MS complicates everything, even recovering from shoulder surgery

I had surgery on my right shoulder last month. I didn’t write about it at the time because compared with a shoulder replacement, the quick arthroscopic clean-out procedure wasn’t a big deal.

The orthopedic surgeon removed some loose material from the joint area and cleaned it up without having to cut or repair anything. My arm was immobilized for about 24 hours, after which I was told I could do anything tolerable.

Unfortunately, my physical therapists received the same instructions, and their estimate of what I could stand was a little different from mine. I can tolerate quite a bit, but on one or two occasions, they might’ve made my eyes sweat a little.

Seriously, though, the therapy has been wonderful. While my shoulder was initially sore from the surgery, I’m no longer in pain from the loose material getting caught in the joint space. Any pain I have now is from stretching and moving a shoulder that’s had only minimal usage for a few years. I shouldn’t have put this off so long, but in my defense, I didn’t anticipate some of the consequences of having multiple sclerosis (MS).

Recommended Reading

November 14, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD

Study ties central neuropathic pain to more severe emotional burden

Working around MS

The initial damage to my shoulders happened years before my MS diagnosis. I knew for a while that eventually, I might have to do something about it. The mobility issues caused by MS started in my legs, though, so I focused on fixing and protecting my knees and ankles first while ignoring my upper limbs. As my mobility worsened, however, I found myself relying on my arms more and more, which aggravated the old injuries. Ignoring them was no longer possible.

MS symptoms definitely made shoulder surgery more complicated, and I’m fortunate that mine was only a minimally invasive procedure. I was worried about needing a lengthy rehabilitation process and having one of my primary means of locomotion out of commission for months. I still have plenty of rehab to do, and while it’s much better than it could’ve been, MS complicates that, too.

It’s hard to set rehabilitation goals when you have multiple sclerosis. The main obstacle my physical therapists and I face is learning to distinguish between what’s been caused by injury and what’s due to disuse from MS. That means we don’t know what’s possible, so setting realistic goals is difficult.

Another challenge is getting motivated. No matter what I do, my arm will still be impaired because of MS. I don’t have any lofty expectations about what function I’ll regain, but I’d really like to. This disease feels like an extra weight that counters the idea that anything’s possible.

Fortunately, my lack of motivation is usually temporary. My shoulder doesn’t hurt as it did before the surgery, and eliminating that pain is a victory for me. Any improvements in strength or range of motion, no matter how small, are bonuses. I don’t know what my goals should be at this point, but I do know that I’ll be more comfortable while trying to achieve them.

As luck would have it, I’m heading to rehab today. I hope no one’s using those 2-pound weights, because I’m trying to get buff.

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.