I will have a rotator cuff repair next week (biceps tear) and I was wondering if any of you have had shoulder surgeries, how the recovery went and how was the paddling after it was all complete?

No surgery here. But, good luck. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Two February's ago I had surgery on my right shoulder. I was 61 yrs old and having a lot of pain across the neck/chest/shoulder area and lots of pain when raising the arm above shoulder level so I went in to have it checked. It was discovered I had a pretty good tear in the front-most biceps tendon and my rotator cuff needed to be cleaned up. Basically I had the same surgery Brett Favre had to have the tendon cut (a tenotomy) which relieved me of the pain along with work on the rotator cuff.

I am very pleased with the results. Pain was minimal. Rehab went very well. By June I was paddling Brule Lake with no pain. Actually paddling keeps the arm below shoulder level so for me it was an easy activity to pick up after the surgery. Last summer it was difficult to throw a ball normally but this summer I'm back throwing for the dogs and playing catch with the grand kids like nothing had ever been wrong.

I wish you well!

Every time I paddled, I would get severe arm & shoulder pain. Tried P.T., Cortisone shots and nothing worked (not even gin.) After MRI I found out that I needed Biceps Tenodesis surgery. Bone spurs had worn half way through my biceps tendon. Would have snapped soon. Surgery was easy, slept through it. Only took pain pills for 2 days. Don't like the side effects of them. Took off sling after 3 days. (I know I am a bad patient.) That allowed me to start regaining range of motion ASAP. After P.T. I was back to work as a firefighter/paramedic in 3 1/2 months and paddling 19 mile marathon 4 months after surgery. Send e-mail if you have any questiuons.

wow, you have encouraging stories

I am hopeful since, I have several trips in the planning for next summer. The grandkids will do the portaging but I have to paddle and keep up with them. Good to hear you made it through with flying colors. I hope to be as lucky.

when i went in a couple days ago for the shots to my knee i asked the PA about whats done for pain when you go in for surgery. he advised against getting a epadural..spelling??..it's the nerve block.
he said Vets coming in months after shoulder surgery were having pain and stiffness in the area where they got the block.his advice was just to let them put you to sleep and skip the block.

My regular canoeing partner (my wife)is having shoulder surgery right before Christmas. She has a Slap Tear to her shoulder.She's curiouos too how it will affect her next year when canoeing and backpacking. One of the guys here at the Fire Dept had the same surgery and his is doing well after 8 weeks.

I had a tear cleaned up and a bone spur ground down on 2/27/13. I was back to work (construction) on 4/22/13 and in the BWCA on 5/22/13. I needed a little help getting the food pack on.

I still have some twinges of pain and stiffness every now and then, and my former strength is still not there. But it is getting better.

Shoulder surgery is a breeze. Just do your therapy afterwards and you will be paddling in no time!

Mike

Had the same surgery 2 years ago this coming January. The fist couple of weeks were not fun, but I was paddling by June. It was sore, but two years out I am glad I had it done. I was at a point where I could not sleep any more, and I do not regret the surgery. Be prepared, however, for a couple of uncomfortable weeks.

Darn I thought this thread was offering shoulder surgery!

At the chiropractor yesterday and she said my pitching shoulder sounds mechanical with all the clicks and clacks it makes but my back was fine.

Well, I know I have mentioned this before, but I had a rotator cuff repair (and removal of some of an arthritic spur) in 2000. Had it done in late March, wore my sling only a few days and started PT about a week after the surgery. Since I was a school music teacher with several hundred enthusiastic children, I did wear the sling at school for protection from unsolicited hugs and bumps for a couple weeks after I went back, but didn't really need it. Worked like crazy at my PT, as I had announced to both my surgeon and my physical therapist that I was going on a canoe trip in July.

We did a ten-day trip in July. It was NOT pain-free, and I took some Darvocet to help out. I bought a new pack that fit me very well, and we scaled back somewhat from the usual trip, but it wasn't a wimpy trip either. Sleeping on the ground was uncomfortable, paddling was OK, and most of the time I portaged without a lot of pain. My surgeon (who was a Quetico veteran and a lifelong fisherman) just told me, "Don't do anything stupid!" and I didn't.

It wasn't totally healed and pain-free by July, but I did have 100% range of motion. It continued to heal and by the next spring I never thought about that shoulder again and that good fortune continues to this day. It is strong and pain-free. I have always been very glad I had it fixed.

When I had my knee replaced this past August, I chose the same surgeon and the same physical therapist. Don't mess with success. :-)

Well, I hope your surgery goes well. I found out the time I was given to recoup is what it must take. I figured after a couple weeks I'd be pain free. I'm leaving Tuesday for the east coast. I doubt if I'll mention that Monday during my follow up visit with the doctor. I just wish the pain would be gone.

My most recent surgery has taught me (again? probably) that the surgeons usually know how long it takes: to be pain-free, to be able to do what you used to do, to be back to where you no longer think about the fact that you had surgery.

We often think we are going to be quicker, better, the "special" case. And I am sure some are. But in my case, at least, my surgeon has usually been right on target with the predictions. Only have had three major surgeries so far (rotator cuff, arthrplasty on right thumb, and now the knee) but each time the surgeon seemed to know what he was doing and what I should expect. Sigh.

Working hard at PT, perseverance during that pain during PT is very important when rehabbing a joint after surgery. PT hurts. But it is necessary. But a certain amount of patience is also important. It just takes TIME for the body to heal, and after all, healing is what is needed in order to be strong again.

You will do just fine, GrandmaL. Good luck!

quote nctry: "Well, I hope your surgery goes well. I found out the time I was given to recoup is what it must take. I figured after a couple weeks I'd be pain free. I'm leaving Tuesday for the east coast. I doubt if I'll mention that Monday during my follow up visit with the doctor. I just wish the pain would be gone."

Good luck going back to work and on the east coast trip. Be careful like Spartan 2 said, "Don't do anything dumb!"

With the average age on this board being what it is, we seem to have several with repaired parts! Sounds like most have had good recoveries.

Had surgery 4 years ago. Could not raise my arm above my head. Dull throbbing in my shoulder would wake me at night. Could not get comfortable.

Surgery was definitely worth it. Now strong as new and full motion restored.

Some lessons learned:

1) Strength returns quickly if exertion is not above your head. In 2-3 weeks you should be fine. Above my head I still have "weak positions" where they split the muscles during surgery to clean up the shoulder socket and grind off a bone spur.
2) Range of motion completely depends on your diligence in therapy. Work very hard. Push yourself to the limit. Make it hurt. You will be glad you did.
3) I am a very anti-medication guy. Rarely even take aspirin. After surgery on Friday I was fine just taking ibuprofen. But when therapy started Monday morning I maxed out the oxycodone dosage due to pain.
4) Be sure to do your exercises at home as well as at the PT sessions. Over 90% of patients don't. The regular exercise beyond PT sessions really helps speed the recovery as well as max out range of motion.

PS - I was 60 at the time and am as good as new.

Old Hoosier

Old Hoosier makes an interesting point about the pain medications. My physical therapist (one with many years of successful practice) tells me that almost without exception, the patients recover their mobility, range of motion, and strength fastest are the ones who TAKE their pain meds during the first few weeks of PT. He says the ones who say they won't take the pills--usually men--are most often the ones who have a harder time getting back to normal, and take longer.

As with other surgeries I was given script for Oxy and took it the first day. It makes me loopy and I just don't feel right. I found that when I stopped I was not in such uncomfortable pain that I really needed it. I remember doing the "arm circles" and other suggested movements a lot at home before even beginning PT. (Yeah it was sore but, for goodness sake, I'd had my shoulder invaded) My first PT I was told my range of motion was very good which really encouraged me. I did my ROM and strength PT work at home religiously and didn't even use the number of weeks for PT that were planned because the therapist said I didn't need my last appointment. I had some reservations when the surgeon started talking about what he would do but I'm pleased it is now behind me.

As Grandma L mentioned there are a number of us with "wear and tear" body work. I'm on the plantar fascia thread also and have had knees scoped as well as 5 other surgeries (one life saving) - no spring chicken here anymore but am doing all I can to stay active and involved with life. Here's hoping all of us can enjoy canoeing and camping as long as we want to.

I agree with bapabear - we have to keep working and maintain our mobility and flexibility as long as possible. I am hoping for at least 10 more years - I am now 65 and want to take the last grand daughter on her 18th birthday canoe trip when I am 75.

Thanks for the good advice on the shoulder surgery - sounds like therapy is the curse and cure! I will try to follow the advice here and do my best at getting back in the canoe come spring with a "healed" shoulder.