Keystone, I was reading about your health adventure, and sure wish you the best that #3 does the trick.So I had my appointment with the surgeon this morning and found out some very interesting information.
Based on the MRI I do have extensive arthritis in my left shoulder, I also have what the MRI shows is the result of a major tear in my rotator cuff that happened years ago, the proof being the tendons are no longer attached to where they should be and have shrunk away for where they would normally be attached and the subsequent muscle in the same area has diminished. The space from where the tendons and muscle was has been replaced by a fatty substance which not reversible.
I was given three options.
#1
Physical therapy, no guarantee at diminishing the level of pain or increase in range of motion. Cortisone shots and pain meds.
#2
Have surgery to attempt to repair what is showing to be un-repairable. Rehab from that surgery 6-8 months. No guarantee except the probability of redoing the surgery in 2-3 years.
Arthritis still present not fixable.
#3
Surgery to replace the shoulder, as it is now the ball of the shoulder joint is at the top of the upper arm bone, the cup is above that, the replacement would be the cup would be attached to the upper arm and the ball would now be attached to the upper shoulder.
Recovery time two months.
Significant decrease/eliminate the current pain and increased range of motion.
Elimination of current arthritis.
One and done.
Decision. #3
Kind of a no brainer.
let us know your thoughts once you recover. Good luck!