Rotator cuff surgery

I'm 43 had the surgery 5 years ago was great helped for a year fell again and think I tore it I have something wrong with my c3 c4 c5 c6 in my neck might be the problem now

I had surgery October 2022 for fully torn rotator cuff. I was in the sling 8 weeks and did 6 months of PT. I have had constant severe pain in the shoulder since the surgery even though I am told the arm is strong. Pain is the issue. Steroid injection did not help. New MRI shows partial tear. They are proposing shoulder patch surgery or PRP injections. Can anyone comment on either procedure?

I need surgery to repair a rotator cuff tear. It is a the full thickness tear of the supraspinitus tendon. Have seen two surgeons.
One tells me that the surgery takes 3-4 hours. The other says it will take one hour. both do arthroscopic with general anesthesia.
What has been your experience ?

Very concerned about the big difference in length of surgery.

Any advice .

thanks

Mine was 2 hours surgery and left an hour after. But I must confess, the recovery is long and slow. Ice is your friend. And therapy after a must. I went to 64 PTs and I have 90% mobility with no pain now. You will need someone to stay with you for at least a week. Good luck!

My husband just had this for same on 8/22, he also had bicep tendenesis ?), surgery was under 2 hrs, he had a wonderful surgeon and although first 2 weeks were rough, he’s doing remarkably well and just started pt yesterday. Ice is one of your best friends and we understand recovery may be long but worth it. If you can get through those first few weeks, it will be worth it. Do you have any references on the surgeons? Maybe talk to your primary doctor for recommendations? Wishing you all the best!!!

thank you and glad your husband is doing well.

Hello @gram46. I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled:
- Rotator cuff surgery
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/rotator-cuff-surgery-1/
I did this so you could meet members like @goldminer1945, @hvannort, and @mikaylar who all had rotator repairs and read their past experiences as well.

I also had a partial tear repaired and can attest to the tough recovery afterward. I have had multiple joint surgeries and the shoulder was a tough recovery because you need to be so diligent with your exercises while also being extremely careful not to tear the repair. Follow the PT instructions closely and don't push beyond what is prescribed thinking you can accelerate your recovery.

@gram46, did you ask one of the surgeons why their projected time was so different that the other?

I had extensive rotator cuff repair surgery 2 years ago after getting bucked off of an electric bike. I did no PT or exercises for 6 weeks of being in a sling. I could remove the sling for showers and do a gentle stretching with gravity. My shoulder was really normal after physical therapy and I did not think about it for a year and a half. Really no limitations. This year, I was vacuuming and scooted some furniture around and felt a pop and instant pain. X-ray showed possible cuff tear. Now the surgeons say it can only fixed with a reverse shoulder replacement.
A month after that I was carrying a bag on my other shoulder and a gallon water jug. I went to transfer the jug to my right hand and felt a Big Crunch and could not move or lift my arm. X-ray shows a rotator cuff and biceps tear on that side also. Surgeon at Mayo Clinic says he can repair that side. I am 74 years old next week, but don’t have diabetes or any major health problems.
This surgeon says I will be in a sling for 6 weeks but won’t need physical therapy as I can do all the exercises myself at home.

I did ask and he said because he makes sure he does everything that is needed and is careful.

this surgeon is a shoulder specialist and did two shoulder fellowships but is fairly young.

He also said one of the incisions would be in the armpit
Is that the norm?

I want to discuss rotator cuff surgery please. My Dr put anchors in the tendon to stretch and attach it to the bone but my bone was soft. I am upset and like to talk with anyone who has had a similar outcome from this type surgery?