Rotator Cuff Surgery Success

[BillyZ2]

Just had right shoulder rotator cuff repair 2 weeks ago, and recovering at home now. I had a couple bone spurs removed and had a .5" tear in the supraspinatus rc reattached to the bone. Just wondering, cause I got lots of time to do that now, who else has had rc surgery, what the damage was, and how successful the procedure went. Also wondering if you are playing golf now with or without restrictions, if there is any pain, etc.

thanks

[endurancechiro]

Everything with these surgeries revolves around rehab. I see these cases in my office every day, the successful ones went to a good surgeon and were religiously faithful to their rehab protocols.

[south_side_lefty]

I had it.

Completely successful. No pain. Almost all range of motion returned. Golf with no problem (well, except golf, itself)

Now, the bad part. Rehab was slow and painful. But, you gotta do it.

Good luck with your progress.

[OK_Golf]

Resurrecting this old thread. I had a ~3 cm tear in the infraspinadis tendon, second tear and repair (first one was ~20 years ago due to a dislocated shoulder). I am 6 weeks post surgery. Still in a sling and will be for 2 more weeks. Just started passive therapy. I am being told it will be six months post-surgery (so 4.5 months from now), before I can play.

 

Anyone have any experience with this?

 

BillyZ2, how long post-surgery until you were playing? How did you work into it? how long until putting, chipping, slow swings, full swings?

[SNIPERBBB]

 

My dad had similar surgery 2 or three years ago. Torn cuff and other tears. He won our clubs senior club champ a month before he was supposed to be playing golf again.

[rege24]

rehab rehab

[GolfSPT42]

I’ve rehabbed quite a few rotator cuff repairs as a PT. Six months is a good general timeline to return to playing/full swings. Ive allowed patients with good strength/ROM to putt as early as 8 weeks, chip/pitch around around 3-4 months. Just find a good PT, follow your rehab religiously, and don’t start “testing” the shoulder too early when you start feeling good. Typically RTC surgeries turn out well for people that follow that advice. The people who usually have bad outcomes don’t take their rehab serious or completely throw their post surgical precautions out the window and begin using the shoulder way too early.

[OrangeGravy]

I had a torn labrum repaired back in 1993 due to dislocation (right shoulder, right handed). It dislocated 4/5 times in the first year post surgery when I was still young and playing all kinds of stuff. Doesn't bother me golfing. Haven't been able to throw a baseball since. It gives me more problems when I sleep than anything else. I wake up in agony sometimes because I sleep on my stomach with my arm under the pillow and it feels like it's partially separated for a few hours at times. Had to start sleeping on my side now.

[OK_Golf]

Update: just went to the doctor. I am out of my sling after 8 weeks! Rehab started four weeks agai, and has been primarily stretching and passive range of motion. Cleared to putt, but no chipping. Strengthening should start next week. Expecting I am still two months from playing any golf, though.

[dubbelbogey]

Stay with it, and above all, be patient and listen to your PT.

 

I had rotator cuff surgery about 12 years ago now (brought on by a lifetime of tennis, plus throwing countless bullpen sessions as a baseball coach). The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, and needs time to heal correctly, so don't rush it.

 

Tennis and overhand throwing (which is what I needed to get back to) are likely more demanding motions than a golf swing. I could throw and serve at about 9 months, though far from full speed. It was probably a full year before I got close to full speed in those motions. It probably took me close to 18 months to get to the point where I had enough range of motion to scratch the middle of my back with that arm.

 

In the end, though, the time and work to diligently rehab my shoulder has been worth it a thousand times over. Good luck!

[jaworski]

This is all good information for me. I was finally officially diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear on Aug.01. I injured myself at work on May 10 and went through 4 weeks of therapy after the incident. My first followup visit with doctor resulted in a request for an MRI. It took three weeks to get approval. The system works slow. I am now in the process of waiting for approval for surgery. I have two tears. One is 3.1 cm and another is 2.3 cm. Still doing some exercises prior to surgery with a pulley and stretchy bands the therapist gave me. I am 68 and still doing a blue collar job.

I am looking forward to being pain free again and getting a good night's sleep.