hope it remains just about manageable until you feel ready to take the next step.

Best wishes X

[Lyneal in reply to Kags1068]

Aww thank you so much. Yes after my two foot reconstructions surgery, when after the last one I was in a cast for 5 months it does put you off surgery. Maybe when COVID is sorted out I will take the plunge. Thank you so much for your reply.

[Kags1068 in reply to Lyneal]

You are most welcome 😊

When I had an ankle fusion a couple of years ago, it took ages to get over, but I did eventually and it is better now.

We definitely need a break between these things if possible, so we can re-gird our loins for the next one!!

To be honest, I think you will know when the time is right. Until then, I hope you remain as ok as possible!

Take care X

[Lyneal in reply to Kags1068]

Thank you, let’s all hope for a better New Year. . X

[Kags1068 in reply to Lyneal]

Definitely!😊