Shoulder Surgery

[Brian in Montana]

Well, I finally did it - rotator cuff repair, labral tearing/fraying repair, tendonosis, and shoulder decompression/bone spur removal. While it sucks that I had to sacrifice the last half or so of ski season, the timing is such that I should be doing pretty well by next hunting season. I'm about 2 weeks post-op at this point. Loosing my mind from boredom and sleep depravation. I'm told I should be able to bowhunt again, once all healed up and rehabed, so that's encouraging - haven't been able to effectively do much with a bow for the last several years.

 

[Nick87]

Good luck. Keep up with the physical therapy.

 

[targetpanic]

Good Luck! Keep on the PT. It is a long slow and frustrating recovery...just stay focused and it will be fine

 

[SAJ-99]

Following. Keep us updated. I have a similar shoulder issue that I was looking into fixing but it got sidelined by a more serious problem. Getting old is tough.

 

[WNC2500]

Get better @Brian in Montana
Smart move to get it done before the season.
I got some PT done on my frozen shoulder last year and still keeping with the exercises and gym work that they gave me. Never felt better!!

 

[Slam]

Had similar surgery done 5 yrs ago. The doc said ~70% of males who have done labor/sports have shoulder issues north of 50.

 

[C17loadclear]

I too had basically the same surgery 2 years ago( several things done in my shoulder). Is your hand swollen? Mine looked like a sausage and the surgeon discounted it.. well the hand is all messed up and they don’t know why. I have no feeling in the tips and can’t make a fist ( along with trigger finger). My hand was fine before the surgery and I wish I had been more outspoken about it in the beginning. I have had a ton of tests and therapy but they have no clue. But my shoulder is fixed... Hope you don’t have the same issues

 

[CRJR45]

I just had my shoulder rebuilt last January , tore three tendons off completely and the tore the cuff also . I used the ice machine for weeks , rehab for months , but I'm very happy with my results. Don't push it , take your time and good luck !

 

[D4570]

I was out duck hunting two years ago. I had a wheelbarrow full of decoys, ammo, and geese.
Pulling, pushing it out through the tall grass and mud, I mucked up BOTH shoulders.
My doctor said surgery MAY help, but he said it may open up Pandora's box also, at my age, then 70... My right shoulder was worse, but I could hardly put on my shirt or even adjust my ball cap. I opted out on the surgery and did some Thyerpay and took a shot in the right one.
20 months of rehab and its tolerabal, and I can shoot and carry my own gun. IT sucks when your body gets old, and your mind doesn't. It did make me build a gas-powered game cart...

 

[elkduds]

Reverse shoulder replacement for me last April. A more intrusive surgery than yours but ironically, a simpler recovery. This gadget was my closest companion during rehab, which I did every day for 6 months. Not endorsing any brand, just devices like this:

 

[ovis2]

Timely! After putting up with the pain way too long, I had my shoulder MRI'd a couple of days ago and am going back to the doc on Monday for the likely not good news analysis. Definitely following this thread.

 

[F250]

Been there, done that. 3 years post op now. Continuing to PT at home with free weights and stretching. Never want to go through that again !!!

 

[Exhausted]

Timely! After putting up with the pain way too long, I had my shoulder MRI'd a couple of days ago and am going back to the doc on Monday for the likely not good news analysis. Definitely following this thread.

I'm a couple days ahead of you. I had my follow up from the MRI this morning and scheduled a very similar surgery for 03/31. The goal is to be 100% for hunting season. My doc said 2 weeks in a sling and 6 - 8 weeks of rehab.

 

[noharleyyet]

I'm mulling a shoulder cocktail infusion from a pain management witch doctor first.

 

[Dan O]

Had mine done in March of 2004. In June I went on a spring bear hunt in June with my bow set at 50 LBS. Shot enough to sight in at 20 yards, next shot at 6 yards and scored a brown phase boar. My Dr. was on board with this timeline from the start and it worked. There were days I wondered if it would work out but it did. Stay positive and PT is your friend.

 

[Exhausted]

I'm mulling a shoulder cocktail infusion from a pain management witch doctor first.

My doc was pretty clear that any shot would basically just kick the can down the road until I was ready to fix it properly. Basically, I can cover up the symptoms for now or I can get it fixed. I figure I'll heal better now compared to however old I would be if I did it later.

 

[CRJR45]

My doc was pretty clear that any shot would basically just kick the can down the road until I was ready to fix it properly. Basically, I can cover up the symptoms for now or I can get it fixed. I figure I'll heal better now compared to however old I would be if I did it later.

I tried to rehab my first torn tendon , my bicep tendon , but it never got better .
I would have to manipulate my shoulder into a less painful position in order to use it over my head .
I think that led to the other tendon damage.
Until lifting an Elk into the back of a quad snapped two of them .
I would opt for surgery immediately if I’d known then what I know now .

 

[6mm Remington]

Do as the Doc says on PT. IT will take a full year before you will be back to as good as you can be after the surgery. Don't rush things and be patient.

 

[fulldraw]

My good friend had rotor cuff surgery a month ago. He is doing pretty good so far, started driving a little this past Monday and said the PT is going well. He is planning on going to Canada fishing the end of May and his therapist said he should be fine however his casting will be somewhat limited. Hope things go well for you in your recovery.