Rotator cuff surgery.

Iâ€ve had partial tears in the right shoulder 2013 and with lots of PT and constant babying it is pretty OK, but I must limit fly. Complete tear on the left in 2018. Fairly painful for a couple of weeks after surgery, canâ€t move it for 6 wk, canâ€t use it for much for 3 mon, canâ€t really swim with it for 6 months, full recovery takes a year, but no problems with it since. Since fly is primary for you, get the surgery.

I had the surgery. I agree with Choc...I donâ€t think itâ€ll repair on its own. Or at least itâ€s very unlikely too. And the thing is...since itâ€s already compromised...something very minor could cause it to completely sever. The surgery recover for just a tear is bad enough. But I know someone whoâ€s RC supraspunianus (sp) completely severed. Iâ€d read somewhere that RC surgery is among the top three WORST surgeries to recover from. I can certainly agree with that! But I wouldnâ€t want to have it for a complete sever. It took about a year...but after complete recovery I was swimming just as fast...actually faster...than prior to the tear. I set some PRs in the few years after. For sure itâ€s no fun! But...my suggestion is to get second and third opinions and strongly consider having it surgically repaired. Dan

I've had both shoulders done. I can tell you, if you can avoid a knife, then do so. I couldn't, as I couldn't lift my arm correctly and fly was painful. Surgery is painful. Drugs do help. Recovery for 1 shoulder took 14months, the other 2 years, and that one is still not the best. No pain, but mobility isn't as it was and it aches in the cold. All the time out of the water sapped my strength and fitness; I've never got those back. My advice is to grin and bare it for as long as you can. Your doctor is wrong - a tear will not self repair. My surgeon told me that. If you need to go under the knife then get as fit as you can before the day. Do everything the phyiso's give you to do and DO NOT rush anything during recovery; simply follow their lead and take your time. Think long term - plan the long game and you'll come right. Once back in the water don't rip into the fly first off. When you do, start with 25's and be kind to yourself, use fins to assist. Even if you feel like zapping out a few 100's don't do it. Long and slow wins the war my friend. Good luck.

...practice using your other hand to do everyday things like feeding yourself, brushing your teeth and hair, using buttons and zippers, tying shoes, and the all-important issue of toilet paper. Iâ€m glad you point that out...I had meant to mention it too. It caught me off guard after my surgery. Now, I always tell people planning for the surgery to practice it in advance. Dan

Have heard of the recliner doe sleep also. Yes. Youâ€ll need it. Dan

Thanx Choc for your input. WOW 14 months! I did this trying to remove a nut on my lawn mower blade??!!

Jim --- that is a good q look into what to expect . I think at this point, I should do the surgery now in this 2020 screwed up year of the swimming and regular world events. a year from now should put me in the early season os S C swimming here in Chicagoland. Have heard of the recliner doe sleep also. To all with info help, thanx for giving me insight from swimmers, as we are the strange ones that tax our shoulders WAY more than mere mortals!!

I see the doc. tomorrow and will ask a lst of questions about needing him, a regular ortho, as to asking for a "specialist" Don't know how he will feel about me asking this but , it's my shoulder. It seems as if a partial tear is better to repair before it get to the full tear. Thanx to all that have given me some insight to the surgery. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Stay safe & healthy.

I see the doc. tomorrow and will ask a lst of questions about needing him, a regular ortho, as to asking for a "specialist" Don't know how he will feel about me asking this but , it's my shoulder. OZ — I donâ€t think you should have any qualms about asking the doc specific questions about their specialties, and experience. Unfortunately Iâ€ve gone under the knife for ortho procedures a few too many times IMO... back surgery (x2), rotator cuff, hip replacement, knee arthroscopy. I ask the doctor those same questions every time. Iâ€ve never gotten any condescending responses. In fact...they usually find it refreshing that the patient is showing active concern in their treatment. When I had my hip replaced, I apologized for asking the doc so many questions. His response to me was “Youâ€d be shocked at how many people go into such procedures and donâ€t ask a single question about the procedure, the people in the operating room (other than the surgeon), instruments being used, the device being implanted, etc. Ask! And if you donâ€t like the answers...seek out another doctor/opinion. Also...Iâ€d also suggest that you look up the doctorâ€s record on your stateâ€s Department of Health website. Before my second back surgery I looked up the doctor assigned to do my surgery and discovered that he had previously been sanctioned by the state board of health for a “wrong site” surgery. I immediately contacted my health insurance company and was assigned a new surgeon. Regarding how you tore your rotator cuff...the lawnmower blade removal...having removed those blades several times...thatâ€s not really surprising to me. I tore mine when I threw a ball for our dog at the beach. My cousin tore herâ€s when she was in a rear-end fender-bender. My doc told me, after the surgery, that he discovered and removed a good amount of bone spur that hadnâ€t shown up on the MRI. He said that it had been wearing away that the muscle over the years and it eventually would have torn through even with a much less traumatic event. Good luck. Dan

Post-surgery and recovery I actually swam FASTER than prior to my injury (once I got back into shape that is). Just be prepared for the recovery and physical therapy. It will be a b!tch for sure. Whatever the PTs and the surgeon tell you to do at home on your own...do it! I asked my surgeon if I could jog on the treadmill in recovery...treadmill so that I could hold on to the rail with my good arm and not worry about falling. He said “NO!” certainly not. “The small bouncing that your arm will do while jogging with the sling on will cause micro tears and unwanted scaring at the sutures. It wonâ€t now, or in a year or two. But down the road it will affect you.” Dan