I just got back from my last visit with my sports medicine doctor and he has recommeded orthoscopic surgery on my shoulder. After at least nine months of xray's, an mri, a cortizone shot, and a great rehab program the pain and catching in my shoulder just won't go away. After 30+ years of swimming and never having an injury that required surgery, I'm a little reluctant go under the knife.
I wondering if any of you can give me some advice regarding labrum tear surgery, rehab, and recovery time.
I am having a second opinion..... but would like to have more..
Thanks everyone..
Dennis
I had arthroscopic surgery at the end of January. Surgeon cleaned up tears in the rotator cuff tendons. I lost about 30% of the tendons and the remainder is tacked down with a permanent metal staple. Repair of a SLAP lesion (labrum tear) and stabilized with a biodegradable screw. Cleaned the surfaces of the humeral head and glenoid fossa and left with a "bald spot", an area devoid of cartilage that is bone on bone. It was a very painful and long recovery but am happy to report that I competed at LC Nat'ls in the 3 backstroke events just 7-1/2 months post surgery. I can now also swim freestyle and am swimming 4 days per week and about 3000 yds. per workout (2000 swimming and 1000 kicking). So there is a swimming life after surgery IF you have a good surgeon and a aggressive rehab program. Dennis if you want more detailed information, I am in the USMS e-mail directory.
I had arthroscopic surgery at the end of January. Surgeon cleaned up tears in the rotator cuff tendons. I lost about 30% of the tendons and the remainder is tacked down with a permanent metal staple. Repair of a SLAP lesion (labrum tear) and stabilized with a biodegradable screw. Cleaned the surfaces of the humeral head and glenoid fossa and left with a "bald spot", an area devoid of cartilage that is bone on bone. It was a very painful and long recovery but am happy to report that I competed at LC Nat'ls in the 3 backstroke events just 7-1/2 months post surgery. I can now also swim freestyle and am swimming 4 days per week and about 3000 yds. per workout (2000 swimming and 1000 kicking). So there is a swimming life after surgery IF you have a good surgeon and a aggressive rehab program. Dennis if you want more detailed information, I am in the USMS e-mail directory.
