3 Rotator Cuff surgeries, advice needed?

Question

I've had 3 shoulder surgeries, 2 rotator cuff and 1 to clean out scar tissue. I'm having problems again. I'm a barbershop owner and love my job, but I need help on what to do. Swelling and increase pain. When to my doctor, he said that there is nothing left to do. I did the PT, heat and cold. What's left?

Answer 1

Wow, you too! I had 3 shoulder surgeries too(2 left, 1 right, still having some pain, and decreased range of motion with right).

Unfortunately, I was told the same thing, as a second opinion. He also told me to keep them moving by still doing some of the PT stuff. Which I admit I don't always do, even though I have all 4 color bands. All I can say is maybe do the same. If you don't already have the color bands that you used during therapy, get them and start using them. Maybe a TENS unit might help.

I wish you luck..

Answer 2

I don't see how you have had two rotator cuff surgeries, then one more to clean out scar tissue. All on the same shoulder? What on earth are you doing to cause this? I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder a year ago, and was told then by the surgeon, that it was so badly torn, if I tore it again, there would be nothing he could do about it. He patched, sewed and repaired. I had torn the rotator cuff years ago and just kept making it worse by lifting weights above my head. Now, of course, I can't.

You must take stock in what you are actually doing. A barber surely doesn't lift, strain, pull and push heavy weights overhead. Get a therapist to come to your barbershop and watch you to see if they can determine the cause of this. If further surgery is out, you are in for a helluva lot of pain and suffering and eventual loss of the shoulder, or so I was told. Learn to do things differently -- I did.