Rotator Cuff Surgery

TrueFX

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First, a little background ;

I am a very active person. I used to play a lot of basketball. As I got older, my back really started to hurt. So to continue with a competitive sport, I turned to tennis. I played A LOT of tennis up until May 2010. It was at that time that my right arm really started to hurt. It was to the point that it would hurt 24/7. I decided to take a 6 week break from tennis to let my arm heal. This is when I took up golf in an effort to stay outdoors, active, and social. After 6 weeks I went out and started hitting tennis balls again and was in intense pain. Now I decided to wait six months to let it heal.

In comes Jan 1, 2011 and I am still in pain. I had self diagnosed myself with some kind of rotator cuff tear by this point. I got an MRI and saw a specialist. Dr said the shoulder was in pretty bad shape from all the tennis, but said there was no tear. From there i started a six month regimine of physical therapy, massages and chiropractor sessions. Come June, there was zero improvement. At that point the Dr said he could perform a very small operation to clear up an impingement in my shoulder that may be causing the pain. I agree and decide to do it in December. Work is slow and I couldn't be outdoors during that time anyways. I could spend the 6-12 week recovery during the off season.

So just before surgery the Dr says I will be in a sling for a day, start PT one week later and be playing tennis 6 weeks after that. I wake up from surgery to find out that not only did he fix the impingement, but he reattached the torn ligament in my shoulder back tot he bone. Turns out my rotator cuff had actually torn. He couldnt see it in the MRI due to the inflamation and the awkward spot it was in.

Anyways, my recovery time now involves a minimum of 3 weeks in a sling, and at least 3 months of PT. I have a follow up with him Friday to see what my recovery time is really like.

Anytime I leave the house I run into random people that have had rotator cuff surgery or know someone who has. They all tell me horror stories about how long and painful the recovery process is. Most of them say it will be a year before I can play sports again. I am really starting to be concerned.

Has anyone had this procedure done? What was the real recovery time? When can I start playing golf again? It seems like my tear was small, but I really have nothing to gauge it with. I am 34 and in great physical shape. Maybe that will speed up the recovery.

I hope I am back on my feet by May, I already paid for the THP Demo Outting!
 
My dad had it done in March. Basically an entire reconstruction. Kept it in the sling for the 3 weeks per doctor's orders. Went through PT for 6 weeks per doctor's orders. After that, had the green light to do anything he was strong enough to do. Tore both of the tendons lose that they repaired and he said when it happened it was the worst pain he had ever felt. Had the surgery again this fall, went through the same protocol. Has very little strength or mobility with that arm-can't lift it above his head.

Good luck with yours...
 
My dad had it done in March. Basically an entire reconstruction. Kept it in the sling for the 3 weeks per doctor's orders. Went through PT for 6 weeks per doctor's orders. After that, had the green light to do anything he was strong enough to do. Tore both of the tendons lose that they repaired and he said when it happened it was the worst pain he had ever felt. Had the surgery again this fall, went through the same protocol. Has very little strength or mobility with that arm-can't lift it above his head.

Good luck with yours...
You just bummed a guy out here.
 
You just bummed a guy out here.

Yeah, after I re-read that, that does sound a bit harsh.
TrueFX, my post wasn't intended to bring ya down. Seeing what my dad went through, I would suggest do everything single thing the doc and PT says, and then take it easy even after that.
 
Yeah, after I re-read that, that does sound a bit harsh.
TrueFX, my post wasn't intended to bring ya down. Seeing what my dad went through, I would suggest do everything single thing the doc and PT says, and then take it easy even after that.
LOL, I know you didn't mean too. I'm sure he's going to be just fine with some rest and following the doctors orders.
 
Yeah, after I re-read that, that does sound a bit harsh.
TrueFX, my post wasn't intended to bring ya down. Seeing what my dad went through, I would suggest do everything single thing the doc and PT says, and then take it easy even after that.

Did he get carried away too soon after he got the green light?
 
Did he get carried away too soon after he got the green light?

Nope. He got a full green light. Both the PT and ortho were certain that he was structural sound enough to handle what strength he had in that arm/shoulder. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
 
My dad had it done in March. Basically an entire reconstruction. Kept it in the sling for the 3 weeks per doctor's orders. Went through PT for 6 weeks per doctor's orders. After that, had the green light to do anything he was strong enough to do. Tore both of the tendons lose that they repaired and he said when it happened it was the worst pain he had ever felt. Had the surgery again this fall, went through the same protocol. Has very little strength or mobility with that arm-can't lift it above his head.

Good luck with yours...

This is why I refuse to get the surgery...
 
I've shredded both my right and left rotator cuffs. The left was pretty much gone so I had no choice but have it repaired. The right was bad but I had a chance at a football scholarship and having both done would've ruined any chance of that. I had the left done, missed two games and played the remainder of the season in a custom brace/harness. In hindsight I would've sat out the season but I was 16 and thought I was invincible and honestly football was the only way I was going to college at the time.

It's a quick bounce back as long as you put in the work during your rehab. However don't confuse that with pushing your limits, a little over exertion can really set you back. Make up some gel ice packs to put on after your pt sessions and avoid quick motions. If you have a band to wrap around your sling to help hold the arm close to your body use it, you'll be surprised how much that helps with the pain and inflammation.

As for golf, I would think several months, like I said earlier its not a repair you want to push. It's not worth it man.

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