Shoulder Surgery Recovery Times and Expectations?

[Kingpatzer]

Hey guys,

I'm going in for surgery early next month to have work done on my shoulder.

I have impingement, a partial labral tear, and chronic bursitis in the left shoulder. Additionally, there is evidence of some arthritic tissue on the MRI on the Acromioclavicular joint and the underside of the clavicle which is also going to be treated.

So I'm looking at having bone tissue removed from 3 places, the bursa removed, and addressing the labrum issue.

Anyone have similar work done? Is there anything I'll need to be aware of getting back into diving? Any advice on post-surgery recovery and physical therapy? Any thoughts on how this might impact return to instructing (particularly as it might relate to student safety?).

Thanks!

[AfterDark]

I have lots of experience with this. Your age, condition and extent of the damage will determine recovery time. My 1st time I was 45-46 in fair shape with a good bit of damage. I was funcational after about 8 weeks, divable 4-5 months 100% after 12 months and lots of gym time. Tens years later still going to the gym tore the same shoulder up real good. Took 5 months to get back to work, 8 months to dive and after a year but little gym time still not 100%. I can't reach back far enough to twist valves so I use ID's w/o manifoilds, sidemount also seems like an option. I can't throw worth a damn. Other than that not bad though it does tire quick.

Good luck, sounds like a lot of work. Keep up with the pain meds. I found one vic every 2 hours worked for me. The 1st 2 weeks are the worst.

[rhwestfall]

Watching this with (regrettably) great interest. I am looking at surgery for a SLAP Tear (bicep tendon partially torn from the shoulder). My ortho has said that end of February surgery would allow for May activities, and summer scuba....

[DocVikingo]

Hi Kingpatzer,

Your return to diving will depend upon a number of factors, including age, general physical condition, the extent and severity of injury, particular surgical procedures employed, any complications resulting from the procedures, level of physical fitness of the shoulder complex going into surgery, degree of diligence and grit in engaging in rehab, and any other medical conditions of concern to diving that you may have.

Once all healing is complete, you have been released by your orthopod for full physical activity, strength and range of motion of the shoulders is fully adequate for the demands of safe SCUBA, and you feel mentally and physically up for the recreation, you should be a good candidate for return to personal diving and dive instruction without undue risk.

If things go decently, 4-6 mos is a reasonable expected recovery time.

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

[JBRES1]

Watching this with (regrettably) great interest. I am looking at surgery for a SLAP Tear (bicep tendon partially torn from the shoulder). My ortho has said that end of February surgery would allow for May activities, and summer scuba....

I had a rotator cuff tear, torn bicep, subscapularis tear, and shoulder bone spurs done in 2004.
Surgery took over 6 hours, and rehab was over 10 months.
I an now back to about 80 to 85% of where I was before the injury.
I was back to normal activity within 1 year of surgery.
I now dive a BP/W set up with quick release because I lost a little range on movement in the right shoulder.
Jim Breslin

[Steve Egner]

I had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and bone spur removal in December of 2009. If I could change one thing about my recovery, I would go for PT much sooner and more aggressively than my Surgeon recommended. I was advised to stay in a sling, with only minor stretches (pendulum arm, hand climbs up the wall) for the first 8 weeks... This resulted in an excessive buildup of scar tissue, requiring surgical release in May of 2010.

I was diving again last summer, and rode my bike in the RAMROD (152 miles, two mountain passes, 10K elev gain) in July. I've continued to work aggressively at the gym, crossfit classes 4 days a week, and now I'm back doing push-ups, pull-ups, and more. Still a little weak with military press and overhead work, but it continues to improve.

[rhwestfall]

lucky for me (a relative term) that as of the last MRI, the rotator cuff is intact.... just the bicep tendon is torn..... hope it stays that way......

[j yaeger]

orthoscopic surgery on rotater cuff and bone spurs left shoulder-3 incisions
2002 feb.
took the following day off of work...
in the water by june
best of luck!
yaeg

[TSandM]

I haven't had what you had done, but I have had to do shoulder rehab, and my personal piece of advice is to do exactly what your PT tells you to do -- no less, and NO more. I tore up the labrum in my shoulder by pushing WAY too hard. I tolerated the pain just fine, but the cartilage didn't . . .

[black_sea]

I actually had conflicting advice from my surgeon and my rehab specialist. The surgeon wanted me to get as active as early as possible while the therapist wanted me not to move my shoulder at all for a month.
Not sure what the specific English wording for my injury is, but it was a torn off clavicle bone that was sticking out, some damage to the shoulder joint and some muscle etc tears. They put in 20 screws, 2 plates and surgery took 2 hours. After a month the scar was covered over and the surgeon said -go get active now! Now I followed the advice of the therapist and the pain was bad, my arm was turning into jello because I was not moving it.
So I did what the surgeon said and got as active as I could... Telling you my story here, obviously not medical advice. I dive drysuit so for me it was easy to dive with the bandage still on. I dragged the gear to the water and put it on in the water...
Be careful with the meds, I almost got addicted to the Vic.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.