u/rockykb

Currently 4 weeks away from surgery for a labrum tear. Second guessing this decision now lol.

I’ve done a lot of research but I guess I’m asking for any tips or suggestions on what to expect. Oddly enough, my pain has decreased significantly just in the last week so I’m getting cold feet. But I’m pretty sure it’s because I cut back on my physical activity and have been babying the shoulder a lot.

My main reason for going thru with surgery rather than just pt is because I want to get back to a higher level of activity. This injury has sidelined my career and I’m hopeful to get back to it. But the idea of not being able to swim, bike, climb, etc. for a while is bumming me out.

How are you all staying sane during recovery?!

It feels like I’m never going to get out of this hole. Get back on my feet.

I should’ve finished college and actually done something with my life.

Current situation:

Credit card #1: $2840
Credit card #2: $2601

Car: $24,000 (owed on it but totaled it. Payout was only going to be $22,000. Assume they are going to repo it because it was not licensed before it got wrecked and I can’t afford the $3,000 to license it now post wreck.)

Student loans: $12,000 (trying to enroll again and put these in deferment. I get TA thru the army and GI bill money. But can’t afford to purchase transcripts right now)

Personal loan: $2,000

Medical debt: not even a clue, but upwards of $7k. Most is in collections

Credit score of 540…..

I’m moving in with family because I’m broke and also because I’m getting surgery. They can’t loan me money but can at least provide a roof over my head. I’m working full time but still have to choose between gas or groceries every pay check. Only have two more paychecks until I leave and move home.

I’m terrified I’ll never recover from any of this. I just want to feel like I can breathe again and not have to worry about how I’m going to eat every week. I’ve tried the food pantries - they literally gave me yogurts, a bundle of parsley, and a block of cheese. Idk if it’s just this area or what, but I can’t exactly live off of that. I make $19.50 an hour, I should be fine living off of that.

So I took advice from you guys here and went and got a second opinion buy one of the most recommended shoulder sports medicine surgeons. He agreed with me and basically said PT isn’t going to be super beneficial for me with my end goal being returning to firefighting and the military.

We settled on surgical repair. He suspects there’s a posterior tear in addition to my anterior. He could do it as soon as in two weeks…

Here’s my dilemma. I JUST started a new job. And won’t qualify for FMLA or short term disability (got this diagnosed while working previous job so it’s going to be “pre existing”). I don’t have the option to move in with family or anything to cut all costs.

He made it sound like I could expect 6-8 weeks off work. However, I did some more research and it looks more like 4 months. Because I work as an EMT which is going to involve lifting. I still need to talk to my employer and see if there’s any accommodations that can be made, but I’m doubtful.

I will give my surgeons team a call next week, but figured I’d try to ask here. Am I going to do more harm by pushing this surgery off for another 3 months or so? My goal is to be able to save up enough of a cushion that I can live for 4 months without working. I guess if worst comes to worst, I’ll try to find a desk job to tide me over. I’m just worried about dealing with daily pain for 3 more months….

Has anyone successfully put it off without doing more damage?

It’s literally gotten to this point. I have 11 miles of range left in my gas tank. I have to work all weekend and I work 27 miles away (one way). Yes, I know I need to work closer, I literally start a new job next week. But I have three more shifts at this job.

I have $7 to my name. That’s it. No credit cards or anything. I’ve asked everyone I can ask. I actually got injured and have to do physical therapy and have an appointment tomorrow. Because I missed the 24hr cancellation window, I’m going to get stuck with a $50 fee now too.

Is it worth it to get up in the morning and go sit at the gas station and ask whoever I can for $10 for gas?

This is literally my last resort. I’m so defeated and done. If I can’t find a solution tomorrow, I’m done

Edit: thank you to those of you who were kind and actually offered advice or answered the question. If you’ve got something negative to say, either be brave enough to say it to me straight or keep it to yourself. There’s already enough bad in this world - please be kind to one another. Thank you to those that have proved that good people do still exist

Spent the last 5 years working as a firefighter and also serving in the national guard. Prior to both those, I played basketball thru college. This originally started in college when I blocked an opponents shot and their arm pushed my shoulder backwards and I experienced my first ever subluxation. Had lingering pain after that and multiple subluxations. The team’s athletic trainer had me on a strict rehab program and I continued to play without too much of an issue (still subluxing and sore, but nothing major).

Somehow managed to make it this far in my career without any major issues other than reoccurring subluxations. If I reach overhead too quickly or try to pull heavy overhead, it clunks and slips. With accompanying pain. I’ve been unable to comfortably do any overhead lifts ever since the original injury (7 years ago), cannot hang from a pull-up bar without pain, and cannot do pushups without pain.

I recently stepped away from the fire service so I decided now was a good time to go get this checked out. Especially after I experienced a subluxation just getting up off the floor from playing with my dog. Was immediately sent for an MRI arthrogram which revealed inflammation in the rotator cuff and partial tear in the superior anterior and posterior labrum. My doc said no surgery because of my age (26?) and sent me straight to physical therapy for 6 weeks before he’ll see me again.

I guess where I’m at now is what is the probability that I’ll regain normal function? And by normal, I mean working a very physically demanding job. I plan to go back to firefighting and I’m honestly tired of not trusting my shoulder and experiencing these subluxations that end up just being setbacks. I want to be able to do pushups again and overhead lifts in the gym. Heck, being able to do anything on a pull up bar would be awesome.

Been doing PT for a couple of weeks now and it’s honestly feeling worse. Mainly focusing on scapular stability and control and now my shoulder is hurting even worse. Extremely tender to the touch and sore upon waking up. I get aching shooting pains throughout the day that shoot across my collarbone and down my bicep.

I’m beginning to wonder if I should get a second opinion. I don’t want to waste time and money doing PT if this isn’t going to be a solution in the long run. I understand that PT alone may be enough in some cases for people to regain normal function, but I’m worried it’s not going to be enough to return to full duty as a firefighter and soldier.

Has anyone successfully diy’ed a carrier for rods and reels for atop a roof? I’ve seen the pvc carriers for fly rods but I’m looking to keep my spinning reels and bait casters on the rods.

Been away from the fire service for several months, just trying to figure out what’s next and fix my finances. Looking at returning shortly. But just had this wrench thrown into the plan.

Have always had a bum shoulder - probably for the last 7 years. Played college sports and had a lot of instability and pain and frequent subluxations. Somehow made it through military boot camp and also the fire academy. But I’ve consistently had weakness and instability despite physical training and rehab. Would frequently subluxate it reaching overhead too quickly or pulling heavy weight overhead. My final straw was when it partially dislocated a few weeks ago while pushing myself up off the floor.

Went and got it checked out and an mri arthrogram done. Came back with rotator cuff tendonitis and partial labrum tear. Ortho doc said PT for a minimum of 6 weeks and sent me on my way. Been in a considerable amount of pain ever since this most recent subluxation.

My end goal is to get back into the fire service. Actually have a couple of apps out right now. But I’m worried. I feel like pt is probably a solution for a lot of people, but I’m concerned that it’s not going to be practical for a physical (especially overhead) job like the fire service. I really don’t want the surgery but if that’s my only way of getting back to it, should I get a second opinion?

Anyone have success with either the more conservative route or surgery and returning to full duty?