Shoulder surgery usually results from arthritis or a sudden, unexpected injury. Have you ever heard of impingement syndrome? Not very likely, but it does happen. It’s likelier that you’ve heard of injuries like a rotator cuff tear, which are common among athletes. Thankfully, not all shoulder injuries result in surgery. Surgery is a drastic measure doctors take only after other methods used to help alleviate pain aren’t working.
Here’s some more background information about shoulder injuries and surgeries.
What causes debilitating shoulder pain?
The biggest culprit is repetitive motion. Laborers or factory workers experience this in the course of their jobs over an 8-to-10 hour day over the years. Athletes who use the same mechanics over and over to throw a ball develop nerve and muscle damage, too. This writer was once a truck driver. Shifting gears in city driving eventually caused the development of impingement syndrome and I was no longer able to lift my arm.
Laborers and factory workers may be able to use their rights worker’s compensation and disability to help pay for surgery. Sometimes athletes’ careers are lost due to the need for surgery. And even truckers may have to find a career away from the open road.
What are the different kinds of shoulder injuries that need surgery?
Each type of injury will require different procedures. Most surgeons will use non-invasive measure first, such as medication for the pain and physical therapy to retrain the body to use different mechanics to avoid exacerbating the injury. If non-invasive measures do not work, then they will perform surgery to fix the problem.
- Rotator Cuff Tear: There are two types of injuries: Acute tears happen as a result of an accident and chronic tears occur over time as a result of either poor blood flow or a bone spur. As the injury worsens, the arm becomes weak. Surgery is advised when the doctor notes that the patient is not responding well to alternative treatments.
- Impingement Syndrome: This occurs when the uppermost tendon in the shoulder that passes through a bone called the acromion is pinched within the small area referred to as the bursa. The injury can develop if the arm is used repetitively in a forward motion, as in shifting gears. Cortisone shots may help to alleviate pain initially and the arm may even recover. But if the injury is too far along, surgery may be required.
Those are just two examples of shoulder injuries and the mechanics that may cause them to develop. Surgery is usually the best way to end the pain completely.
What happens on surgery day?
You will usually have your surgery first thing in the morning, so you will be advised not to eat at least 12 hours before and drink no water after midnight. When you arrive they will set you up in a pre-surgery room and helped into a surgery gown. Then they will do in-take procedures that include a medical history, information about what you should expect during recovery, both at the hospital and then later at home, and they will draw blood. Once the surgeon is ready, you will be given a sedative before you are moved to the operating room.
After the surgery, you will slowly awaken and nurses will monitor you for any signs of illness or severe discomfort. Unfortunately, some people have a bad reaction to sedatives and need help dealing with it. After they are satisfied you are alert and you have been given all the information and prescriptions you will need, you will be allowed to go home only of you have someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours.
Now, the road to recovery begins and what a ride it’s going to be!
Article by Sharon Freeman who is a freelance writer who loves writing about health, injuries and medical services.
