Rotator cuff surgery with a cadaver graft?

[Ryan Avery]

The surgeon wanted an updated MRI, it's just made-up words to me, but it doesn't sound good...

FINDINGS:Coracoacromial Arch:Mild AC joint arthrosis. Trace effusion.Rotator cuff and muscles:- Supraspinatus/Infraspinatus: Acute on chronic complete superior cuff tear retracted to the level of the glenoid with associated stage IIsupraspinatus and stage I infraspinatus atrophy.- Subscapularis: Mild insertional tendinosis with tearing of thetransverseligament.- Teres minor: Intact and without tendinosis.Glenoid labrum and Capsular Structures:Circumferential labral degenerationOsseous Structures and Articular Surfaces:No fracture, dislocation or marrow replacement.Near full-thickness inferior glenohumeral cartilage damage.Small glenohumeral effusion with axillary recess synovitis.Soft Tissues and Biceps tendon:Soft tissues unremarkable. Medial extra articular dislocation of thebicepstendon

 

[WyoWild]

Yeah that is some fairly advanced degenerative wear. I am sure they are proposing the repair with cadaver graft of the tear involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus.

What kind of symptoms are you having shoulder pain, weakness or both?

In your case even after repair I am guessing you will still have some degree of pain as there is also some degeneration of the labrum and also cartilage loss inside the shoulder (glenohumeral joint) which is referred to as osteoarthritis. Repair should still be possible for your cuff but it looks like your tear is more chronic given that the muscle is retracted and atrophied. Makes the recovery a little longer and may be more difficult to get full range of motion back. Hope all goes well, let us know what you decide to do.

 

[Ryan Avery]

Yeah that is some fairly advanced degenerative wear. I am sure they are proposing the repair with cadaver graft of the tear involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus.

What kind of symptoms are you having shoulder pain, weakness or both?

In your case even after repair I am guessing you will still have some degree of pain as there is also some degeneration of the labrum and also cartilage loss inside the shoulder (glenohumeral joint) which is referred to as osteoarthritis. Repair should still be possible for your cuff but it looks like your tear is more chronic given that the muscle is retracted and atrophied. Makes the recovery a little longer and may be more difficult to get full range of motion back. Hope all goes well, let us know what you decide to do.

Both pain and weakness, especially anything with my hand away from my body or over my shoulder.

 

[Hnthrdr]

All I read was you are turning into a quasi zombie also would be cool if you could pick who you get the used cuff from…

 

[Moccasin]

That grunt life is hard on the body.

 

[Antares]

The surgeon wanted an updated MRI, it's just made-up words to me, but it doesn't sound good...

FINDINGS:Coracoacromial Arch:Mild AC joint arthrosis. Trace effusion.Rotator cuff and muscles:- Supraspinatus/Infraspinatus: Acute on chronic complete superior cuff tear retracted to the level of the glenoid with associated stage IIsupraspinatus and stage I infraspinatus atrophy.- Subscapularis: Mild insertional tendinosis with tearing of thetransverseligament.- Teres minor: Intact and without tendinosis.Glenoid labrum and Capsular Structures:Circumferential labral degenerationOsseous Structures and Articular Surfaces:No fracture, dislocation or marrow replacement.Near full-thickness inferior glenohumeral cartilage damage.Small glenohumeral effusion with axillary recess synovitis.Soft Tissues and Biceps tendon:Soft tissues unremarkable. Medial extra articular dislocation of thebicepstendon

Hey Ryan - I'm getting a CT this afternoon so my surgeon can decide if he wants to do a bone graft when he does a revision of my previous Bankhart/remplissage. PM me if you want to trade notes (e.g., hot tips for wiping your ass left handed, etc.). Good luck!

 

[Ryan Avery]

That grunt life is hard on the body.

You ain't shitting!

 

[DLSJR]

I wish I’d found this thread sooner than just now. I had rotator cuff surgery with a cadaver tendon graft back in early 2019. It turned out fantastic! I tore my right rotator cuff in November of 2018 while hunting in Zambia. I was foolishly trying to run down a poacher we bumped into at first light, stepped into a hole while running full speed, crashed hard and destroyed my rotator cuff.

I think I had a bit of an advantage as I’m a long time baseball coach and developed lots of relationships in the game that ended up benefitting me off the field. One of these was with a great orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Ken Akizuki, who is the San Francisco Giants team orthopedic surgeon. He’s the surgeon who saved Buster Pusey’s career after a terrible home plate collision that destroyed his ankle and lower leg. Ken is best known as one of the top ‘Tommy John’ elbow surgeons in the country but is also excellent on shoulders, having repaired many rotator and labrum tears on MLB pitchers and position players.

My surgery went well and Doc was very pleased with how it turned out. I then had a great PT who works with tons of collegiate and professional athletes and my PT went smoothly and I was back to shooting heavy rifles (375 & 416) in a year. I’m now 67, have full range of motion with my right shoulder, like to did when I was 20. I’m left handed and my left shoulder isn’t nearly as good after throwing batting practice for many years. I shoot a 416 (heavy recoil) regularly when hunting in Africa and haven’t had a single problem with my right shoulder since the surgery.

What I’d advise anyone having shoulder surgery is to find the very best orthopedic surgeon you can, not just the guy who you’re referred to. Look for a surgeon who works with college or professional baseball teams as they’ve had tons of experience fixing shoulders of high level athletes, often more than a typical upper extremity surgeon gets. Same with PT, get one who focuses on athletes and you’ll get a good result.