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Well, what you describe is something I may be
looking forward to in the near future.
Both my shoulders are afflicted with (I believe)
bursitis and while the discomfort I experience is at the present mild, except
when I reach with either or both arms above my head.
I suppose that with age (am 65 now) the tendons
(or the bursas) involved will-may deteriorate further.
Arrrgghhhhhhhhh.................!!!!!!!!! Bobberino in
Elvisland
----------------------- From: Alton Ryder To: TM list Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2006 9:40 PM Subject: [TMIC] in a wheelchair with a blown shoulder My orthopedic doctor came in the room with the MRI’s and said, “Bad news - torn rotator cuff. You have a decision - repair it and spend the next six months in a nursing home or live with it.” [with an additional disability and occasional pain.] He had ruined my day. The rotator cuff consists of four tendons, and one, the supraspinatus, was completely torn. Another, the infraspinatus, was 50% torn. The left shoulder has a limited range of motion, and some pain is there for all positions. Except for a fall a few weeks ago, there has been no memorable trauma. I believe this has happened because of: Age --- it seems that after age 40 we lose tendon fibers, severely after age 60. “At age 70 the tendons have 20 to 25% of the [tensile] strength of at age 20.” I’m 71. Repetitive unusual movements --- I reach back and above me with my left arm several times daily. I reach no longer. Now if I want to touch a door knob ahead and to the left of me, I pick up my left elbow with my right hand and position it that way. Prednisone --- For years I was on a heavy dose, and until yesterday I was on a small dose. Currently I can make transfers from chair to bed/car/toilet. If I have it repaired, for at least two months I cannot even think of using it. If I don’t repair it, the right shoulder may go. Another contributing factor for cuff tears is having a tear in the other shoulder. The right shoulder already hurts. Alton |
