Surgery - Yay!

[fenchurch]

So, I mentioned that I'd gone to see an orthopaedic surgeon over on the other side of the state... there's a pair of them in Colfax (which is, quite literally, in the middle of wheat fields -- you really have to want to go to Colfax to get there) who specialize in the sort of shoulder injury I sustained in the car accident (for those who may have stumbled across my LJ recently, rackham and I were in a fairly nasty car accident at the end of December 2005 (I've got links, if you're interested, to several entries about it in my memories, including the entry I made the night of the accident)). The ortho I was seeing here locally was actually quite good, but his specialties are knees and hips... and since he couldn't see anything obvious in the MRI of my shoulder, he'd switched to what I call the Hunt & Poke method of diagnosis (which I understand is a perfectly legitimate way to do it, just not my favorite -- basically, sticking a needle into the shoulder joint and injecting cortisone, then moving to a new location if that doesn't help... once you find the place it helps, then that's where the problem is). So, on the recommendation of my step-dad the physical therapist, I made an appointment with one of the orthopaedic surgeons in Colfax (I should point out that there are plenty of good orthos here in our area, it's just that these guys are among the best at treating this type of injury... good enough that they can stay in Colfax and have people come to them).

To back up a bit, in the accident I broke my right shoulder in three places. Considering the amount of pain I was in from that (to give you an idea, I had a piece of glass sticking out of my foot that I never felt and only found because I noticed a hole in my sock a few hours later in the ER), the bruises, strains, and the general achiness and stiffness I experienced afterward, I wound up not noticing how bad my left shoulder was until about a week after the accident. We'd finally made it home and the first time I went to grab a plate out of the cupboard, I discovered I couldn't lift my left arm anywhere near shoulder level, much less high enough to reach the shelf. I had several months of PT where the main concern was the broken shoulder, but we did do a bit of work on the left one, getting to a point where I could mostly use it for everything... except for this annoying catch and pop it did whenever I lifted it above shoulder level. Or pulled something toward me. Or tossed something away. And my shoulders kept getting tired easily and achy (to be expected at first, but it just wasn't going away). This led to an MRI and the aforementioned Hunt & Poke.

I was really impressed with my new orthopaedic surgeon (I did like my old one as well, just... this is not his area of expertise). She spent about an hour with me, all told. Not just going over the various x-rays and MRI results, but doing a rather in-depth hands-on examination. At one point, to test her theory, she had me lay down on the table with my shoulder off the edge and she was able to pull my shoulder in and out of joint with pretty much no effort at all. So, the run-down on what's going on: torn labrum (the tissue around the ball-joint of the shoulder), possible torn rotator cuff, frayed ligaments and/or tendons (I'm afraid I don't remember which). Essentially, the things that would normally hold my shoulder in the joint are not able to do so... and it actually slides forward out of the joint, which is why it catches and pops when I use it. This is also putting a lot of strain on everything else attached to the shoulder, which is why the shoulder gets fatigued easily and why I have some problems with the area where the clavicle meets the sternum (because it's being tipped out a bit). This is also likely the source of the rib that keeps getting dislocated.

The answer? Surgery. And yes, I meant every iota of the "Yay!" in the subject line -- I am so ready for this to be *OVER*.

So, on September 18th, I get to head across to the other side of the state again for my pre-op appointment, stay overnight in Colfax and then get up bright and early the next morning for my surgery... which is generally an outpatient procedure. The ortho is going to go in laparoscopically and fix the tear in the labrum, anchor the frayed tendons/ligaments and check the rotator cuff for tears, fixing them if they're found. It'll mean no driving for a month (which is probably going to drive me insane... it nearly did after the car accident) and around three to four months of recuperation. But then (and I can't even begin to contemplate how wonderful this will be) it should done. Over. Finished.

We actually would have scheduled the surgery sooner, except I'm leaving next week to visit nmissi and to drive down to Atlanta to visit rosiewook and go to Dragon*Con.

It seems like I remember someone on my flist mentioning having had shoulder surgery... was it ayinhara? Anyway, mostly I'm curious about anyone who might have had experience with anything like this... so far, the few people I've talked to who've had similar surgeries have all raved about how effective it was (and warned me it's going to be painful afterward, but really... I highly doubt it'll be more painful than a broken shoulder/acromion process).

Comments

[mlyn.livejournal.com]

It sounds like your surgeon is very competent, and I totally understand the need to just get something over with. Good luck!

[cindergal.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you found some answers, finally. I know from cinderhub's various shoulder/back/etc. ailments, it can be so frustrating when you don't.

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad that there's a definite diagnosis and a definite solution! This all sounds great, even if it means a little step backwards for a while as you won't be able to drive. Great news!

[napalm_isis]

That's great that they figured it out and you can get it fixed! :D

[djonn]

Indeed, hearty cheers for the prospect of Fixed At Last.

Me? Having been there, my mind is boggling at the idea that the best shoulder surgeons in the business operate out of Colfax....

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

So glad that they've identified the problem - and outpatient surgery to cure it sounds wonderful.

I'd be the same about not being able to drive, though. Totally Frustrated.

[shaddyr]

I am glad to hear that there is hope for permanent healing from this on the horizon!

I have never had any surgery myself, however my ex MiL has just had surgery for a rotator cuff injury - it sounds roughly similar in nature to what you are facing. She seems to be recovering nicely, but has mentioned that there is a fair amount of discomfort.

She also says it will be so worth it to have a full range of movement back again.

[mommanerd.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize you were still having issues from the accident. After this much time I'm glad they've got a solution for you. Ouch!

My brother in law went through rotator cuff surgery last year and he didn't move his shoulder at all while he healed. Now it's locked. So, as you heal, make sure to move it a little bit.

Good luck, and, hopefully, no pain!

[fenchurche.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah... I'll be getting into PT pretty much right away, and they're really good about getting things moving as soon as possible. I went through all of that with the broken shoulder already. In fact, while I know it's not exactly the same thing, I suspect this is going to feel a bit like a retread of the broken shoulder recovery. Except not nearly as painful.

[mommanerd.livejournal.com]

From what you described in your experience with the other shoulder, I'm sure it will feel very much the same. Shoulders are so complex - nothing is easy with them.

How does your broken one feel now, after a year and a half?

[fenchurche.livejournal.com]

Just fine! It gets a bit tired, still, but nothing like the other arm. It's mostly just a matter of slowly building back strength... and, apparently, some of those problems can be attributed to the other shoulder being out (it knocks things out of balance all over).

[gamiila.livejournal.com]

I fully understand the 'surgery - yay!'-reaction; I had the same thing myself when after two and a half years of hunting, poking, and waiting and seeing, they finally decided to operate on me a few weeks back.

There was a lady on my ward who'd had a similar problem as yours. I believe her surgery took about 4 hours, and I heard the surgeon explain to her that shoulder surgery was the most delicate, the most painful, and the most slow-healing of orthopaedic procedures; but the benefits far outweigh the negatives so -- go for it!

[wildrider.livejournal.com]

That is good news! Not only that they finally found the problem, but that they can fix it - and it "sounds so easy"! *g* I understand the looking forward to surgery thing - I'm doing the same thing right now. I can't wait until it stops hurting!

[fenchurche.livejournal.com]

Is yours going to be outpatient, as well? Or do they keep you for a bit for that type of surgery?

[wildrider.livejournal.com]

Outpatient, although last time they did hold me in recovery for several hours because of my low blood pressure.

[desoto-hia873.livejournal.com]

Yay for solutions! I hope the surgery goes well.

On a totally unrelated note, I just looked at your icon and thought, "Surely he should have had his hair cut before becoming invincible. Would scissors still be able to cut his hair afterwards?" :-)

[gillo]

I'm very glad indeed that the problem's been identified and a solution is on the horizon. I do hope it all turns out to be as straightforward as it looks like it should be.

[rosiewook.livejournal.com]

There may be pain afterward, but when you know that it's going to result in no more problems after that? Totally worth it.

I'm so excited you're coming! I got your room all ready yesterday. (Now, if I could just get the rest of the house taken care of....

[talesofspike.livejournal.com]

I really hope the surgery puts an end to all the problems. I must be a huge relief to be able to see "the end".

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

Excellent news that surgery can help you !

[vierran45.livejournal.com]

It's great to hear that the problem has been finally identified and can be fixed. I'm sure you'll be extremely relieved to finally have it over and done with :).

[adjrun.livejournal.com]

It's got to be such a relief to be moving forward with this. *crosses fingers*

[sp23.livejournal.com]

Glad you found someone who was able to diagnose the problem and set up the surgery. I hope when it's all over, you'll be all fixed. :)

[zola.livejournal.com]

The pain will be so much easier to take when you know that when it comes to an end you aren't going to have any more. Good luck!

[pmgoose.livejournal.com]

Wow. I'm glad they found the problem, and I'm praying you'll be all better when the surgery/recuperation period is done.

[queenofattolia.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're finally getting this fixed, although boo to the extended recuperation period. There's always a catch, isn't there?
But at least you'll truly be healed afterward. Yay.

[jerusha]

Yay! I'm glad they discovered the cause of the problem, and that you're going to be able to do something about it. Good luck!

[ayinhara.livejournal.com]

It was indeed me who commiserated with you about your shoulder injuries and mentioned that I had had shoulder surgery. I had the rotator cuff repair surgery in '03. I also had a tendon that needed to be reattached to the bone. Apparently I have hooked acromions, so the surgeon filed the point down. That is supposed to give those tendons more room to move if they get inflamed. The immediate post surgical period is painful. What is more to the point and surgeons rarely talk about it, is that to get full movement back you need to do a lot of PT. The PT, as you no doubt know, can be very painful. BTW it is perfectly legit to take real pain meds. Nothing is gained by suffering quietly. If they tell you to do lots of exercises you need to do them conscientiously. I got 80% of full movement back within 6 months. The process can take up to a year. My PT here in Colorado said I was a poster child for the recuperative process. BUT it was all worth it. Before the surgery I could not lift my arm above shoulder height, it hurt in many positions. You know that drill.

[rowanswhimsy.livejournal.com]

Good luck with your surgery. I'll be thinking good thoughts for a successful outcome!

[lage-nom-ai.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad that you've finally made some headway with getting this resolved!

[knitress.livejournal.com]

Yay! It sounds like there's a lot ahead, what with a long recuperation and PT. But hooray for knowing what's wrong and for being able to get it FIXED.

Don't be a heroine and take the pain meds.