After much pain, soul searching, cure searching, kicking with fins and general advise seeking, I've elected to have arthroscopic surgery to treat my "shoulder impingement syndrome" which I guess is tendonitis....The fact that I made the decision before consulting the USMC forum may be inexcusable, but, be that as it may, I'm on the docket for two weeks from today...
The surgery, as I, a layman, understand it, will widen the subacromial space allowing unimpeded movement of my supraspinatus (one of the rotator cuffs) muscle and tendon and biseps tendon....
I ain't looking for sympathy or an explanation...but I'd love to hear from someone who's had this type of procedure and can outline their recovery process...I was planning on making some waves in the 55-59 age group at Coral Gables in May but realize now I may just be a cheerleader...I'm keeping the Chesapeake Bay swim on my June calendar even if I can just kick my way across...I'd love to know what to expect..Thanks
Paul and Bruce,
Unfortunately, experience is sometimes the only way we learn. My recovery from the open surgeries was way more lengthy and complicated than the arthroscopic one (which was the middle one) - 3 in 16 months gave me little opportunity to really get my strength back. I've been able to train about 2 1/2 years now with no setbacks. It's been a long haul but I'm finally to the point that I am training to sprint again. When you hear that within 9 months to a year you'll be right back where you were and it becomes your expectation, and you're still working on it 2 1/2 years later, you learn a fuller definition of patience, hopefully, without losing your dream.
I hope, your surgery will be uncomplicated, your goals will fit your situation, and your rehab go consistently forward. Don't count on it though. I don't know anyone who hasn't had setbacks in their recovery - I guess it's pretty normal, especially for an athlete. I can't stress good stroke mechanics enough. I had to change pretty much everything about my stroke and then try to put a new one together that not only allowed me to swim pain free, but to swim fast. That part is still a work in prgress but improving.
Good luck and please keep us posted. There are certainly enough of us who have gone through this experience to keep you on the right path!
Nancy
Paul and Bruce,
Unfortunately, experience is sometimes the only way we learn. My recovery from the open surgeries was way more lengthy and complicated than the arthroscopic one (which was the middle one) - 3 in 16 months gave me little opportunity to really get my strength back. I've been able to train about 2 1/2 years now with no setbacks. It's been a long haul but I'm finally to the point that I am training to sprint again. When you hear that within 9 months to a year you'll be right back where you were and it becomes your expectation, and you're still working on it 2 1/2 years later, you learn a fuller definition of patience, hopefully, without losing your dream.
I hope, your surgery will be uncomplicated, your goals will fit your situation, and your rehab go consistently forward. Don't count on it though. I don't know anyone who hasn't had setbacks in their recovery - I guess it's pretty normal, especially for an athlete. I can't stress good stroke mechanics enough. I had to change pretty much everything about my stroke and then try to put a new one together that not only allowed me to swim pain free, but to swim fast. That part is still a work in prgress but improving.
Good luck and please keep us posted. There are certainly enough of us who have gone through this experience to keep you on the right path!
Nancy
