Well after 3 years of pain, limited motion, and hope the condition would improve on its own, I'm going in for shoulder surgery later this month.
I know many here have had similar rotator cuff repairs done (there may be some bone spurs to grind off in my case also). The surgery will be done arthroscopic of course, by one of the top orthopedic surgeons (specializing in sports-medicine) in the area. He has repaired the shoulder of an NFL quarterback, and more than one Olympic athlete.
He said there is no reason I can't be shooting again in 4 to 6 months (I think he's assuming I'll win the lottery in that time or something). But what I really would like to be able to do is throw a softball in from center field. He said this could take a bit longer as the overhand throwing motion is tough on a shoulder.
Any comments or tips on recovery and/or physical therapy would be appreciated from those who have been down this road.
I just had everything except the rotator cuff done to my shoulder (labrum repair, collar bone dissection, bicep tendon repair) 11 weeks to the day out from surgery I killed a buck with my bow - draw weight turned down to 50 lbs - but I was able to shoot after 11 weeks. I did this WITH doctors consent.
Have the surgery - do the rehab properly - go as often as they will allow - do all the boring and at time painful home exercises - and you will recover to better than you can remember feeling. Skimp on the hard work... well, let's just not go there...
It is hard work to rehab; painful and really really boring... but you must do it.
You have reached the point where the injury has affected you enough to have the surgery. No point in sugar coating it. The surgery is painful and the physiotherapy is painful. Four months after you have had the surgery, you will be glad you did. The pain will be gone and you will be able to do some of the activities again that you did before the injury.
Unless your surgeon is a miracle worker, which I doubt, I suggest you give up the idea of throwing overhand. Sidearm, OK, but not overhand. Knowing you, you will try it once or twice.
The key to your recovery is the physiotherapy. Do exactly as instructed by the physiotherapist, NO MORE, NO LESS. Take your pain medication about 40 minutes before your therapy session starts.
Chuck-I just had my surgery today. Torn labrium, torn bicep, rotator muscles damaged, and cleanup of scapula. It was FUN!! After my first shot 35 seconds later I woke up 8 hours later. Mine also was done by a sports medicine doctor. I plan on shooting again so I am going to do the physical therapy. If you want you can email me or PM. It may take a while to respond back. Don
Get a good sports medicine guy. The Dr who does the work for the local Big 10 football team did mine. DO THE EXERCISES. The PT is the only thing that will put you back in business. You'll find it amazing what you cannot do in the beginning, but it comes along pretty quickly. Had mine done last Feb and still can't do some of the overhand stuff.
"The surgery will be done arthroscopic of course"; I hope you're right on this one. It's extremely hard to tell what has to be done until the Dr is in there. I was looking for a couple of small incisions and came out with 2 small ones and one about 5".
Pain: not really, until you try the exercises/therapy.
HEY buddy, I had mine done over two years ago and still find positions that it is very difficult to cope with. The key as a lot of folks has said is to do the phsy. therapy and little by little gain as much pain free motion as you can. Its as tough recovery,but shooting should not present a big problem,throwing however is another issue. truthfully i seriously doubt that you will be able to do so but i wish you all the best just go with the program
Switchblade, I have had two orthoscopic surgeries and three mmajor surgeries on the same shoulder 5 in total including a total replacment 12 years ago. My suggestion is to keep a steady pace on the physical thearpy. I've had is so often that the therapist ask me what we should be doing. One of the things that I find most helpful is to do the things that you need to do as part of your day; opening kitchen cabinets, combing your hair,I have a pully system attached to a door top that allows me to pull one arm up with the other. Get one I'll find the website and post it here for you. Some people respond well to ice packs, can't stand that so I use heat hot showers and hot packs loosen me up. The most important thing is to limit the scar tissue build up in the joint as that limits mobility. work on your excersise routine twice daily as well as particpating in everyday activites using that arm. Follow the Dr's advixe on how far to push yourself but let him know that time is important to you. I'm right handed the surgeries have all been on my left shoulder but after the replacement done in April I was playing golf and shooting in July. Last Decemeber they took out a part of the replacement that loosened and replaced it I was playing golf and shooting by June. If I can help you in any way please send me a private message or contact me in here. Good Luck with the surgery and once the rehab begins;if you want more mobility faster, you need to push your self a bit.
B.Specht
I had it done about a year ago. Toughest recovery I've ever had (total of 3 broken bones over the last 10 years). Mostly good advice from the other folks. The only thing I would disagree with, and it was pointed out by one person, is the "arthroscopic" promise. Any doctor who would guarantee this is dangerous. A LOT of shoulder surgery can't be done this way and they don't know it until they're in there. You will sign off to have it done either way, just be prepared for open surgery. I'll be surprised if they can do it with just a scope...
I have a total thickness tear at the insertion, which would require a 4" incision. 3 months in a sling, 3 months out of sling but zero usage and then 6 months of PT.
I had the surgery about ten years ago. It is not fun after the anesthesia wears off. Be sure to take your pain medicine. You will heal much quicker without pain. I think it was almost three years before I was totally free of any problems with the shoulder. All the pain is now gone, unless I do something foolish.
I’m afraid throwing the ball from the outfield is over for you. You will know what I’m talking about two days after the surgery. You do not want to injure the shoulder and go through this again. Good luck and do your therapy, that is really important.
My wife had arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery a few years back as a result of a martial arts injury. It took her 6 months to get full use back and about a year to feel completely normal. She shoots a lot and is the state woman's double champ. No problem.
The key is getting a specialist to do the surgery, she had the NY Jets orthopedist, and really sticking to the physical therapy routine. Looks like you have the right doctor, and everyone here says the same thing about the therapy. One of our current All Americans, I won't mention the name, had this done last year, (we talked about it), so if you follow directions it should not effect your shooting. Best of luck!
I had such surgery about 14 months ago. I also had bone shaved. The surgery was not painful nor was the aftermath. I never took a pain pill!
The rehab was slower than I thought it would be. I went to therapy 3 times a week in the beginning and then 2 times. I also excercised at home on the off days. It was not really painful but some of the excercises were uncomfortable. The most annoying one was raising my hand up my back. That took a while to work but I can now raised it higher than my other arm.
14 months later, I am completely recovered. I hope you have the same good fortune!
Thanks for all of the input, it is really appreciated.
He did tell me there's nothing he can't fix in my case arthroscopicly, I asked that question specifically. Now I'm not certain how he knows this, perhaps from the exam he did checking where my pain was, my current range of motion, and my strength???
Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting it over with. Thanks again, cls
PS: The link above lists some info about this doctor, if anyone has any interest.
Chuck, Surgeons, by nature seem overly optimistic. Surgically he will repair everything like new, but practically, you will likely find you just won't want to throw that ball more than once or twice. Good news is that you won't have a problem shooting. Bill Malcolm
I had mine done in 2003, it's my shooting shoulder, the surgeon told me he wouldn't know until he got in there if he would make 3 small incisions or if he would open it up. Turns out I had bone spurs also and ended up with a 3 inch incision. Surgery was 2 1/2 hrs. long and very painfull recovery, 6 weeks in a sling then 13 weeks of therapy 3 days a week. DO THE THERAPY. I put a rope and pully in the garage also, it helps a lot. I had it done in June and didn't even try shooting until the next year. It turned out great, I have full motion, no pain but the surgeon made it a point to tell me never to try to throw a baseball.
took me about 8 months before i was shooting without pain and johnnypopper is right until they get in there they can't say for sure that they won't have to cut you open... good luck...
The surgery went well, although there was more wrong than originally thought. The surgeon repaired a torn rotator cuff, removed some bone spurs, and repaired a torn (or separated) bicep. I can't lift my arm over my head for six weeks. Pain was minimal. In two weeks I start PT, I assume that's where the pain will start. cls
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