My shoulder has been hurting for a few months, since I was “thrown” to the floor while playing basketball. Today I saw the second of two orthopedic surgeons (and one of the local experts; it’s the same clinic that treats the Phoenix Suns and ASU athletes) and he is emphatic that I need surgery.
I have a complete “large” tear of the rotator cuff tendon. Left untreated it will probably degenerate to the point that it cannot be repaired,
Ironically, he said it is not a new injury. The fall probably caused another minor sprain, but fortunately it brought me in to find this problem.
For years I have been troubled by popping in my shoulder joint, and pain with some motions. That’s the rotator cuff problem.
It doesn’t seem to have affected basketball play much, except that I can’t throw an overhead baseball-type pass. But I can shoot and dribble as well as I ever could. OK, I can shoot, but I dribble water from my mouth better than I dribble a basketball. I can’t blame this injury on that.
So anyway, I have to schedule surgery. It will probably be a month out at least. I’ll update when it happens.
He said it will be at least 4 months after surgery before I can begin to play ball again, and a year before I will be completely healed. I’m probably going to get fat and lazy.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Donna // Mar 2, 2011 at 5:28 pm
That’s worse than my foot. I’ll only be out of commission for 6-8 weeks. I bet yours will be more painful, too.
I’m really sorry, Daryl. That’s a bummer, especially considering how much you love your activities. I hope it doesn’t prevent you from hiking the Appalachian Trail with Dale and Karen this spring.
2 Daryl // Mar 2, 2011 at 5:37 pm
I’ll have to see if I can “shoulder” a pack that soon.
At least I can walk without pain.
3 Richard // Mar 2, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Sorry to hear you need to go under the knife, but I’m glad you caught it in time.
4 Don // Mar 4, 2011 at 7:33 am
You’re going to be like me! We can go on a diet together. 😉
5 Daryl // Mar 4, 2011 at 11:16 am
Just got off the phone with the surgery scheduler. Monday, March 28 is the big day.
6 Heather // Mar 4, 2011 at 4:46 pm
I know a GREAT PT for your rehab! It is just a really long drive from you!
7 Daryl // Mar 4, 2011 at 5:11 pm
I think the first rounds of PT are included in the surgery cost — they have their own in house Physical Therapists.
But in general I do wish Mark’s office was closer. Derek and Gisele have both had PT and regrettably elected to avoid the 2 hour round trip drive.
8 Donna // Mar 28, 2011 at 9:34 am
Good luck today, Daryl! Hope all goes well and you’re quickly on the mend.