Anyone have shoulder surgery, need some help - Bone Disorders Message Board

sammyo1 · 02-15-2008, 07:24 AM

Hi everyone, I was hoping to find anyone who has had or knows about shoulder decompression surgery. Had this done a couple weeks ago, major pain. I was suffering from problem for almost 3yrs on & off, come april/may of 2007 found myself in major pain everyday. After seeing several doctors & having several diagnosises I ended up finding problems in the shoulder. My symptoms were misleading because the pain & muscle spasms were in pretty much the whole upper left side, neck, shoulder, upper back,breast, upper portion of rib cage, all of left side, causing limited use of my arm. At times could mimic even cardiac problems. Lots of chest pain. At the end before surgery could barely drive, driving really aggravated the pain & wearing the seat belt was agony.
Ended up with the decompression being done because tendonitis/bursitis along with arthritis in the shoulder. The surgeon said there is a 70% success rate with this surgery, I am in some major pain & was wondering if anyone else has gone through this & what they had experianced. Waiting to see if this surgery is going to work is taxing so hoping someone can give me some input. Thanks so much, Sammy

MountainReader · 03-06-2008, 12:01 AM

Sammy,
How are you recovering from your surgery? I am scheduled to have it done in April. I have some different symptoms and a different cause, but the surgery sounds the same. My rotator cuff comes out of place every time I move my arm. This has caused shoulder impingement, bursitis and tendonitis. Therapy hasn't helped my shoulder stay in place. This means that I have constant swelling from the pinching that is taking place. The decompression would make room for the swelling, thus decreasing the amount of discomfort in my shoulder.

The doctor has given me the choice of whether I should have the surgery or to just live with the pain. It has already been a year with the pain so I am leaning towards the surgery. It would be nice to hear from someone who has experienced the surgery. I understand it takes about 4 months to get back to normal activities.

NJpeg · 03-08-2008, 06:00 AM

Hi - I recently had the subacrominal decompression surgery - 2 1/2 weeks ago - because of a impingement in my shoulder, plus a part tear in rotator cuff. I was in pain for approx. 6 months, didn't have a good range of motion in that arm, did some physical therapy which didn't really help much - so I opted for the surgery. He did the arthroscopic surgery, made the extra room, didn't repair the tear - it was so small. Well, I'm still in quite a bit of pain, doing PT 2X a week now, have less range of motion now than before I went in, but they say that's to be expected and it could take up to a month or more before I'm feeling better (hope so) - but probably months. I'm still doubting whether I should of had the surgery or not.

ptchamp · 03-08-2008, 11:59 AM

I had the decompression surgery done last June and I guarantee that it does get better. It was done arthroscopically to make room for movement and I had a small tear which may or may not have been repaired (I can't remember). I started pt after about 10 days and did it 2x a week in the office for three weeks and then at home a few times a week until I felt so much better that I didn't bother. My shoulder isn't perfect, but at about 90% it's better than it was before the surgery. Yes, it's painful the first couple of months - and the pt can be agonizing - but you will heal and be very thankful that you did it. I had the choice of whether to live with the pain or have the surgery and I think I made the right decision. Don't despair!

NJpeg · 03-08-2008, 05:13 PM

ptchamp - that is very encouraging - I hope you are right. I started my PT the day after surgery and have been doing it 2X a week at the place and everyday at home and still in lots of pain and not seeing much improvement - even though its only been a few weeks - I guess I have to give it more time.