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Suggest Treatment For Spinal Stenosis In An Elderly Person
Question: I am a 77 year old male who is scheduled for rotator cuff surgery in a couple of weeks .Since about 2012 (when I strained my right shoulder lifting a heavy object) I have had pain in that shoulder. At first it would gradually go away, then it would take a periodic injection of cortisone in the shoulder to relieve the pain but that is now longer is effective.
I am concerned about the surgery for to the following reasons. I have had spinal stenosis/arthritis in my lower back for about 6 years. It has limited my physical activity and exercise and I have become progressively weaker since. It has effected my walking to the point where my gait is irregular and my stride is shorter. My legs have lost much muscle mass and I do not feel like I am in good shape at all. When walking in the woods I must use a walking stick to navigate uneven ground for fear I will fall.
I am worried that I am not physically fit enough to (1) endure the surgery and (2) make a complete recovery from it.
What do you think?
I am concerned about the surgery for to the following reasons. I have had spinal stenosis/arthritis in my lower back for about 6 years. It has limited my physical activity and exercise and I have become progressively weaker since. It has effected my walking to the point where my gait is irregular and my stride is shorter. My legs have lost much muscle mass and I do not feel like I am in good shape at all. When walking in the woods I must use a walking stick to navigate uneven ground for fear I will fall.
I am worried that I am not physically fit enough to (1) endure the surgery and (2) make a complete recovery from it.
What do you think?
Brief Answer:
Anaesthetist opinion on fitness. Near normal recovery with surgery
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the query
The cortisone shot can make an already weak Rotator cuff tendon to tear or snap.
The canal stenosis which is causing the gait problems won't have anything to do with the fitness for your surgery, besides if your Rotator cuff is repaired, it will help you navigate and move around telling support more easily.
If you are medically fit, I suggest you to ahead with the surgery. The Anaesthetist will deem you medically fit or unfit, best left to his/her discretion.
Recovery talked time with physiotherapy since you can attain a near normal strength after that.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Anaesthetist opinion on fitness. Near normal recovery with surgery
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the query
The cortisone shot can make an already weak Rotator cuff tendon to tear or snap.
The canal stenosis which is causing the gait problems won't have anything to do with the fitness for your surgery, besides if your Rotator cuff is repaired, it will help you navigate and move around telling support more easily.
If you are medically fit, I suggest you to ahead with the surgery. The Anaesthetist will deem you medically fit or unfit, best left to his/her discretion.
Recovery talked time with physiotherapy since you can attain a near normal strength after that.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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