Shoulder surgery: education session

Today I had an information session with the surgery center. There were eight of us to get shoulder surgery next Tuesday 18 March. Only three of us are getting rotator cuff work; others are getting shoulder replacement and other things.

The session went over what the surgery involves. Mine is arthroscopic, which is minimally invasive. Three or four small incisions are made where a small camera is inserted and the surgeon gets to directly view the types of damage I have. According to the sonogram diagnostics, I have two or three of my four tendons torn.

Besides little cameras are little saws and I presume other little things that the surgeon can insert in there to do what he needs to correct the problem. For me, the torn tendons are reattached with little titanium anchors in the top of the humerus, reattached with what I think are nylon lines. Imagine fishing reel.

While he's doing this, I'm sitting up, and either conscious or unconscious. I think I will be unconscious, from the description provided.

Total recovery time is 6 months, with improvements in mobility noticeable after 6 weeks. I will wear a sling for several weeks.