Few people are chomping at the bit to undergo surgery, especially if the operation is elective in nature. Oftentimes when we’re first told that we may need surgery, the first thought is how long can I go before I absolutely need to have the operation performed. Rarely is a shoulder condition a life-threatening situation, but that doesn’t mean you should always postpone your operation until discomfort becomes unbearable. In today’s blog, we look at some of the benefits and drawbacks associated with postponing your shoulder surgery as long as possible.
The Benefits of Postponing Shoulder Surgery
From an operational standpoint, there’s no significant benefit to postponing your operation as long as possible. If it’s absolutely certain that you are going to need surgery to correct a torn rotator cuff or to replace the shoulder joint, starting the process sooner generally produces better outcomes than postponing the operation as long as possible. We’ll touch on that in more detail in the drawbacks section.
With that said, electing not to undergo shoulder surgery can be the best decision for your health and your shoulder function if your shoulder specialist believes your issue can be corrected with conservative measures. Surgery may be able to produce great results, but every surgery carries additional risks and is a significant trauma on your body, so if it can be avoided, it’s best to do so. Postponing shoulder shoulder isn’t a great idea if an operation is evitable, but if you surgeon believes you can experience significant functional improvement and symptom relief with a combination or rest, physical therapy and other non-operative techniques, then you should absolutely push off an operation until you see how your body responds to conservative treatment.
The Drawbacks of Postponing Shoulder Surgery
As we alluded to above, there are some significant drawbacks associated with postponing your shoulder surgery in the event that it will become an eventuality. One of the biggest reasons why you shouldn’t delay surgery if it is recommended is because more damage to the shoulder can occur while you’re delaying your operation. The more damage or degeneration that occurs in the shoulder joint, the more invasive the procedure will be. Treatment becomes more difficult when joint damage is more significant.
Similarly, postponing surgery can lead to muscle atrophy and other problems caused by a lack of use of the shoulder joint. If you’re dealing with significant discomfort or pain in the shoulder, you’re probably not using it all that much. If you’re not consistently exercising, strengthening and moving your shoulder joint, muscles will weaken, range of motion will shrink and your shoulder won’t be able to handle as much as it once did. Your shoulder will get weaker if you don’t use it, and if you’re not using it while you postpone your operation, you’re only making the problem worse.
And finally, studies have shown that the longer you delay your shoulder operation, the greater the likelihood that you’ll need to have a revisional procedure to address a new issue. One study found that delaying surgery for 12 months or more following a rotator cuff tear diagnosis was associated with nearly a two-fold increase in the need for undergoing a subsequent revision surgery compared to undergoing an operation between six weeks and one year of diagnosis. The longer you put off surgery when it’s recommended, the greater the chance you’ll need to have a second operation to correct a subsequent problem.
At the end of the day, it’s important that you visit a shoulder specialist you trust and really listen to their feedback before you decide to pursue surgery or see if conservative methods will provide relief. If the recommendation is surgery, think long and hard before you try to delay the inevitable, because there’s a good chance you’ll be worse off because of the delay. For more information about shoulder surgery, or to talk to a specialist about your shoulder pain, reach out to Dr. Holloway’s office today at (865) 410-7887.
