Any Of You That Have Had Shoulder Surgery?

[mammaoftwo]

I would still like to apply to nursing school, however, I saw the orthopaedic doctor last week and this is the report he gave me:

I have no cartilage in my right shoulder, it is bone rubbing against bone and a large bone spur, there may be a tear in the rotator cuff. I am having an MRI in the am. Now I am 55 years of age and the doc states this is due to wear and tear.

The doc told me it can be repaired with surgery, however, I would be prone to problems with the shoulder and would not be able to be tugging, pulling or lifting in nursing.

Anyone have the surgery and still continued on in nursing? Should I just forget nursing completely and consider another field? The doc suggested Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Any suggestions and total honesty is greatly appreciated! :)

[Finallyat40]

Boy, can I say, been there, done that! I was all set to start nursing school in August, fell down some stairs and ended up having total rotator cuff repair on August 21st! The doctor told me not to reapply for Spring because I wouldn't be ready, I told him, he hadn't ever had a patient like me....he said he had never released a patient with this type of surgery in less than six months...I said we'll see. Long story short, honestly, this surgery is VERY painful, and frustrating...you can't d anything for yourself...the therapy is very time consuming and painful...BUT, if you're determined, you can do it....I was released from the doctor on December 8th, after a full 12 weeks of therapy. I can tell you that I was very careful with my shoulder, the patients I would have normally moved on my own, I requested assistance with, but I made it and my shoulder is so much better and I have full movement. good Luck to you...Don't give up!

jamie

[SDS_RN, RN]

I have not had this surgery but I take care of shoulders all the time. It is a painful surgery but if you get a block you are pain free for a good 12+ hours then make sure you stay up on the pain meds.

Even if you are unable to do bedside nursing post-op their are so many other areas you can go into that don't require all the heavy lifting. If bedside is your passion then the advice finally04 is spot on. Hope everything works out for you, I'll keep you in my prayers.

[ready4crna?]

Had a sublux repair done previously, My only recommendation is to make sure you see an orthopod that specializes in sports medicine (preferably one that is board certified in sports medicine). These guys are specialists in making sure you get maximal functionality back. I went to a total of three orthopods, each one had a different plan for surgery- The sports medicine guy had the least invasive, maximal Physical therapy plan of them all. (The first one wanted to do a total reconstruction and told me to expect 50% functionality post op- QUACK!) Do your homework and don't hesitate to shop physicians.

[tntrn, ASN, RN]

I would echo those recommendations. After a car accident in 1998, I finally had left shoulder surgery in June of 1999. I was back to work in L % D by Christmas, and probably a bit sooner than that. I was 50 + at the time. I think the key is PT. Everyday, no matter what, exactly what they tell you to do. We took a road trip after 2 months after my surgery and at every fuel stop I'd be outside the truck, doing my exercises with the rubber banc or broom stick. My left shoulder is strong, rarely gives me any trouble and in fact, feels way better than my right one does. I'll not rush into having that one done, but if it has to be done, I'll do it.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Your doctor can answer that. No nursing school will take you without medical clearance from your MD.

Make sure that you can physically handle the job, because surely you're going to hurt yourself if you're not 100% physically capable.

I'm not trying to smash your dream, but nursing can be physically demanding.