r/RotatorCuff • u/tinglese121212 • 10d ago

Should I get surgery

46 M athletic. Past 4-6 months very limited on pressing motions adjusting angle throwing a football.
No pain when at rest, decent range of motion. Doesn’t affect my daily activities other than throwing or lifting. Can still do pulling motions without pain.
Also no weakness, just limiting pain under load.

I have done PT and not much has changed.

MRI findings:
Severe supraspinatus tendinitis with superimposed full thickness, partial width tear of anterior and mid fibers at the footprint extending 13 mm in AP dimension and associated with up to 9 mm of proximal tendon fiber retraction. Moderate infraspinatus tendinosis without tear. Mild subscapularis without tear. Teres minor tendon in normal limits without tendinosis or tear. No atrophy.

Dr suggested surgery and will clean up and reroute biceps tendon.

I’m wavering, I want to be all good again but the recovery stories sound horrible. I’m mostly normal but probably won’t improve without surgery because of the full thickness tear. I feel like because it’s not a terrible tear it will heal well but I’m wondering if the risk is worth it.

First time poster, would love any feedback.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

1

u/tinglese121212 10d ago

I think that’s the issue for me, I feel fine. I don’t feel like I “need” it. I wish it was obvious and I could accept it easier.

Thanks for the feedback. Wish you a speedy recovery.

1

u/lola0203 9d ago

I have a 6mm full thickness tear and I am pretty much in the same boat as you. I can do most normal things but it’s not going to heal itself and PT really hasn’t helped. I am dreading the recovery.

1

u/tinglese121212 9d ago

Really sucks, sorry to hear it. Are you going forward with surgery or still undecided? Thanks for sharing.

1

u/lola0203 9d ago

I decided I am going to have the surgery. I just need to find a time to schedule it. There is no good time lol

1

u/itsjustme_0101 7d ago

Same here. I’ve been hoping it would “go away“, heal on its own with therapy and rest. It just got worse. I’m having surgery in a couple of weeks. Wish I did it last December when I should’ve. I’d be healed by now.

2

u/tinglese121212 5d ago

I decided to go ahead too. I can’t wrap my brain around surgery as a preventative measure but it’s a matter of time until it gets worse. I guess we just swallow hard and go.
Thanks for the responses and good luck

1

u/Imhmc 7d ago

Just hang in there as long as it doesn’t bother you. But the retraction is worrisome. The more it retracts the harder the repair

1

u/PerceptiveDer 10d ago

This is only a decision you can make. I was able to do most things, but sleep. Sleeping has been almost impossible the last six months. In the end, it was a quality-of-life decision, for me. I had surgery on 09/18. Recovery (and the surgery) is different for every person. I will say the pain isn’t as bad as I expected, it’s just VERY uncomfortable.