Torn rotator cuff...WTF?

[BigBob234]

Yep. I'm having an MRI on the 16th to confirm but the doc is "damn sure" that I have a torn rotator cuff.

Hockey season: Over
Summer softball: Not gonna happen

Effin MRI, effin surgury, & effin physical therepy.

Anyone in here claustrophobic and had an MRI? I'm REALLY nervous about freaking out in the middle of it.

[Fotzlid]

If you are claustrophobic, your doc should give you something to help you relax for the test. Just make sure someone else is driving.

[ring]

I have been in an MRI machine many times,
and I am claustrophobic.

If you don't care to be sedated,
I found a trick that worked for me.

I simply put a small towel over my face, so I couldn't see just how
close a space I was in. The technicians will also ask you to wear earplugs
because the machine is fairly loud.

If you do freak out during the test,
they will pull you out any time you request it,
so please don't feel like you are trapped in there.

Many hospitals in larger cities, now have what they call 'open MRI machines'
Ask your doctor if one is available.

Best of luck with everything,
so sorry to hear you have to go through all this.

[shakran]

the biggest thing with MRI's isnot so much the space constraints, as the noises. They're very loud and kept waking me up

[BigBob234]

I did get a pill from the doctor. I'm hoping that helps. My gf is giving me a ride home.

I will bring a towel and maybe some of the gf's perfume on it. That makes me feel nice.

...hopefully I won't spring one while thinking of her

[samcol]

Originally Posted by ring

I have been in an MRI machine many times,
and I am claustrophobic.

If you don't care to be sedated,
I found a trick that worked for me.

I simply put a small towel over my face, so I couldn't see just how
close a space I was in. The technicians will also ask you to wear earplugs
because the machine is fairly loud.

If you do freak out during the test,
they will pull you out any time you request it,
so please don't feel like you are trapped in there.

Many hospitals in larger cities, now have what they call 'open MRI machines'
Ask your doctor if one is available.

Best of luck with everything,
so sorry to hear you have to go through all this.

Pretty much what I did.

[Ayashe]

Originally Posted by ring

I have been in an MRI machine many times,
and I am claustrophobic.

If you don't care to be sedated,
I found a trick that worked for me.

I simply put a small towel over my face, so I couldn't see just how
close a space I was in. The technicians will also ask you to wear earplugs
because the machine is fairly loud.

If you do freak out during the test,
they will pull you out any time you request it,
so please don't feel like you are trapped in there.

Many hospitals in larger cities, now have what they call 'open MRI machines'
Ask your doctor if one is available.

Best of luck with everything,
so sorry to hear you have to go through all this.

The open MRIs are great if you do have a lot of trouble. Though it would be much better to either suffer it out or take a sedative and go through the regular MRI as the Open MRIs do not take nearly the same quality images.

[Grancey]

I am claustrophobic, which did not help. And the noise is extremely loud, nothing you would expect or be able to prepare for. Do tell the operator of the equipment about your nervousness. Mine was extremely kind and understanding, which did help.

[Nimetic]

It's not the space that bothered me. It was the backless gown they had me wear.

[raeanna74]

When I had one I wor sweats and a T-shirt with no metal anywhere. They let me stay dressed in my own comfortable clothes. Also, They'll probably put you in head first and only far enough to get your shoulders in. Your legs will probably be completely free of the machine so if you think about that it could help.

For people who are claustrophobic they have more than one type of antianxiety med that will really help you chill. In that case though, depending on the drug you should not drive home yourself - have someone bring you and take you home. You would probably take the drug an hour or so before you have to be there. Also, if you're not interested in any drugs the Dr can give you, you could try having a cup of chamomile tea and taking a couple tablets of the herb Valerian (just double check this with your pharmacist if you are on any other medications.

The more still you are able to be the faster it will go. I had it done with my knee and I think it took about 30-40 minutes. Sometimes it can be shorter but not as often. If you move and they have to redo some of it then it obviously will take longer. I just tried to go to sleep and actually did for a few minutes. The time seemed to go by very quickly.

[Kingruv]

Big Bob,

If I might, I add my sympathy for your injury. I have been where you are now.
The advice above is good if you conglomerate it all. One of the things that have helped me most during MRI's has been having the staff place a fan to where it will blow some light air through the tunnel, if you are in a closed unit and across if you are under an open unit.

If given the option, a closed MRI typically gets done faster. Ask the operator to give you time to make sure you are situated and comfortable before beginning. They can generally halt for short periods but cannot let you reposition without having to start over. ( they REALLY don't want to do that but will if they absolutely must)
Because the unit was built as a 4th generation of technology from X-RAY equipment, it also has very fixed mechanical properties resulting in a very flat backboard. It may help to have some pillows and towels to shore up your knees and ribs since the back is in position for awhile. Just think recliner and that will get that part.
Rotator Cuff surgery is the last damage repair I had performed and because my shoulders are a 58 and my hips are 42, an open unit was my only option. The advantage was this new unit had built in music channels in the headphones. My choice was what they passed for Jazz which was ok considering.

Not just because of more age, this was more significant than a spinal cord injury I received during a jump almost 30 years ago. Not trying to scare you, it's just very different from most anything else you could have done. This is truly a case where your results may vary.
I have some other recommendations aside from the MRI if you want them. But if you have everything else squared away and are good to go, I hope all goes well for you.

KG

[loganmule]

Big Bob, I've been there and done that. An open MRI won't image as well as a closed MRI, but the point of either is to justify the surgical repair to follow (and maybe to generate revenue), so in your situation, an open MRI solves the problem. The imaging of the shoulder is pretty unreliable, whether the MRI is open or closed. My result showed only a full thickness tear of the supraspinatus, which generally is no big deal. In actuality, only one of the four tendons was found to be intact, and what was supposed to be an hour in surgery turned in to two and a half hours. I saw a guy in Indianapolis who limits his practice to shoulders. He somehow got everything back together, and I'm serving tennis balls again. As you improve, post-operatively, you'll be tempted to do too much too soon, but be sure to strictly follow the PT and activity instructions. Yes, it will suck to miss out on softball this summer, but the payoff will be your glorious return, the following year.

I reluctantly became pretty knowledgeable on RTC repairs, and would share that with you, if you like.

[Kingruv]

Originally Posted by loganmule

I reluctantly became pretty knowledgeable on RTC repairs, and would share that with you, if you like.

loganmule,
Based on what you said above, would you say that there was a lack of disclosure to you about everything that was going to happen after your surgery?
Not many people I've talked to have seemed to get much info upfront about what they should prepare for ahead of time. I got more from other patients than from anyone else involved.
This isn't to knock my surgeon as to skill and care at all. But a lot of what is simple things seem to be taken for granted by those who haven't been through this. (and seems to be unique to RTC surgery) What was your experience?

[loganmule]

Yes, there is a lack of disclosure, but I don't think docs can be completely faulted for this. In the case of an orthopedic surgeon doing shoulders only, for example, the doc has 4 yrs of med school, followed by a 5 yr residency program, and usually a 1 yr fellowship in shoulder surgery. Taking that and putting it into a brief explanation, in lay terms, is difficult. Also, it's often a money thing...the more time spent per patient, the less total revenue the doc generates. Then there's an attitude issue, maybe arrogance or just the reality of the situation, that "this is real complicated, you have to be very bright and study for years to get it, I've done that and you haven't, so don't ask questions, the answers to which you won't understand, and just let me do my thing".

The answer, for patients, is to become informed about your medical condition. The internet makes this possible, for anyone wiling to spend the time. It's actually the better solution to relying on the doc, since you know your body and habits way better than anyone else, and you'll never be able to give a doc a complete and accurate history of that. Other patients sharing your condition make a great resource.

As for RTC repair in particular, my doc did a great job, but he didn't explain much. I would have had no idea what was wrong, or the procedure for fixing it, were it not for many hours of research. Even then, reading through the operative note involved lots of time looking up medical terms (I now know what a lateral release is, for example).

[Kingruv]

Originally Posted by loganmule

The answer, for patients, is to become informed about your medical condition. The internet makes this possible, for anyone wiling to spend the time. It's actually the better solution to relying on the doc, since you know your body and habits way better than anyone else, and you'll never be able to give a doc a complete and accurate history of that. Other patients sharing your condition make a great resource.

As for RTC repair in particular, my doc did a great job, but he didn't explain much. I would have had no idea what was wrong, or the procedure for fixing it, were it not for many hours of research. Even then, reading through the operative note involved lots of time looking up medical terms (I now know what a lateral release is, for example).

I understand and agree with what you are saying. My point however wasn't pertaining to the surgery but the aftermath and recovery.
Part of it for me came from being strictly right eye dominant/right-handed/right lead foot. Losing use of my right hand for 2 months immediately and being strictly left handed was not something I was prepared for in a few ways. Many of them could have been offset by getting things setup ahead of time if I had been told.
I'm not even saying the surgeon would be doing this. But much of what I learned I looked up later to find out if it was issues other medical practices give information on.
I've come to the conclusion folks are pretty much on their own.

[BigBob234]

Here's the update:

I took the pill they gave me and it didn't so shit. Anywhoo, I was nervous as all get out. The (very cute) nurse what quite helpful and was doing very well until I saw the machine. MY GOD that thing was huge with this little hole in the middle. They gave me headphones with Sinatra playing, strapped me down, and slid me in. I freaked out at first but I didn't push the panic button. I concentrated on the music with my eyes closed (of course) and after what seemed like 6 hours I was done.

Obviously, I don't know the results, yet. But I'm happy I did it. Thanks to all of you for your advise. We'll see how it turns out in the end.
db

[loganmule]

Way to hang in there. Here's hoping that the MRI comes back clean.

KG, I'm on your page now, and agree with your observations. In my case, only the supraspinatus ligament was to be repaired, so a sling was to immobilize my right elbow at my side for 6-8 wks, but with the ability to use my right hand. It was a shock to find out that my right arm was actually propped up and immobilized at 45 degrees out from my right side. Sleeping was difficult, much less seeing to the personal care needs. No one prepared me for the disabling nature of it, but then I'm not sure it would have made much of a difference.