 |
| Image from Creative Commons / Wikimedia |
I am not lifting heavy items anymore because of my injured rotator cuff (right shoulder).
I have done rehab and recovered about 85% of of the function of that shoulder. I don't need to be carrying huge boxes of books for the library anymore. I can break down loads to smaller bags. I really do not have the time to do a year-long recovery when I have achieved a lot of function through rehab.
People keep encouraging me to have surgery, but I am resisting for three reasons:
1. As with any surgery, there are risks of complications.
My paternal grandfather died in surgery in his 30s because he got a blood clot. This was in the 1950s, and I am not sure if it went to his heart, brain, or lungs. But it left my grandmother a young widow with three young boys
2. I do not want to risk acquiring a dependency on pain medication.
I have seen too many individuals and then their families devastated because of addiction to pain meds post-surgery.
3. The recovery time can take up to a year.
A recovery of 12 months is more probable for older adults:
- They tend to have more co-morbidities such as Type 2 Diabetes.
- The quality of their tendons tend to be lower.
- The size of their tears tend to be more severe.
- They tend to have decreased blood circulation.
- They may struggle to complete the prescribed rehab exercises.
I have a few friends who have had this surgery, and they are surprised by how long the recovery is taking them.
I have read through a handful of webpages posted by orthopedic surgeons, and they break down the recovery by weeks and then months.
I understand the choice of surgery for those who cannot regain function through rehabilitation. I may end up needing surgery for one thing or another before my time on earth is up. In the mean time, I will keep doing my rehab exercises.
Related:
No comments:
Post a Comment