Good shoulder cutter needed ( UKHMO aproved though )

[rjackson]

PT won't repair a tear.

But won't a tear heal with time?

From what I've read and been told, it depends (fortunately my Ortho is also a family friend and shoulder expert (I use the term loosely, is any doctor really an expert?) - but competition level kayakers fly in for him to work on them).

In a young, healthy individual: a small tear may stabilize to the point that you don't even know you have a tear. These aren't like micro tears in muscles that heal, but rather like a rough edge that seals itself. A large tear will not stabilize, but can be fixed through surgery with a very high percentage of returning to 100%.

The older you are, the worse it gets. And if you aren't healthy (smoker, overuse and weakened tendons, repeated cortisone injections rather than a proper fix), you're chances of tearing are more likely and recovery is harder as there won't be as much healthy material for a surgeon to put you back together with.

I think the only real way to know what you have (how bad is the tear) is through an MRI.

I'm not a doctor, and don't even play one on TV; that's my understanding for what it's worth.

Can anybody out there elaborate?

[der uber]

Whether you get surgery or not, you'll have to take it easy for a while. Sounds like you've been climbing on it in such a way to have it steadily get worse. I know I have gradually done this with pully injuries. I usually kidd myself into thinking it's not that bad, then eventually it does get bad, and I have to take some real time off.

Time might do it, but you have to me disciplined in stepping back to let it heal. Then, when you get to the point where you can work it, you have to be doubly careful. Stretch, warm up, do extra strengthening exercies that are not climbing specific.

Take it slow, listen to your body, be patient. Good luck with it.

[rhunt]

twice now I have tried to post more to this thread - something's up with my computer.

In short - I have two bad shoulders, right tear repaired by surgery which I regret and left (long head bicep completely tore off shoulder) not repaired by surgery and only some limits. PT is always the best option, surgery your absolute last option.

[pru]

Tears definitely don't heal, but you can live with them in many (most?) cases. A proper diagnosis should be your first step, PT based on that diagnosis is crucial. Appropriate, long term exercise is equally crucial. Surgery should always be a last resort, as others have stated. I've got lots of personal experience here....

I tore my rotator cuff when I was about 17 or 18, never had it repaired even though I was advised to do so. That was my first (of many) experiences in Physical Therapy, and it helped tremendously. So long as I work to keep it strong and don't do dumb stuff or even just stuff that could aggravate it, I rarely notice it.

I learned when I had my knee scoped a couple of years ago that I tore my ACL, but it was an old injury, probably from around the same time as the shoulder tear--25 years ago. Even though it was described as "moderate" (so, not tiny) we opted not to repair it because it wasn't what was giving me the problems that prompted the surgery. Those problems rendered the knee non-functional, or I wouldn't have had the surgery, BTW.

I also severed 2 ligaments in my ankle about 5 years ago. I opted not to have those repaired, even though they serve absolutely no purpose now. They are not a problem, either, so long as I am smart about things.

This is unfortunately just a small sampling of my "wisdom." Consider it my $367,638.02 worth of advice.

[moonbeam]

Don't do surgery, but you may want to see Dr. Mary Ireland or Dr. Robert Grant. Both are orthos. It may be long wait to see Ireland. Both are now part of UK, but are still located on Perimeter Dr. in Lexington.

Grant worked on me a few times and seems to be fairly neutral on doing surgeries. He won't push you one way or the other.

PT and rest are best. Quit doing stupid shit and be kind to yourself.

[Wes]

The only advice I can give, is that if you are going to see a doctor about an injury, then be sure they are some kind of sports medicine specialist. Normal docs just give you two options - pain pills and to stop climbing (or any activity) or referral to a surgeon, who will cut on you, since that is what the do. Sports med docs tend to be better at understanding you are not going to just quit what you are doing, and more into PT instead of, or in conjunction with, surgery. When I had my ACL done 17 years ago, they had me doing PT before the operation, and a whole lot afterward. I have heard really good things about Dr. Ireland, so if you can, see her.