I finally got a conclusive diagnosis after dislocating my shoulder during a fall while scouting a fishing spot a week ago. The radiologist missed a glenoid fracture (broken shoulder socket) when he read the XRays, leading the ER doc to assume a A/C joint (shoulder) strain. After the arm came out of the socket on Tuesday -again- I followed up with primary care doc, who suspected a torn rotator cuff injury and referred me to the orthopedic surgeon. The surgeon quickly saw the real issue and got me the MRI the ins. co wouldn’t do for my M.D. That ruled out torn rotator cuff and put me on a fast track to surgery and recovery. The good news part; my surgeon feels that this type of procedure (a couple of screws to reattach the rim of the socket back to the bone) will mean a much quicker recovery than a rotator cuff operation. I’m hoping to get back to work that much sooner and save some portion of the fishing season. (I had a foot operation and minor shoulder surgery a month ago and was thinking that I had all the issues behind me until this last debacle…) I’m psyched that this surgeon is trying to get me in for the operation tommorrow, as he only saw me Friday and got the MRI ordered for that afternoon. The fact that he does 300-400 shoulder surgeries a year gives me confidence also. He told me not to listen to any horror stories about shoulder surgery, because this one is not a common one- and rotator cuffs are a whole different deal. Think good thoughts for me if you would, and I hope to see you online-and on the water- soon, Jim “the one armed typist”
thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. All will go well. I broke a fall with my elbow in a motorcycle wreck. I impacted the humorous. The doctor told me they could do nothing for me, not even set, sling, nothing. I was back in operation in 6 weeks. I just live with one arm a little shorter than the other one.
I have shoulder problems from college footbal. GO SLOW AND LISTEN TO THE DOCTOR
I was in rehab for months after my injury, for the most part my shoulders are great, I still get one to seperate if I am stupid but the rehab was the key. That was over 30 years ago and my shoulders give me the least amount of pain over my whole body. GO SLOW
Praying for healing and no pain.
Backbeach,
Can empathise - had major work(short of replacement) a year ago on my none casting arm. Far better now, wish I hadn’t put it off. Injuries usually never heal “themselves”. Don’t overdo/and certainly DO the physical therapy. Best wishes sir!
Mike K.
Live each day as if it were your last, some day you’ll be right!
Thanks for the kind words. Believe me, I’m listening to the Doc. When I first fell I had a few layers of clothes covering my view of the dislocation. By the time I pulled on a tree to straighten my arm (not recommended BTW!) and wriggled out of my wading jacket it must have popped back in place. The second time it slid out of the socket was when I reached up to put my arm under my pillow at 6am. It slid out as easy as butter in a skillet until it ground to a halt, then it felt like if I moved another milimeter it would snap- even had the breaking twigs sound effect… Getting out of bed was about a 5 minute exercise of ‘micro moves’ with my arm sticking straight out. Before I could arrange for a ride to the ER, the muscles spasmed and it lurched back up about 2" and into the socket, which freaked me. Suffice it too say, I’m scared to take it out of the sling until it gets fixed, because if I forget and run my fingers though my hair it might fall out again… I’m going to be a model patient because now I know how precariously it’s held in place… I need to get back to work ASAP to retain my position, and the quicker I heal the better chance I have of saving some of this fishing season I’ve so looked forward to… Thanks Again, Jim
" The fact that he does 300-400 shoulder surgeries a year gives me confidence also. "
Maybe that means he operates too much…doesn’t have to and if he is good with his indications …I would want someone who does a lot but not someone that operates excessively…that is poor indications…
Those kinds of falls can be problematic. Don’t make a habit of it. Glad to hear that they figured out what the problem is and there is hope that you’ll be able to make the fall Striper run. Good luck with your recovery.
ok, you’ll have trouble with the second most important thing, casting. but can you still do the most important thing–hoisting a glass of rum??? i hope so!!!
Well, it’s put back together. Doc spent 90 mins putting the socket back together. He ended up using 3 nonmetallic anchors in me instead of stainless. He said it went well, no surprizes or complications, but from the way it feels I would think they dropped me on the shoulder again. Hurts worse now than before the surgery- but thats “normal”. I can’t move my upper arm away from my torso for a week, or lift anything heavier than a soda can for a month. I didn’t expect that, now tying is off the list of can dos for awhile. As for the rum, no can do as I’m on oxycodone for the pain. (Besides, I fell and hurt myself sober, so it’s a bad time to start drinking!!!) Chris, I’m sorry to hear that your banged up too. Did you see a doctor? I thought healthcare up in Canada was good, but you didn’t mention having it looked at. I hope it’s minor and you are back on the water soon. Thanks for the kind words, Jim P.S. Physical therapist said typing is one thing I can do, since my arm stays close to my side, and keeping it moving helps to keep things from stiffening up too much.
