shoulder

[sledog]

Looks like I'll need a shoulder replace sooner of later. I'm not going to Sreadman in Vail (like UConn guard a few yrs ago), so NYC. Any experiences there?

 

[NJHusky]

I have had both knee and shoulder worked on (not replaced). I used diff people. Go to someone that specializes in shoulder replacement. My sweet spot is a dr between 40-55/60 max. Enough experience to know the issues but young enough to be current on all improvements—not a guy that’s been doing it this way for 30 years

 

[Catsailor]

Not replaced but badly broken in 3 places and displaced accident skiing at Sugarbush. Lucky that UVM was studying ski accidents and had an orthopedic surgeon in the ski patrol hut complete with X-ray. Long story short within 45 of the accident I had diagnosis and an appointment at HSS in NYC for the surgery. HSS is a fantastic place which I highly recommend. I ended up with a ss plate and 9 screws, they also had to displace and replace the rotator cuff to implement the repair. I have 95-98% range of motion though lost a fair amount of strength on that non dominant side partly due to less than optimal rehab on my part. I can pretty much do everything I want to do just a little slower with more care.

As I’m sure you know shoulders are pretty complicated and rehab is a bitch. That said
I’d recommend HSS at a first choice to anyone needing orthopedic repair.

Good luck!

 

[sledog]

Who at HSS?

 

[Catsailor]

Hospital For Special Surgery.

 

[Catsailor]

Hospital For Special Surgery.

Dr Helfet was my lead surgeon. A trauma specialist also affiliated with John’s Hopkins. My surgery was December 2011 so he may have retired. They may connect you with others who trained under him.

 

[Richmondhsky]

I have had both knee and shoulder worked on (not replaced). I used diff people. Go to someone that specializes in shoulder replacement. My sweet spot is a dr between 40-55/60 max. Enough experience to know the issues but young enough to be current on all improvements—not a guy that’s been doing it this way for 30 years

NJHusky is spot on. I’ve had one partial knee and two hip replacements. Shoulder was done back in college… My best friend is a very highly thought of ortho surgeon. He says if you don’t do 50 to 100. you’re going to make a mistake as a surgeon. Get the best shoulder guy! Best of luck to you.

 

[Petero]

Wife had a 100% rotator cuff tear (caused by playing in a bounce house with 2 grandsons at age 70) and the surgeon she ended up with does 15 shoulder a week. Experience is everything. Also slept in a recliner for nearly 3 months which saved her and our marriage. Good luck.

 

[August_West]

Wife had a 100% rotator cuff tear (caused by playing in a bounce house with 2 grandsons at age 70) and the surgeon she ended up with does 15 shoulder a week. Experience is everything. Also slept in a recliner for nearly 3 months which saved her and our marriage. Good luck.

My wife’s mother broke her neck in a bounce house with kids

 

[alphasigko]

I just had my left shoulder replaced with a reverse replacement 12 weeks ago here in Phoenix. All the pain I was experiencing for 2 years before the op was gone the next day, and I have experienced zero pain throughout the recovery and PT. The surgeon came highly recommended by several of my friends and acquaintances and he obviously lived up to their high praise. He was the 4th doctor I interviewed before agreeing to the procedure.

Suggest that you not be in a hurry to find the right doc for your needs.

 

[husky429]

My wife’s mother broke her neck in a bounce house with kids

In another life as a summer camp director, we had a ridiculous amount of injuries on those things. 2 counselors tore ACLs, a kid dislocated their knee and another sprained ankle within maybe 3 years. If I had my way, you'd need a state-issued license to step on one of those monstrosities.

 

[twiceahusky]

Seems appropriate on this board to recommend UConn’s own Dr. Arciero. My wife is a local primary care physician, and she recommended him for my repair of my total rotator cuff tear. He was awesome and I recommend him to everybody. I don’t know if he does shoulder replacements, but complex shoulder issues are his area.

 

[Dove]

All my joints work well. No experience to share. Sorry.

 

[Conndog]

Had a total knee replacement done in Portsmouth NH- Knee, Hip & Shoulder Center- and chose them based on 5 star reviews. Interview with them cemented my decision, and surgery and outcome were great. Not a shoulder operation, but selection process for you might be the same.

My advice would be to get recommendations, check their reviews on line, and interview with all the questions you can.

 

[NJHusky]

Also, as Catsailor alluded to....DO YOUR REHAB. I had both knee and shoulder repairs done and the shoulder rehab requires much more diligence...Your knee moves in extension/flexion, so those are the muscles you work..the should moves in every direction and each of those moves requires diff muscles....it's time consuming but critical to not having long term issues...do the rehab..it works..and do it on your own when you are discharged from rehab

 

[superjohn]

Also, as Catsailor alluded to....DO YOUR REHAB. I had both knee and shoulder repairs done and the shoulder rehab requires much more diligence...Your knee moves in extension/flexion, so those are the muscles you work..the should moves in every direction and each of those moves requires diff muscles....it's time consuming but critical to not having long term issues...do the rehab..it works..and do it on your own when you are discharged from rehab

This is the best advice.

 

[Vancat]

Wife had a 100% rotator cuff tear (caused by playing in a bounce house with 2 grandsons at age 70) and the surgeon she ended up with does 15 shoulder a week. Experience is everything. Also slept in a recliner for nearly 3 months which saved her and our marriage. Good luck.

@Petero : I have a partial rotator cuff tear (no surgery- did PT and now doing home PT). It's fine except at night it's painful. Trying different pillows to raise it, etc. Nothing's really working great. Was the recliner so that she didn't lie down & aggravate it? Thanks

 

[twiceahusky]

@Petero : I have a partial rotator cuff tear (no surgery- did PT and now doing home PT). It's fine except at night it's painful. Trying different pillows to raise it, etc. Nothing's really working great. Was the recliner so that she didn't lie down & aggravate it? Thanks

Ha, I bought a recliner on the 2nd day after full rotator cuff tear surgery. There’s no way to get comfy in bed … the recliner was the only hope for sleep, nothing to do with my wife. The recovery was SO painful, from day 1 recovery through rehab. I returned to work 2 weeks after surgery (hs math teacher), but was so sleep deprived that I couldn’t function. I left mid-day when I started crying for no reason, took a 3rd week off and was better.

 

[Husky68]

I'm closer to 100 than 50 so you get the picture of how many miles on my shoulder. Have been having problem with right shoulder for 30 odd years to various degrees (blame it on carrying heavy computer on right shoulder all the time - was accountant). About 7 or 8 years ago got really tight and very low range of motion so decided "get it looked at by guys who would know".

So in New Orleans who better than the Tulane Sports Medicine group. So go there and get the super doctor who gives me some x-rays and says "you got bone on bone", x-rays looked like when you see a tooth with filling where is darker. Prognosis is when pain is more where you won't be able to put up with it you will have to get a shoulder replacement, which by the way lasts an average of 10 years.
No suggestion as to rehab or anything to improve my 250 lb. body. Fast forward 7-8 years, 50 lbs lighter, many stretches and exercises and good nutrition actions later and shoulder is about 90% ok with no surgery.

My suggestion is to try every possible avenue to improve situation before turn to surgery and if your doctor used the phrase "bone on bone" run for the door, it's doctor code for need a new Mercedes.

 

[boba]

All my joints work well. No experience to share. Sorry.

I roll them too tight and they burn too fast. Someone keeps bogarting them too but that’s another story.

on topic, HSS is probably the best place for orthopedic surgery in the US. Worked with a couple scientists there (research side of the house) and they were exceptional.

 

[Giddyup5]

Arciero doesn’t do shoulder replacements anymore. Great surgeons and mentor.

I do about 500 surgeries a year. ~300 shoulders (rotator cuffs, labrums, totals). I’m in southeast Connecticut but can refer you to someone local if needed.

Good luck!

 

[FatElvis]

As someone who tore both his rotator cuff and labrum all I can say is good luck with the rehab. It's brutal but you only get one shot to do it right and if you don't take it seriously you'll limit yourself for the rest of your life.

My repaired shoulder has slightly less flexibility but it's now stronger than the other one. Of course you want to get the best surgeon possible, but I can't overstate the importance of dedicating yourself to the rehab.

 

[CL82]

All my joints work well. No experience to share. Sorry.

Good to know you've never had a bad joint.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

I do shoulder replacements, both anatomic and reverse, but I'm up in NH. Fortunately you're going for a new shoulder at a time when the techniques, and the technology are much more advanced than10-15 years ago. Good luck.

 

[sledog]

Hospital For Special Surgery.

I have the nmae of a
Dr at HSS, Great resume and reports. But I've been leaving my name / # on a phone mail w promise to call me by end of day. Not happening. Perhaps vaca? But no one to run office?