Thanks again for all the support guys, these sorts of threads are always a testament to this forum!
Had my first post op fracture clinic appointment yesterday, with Prof. Johnstone (the surgeon). He?s pleased with the repair (there?s no rough edges, nice and smooth) and where I?m at at this stage. If you look closely, you?ll see that the large bone fragment towards the edge of my shoulder blade has been left alone. Intuitively, you?d think given how big the exposure was surely that would be fixed too, but he explained that in order to do that he?d have to dissect a lot of my lat muscle and in his opinion that fragment won?t cause any issues so best just to leave it be.
He did however say how important it is that I remain careful with the shoulder for another month before trying to do rehab stuff, because he had to detach two of my four rotator cuff muscles to attach that plate. As I say in the OP, rotator cuff repairs are usually an operation on their own, and usually for one muscle. I asked if the stitches failed and it needed revising, could it be done arthroscopically (key hole), to which he replied in no uncertain terms, absolutely not, it would require the same open repair I?ve just had and that he wouldn?t consider arthroscopy in this case. For perspective, he was the guy who brought arthroscopic shoulder surgery to Aberdeen in the 90?s, so it?s an authoritative answer. Does serve well to make me feel ?patient? at this stage, as to say I?d like to avoid having to have that lot all reopened again is an understatement lol.
I?m going back to fracture clinic in a month for another X-ray. If all is well, then I ?might? be able to start getting the ball rolling with physio.
For anyone who has had fractures before, you?ll know how soul destroying it is when you see how much mobility and strength is lost in such a short space of time. My right shoulder feels bony (skinny) and as if it?s lost 90 % of the support. Literally all the ?activities of daily living? as it?s referred to in Medicine are a challenge. Just staggering in such little time. But, then again, once physio starts, it?s onwards an upwards [emoji1320]
Will probably update again at the start of physio to serve as a bit of rehab log.
Thanks again everyone!
Oli
Another step closer to becoming Wolverine [emoji2957]