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Rotator cuff surgery - Time off

4K views 21 replies 14 participants last post by  Jon Reitz 
#1 ·
Having rotator cuff surgery on left shoulder, non shooting side, anyone have any info as to time off for this type of surgery? I would Appreciate any hopefully positive comments.

Rick
 
#3 ·
I had my right one done on April 12th. Four more weeks in a sling still to go ... I figure that it will be at least another 10 weeks until I am allowed to touch my trap gun. I had the left shoulder done about 8 years ago and I think I started shooting again after about 8 weeks. I think that was a little early as I recall feeling some sharp pain from time to time.

This is my third go around at this, so if I may offer some advice ... the therapy is the key. DO EXACTLY WHAT THEY TELL YOU ... no more no less. If you vary from the instructions you will only prolong your recovery. Good luck. Bill Malcolm
 
#4 ·
I had my left (non-shooting) rotator cuff arthroscopically repaired in 1994 because of pain when mounting my trap gun and raising it after rising targets (a sure indicator of "arm-shooting," by the way). Following that procedure, I was pretty much pain-free until last fall, when the "ouches" became more frequent and severe.

I went to see my orthopedic surgeon in late March (procrastination of painful things is a trait of mine). He scheduled me for surgery on April 6th but the EKG that the hospital did a week before that date showed something that my family doctor did not like, so she had me come in for another one at her office on the 3rd.

That one showed the same thing that made the report differ from my last EKG two years prior so she had me back the next two days for a nuclear stress test. A cardiologist would not be able to read that report in time for the scheduled surgery, so it was postponed. The following week, I was cleared for surgery.

But here's something weird. On April 1st, I reached for a car door handle and something "popped" in my shoulder. I saw a blinding white light and felt pain like I never had before. I was truly disheartened when I learned I might not be able to have the surgery on the 6th because I was in agony but by that date, the pain in my shoulder had lessened from what it was. I have more range of pain-free motion than I've had for months and I am now planning to hold off on the operation until racing season ends in October.

But to address your question, I was told that I am to do NOTHING with that arm for four to six weeks following the procedure and it will probably be several more weeks after that before I will be cleared for shooting. He did not go into a rehab schedule but I'm sure there will be one.

Ed
 
#6 ·
Had my shooting side shoulder (right side) done July 21 last year, so call it August 1. Was cleared to shoot approx. Feb. 1. Required one cotisone (sp[?)) last Dec. 23 that really turned the trick. Now really enjoying shooting, but whole deal has left me rather out of shape and moderately weaker due to muscle atrophy...to be expected.. I had very significant and long standing damage, however. (30+ years of one MC accident and 12 years post kayaking accident, pains I ignored. Took two small screws to make things right again with one tendon...big tears and big bone spurs...I got my money's worth to be sure!

Three months of 2x/week therapy, and then lots of rest. Kayaking (paddling) and washing a car, two activities that require the movement a good rotator cuff deamands, are so much better now...paddling and reaching overhead etc. Problem: Weak in pushing self out of kayak and out of chair, to be expected. Fell in the drink getting out of kayak last week! But can paddle so much better. I strongly suspect I will shoot much better; was so racked around that now guns fit better and targets appear to be hit harder more consistently. But I've only shot a few practice rounds thus far and I have never shot very often on a consistent basis, just over a long time...and averages show it for sure! If averages go up, the operation gave an added bonus!)


Now need to catch up on projects put off and get back into shooting...finaly paid my ATA dues today. So....yes, plan on being compromised significantly for four to six months. Well worth it. Feel free to pm me for any additional information/feedback, I hope I can be of some kind of help.

David
 
#7 ·
If you are over 50 most docs tell you that you have so little tissue left in the socket that having surgery wont help at all and the debilitating effects of having all that tissue cut to get to it is significant

I have no idea of your age but I would get a couple of more opinions if you are or close to that age

Regards from Iowa

Gene
 
#8 ·
Gene,

What are your shoulder surgery experiences? I noticed you were there to jump on the back surgery thread with lots of stats and negative vibes and now here you are with the same on shoulders. So where does your expertise on these issues lie? Are you speaking from personal experience or are you the Google Doctor? You seem to discourage surgery without any regards for the individuals cases being discussed. Just curious??


........................................................................

I have had (4) surgeries on my left shoulder(off-hand).

(1) Detached Labrum<br>
(2) Rotator Tear<br>
(3) Removal of Bone Spurs<br>
(4) Complete Joint Replacement<br>



All surgeries required different amounts of recovery and time off. Generally speaking the amount of damage and extent of repair will determine the overall recovery time. Also every Surgeon is different on how they prefer to rehab the shoulder. My off times varied from 3 to 6 months with the Labrum being the most. Had the shoulder replaced this last March 29th. I hope to be busting targets again by the first part of June.
 
#10 ·
I had this on my right shoulder: Torn Labrum, Torn Biecup and 2 bone spurs removed from my shoulder. Not very pleasant but only uncomforatble for 72 hrs. Rehab is very important. I was shooting in 4 months. Had this done in January 2010. Still hurts but now it's arthiritis. Grntitan is definately the TS.com shoulder Guru. Good luck.

blade819
 
#11 ·
blade,

No no no, I am not the shoulder expert by any means. I in fact have learned and received advice from many others on this forum in regards to my own shouler woes. There are folks on here that have been through far more than I when it comes to shoulder issues and surgeries some involving mutiple joint replacements. I am only relaying my own personal experiences so they may be used to form an opinion. I am certainly no expert but I will share a pic of my new investment. Feels good and I feel better then before the replacement already. Amazing how much our friend Arthritis can cause us pain.
X-ray Radiology Joint Radiography Shoulder

 
#12 ·
I had rotator cuff surgery six years ago when I was seventy two on my non gun shoulder with two screw installed on April 5th and was back shooting the first week in July. Only one round at a time to start with for about a month and them back to as many as I wanted to shoot. Do the therpy just like they tell you. I have no trouble at all now. Best of luck to you.
 
#15 ·
Own experience of doctors advising me(for various injuries) and my own research and seeing failed operations on clients I represent or on those who I defended the institution.

Just saying- get at least a second opinion and possibly a 3rd - you cant undo it. Also- make sure you are understanding what the doctor is telling you.

Regards from Iowa

Gene
 
#17 ·
Thanks for all the comments, suggestions, ect. I am not going to push it so I will adhere to the doctors orders and PT afterwards. Enjoy shooting too much to let this alone. Can't hold the gun the way it is now. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Again, thanks for the comments. Well worth the asking.

Rick
 
#18 ·
Hey Rick,

I had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders last year. My experience:

I'm right handed & did the right one first.....surgery Feb. 19, moderate rotator cuff tear, labrum repair, bone shaving & bone spurs removed.....shooting a full program at the MO STATE SHOOT in Mid May.....gun was hard to mount but the recoil wasn't a problem.

Left shoulder done in early Oct., less severe surgery...... deer hunting in Mid Nov. (with pain).

I learned when I asked my doctor the "how long" question that there is no such thing as a standard cuff surgery....every one of them is different. As others have said: Do the rehab exactly as told & do exactly what the Doc tells you to do.

See you on the line soon! GOOD LUCK!

By the way Blade, my shoulders looked a lot like yours. A year later it's hard to find the scars......you will be back to you same handsome self soon.
 
#19 ·
zaob1.... I can also tell you that my PT copayment twice per week was $40 a pop. After about 3 months of it, I opted to PT myself at home with the rubber bands (strength pull) and went to Wal mart and bought a 3 lb and 5 lb weight and did a series of arm lifts and swivels daily. When my shoulder stiffens up now from working or shooting, I have a 5 lb weight in my motorhome that I loosen up with. I also use Ibuprofren in the morning and that takes care of any shoulder pain from shooting. It only hurts bad when the weather is damp and cool. Thank goodness we're into the heat now for there is no pain. Good luck.

blade819
 
#20 ·
Last June, I took about 4 months off from shooting for extensive surgery on my right shoulder, being a righty. That was probably longer than needed. I wanted to come back with confidence that I would not mess up an otherwise good result.

As others have said, PT is critical, and almost a year later, I still spend hours each week on the shoulder routine in the gymn. It is worth it.

Hope your result is as good as mine.

Darrell
 
#21 ·
Blade: Note the "yes", I bet the Dr. wrote that and you initialed the shoulder to be worked on. Who is the tattoo artist? I hve considered having a baseball seam copied from scar to scar on my shoulder by a tattoo artist or having a zipper design done. But if the scars fade away, I'll save the bucks!!
 
#22 ·
Rick,

As a guy that likes to shoot trap you are probably asking a question hoping one of us "experts" will answer by saying, "Just take two of these and call me in the morning". I personally think it's a mistake to attach a rotator cuff surgery recovery period to a trap shooting schedule. Most surgeons will tell you the expected recovery time from this type of operation is one full year. What I learned after two left-shoulder (non-firing side) rotator cuff surgeries since November is that the recovery, or a successful result, is far more important to me now than getting ready for trap shoot X,Y, or Z.

While a poster above states, “the therapy is the key. DO EXACTLY WHAT THEY TELL YOU ... no more no less. If you vary from the instructions you will only prolong your recovery." I could not disagree more. Slow, PASSIVE physical therapy is the key, doing just enough to prevent your shoulder from locking up. When in doubt, go home. Let time & Mother Nature help you. Ice is your friend, and avoid those pain meds if you can do that. Light weights are best (3-5 lbs). Go slow, and when in doubt, go even slower. I hope you have better luck than I had. Shooting trap seems very secondary now. I need my health back.

Good luck,

Jon Reitz
 
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