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
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I agree with Nancy. I have had both open surgery (for a rotator cuff repair and decompression) and arthroscopic (just the decompression). Like Nancy, I let something get much worse than I should have, hence the RC repair. There is a big difference between the 2 surgeries, the pain levels and the recovery time. The recovery time for the decompression is much faster. Listen to your PT and do your strengthening exercises. I was in my mid 50's when I had both my surgeries, you heal a little slower but its possible to return to former swimming.
I agree with Nancy. I have had both open surgery (for a rotator cuff repair and decompression) and arthroscopic (just the decompression). Like Nancy, I let something get much worse than I should have, hence the RC repair. There is a big difference between the 2 surgeries, the pain levels and the recovery time. The recovery time for the decompression is much faster. Listen to your PT and do your strengthening exercises. I was in my mid 50's when I had both my surgeries, you heal a little slower but its possible to return to former swimming.
