Torn Rotator cuff & arthritis

My daughter used stem cells and then had to have another surgery. I get a few opinion on that one. Why can't you have surgery?

I have had cancer 5x, breast cancer 2x which gave me lymphedema in my arms, therefore none of the other treatments are an option.

Why did your daughter need surgery, did the stem cells not take & which stem cell procedure did she have?

I think the stem cells were on her shoulder. I don't know any details. Sorry.

How about getting another opinion at the number one orthopedic hospital in the country, Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. Dr Josh Dines is a very skilled complex shoulder surgeon. he was able to successfully repair my complex torn shoulder (with arthritis) in a minimally invasive procedure when numerous other ortho’s said it was hopeless. My shoulder works perfectly now

I'm sorry about what's going on with you and I do wish you the best. I don't know anything about umbilical stem cells. I can only tell you what I would do, and I'm not a woman so cannot know your level of discomfort. With a success rate as low as 60% and having to self-insure, I'd pass.

But before that, I'd ask a few questions. How many studies have been done on umbilical stem cells in treating your condition? You can search online and ask the doctor. Ideally you could speak to another patient who has done this (or find one here).

Finally, how severe is the lymphedema in your arm? Nothing can fix lymphedema, unfortunately. What do you do to manage that - pressure sleeves, self massage?

Again, I'm sorry for what you're going through. I hope you get some answers and some relief.

I've been hanging out in the Mayo clinic for a few months now and have found so much support. I recently had a cervical fusion and was able to get great information from a lot of people here on the Mayo. I'm recovering nicely but having a muscle strain when I sit up. I put ice packs on my neck and that really helps. The next issue is my left arm. I wasn't sure if I had a pinched nerve, frozen shoulder or rotator cuff issues. I just got the results of my MRI and it's rotator cuff issues and more.
Here are the results: FINDINGS:
ROTATOR CUFF/BICEPS TENDON:
Moderate tendinosis of distal fibers of supraspinatus tendon with partial thickness interstitial and articular surface tearing.
Mild tendinosis of the distal fibers of infraspinatus tendon without evidence of discrete tear.
Subscapularis tendon fibers are intact.
The intra-articular long head biceps tendon is intact.
Teres minor tendon fibers are intact.
There is no fatty atrophy of the rotator cuff musculature.
JOINTS:
Moderate osteoarthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint.
Mild osteoarthrosis of the glenohumeral joint.
LABRUM:
Degenerative tearing of glenoid labrum.
OSSEOUS STRUCTURES:
No focal marrow replacing lesions are identified. There is no acute fracture.
OTHER:
No evidence of significant joint effusion.
Trace subacromial subdeltoid bursitis.
IMPRESSION:
Moderate tendinosis of distal fibers of supraspinatus tendon with partial thickness interstitial and articular surface tearing.
Mild tendinosis of the distal fibers of infraspinatus tendon without evidence of discrete tear.
Mild to moderate osteoarthrosis of the acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints.
Degenerative tearing of glenoid labrum.
Trace subacromial subdeltoid bursitis.

Of course I've googled all of it to see what it means. I've got and appt with an Orthopedist on the 18th. The best "shoulder" doctor here where I live, Isn't available for an appointment till November. My question is, given the results of my MRI , with your experience, I'm wondering is this can be handled with physical therapy. Which my insurance may request first before surgery. Has anyone had the same symptoms and how was it handled? My arm is probably 70% affected. I have no strength in that arm and I'm constantly dropping things. I just hope I can get it repaired or strengthened with PT. Any thoughts about this would be appreciated. Would a cortisone shot work well for this along with PT?
Thank you, Jan

Hi,
I was diagnosed with a partial tendon tear in my left shoulder.
It was very painful and I did get a cortisone shot initially but also went to physical therapy for a good year. It is working fine but can get tweaked by carrying too much weight . Do everything you can first to avoid surgery!
But, if you have Osteoporosis, corticosteroids can affect calcium absorption I believe. I should double check.

Thank you Meri for commenting. I'm glad to know you're feeling better from the help you've received from physical therapy. I hope I can get the use of my arm back and get past this pain. I'm going to do all I can to avoid surgery. You mentioned Osteoporosis and corticosteroids can affect calcium absorption. I've heard of that before and will talk to my Othropedist about that. Also, I'm also diabetic and corticosteroids send my blood sugars soaring.

@rnmom I’d be cautious especially with the success rate numbers. I’d be curious where those stats came from firstly. And as mentioned not covered by insurance either because it has not been proven effective for FDA give their blessing. A double blind study is the golden rule to prove efficiency.