Has anyone had surgery for impingement OR for removal of bone spurs in the shoulder?

[Gibbee]

I am wondering if anyone here has had any type of surgery for the relief of impingement syndrome in the shoulder including the removal of a subacromial bone spur? (subacromial decompression)

I recently had an MRI that indicates impingement syndrome with possible partial tears and the dr. believes it to be caused primarily by a bone spur on the acromion. He is recommending surgery to remove the spur and treat any partial rotator cuff tears (signaling in the MRI indicates the possibility of small, partial tears but is not definitive). I'm not excited by the prospect of surgery at all and am researching all options, including physical therapy (although eventually the bone spur will have to be dealt with since it is bone... it won't go away on its own). I have no intention of doing anything significant (other than consulting a physical therapist and maybe getting a second opinion) until after the Cathe Chicago Road Trip.

I know I must limit my shoulder workouts until something is done (PT or surgery or something). The snapping of the tendons (or whatever) in my shoulder is more noticeable and much more frequent and is occasionally painful. I did have a triggering event (a workout) recently that took this to the point of needing a dr. visit and the MRI. I don't have a significant loss of strength per se but I do worry about it happening over time (either from the internal damage or limiting my workouts).

So... has anyone had this type (or similar type) of surgery done? How was it? Did you fully recover your range of motion and strength?

PS - If you belong to Videofitness, I posted this same question there, too.

Thanks for any guidance you can offer! (Especially regarding recovery of R-O-M and strength!!!)

 

[MissL]

About three years ago, I was diagnosed with bone spurs/impingement in my right shoulder. I had problems/pain in my shoulder for a couple of years before I finally went to a doctor. At times during those two years, it was extremely painful to the point where if I rolled over onto that side during the night, I was awakened with sharp stabbing pains in the shoulder that radiated along my collar bone all the way to the front of my neck. In fact, my collar bone hurt almost as much as my shoulder. It was very limiting and very frustrating. An MRI confirmed the bone spurs/impingement. I was told that the problem was that there is very little room in that area and, if I had any inflammation at all, the bone spurs would cause tiny tears in the surrounding tissue. I did not have surgery b/c I thought PT was worth a shot first. I am very glad I did this. I went through about six weeks of PT, doing specific exercises with very light weights and a towel, and slowly and carefully worked back into my upper body workouts. I find that if I keep up with the weight work on my shoulders, arms and upper back I don't have any problems with my shoulder. I have discovered that what does the most damage and causes a recurrence is doing something with a quick jerking motion like starting the law mower--that type of movement is the biggest problem for me, anyway. The few times that I noticed some tenderness, I backed off the shoulder work and just did the PT exercises for a week or two and that solved my problem. But, honestly, for the most part I have been pretty much pain free since I first did the PT.

I would assume that the size of the bone spurs might make a difference, as they will not go away or diminish in size by themselves.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

 

[ro'connell]

I haven't, but my brother, who pitches college baseball, did last year. He saw this really great sports guy in Delaware, He's kind of the doc everyone goes to whose had the surgery botched up by others (he figured he'd skip the first part). Anyway, he waited about 6 months to start pitching again and has had no issues since then. Although, just to let you know there are certain exercises that he will probably never really be able to do again (i.e. push ups - he's a little lopsided b/c he does them with one arm, guys ). If you're going to have surgery, just make sure you really research the doc first, we heard lots of horror stories.

Hope that helps,
Rachel

 

[Gibbee]

Thanks so much for the replies. I am planning to call my primary care today to see what he thinks. The specialist was ready to schedule surgery and while I think it may be needed at some point, I'm just not 100% comfortable at the moment (Cathe trip aside).

I will admit when I had the episode that caused me to call the dr. I could not reach forward to hug anyone or put my hand past my hip (toward the back pocket) without twinging and sharp pains and weakness - made me tear up. After massaging, icy hot, heat pad (later learned probably should use ice), and naproxen for several days it was much better on its own and I do have some flexibility back... but the snapping is still there (and has been there before this). I do think whatever is going on it is inflamed. I am on a steroid pack and naproxen right now. MRI results - in my limited knowledge - are vague enough that I really think I should get a second opinion.

What is the best way to research the doctor?