Shoulder/Rotator Cuff Surgery On The Cancer Side?

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Lula73
Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
edited July 2018 in Lymphedema

Pretty sure my rotator cuff is tearing. I've had some shooting pains straight through the shoulder from front to back at rest for awhile now. Then multiple times today I couldn't reach out in front of me, lift my arm or hold onto anything of any weight with my right arm/shoulder. Searing pain when I'd try. I haven't had any lymphedema, but scared to death a surgery would trigger it. Anyone have shoulder/rotator cuff surgery on their cancer side and done well?

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  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 679
    edited June 2018

    Lula, I had surgery on my cancer side shoulder and haven’t had any issues so far. Although there was no cutting involved in the surgery it was very stressful on that arm, more so than with a traditional surgery. My symptoms sounded just like yours, it was frozen shoulder and they did a manual manipulation under anesthesia to loosen it. I felt like I had 3 different issues, stabbing pain in my shoulder joint, tightness so much so that I couldn’t physically move it beyond certain points, and weakness. I had to have that done before my DIEP so I could get into position for surgery. I had a severe case and it was so tight and painful that I couldn’t even hold it straight out. It relieved about 95% of the pain and tightness but about 50% came back after the DIEP so I’m in PT now and it’s brutal. Still no signs of lymphedema even with very physical PT. As you know everyone is different and something minor could trigger it. I have to add that I had every single lymph node removed on that side so I feel like a ticking time bomb for lymphedema. I had to think of it like everything else with this disease, what’s worse, the issue or the side effects. In my case, I would have chosen lymphedema over a non useable arm. Good luck, I hope you find some releif

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  • Katiejane
    Katiejane Member Posts: 789
    edited June 2018

    Lula73, I have a complete tear of my rotator cuff on the right shoulder and what you are describing sounds all to familiar. Unfortunately, my right side is where my LE is the worst. They tell me now that it is far to damaged to be surgically repaired and that I am in need of a shoulder replacement! Of course, that’s not going to happen so I have learned to live with it. Your concern regarding the triggering of LE is very legitimate. The first surgeon that I went to kept trying to convince me that my arm would be wrapped in bandages all the time and that would suffice for compression for the lymphedema. They just didn’t get it. So I never have had mine repaired and now it’s gotten so bad they say it needs replaced. You’re kind of caught between a rock and a hard spot. I hope some more feedback to come in on the subject as I have tried and tried to find out what I could do to help myself. Also, if this is any consolation once each muscle attachment tears completely it doesn’t hurt half as bad. Good luck with your decision. If you move forward with this please let us know how you are doing! KatieJane

    PS—-as with any injury you are going to have swelling. I do which only contributes to even more fluid on top of the LE

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited June 2018

    thank you Katiejane!

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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited June 2018

    Well first thing would be to establish that it is in fact a rotator cuff tear as arm/ shoulder pain can have various causes.

    See a PT but you may have to remind them that you need to avoid modalities such as heat that increase the blood to the area as that can make Lymphedema worse or trigger it if your lymph system is compromised.

    Ultrasound imaging is a pretty reliable and simple first step for diagnosis

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  • flowergal
    flowergal Member Posts: 167
    edited July 2018

    Hi Lula, I had a shoulder injury that was dx a strain by my PCP in Jan . then along came IDC and surgery and radiation . i finally saw an ortho guy who only does shoulders and he dx a rotaotr cuff tear. A couple weeks ago I got a steroid shot in the shoulder and I think it might be helping and I am resuming PT with my lymphedema therapist. Perhaps you need to see a specialist who could de xrays, MRI if needed and discuss conservative tx before considering surgery. Good luck. to you.

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