Surgery to Remove Calcific Tendinitis In Right Shoulder

I recently had surgery (2013.11.15) to remove a calcium deposit in my right shoulder and repair the rotator cuff.  Here are a few photos from the procedure.

The bottom part of the following image, roughly from 5-o'clock to 8-o'clock and a radius from each through the center of the image shows part of the humerus exposed.  The shiny surface of the humerus should not be visible but was made so by removing the part of the rotator cuff which was damaged by the calcium deposit under it. 

The image above same as the previous image, but is being prepared for installation of two calcium composite anchors.  Once the anchors were installed, the rotator cuff was ready to attach back to the bone.

 

The image above shows the rotator cuff sutured to the bone below, thus covering the previously exposed part of the humerus.

The image above is a repeat of the previous images but shows the initial response to the repair by the body.  This process will continue over the next 6 months.

5 Access Points for Surgery

 

 

 

 

Up-close View of 3 of 5 Access Points

 

 Surgical Follow-up

Post-op exam is was accomplished a few days ago (2013.11.25).  The sutures were removed and a post-op x-ray was taken.  Nothing abnormal in either issue.

My intent was to obtain a copy of my surgical procedure to post here.  Apparently someone in the OR didn't operate the machine effectively - hopefully this was an isolated case.

I have found many similar procedures in video form on the internet.  One relatively short video is shown belowrs.

Calcific Tendinitis Arthroscopic Surgery

Munson Creek Falls

About 7 miles south of downtown Tillamook Oregon, a small stream of water passes under HWY 101 named Munson Creek.  The stream isn't very impressive and doesn't fill your mind with wonder.  Another mile south of that crossing is the road to Munson Creek Falls State Natural Site. The Oregon State information site provides no photos and limited information about the site.

The road to Munson Creek starts as a rough paved road and turns into gravel.  The road isn't smooth but any passenger car without an air damn close to the ground should be able to negotiate the road with no concern.  There is a "Y" in the road before you reach the park.  Take the road to the right of the "Y".  The road narrows a bit in several places between trees allowing for only a single vehicle to pass.  At the end of the road is a parking/turnaround area next to Munson Creek.  To the right is a small picnic area with a couple of picnic tables and a barbecue you can use.  The day we arrive at the turnaround it was Early October and raining pretty hard.

Munson Creek Trail Head

The trail-head is nicely marked in the west end of the parking areas.  The trail surface was easy to walk.  A few elevation changes were slippery due to the rain runoff.  At the steepest parts of the trail stairs were carved and lined with timbers making it easy to climb.   Along the trail are several enormous cedar and sitka spruce trees.  The largest tree reminded me of the Klootchy Creek sitka spruce which cut down in 2007 after being struck by lightning and deemed a danger to visitors.   The view of the falls at the end of the trail is beautiful and unexpected.  The water crests the top of the hill and tumbles down into this special value of beautiful trees and foliage.   The final section of the trail is closed due to down trees.

End of Munson Creek Trail

Munson Creek Falls 

On this particular trip I didn't take my camera equipment.  The pictures I've referenced here from from other sites I found on the internet.  I will return to this place and take a series of photos to document what a small gem this place is.