I am currently 4 weeks away from a reverse TSR. I am convinced I need to do it, sooner or later, but I am really dreading both the procedure and the LONG and PAINFUL recovery. I have already delayed it once. Several questions come to mind, and I would greatly appreciate constructive comments:
1. Voltaren gel - discovered this about a month ago, and apply it about 4 times a day. I know it is "not studied for shoulders" but it has dramatically reduced my pain to manageable level. I dropped other pain meds. I still have sever movcement limitations, etc. but I have learned to be careful. It also says, "do not use more than 21 days." Why not, I have.
2. PRP - should I try it prior to shoulder surgery. Two ideas have kept me away: a) pain from PRP is reported and I have been so "pain soaked" over the last two year, that the idea of inducing more pain as an experiment is not attrtactive, and 2) I am being quoted $1500 per treatment and I might need 3 treatments. I am not rich.
3. PT - should I engage physical therapy prior to surgery. One surgeon says "no" another says "yes."
4. COST OF WAITING: ONE VENERABLE SURGEON EARLY ON said: "the only reason to have shoulder surgery is unmanageable pain. If you can wait, then wait ... the technology continues to improve. I am mostly managing thed pain, but an MRI reveals lots of joint damage by OA and rotator cuff tears. What is the cost of waiting. I will be 75 and have other morbidities.
5. COVID-19: the fifth surge is underway. They will delay surgery if infected. If hospitalization climbs, hospital staffing will take a hit, and increase probability of a mistake or accident. My surgeon says "I will not do the surgery if I fear it is unsafe." Well, he has boots on the ground, but I dont like the paternalistic attitude. It is elective surgery and my decision, not his.
This is a long post covering many topics. please comment if you can
1. Voltaren gel - discovered this about a month ago, and apply it about 4 times a day. I know it is "not studied for shoulders" but it has dramatically reduced my pain to manageable level. I dropped other pain meds. I still have sever movcement limitations, etc. but I have learned to be careful. It also says, "do not use more than 21 days." Why not, I have.
2. PRP - should I try it prior to shoulder surgery. Two ideas have kept me away: a) pain from PRP is reported and I have been so "pain soaked" over the last two year, that the idea of inducing more pain as an experiment is not attrtactive, and 2) I am being quoted $1500 per treatment and I might need 3 treatments. I am not rich.
3. PT - should I engage physical therapy prior to surgery. One surgeon says "no" another says "yes."
4. COST OF WAITING: ONE VENERABLE SURGEON EARLY ON said: "the only reason to have shoulder surgery is unmanageable pain. If you can wait, then wait ... the technology continues to improve. I am mostly managing thed pain, but an MRI reveals lots of joint damage by OA and rotator cuff tears. What is the cost of waiting. I will be 75 and have other morbidities.
5. COVID-19: the fifth surge is underway. They will delay surgery if infected. If hospitalization climbs, hospital staffing will take a hit, and increase probability of a mistake or accident. My surgeon says "I will not do the surgery if I fear it is unsafe." Well, he has boots on the ground, but I dont like the paternalistic attitude. It is elective surgery and my decision, not his.
This is a long post covering many topics. please comment if you can