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Related: Culture Forums, Support Forums**UPDATE** on this thread: Well, I'm having fun with my left shoulder...
I DON'T NEED SURGERY!*
*not yet, anyway, and if I do, it would be outpatient.
Here's the scoop: The xray showed my new joint almost dislocating. This is because the muscles in the front are tight and the ones in the back of my shoulder are loose.
These two conditions are pushing the artificial head of the joint backwards, and that is what I am feeling. My doctor said it's not an emergency but we need to take care of it before it gets any worse, and I had been feeling it more often these last few weeks.
He just ordered a brace that will hold my arm out away from my body which will encourage the front muscles to loosen up and the back ones to tighten, all at the same time. I need to wear it a number of hours every day for the best results.
And I'll need to wear it for 4 to 6 weeks. OK. I can do that.
I'll see him again in about a month and we'll reassess things then.
Now, if I need surgery, it would be outpatient, and would consist of arthroscopic surgery where he would manually tighten the currently loose muscles. And the resulting scar tissue would be part of the cure.
I cannot tell you how relieved I am!
Thanks, everybody, for standing by me...
Solly Mack
(90,773 posts)I'm glad! I hope you won't need surgery and the brace does the trick.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)*Whew*
csziggy
(34,136 posts)With your new shoulder. I hope the brace helps. Will you also need physical therapy? Or are you still doing PT since the shoulder allowed it?
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)I hope the brace helps too...time will tell!
I'll be doing PT at home now. The doctor looked over my paperwork that my physical therapist had drawn up for me, and basically said I can do all the exercises but one, since my shoulder would tend to go where he doesn't want it to.
So I'm good!
csziggy
(34,136 posts)Just be sure to do all that the doctor asks you to - but you know that.
We need you here (yes I saw your other post) - you're one of the solid points on this shifting platform.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)I was in one for 8 weeks after I had my shoulder rebuild. My muscles were completely gone after that.
I hope that the rest of your shoulder rehab goes smoothly, because if it doesn't go great you'll be dealing with it for years to come.
Good luck
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)I know there's a big bolster under the arm, but I think the upper arm may be at a slightly larger angle away from the body. I'm not sure, though.
I hear you about dealing with it for many years to come!
I should be OK. *fingers crossed*
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)I dislocated both my shoulders in a rock climbing/hopping thing and the one that required surgery to relocate is the one that's better off. The shoulder that went back in and didn't get surgery still has issues almost 4 years later. In fact it's popped out (and luckily back in) twice this month alone...and hurts like hell each time for days.
You'll be great. Give the brace time and rehab the way the doctor says.
Good luck
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)elleng
(130,974 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)snacker
(3,619 posts)I can feel your relief from here!
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)hope it gets better. My wife is looking at two knee replacements herself.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)And good luck to your wife! Knees aren't as complicated as shoulders, since a knee is a hinge joint while a shoulder is a universal joint.
I wish her every success!
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)they say they will have her walking the same day. My 70 year old boss had both of his done, too. The rehab is going to be a killer, though= $50 copay a visit. I wanted her to get them done at the same time, but the doctor poo poo'ed that idea.
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)Of you wearing that brace.
I'm glad you don't need surgery.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)Well, first of all, I don't have it yet, silly!
Maybe I'll model it for ya once I get it...
I'm glad about not needing the surgery either...however, it IS an option, if the brace doesn't do the trick. We'll jump off that bridge when we get to it!
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)mokawanis
(4,442 posts)Now take care of yourself, and bring us more good news when you see the doc in a month!
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)Prisoner_Number_Six
(15,676 posts)I recommend a little Tai Chi.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)I have never done any push-ups in my entire life!
Thanks, sweetie...
My physical therapist gave me a schedule of exercises to do; they won't aggravate my loose left shoulder!
GreenPartyVoter
(72,378 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)I'm very happy for you, Peg. I once had to have a major surgery re-done--twice! And it was 7 years later, which made it all the harder to have to go back in (and it took another 12-hour surgery as a precursor to the other two). I understand the dread you felt when you were dealing with that prospect.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)How awful for you. That had to be so terrifying.
I'm so sorry you had to endure all of that.
And thank you for your great words! I was so sure I was facing the total shoulder replacement all over again, and all my hard work for nothing.
I can do this brace thing and be glad about it.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)That was all from my combat injuries in Vietnam, when I had to have my jaw rebuilt by the Army--and then rebuilt again and again by the Navy. It's a lot less traumatic loking back after all these years than it was going through it at the time.
I know you've seen my photo, so now you know how I got to be so handsome.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)I don't believe I've seen your photo...
How about letting me see it?
Glad the trauma has faded now...
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)I'm on the left, with two buddies, one of whom was KIA...
In this one taken at a display of a moving Wall in Simi Tuesday night I'm next to the guy on the right...
Photo by my wonderful friend, Michele Schottelkorb
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)I think I have seen them......a while back, perhaps.
Good photos, both.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)The second was taken just a few days ago, on Tuesday night. What you see is what you get. What can I say--when you're hot you're hot!
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)It's a curse.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)At least you have a spouse to help you fight off all your sex stalkers. I'm on my own, without a good woman to fight for me, and I fear I may not have the energy to resist any longer.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)I don't think I'm all that hot looking, anyway!
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)We are but innocent victims here. We can't help the way we look. After I gave up underwear supermodeling because it just seemed a bit shallow, they STILL stalked me. Like I said, it's a curse to be beautiful--and don't we know it!!! Of course, what I'm telling you is nothing the "Poetry Babe" doesn't already know.
a la izquierda
(11,795 posts)I hope you won't need it!