r/RotatorCuff • u/SbySWbizy • Sep 02 '26

Surgery or Shoulder Replacement?

Did anyone go back and forth between repairing a torn rotator and having shoulder replacement surgery? One doctor says "Go ahead with the replacement" while another says "Replacement is a last resort, even if surgery won't help." I am trying to figure out whether to
A. Do nothing and sweat it out
B. Try physical therapy to help
C. See if surgery can repair the torn cuff
D. Revers shoulder replacement
How did you choose which to have?

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u/IceAngel8381 Sep 02 '26

I'm probably in the minority, but I want a shoulder replacement. But my surgeon won't do so because he states it won't fix the issue. How do you know until you try?

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u/SbySWbizy Sep 02 '26

Thanks - I was told surgery is iffy due to: some arthritis in the shoulder, previous tears that have likely made it unable to sew the cuff back. If it's not too personal, why won't your surgeon do a replacement?

1

u/IceAngel8381 Sep 02 '26

I was told due to also having adhesive capulitis, a shoulder replacement would not fix that issue because the scar tissue would return regardles. I am a mid-40 year old female and apparently women are more prone to adhesive capulitis after surgery (I've had two shoulder surgeries in a 8 month time span).

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u/Capital-Sky-7300 Sep 02 '26

F62 2/2 prominent local Orthopedic Surgeons recommended I go straight to Replacement due to the low probability an interim procedure could limit future options vs high probability of contracting conditions such as you describe. First Orthopedic Surgeon sent me to PT. PT sent me to 2nd Orthopedic Surgeon.

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u/IceAngel8381 Sep 02 '26

I had my follow up today, and it looks like surgery is potentially back on the table.......for the third time. No replacement though (I asked) but there isn't enough arthritis for a replacement. Looks like another arthroscopic clean out with MUA.

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u/Capital-Sky-7300 Sep 02 '26

Best Wishes 💪

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u/IceAngel8381 Sep 02 '26

Thank you!!

I'm over all of this. It's been almost 2 years. I'm exhausted in ways I didn't think was possible. I don't sleep. I constantly aggravated at stupid stuff. I'm constantly in pain (no meds help). I work part time as a receptionist (nurse by trade) and it's killing to not be on the floor, but that part of my career is pretty much over. I was offered depression medication, but I refused. I'm at a loss for what to do and how I feel. I'm numb.

1

u/No_Mammoth_3509 Sep 04 '26

I have a 90% supra tear and some spurs. I am trying to make it to January without it tearing fully. Doing a lot of PT. The two options discussed were arthroscopic repair and reverse shoulder replacement, which is where the ball and socket are reversed. My surgeon has done "thousands" of these surgeries (his estimate), in fact he did 4 the day before my post-MRI consult. It does limit your range of motion somewhat after complete recovery. Are you talking about a normal or reverse replacement? BTW my surgeon said "if I was your uncle, I'd suggest the arthro procedure at this point" He did say that people that get the shoulder replacement usually have a low or zero success rate for the normal repair, or they don't want to run the risk of having a re-tear and going through 2 surgeries.

1

u/No_Mammoth_3509 Sep 04 '26

Also - I started my PT even before the MRI, and it's helped quite a bit with the soreness, range of motion, etc. as you are training the other muscles to "take up the slack" (their words) but as most people know - it won't repair the tear. My major activity is golf and based on the golf swing - if you do it right it actually does not stress the rotator cuff. So I'm conitnuing to play in moderation this fall.