shoulder surgery

There isn't any one answer. Everyone is different. Everyone's recovery is different. Some people recover more quickly than others. The best people to ask are your doctor and your physical therapist. Be completely honest with you PT. Tell them what hurts and when. Pay attention to what causes pain and where. Have you had a second opinion? What have you done in the way of treatment thus far?

Subacromial Decompression I believe is the term. I was considering the same procedure but I stuck it out a little longer on my MD's advice. It took me about a year to recover to the point where I could go a few days without pain. If it happens again, I will be marching down to the ortho to get that procedure done. Good luck and keep us posted. From what I understand, this is about the simplest shoulder surgery you can have from the standpoint of recovery. They shave material from bone and it is generally not required to cut any soft tissue/muscle. If my memory serves me correctly, you can expect to be back in the water within a month or so. One fellow on here told me that he swam in a championship meet just a few months after the surgery. Once again, best of luck.:)

Here's a link where we discussed the procedure a bit. forums.usms.org/showthread.php

I just got done with my doc about my right shoulder. He said that if the drugs he gave me and rest don't improve, then it is surgery time. Please DRUGS DO YOUR TRICk. Does anyone know what the average recovery period is from shoulder surgery?

Everyone that's had at least one Subacromial Decompression, say aye.

Someone I swim with, Laura Winslow, just had this surgery a few weeks ago. Her email is posted on the USMS main page, but here it is also: WINSLOWL6@yahoo.com I'd send her an email and see what she says. If anyone knows Laura, they wouldn't be surprised to hear that she was in the water as soon as possible (I want to say 2 weeks), doing kicking. She is doing as much PT as possible too, from the sounds of it. She isn't in Lane 2 (her usual), but I'm sure she'll be back soon enough. If I remember before practice tomorrow (sometimes difficult for the 6am workout), I'll ask her to look here. Good luck! Tim

Originally posted by SwiminONandON What have you done in the way of treatment thus far? So far I've tried..... Physical therapy stretching trigger point therapy cortisone injections glucosamine MSM rest running aromatherapy (well....not really) chondroitsomething ibuprofen something prescription voodoo lightweight dumbbells sex chiropractic sleeping on my leftside electrostimulation (zzzztt) buying a new bike positive thinking negative thinking not thinking......... This is over the course of the last year or so.... Kept it together through spring and swam pretty well till then but haven't taken a stroke with any authority since June. I'm allowing the operating room as the court of last resort... I know alotta people get this procedure done....my orthopeodist said he's done 400 in the past year....nice to know I'm not alone I guess. Yes I've talked to Doc about recovery but I wanted the non cookie-cutter response from like minded swimmers and athletes..thus I'm throughing this into the thick air of the forum...

Originally posted by BruceGianniny oops....THROWING

hey bruce, in your long list of tried things I did not see fist swimming. Lightly closed fists or fist gloves might be your answer. Any stroke, go easy. Try it. You'll like it

Originally posted by Fritz Everyone that's had at least one Subacromial Decompression, say aye. I had both the right AND the left done. Plus the CA ligaments were cut in each shoulder, PLUS one scar tissue removal PLUS one thermal assisted capsular shift!