Acromioplasty - Has anyone been through it?

[oly884]

http://www.liverpoolshoulder.com/article.asp?article=3&section=2

My shoulders suck, both of them.... First started to notice it 4 years ago when I couldn't sleep due to the pain from the movement of my shoulder(s). Went to an orthopedic surgeon and he said I have a type II/III acromion in my right shoulder, but at that point my left wasn't bothering me. Well, it's 4 years later and now both shoulders are killing me, can't sleep, etc. So made an appointment, but I know that the only option is going to be surgery to really FIX the problem. Anyone been through this surgery/procedure before? How was the outcome? The recovery?

[RunnerUp]

my 87 year old grand mother just had her left shoulder done prob about 2-3 years ago and she is doing prob 80% better i dont know how old you are, but i assume you are younger than 87... the recovery for her was pretty painful, but i mean, what else do you expect from having titanium rods shoved into your bones?

[oly884]

my 87 year old grand mother just had her left shoulder done prob about 2-3 years ago and she is doing prob 80% better i dont know how old you are, but i assume you are younger than 87... the recovery for her was pretty painful, but i mean, what else do you expect from having titanium rods shoved into your bones?


I'm 24, but I don't think my shoulders are near what your grandmother had. What will most likely happen is some grinding of my acromion bone via arthoscopic surgery. Nothing too serious from what I've read, but I though I'd ask around to see if anyone has been through it and has some good advice.

[oly884]

also, if anyone can tell me some good guidelines on taking OTC painkillers I would appreciate it. 2 Aleve ain't cutting it but I really don't want to destroy my liver, stomach, etc.

[fustercluck]

I'll ask the formidable Mrs Fuster tonight when she gets home. She's on call, so it might be late. I know when I have pain, she tells me three Ibuprofen four times daily, but let me ask for sure.

[oly884]

I'll ask the formidable Mrs Fuster tonight when she gets home. She's on call, so it might be late. I know when I have pain, she tells me three Ibuprofen four times daily, but let me ask for sure.


Thanks. I ended up taking another 2 grams of acetaminophen (4 Tylenol) and it seems to have helped a bit more, but I'm not fond of taking THAT much more than what is suggested. However, the recommended doses didn't do squat with any pain killer that I've tried over the last few days. I have till next wednesday before I even go into the doc for my shoulder, but I'm going to try a walk-in clinic to see if I can at least get prescribed something a bit more helpful (codeine has seemed to work in the past).

It's reached the point where I can't really sleep unless I'm sitting upright and it's a fairly pronounced pain 95% of the time even with my arms at my sides. I would imagine that it's acting up a bit more due to the cold, low pressure weather we are getting right now, so once it starts to warm up I'd imagine it'll be getting a bit better.

[04 Rocko Taco]

Oly, as far as OTC stuff, I know I take 3 ibuprofen 4 times daily (or more, but I say 4, cause ... well you shouldnt listen to anyone who says more times that that.)

I wish you the best of luck with this, you are in my prayers, keep us updated on the happenings!!

[oly884]

Thanks guys!

NorCal, appreciate the info a ton! It was bad 4 years ago, now it's on par, if not worse, and it's both of my shoulders now. I have been really limiting my movement in hopes that I don't have a tear in my rotator cuff. From what I have read, it's a fairly non-invasive surgery (arthroscopic) and it's in and out the same day which is nice. I'm really hoping that's as far as it goes, but until my appointment, I won't know for sure.

However, at this point, I'm hoping to find a way to get rid of the constant pain so I can at least type and work on the computer. Aleve has worked well for me in the past with headaches, etc. but it doesn't make a dent in the shoulder pain. Advil, et al. doesn't seem to work much either and tylenol has seemed to help a bit. Aspirin seems to work OK, but there was none to be found at work today, so I'm going to get some when I get home. I'm also going to grab some cold packs to hopefully control the inflamation, but with the inflamation being so deep in the tissue (inside the joint) it's difficult for cold packs to really do their job. A heat pad is also a good idea!

[fustercluck]

Okay, my bad. It's 3 Ibuprofen every 8 hours. I got confused with the every 6 hour cycle because that what I do when she's not looking.....hehe. She also says that alternating hot and cold packs can ease your deal. For cold packs, use a bag of frozen peas. They will conform to your wimpy medium size shirt wearin' frame. HAHA!!!! okay, that last sentence was mine not hers.

[oly884]

Okay, my bad. It's 3 Ibuprofen every 8 hours. I got confused with the every 6 hour cycle because that what I do when she's not looking.....hehe. She also says that alternating hot and cold packs can ease your deal. For cold packs, use a bag of frozen peas. They will conform to your wimpy medium size shirt wearin' frame. HAHA!!!! okay, that last sentence was mine not hers.


Haha, how about frozen corn? It conformed to my wimpy medium shirt frame pretty well last night? Oh, and 5mg of hydrocodone and 500mg's of acetaminophen seemed to help as well.

[fustercluck]

You have Hydrocodone and didn't share???????

[oly884]

I would be happy to share, but delivering the goods might prove to be difficult...

[fustercluck]

ah. yes. there is that.