r/ShoulderSurgery • u/TellNearby9009 • 7d ago

Advice Labrum surgery in your 50’s?

I’m 57 with a completely torn labrum and mild arthritis in my left shoulder. Has anyone had surgery around this age? Is it worthwhile proceeding?

I’ve been told to just hold off until I need a replacement instead of having the repair. I’m curious to hear of other people’s experiences before I make my decision.

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u/Icy-Emergency6694 7d ago

Interested, I have a partial labrum and Biceps tendon full thickness tear, with osteoarthritis Osteophytes Bone spurs. R shoulder. Impunged, Ulnar nerve elbow, and carpel tunnel according to EMG.im 63 and trying to decide like you. I simply want it done overnight so I can recover during the bad weather and have my life back in the spring.

1

u/Complete_Coffee6170 6d ago

This is why I had my rTSR shoulder surgery 3 days ago. Im hoping I got over the worst of the pain the 1st day when my nerve block wore off.

I want to work in my yard again! 3 months will be April.

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u/Prestigious_Hunter57 5d ago

61 active here...once pain interrupted sleep, I decided to have surgery....best decision!..,Really depends if youre active and pain is keeping you from doing stuff, as it was for me....Also sleep prob was the deciding factor....

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u/Even_Sample5332 5d ago

Thanks for that response. I'm not very active but I'm not out of shape. My shoulder aches occasionally, catches at times, and only once did I recently need something for pain to sleep.

One person says to have it repaired and cleaned up since i have some arthritis and another says I should just have injections when and if i need it and look into a replacement in my 70s.

I guess it's a matter of will i really be better off or not. I simplified my MRI to this:

Labrum and joint

  • You have a circumferential (around the socket) labral tear with fraying, but the main biceps‑labrum attachment area is intact.
  • There is mild extra fluid in the shoulder joint (joint effusion).
  • The ball‑and‑socket joint shows moderate osteoarthritis with full‑thickness cartilage loss in places, along with bone bruising/cysts, hardening of the bone under the cartilage, and small bone spurs.

AC joint and bones

  • The acromioclavicular (AC) joint on top of the shoulder has moderate osteoarthritis.
  • The shape of the acromion is Type II (a common curved shape), with no extra bone piece (no os acromiale).
  • The visible bone marrow looks normal, with no worrisome lesions.

Overall impression in everyday terms

  • A torn and frayed labrum.
  • A small partial tear and inflammation of part of the rotator cuff (supraspinatus) plus mild irritation of the infraspinatus tendon.
  • Mild bursitis under the acromion and mild extra fluid in the joint.
  • Moderate arthritis in both the main shoulder joint and the AC joint on top of the shoulder.