Foxy, sorry about your health problems and would like to offer a little advice.
Orthopaedic surgeons love cutting into people and never give you the option of alternative treatment. So, I suggest you do some research and see if physio or another area might help.
Years ago I had a frozen shoulder. Couldn’t lift my arm, couldn’t do up my bra etc. was on light duties at work. The complications from surgery to repair this were quite horrific, including a broken arm.
The surgeons pushed hard to get me under the knife but I did some research and discovered a whole range of exercises on Youtube, specifically designed for that condition.
When I mentioned this to the surgeon he was very dismissive and told me it would take a long time, at least a year of twice daily exercises. I replied that I was prepared to do that, and I did. Stayed on light duties at work for a year, exercised religiously and totally cured my condition.
20 years later it’s still perfect.
Hopefully you can find a solution like this that will help your condition without causing
side affects.
I have always lived by the premise that if the cure is worse than the disease then live with the disease. Which is why I take so few medications, despite having some serious medical issues, because the side affects of the drugs are worse than the actual problem.

Dear Big Nana,

Bless You.

I've been in and out of hospital so many times now that
frankly - I'm terrified of going under the knife.
And what you're saying makes perfect sense. I am managing
with my fractured left shoulder at present. I take 2
panamax tablets at night, find a comfortable position, and
I sleep OK. I need help getting dressed - and with showering,
and my husband helps in this area. Although I do wish that
he didn't have to. I feel like a burden to him. Which is the
primary reason I was considering going under the knife.
But you're right - I should ask for and try alternative
methods first - and see how I go.

Again - Thank You. You've made my day!

God Bless.

Glad to be of help Foxy.
I suggest you see a physiotherapist first. They are really good at assessing physical problems and recommending a course of action. If they tell you surgery is the only option then they will be correct because they see surgery as a last option. The other resource is an Occupational Therapist who can give you both advice and equipment to help you manage your daily activities, including getting dressed. You will surprised at how many gadgets exist to help with these things.
Good luck..

Dear Big Nana,

Once again - Many Thanks.

Great advice.

Will do!

I fell of a three wheeler when I was four & dislocated my Pelvis. (not quite formed solid) I spent 3 months in a hospital & they said I would never walk. My Cousins came to my rescue ( they're Chiropractors. The old type not the new ones you get to day. All seven of them worked on me from 7 in the morning to 4.30 in the afternoon in relays.

I ended up running out of the house. Saying that, I was never fully right & I had the equivalent of walking up a Miranda slope (4 degrees) all my life. Tiring. The bones in my lower Spine ended up collapsing bone on Bone, two vertebra (L5, S1 & 2) & 3 in my neck. (C2,3 & 4) I had the operation & had replacement disks (3 of one 16mm & 2 8mm) I'm now 32mm taller than I was 2 years ago. The pain in my neck is totally gone. Without acting I would have lost the use of my arms within two years. Unfortunately with 66 years of damage to contend with the Sciatic nerve on the left side is damaged beyond repair. However the Operation has eliminated the walking up hill feeling. But I do have some residual pain in my back that I can at lease live with for about the next 20 years at least, I hope.

Oh with the neck. I had a horse roll on me when I was about 10.

It all depends what is wrong. Disintegrated Disk, Bulging Disk, turned or the vertebra have moved in or out.

I've had a Laminectomy which fixed 2 bulging disks directly into my Spinal chord as opposed to bulging out to the side into the Sciatic Nerve. Very close to not walking again. The surgeon said it was like old lace.

You do what's best for you Foxy. Best of luck girl.

Dear Jayb.,

Gee whiz - you've been through the wars by the sound of
it you poor thing.

What happened to me was - I had a bad fall and prior to
the fall I wasn't aware that I had "brittle bones."
Well it turns out that I smashed the bones in my right leg
(femur) and the humerus in my left shoulder plus the bones
in my right wrist. They operated on my right leg (put in a
plate) and on my wrist (another plate). However because I'd
lost so much blood - they left my shoulder to heal
"naturally." Therein lies the problem. The bones have grown
in a peculiar way and apparently need correction. I don't
quite understand it - all I know is that I am in pain, I
can't lift my arm beyond a certain distance. I struggle
to shower and dress. So they're suggesting I go under the
knife.

Anyway, I'm going to try and take up Big Nana's suggestions -
and see how far I can get with other alternatives. I'm
scared of having more operations because they've told me
that there are risks - such as a stroke, or death.
I already have heart probs. _I suffer from high pulse rates,
and a heart flutter as well as an irregular heart beat.
I've already ended up in hospital - in emergency - with
SVT (Supraventricular tachycardia) AF (Atrial Fibilation)
and AFL (abnormal heart rhythm) - all in the one evening.
They took me to emergency - I had to have three injections,
and ended up in hospital for a week. That's why I'm now
scared of any operation.

Jay - Thanks for your concern and well wishes. I've got the
appointment with my surgeon on 21st August so I'll have plenty
of questions to ask.

Take care - And All The Best.