Michael Davis

I fell off my bike last year and suffered a bad rotator cuff tear. Fearing dislocation, I immediately rushed to the top orthopedic nassau county and he told me that I had stretched my rotator cuff. He advised me PT in the beginning and if after 3 weeks the injury didn't improve, I would have to go for surgery. But my physiotherapist was a skilled one and after diligently following his therapy routines, I didn't need to go for any surgery. Go for PT. It is the best bet.

Grambo

I tore my rotator cuff in a serious cycling accident several years ago. Rotator cuff injuries are very serious and can lead to chronic pain symptoms and significant range of motion loss in your arm / shoulder. My tear was not too extensive and after going through my options (including surgery) with my orthopedist I opted to try PT and exercise to rehab my shoulder. As others have mentioned RC surgery is quite invasive and involves a long recovery / rehab period of 1+ years post surgery and you might only realize marginal benefits after going through the process. My shoulder is still effed up a bit and gives me some nagging pain now and again but the limitations it has caused are minor and I'm glad I did not opt for surgery. Bottom line is to rigorously follow the orthopedists recommendations and put maximum effort into PT. Surgery is definitely a last resort.

hunterr41

I injured my right arm playing pickleball. Dr gave me cortisone shot and ordered MRI. He said that injury looked like it was a re-occurence of old injury. Ordered PT which I am doing. Told me if I had to have surgery, I would not be able to use arm for about 6 months. I got a whole lot more interested in PT. Arm is a LOT better with 2 PT sessions. I had done PT previously on both shoulders several years ago. If I go to a Dr, I think I should follow his/her recommendations. At least try it. PT will give you printed exercises and when you start to improve, you can do on your own but won't get muscle stim and other tx

Hmmm

Go to PT. I had to have 5 bone anchors in my labrum after a year of chronic dislocation. $420 for PT is a lot better than the thousands it will cost in surgery if you don't get it taken care of. Do your exercises at home as well. I have some of my work out sheets that they gave me if you really want them.

kv501

Totally wrong attitude to have. Too many people listen to the "Avoid surgery at all costs because it will be worse and your life will suck forever" mentality and don't get the treatment they need.

I was hit by a truck in July of 2012; dislocated my shoulder, tore my labrum and had a SLAP tear. Because of extenuating circumstances with my 7 year old son I had to wait until November to have the surgery. During that time I did PT 3 times a week (under the supervision of my surgeon because we knew it was coming anyway). The guy who hit me was in a company truck belonging to a big ag equipment dealer, and they paid for all of it as I went; they were super scared of a lawsuit. Anyway, point is that I did really intensive PT under the direction of a surgeon, and it did nothing other than improve my flexibility and maintain my strength post-accident. There were still huge ROM issues and lots of pain. Had the surgery in November, and even though it and the PT afterwards was the most miserable experience of my life, my shoulder is much better than it was after the accident. I have more stability, strength, and ROM than I did in the time between getting hit and surgery. If I had listened to the "no surgery" yahoos (several of my riding friends said the same thing as you did above), I'd be one of those people 20 years from now with a shoulder full of scar tissue, constant pain and no range of motion trying not to pop Vicodin.

Bottom line is that there are some things that can't be fixed without it, and I don't think it's quite responsible to tell people carte blanche that it's a bad deal. Who knows, what if the OP has a tear of some sort that can easliy be fixed say arthroscopically, and he blows off the MRI and surgery because he's scared of the outcome? The horror stories you hear about orthopedic surgery usually come from 2 types of people...those who've never had surgery and shouldn't be giving advice anyway, and those people who had it and didn't faithfully do their PT (that is an absolute must). Jared Allen had the same surgery I did last offseason, do you think he'd be able to play defensive end in the NFL six months later if itwas such a terrible thing?

jrossbeck

Not a doctor - don't pretend to be.

Back about 7 years ago I hit a patch of ice on my snowmobile, which slid the ass-end out sideways. When the track hit solid snow again, it started to tip - and like an idiot, I stuck out my right arm to catch myself as I hit the snow bank. Long story short - wrapped it up, rode a few more days in bad pain.

Got home, went to doctor. He said thankfully between riding the rest of the week, it didn't freeze up and the cold air probably kept the swelling down. My diagnosis was either severe sprain or partial tear. I was told there isn't much difference between the two from recovery standpoint. No surgery, lots of PT.

I attacked PT with all I had because I had a 5 month old baby I couldn't carry in my right arm, tough to drive, didn't want to have long term issues. I started off with R.O.M. exercises - walking arm up and down walls with my fingertips, etc. Slowly graudated to swinging a soup can in circles. Then going to gym everyday with 2 lb. weight, then 3, then 5, etc. Do you feel like an idiot spending 30-40 minutes a day lifting something a 2 year old can throw across a room? Sure - but long term, it helps. 2 months out I had almost full range of motion without pain, 4 months later I could lift my child with my right arm, 8 months later I swung a golf club for the first time since my injury (not full speed). One year later, I was able to pull the start cord on said snowmobile for the first time in a year (no more left hand starts). One and half years later I was able to resume golf, water skiing, basically anything I used to do.

The first month, three months, year - they all suck in their own way. But they all have great long term success if you watch the small stuff.

My only advice to folks - go to a doctor. Listen to what they say. And don't skip a day of PT or exercises because you don't think it matters, or because you feel like an idiot lifting a 5 pound weight at the gym with guys all around you lifting 100 pounds.

Shuffleman

I did not tear my shoulder on a crash but I did while playing tennis. It hurt for a year before I finally went in. I got two injections in the shoulder, which did nothing.then I went to PT, which also did nothing but hurt more. The Dr. Said he thought that would be the case and sent me for an MRI, which showed no tear. The Dr has to go this route before insurance will allow for surgery. this Dr did not know what was wrong but wanted to do exploratory surgery. No chance. Thus, I went to a different shoulder specialist. He looked at me for five minutes and said it was my labrum but I needed an MRI with contrast to show it. Off I went for another MRI ang bing, torn labrum. I wanted to avoid surgery as I had a baby and did not want to lose out on that time as labrum surgery is extensive. I kept on with my distance running through all this. When my son was 3, I had the surgery and began running as soon as the doc allowed it. Just before the Boston Marathon I felt pain in my hip and glute area. To make a long story short, I was protecting my shoulder inadvertently and created an imbalance in my body. 3 years later and I still can't run. I can bike but not run. Do not underestimate the problems a painful shoulder can cause. I wish that I head the surgery sooner.

Shuffleman

Most pt's will show you what to do on your own so you don't have to go all the time. Just do the work.
On a side note, there are less expensive ways to get an MRI. Look for a private imaging center. They are much cheaper. I had my first one through the hospital where my doc worked. It cost me $1800- after insurance. I was livid. I had my second one at a private center. It would have cost $600 cash. With my insurance, I paid my copayment only. Check in your town, I am sure they have them.

Bunyanderman

Sums up the Internet. Beautiful post.

BlazingPedals

Just cherry-picking a few exercises from a list that someone on the Internet rattles off is not a substitute for being evaluated and given a custom regimen from a qualified PT. PTs are cheap compared to surgeons, just do it.

UnfilteredDregs

Hmmm...I'm in a similiar boat...X-rays are neg from a fall about two and a half weeks ago, leaves, low corner, shoulder-plant into tarmac...pain has almost completely subsided, I have most range of motion, a little tight, slightly sore, but nothing sharp...I'm wondering if I should go to the specialist and insist on an MRI just to make sure...

a77impala

Fractured shoulder eight years ago, no surgery, immobilized arm for five weeks then therapy. I regained ROM and almost all muscle mass, last year shoulder started freezing up on long rides, release with forced movement, happens occasionally with no warning.
I have osteoarthritis in other joints so just grin and bear it.