Should I get rotator cuff surgery?

[Atticus808]

Originally Posted by roddy

I'm a UPS driver. Between deliveries and pick-ups, there's typically 120-150 stops (sometimes more) on my truck daily. Packages could range from an envelope to a 150lbs piece of furniture in a box. Most stops are 1-5 pieces, while some are 50 plus pieces. I average about 15 stops an hour, so I am constantly moving and lifting. The top shelf at the rear of the truck is 67" from the floor. It is an extremely fast paced environment with little room for error, and no help. The only time we have assistance is with a "helper" during the Christmas rush. I have been doing this for going on 15 years, and it is taking its toll on my body. If it sounds like I am complaining, I'm not...it's just the nature of the beast.

no i don't take that as complaining. i spent 2 summers as a surveyor for land development. constantly carrying 50 lbs or swinging a sledge hammer took a toll on my back

Originally Posted by RichardsFRS

I opt for physical therapy when I tore my shoulder up. I didn't want the recovery time and to lose gym time and I drove stick. Glad I did. My shoulder is 140% now wheras my buddy who opt surgery didn't fare to well. He's had three since.

that's pretty much the main reason i don't want to do surgery. BUT, if i did it in January i would have almost been done therapy now.

Originally Posted by echo419

if the injury impedes your daily life(ie work) and limits recreational things you want to do or causes general pain I'd get it fixed. it's really not a bad surgery. I know several people that have had it done and it was no big deal. that being said, how bad is the tare?

having had to have major pectoral tendon surgery a few years ago if there's one piece of advice I could give, "FOLLOW YOUR PHYSICAL THRAPIST'S ADVICE TO THE LETTER and do not cut any corners.". I did that and it sped up my recovery 10 fold. plus I'm back to where I left off and I'll I've got to show for it is a scar.

there is one more thing I would highly recommend should you get the surgery but it's best not for public consumption. PM me if you want.

the tear on my left one i think is pretty bad. dislocated around 15 times. but it's been over a year since my last dislocation (February of 2015). and yeah it seems like following the PT's program is the best advice, some people rush and screw it up more. PM'd

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

I'm appalled at the sealing job done on those boxes.

Yes that box is barely covered. There are other pics where the box is completely open but they can not be shown here.

[Toyarzee]

Originally Posted by Atticus808

how many times did you break and dislocate your shoulder?

mine was around 15 partial and full dislocations

Ouch. I had 2 really bad accidents, one really scary one, and the rest in my opinion were rather tame. It all started from mountain biking. Hit a patch of sand going downhill at around 20 mph and lost control and was sent rolling down a cliff for about 30 to 40 yards. 2 small tree branches punctured and went through my arm, hit some rocks and whatever on the way down and broke my arm in a handful of places and my collar bone and leg. Was helicoptered out of that one wrapped in a tarp and woke up in a hospital. I was supposed to get surgery right after that one, and that's where my problems started.

Fast forward a few years, was skydiving, and running a much larger chute than usual and when it opened it jerked my whole harness really hard and dislocated my arm... had to try to flare upon landing with one arm which wasn't fun.

Plenty of other stories, but overall I lost count of dislocations after 10... at least 4 or 5 a year snowboarding alone, but I think it was because my arm was already ruined lol

[Atticus808]

Originally Posted by Toyarzee

Ouch. I had 2 really bad accidents, one really scary one, and the rest in my opinion were rather tame. It all started from mountain biking. Hit a patch of sand going downhill at around 20 mph and lost control and was sent rolling down a cliff for about 30 to 40 yards. 2 small tree branches punctured and went through my arm, hit some rocks and whatever on the way down and broke my arm in a handful of places and my collar bone and leg. Was helicoptered out of that one wrapped in a tarp and woke up in a hospital. I was supposed to get surgery right after that one, and that's where my problems started.

Fast forward a few years, was skydiving, and running a much larger chute than usual and when it opened it jerked my whole harness really hard and dislocated my arm... had to try to flare upon landing with one arm which wasn't fun.

Plenty of other stories, but overall I lost count of dislocations after 10... at least 4 or 5 a year snowboarding alone, but I think it was because my arm was already ruined lol

well..... your stories are way more interesting than mine.

[Toyarzee]

Originally Posted by Atticus808

well..... your stories are way more interesting than mine.

People have lost their lives from much less, and others have survived much worse. It's an interesting existence to say the least. I was just a big risk taker in my early years and pushed everything to the limits. Now I sit behind a desk most of my days and it's boring as hell.

[Atticus808]

Originally Posted by Toyarzee

People have lost their lives from much less, and others have survived much worse. It's an interesting existence to say the least. I was just a big risk taker in my early years and pushed everything to the limits. Now I sit behind a desk most of my days and it's boring as hell.

i dislocated mine by:

- diving for a puck
- wide grip pull up
- running in ball hockey and turning my body weirdly
- getting my stick lifted during hockey
- falling in hockey
- slipping on ice in the winter

i don't play hockey anymore lol