Getting shoulder surgery next month

[JBR]

I've been putting it off for over a year now, but finally have to get it done.  I'm pissed that I have to do it and tried physical therapy during 2010 for it, but now can't avoid it as it's effecting my everyday activities.  I'm hopeful that I can start rehabing it soon (but not TOO soon) after the surgery and make good progress towards being ready for September early archery season.  I have a torn "Labrum" in my left shoulder (SLAP tear) and I'm hoping that my bicep tendon doesn't have any damage when they go in there.  That would add more time to my recovery.   

At almost 42, I'm old enough to be feeling more and more of the aches and pains, but young enough that it's worth getting something like this repaired correctly, even if it does throw a monkey wrench into my plans for the time being.

[OSCAR1987]

JBR

I am almost 42 as well. I had my foot worked on and am in the middle of a months long process to get back on the hunt. I am pretty new to hunting but the fire is hot. Everyday I am planning how to get better and get out there. Just keep your head straight, work within the guidelines the docs lay out and get it done. The sooner you start the sooner you can   

[JLS]

Good luck with your surgery.  It's really important to keep the muscles strong that surround the shoulder.  I purchased an e-book on rotator cuff rehab that has been the best money I have ever spent.  As my doc says though, shoulder exercises are a life sentence, but keeping the shoulder strong around the rotator cuff is critical for bowhunters.

Wishing a speedy rehab.  You should be ready for bow season I would think.

[gaddy]

JBR, i feel for you man. i get to have my 3rd on thursday. ye haa. hopfully yours will be a one time fix. wish you good luck and a speedy recovery.

[JBR]

Ya there never really is a good time to get it done.  Life is always busy especially with 3 boys, but I'm hopeful the recovery is quick enough to get in the field come Sept.  I just hate it when my workouts have been going good and my backcountry conditioning has been on track and then bam....had to cancel a guided flyfishing trip in late March, gonna miss turkey season, but thankfully I should be okay to start some scouting trips by July and get back to conditioning and running.  I too am hopeful that this is only one surgery! 

Gaddy - good luck on your surgery too!

[Swatson]

I just got my MRI results back a few days ago and its a SLAP tear.  They have me on ant- inflammatory pills right now and I have to go back in a few weeks to see what those have done for me.  Did you do this as well and did it help?  How long was the recovery after surgery?  It hurts but I can still pull my bow back.  I will definitley wait till after huntin season to have surgery if I have to as I drew a Quality Bull tag!  Was actually sitting in the Dr's office when I first injured it when I got the phone call from my buddy that we drew the tag!   

[jeepasaurusrex]

I hurt my left shoulder on the 5th of July here at work. L&I still has not approved the MRI so they can figure out what is wrong with it. DR says its either an AC joint tear or Rotator Cuff tear. Either way it hurts and my left hand has been numb ever since.

I am also going to have to have my 4th knee surgery on my right knee soon. I told the doctor that surgery is going to have to wait until after hunting season. 

[Huntbear]

JBR,

I am 5 weeks into recovery for the same surgery on the left shoulder, but mine included a bone spur removal and torn rotator cuff.  You are looking at 3 months of rehab.

6 weeks in a sling, no use of arm what so ever.   PT twice a week starting week 3.  After 6 weeks, I am told I will be out of the sling, but the heaviest thing I can pick up is a coffee cup as I gradually rebuild the strength in the arm.   6 weeks of this, and I am taken off light duty.  It is a painful surgery, and just twitching wrong can make you cry like a little school girl...  dont ask how I know...   


Oh, and when you start PT, it feels like they are trying to pull your arm right out of the socket....


Good luck.   

[akirkland]

One of the most painful things you will ever experience! Ask for lots of vicodin! Good luck.

[runamuk]

My suggestion make sure you have lots of help .... and that your help has lots of patience 12 weeks is a long time..... and if you are gonna do it you should definitely do it right and not set yourself up for needing another one doing too much too soon

[JBR]

Well as luck would have it, I saw my surgeon about a week before we were thinking of scheduling the surgery.  It had been 18 mons since I injured it.  The doc (who is one of the Mariner team surgeons) examined me again to see how things were.  He was amazed and told me that things were surprising solid in my shoulder and that if he hadn't seen my MRI before, he would not have been able to tell I had a SLAP tear.  He said there was no reason to move ahead with surgery now!!  I was thrilled and went back to PT for about 4 wks to strengthen things more and add stability.

PT went great and I'm back to CrossFit and running for the last 3 mons or so and my shoulder feels great. No pain and great stability.  I even had the therapist make me an archery exercise band with tubing.  I've been shooting my bow for the past 3-4 wks now and getting everthing ready as I drew my first ever bull tag this year!!  So glad I didn't end up having to go the surgery route.  My sympathies are definately with those that are still having to consider that option.

[jeepasaurusrex]

Good news for ya!


I go in for my MRI on Friday.....

[JBR]

Good luck on the MRI.  Let us know how it goes.

[pianoman9701]

Good luck JBR.