shoulder surgery

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

Nancy.......I 100% agree. I've had both shoulders done (left in 2001, right this past September).........both times after trying every possible treatment for 12-18 months but nothing worked. In both cases I was back in the water (kick only) after two weeks, swimming again in 8-10 weeks, lifting in 12 and competing after 4 months. The curretn procedure is so dialed in that its really an easy thing.....I was in fr surgery at 7am and back home by noon the same day. When I look back on all the PT, Cortisone shots, etc. etc. the last 18 months I'm made at myslef for waiting so long! PS: Laura swam at nationals in Tempe a few years back with a 95% tear of her rotator cuff..........something the x-rays, mri's, etc. never saw......didn't find out till they went in to repair!

Bruce, I've had 3 shoulder surgeries (both sides), both open and arthroscopic. I think you've made a good decision. Until the surgeon goes in and actually sees what is going on, you can't actually predict what kind of recovery to expect or how long it might take to get back to the level you desire. The impingement could be the result of a number of possibilities. I fooled around way too long with alternative remedies and was constantly having to take time off from training because of the pain. I kept aggravating the problem and by the time I went to an orthopedist I'd done a lot of damage. You're a lot smarter than I was. The arthroscopic surgery was the quickest recovery and everyone I know who's had it, has been successful in recovering their former level of performance. Good luck! I wish you patience in your rehab; follow your doctor's and PT's advice and suggestions. Work on developing excellent technique. I also hope that 2006 will be a very good year for you and lead to pain free years to follow. Nancy

Bruce, The first surgery for me, that included screws and total immobilzation for 6 weeks, was at age 59.75. The second one 4 months later, arthroscopic, was at age 60, and the third for another torn rotator cuff on the arthroscoped shoulder (unexpected, not part of the original plan) was at age 61, 12 months after the second one. Obviously, the younger you are, the faster you will heal, especially if you follow your doctor's plan. I recovered pretty quickly after the second surgery and was quite excited about the times I did at the LC Nationals at Cleveland 5 months later. Training to break the World record in the 50 SCM free after that meet, resulted in another set back and it's been a lot more lengthy and cautious process this time. 54 sounds like a good age for optimal healing. Are you in good shape now? Part of my problem was that I had let it go so long, that my shoulders were not strong anymore and it took awhile to get them strong. I was shocked the first time I looked at the repaired shoulder after the first open surgery. It looked like the outer part of the shoulder was gone. Rather than the upper arm/shoulder having a rounded look, it was pointy and flat - very weird looking and it took quite awhile for it to look normal and rounded again. Are you a sprinter, middle distance, or distance swimmer? I think, from what you've said here, that you'll be fine. You're taking care of the problem sooner rather than later and barring unforeseen problems, should be able to put this behind you and move forward. I'm sure many of us can offer post-surgery training workout suggestions if you need them. Nancy

So I can put this in a perspective, what are or were your ages when you did the deed? .....I imagine age plays a role in recovery time...I'm 54.. Paul...I like the part about competing after 4 months...competing at a satisfactory level??

Nancy...Thanks for the feedback...I particularly like the part about competing at Nationals 5 months after your surgery...Coral Gables has been on my May calendar and I'd hate to erase it....I may not be as fast as I'd planned but I'd like to be fast enough to justify the trip.....I'm in fair shape now having kept up on biking and running (or shuffling) and I hope I haven't lost too much feel for the water....I was planning on swimming all the freestyle events so should be interesting to see what my hiatus affects most...sprints or distance.... Paul...I think I've seen you swim...Will this surgery make me as fast??? Tim...Thanks for referral to Laura, who has been very receptive to keeping me abreast of her recovery...I'll be right behind her about 6 weeks.....nice to know what's in store for me. Everyone else....Thanks for the info...I'm basically a chicken and appreciate the positive spin... Bruce

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.

So I can bring some kinda closure to this thread (although you may have thought there was enough said already and was therefore closed) I'm pleased to report I had the surgery a weekago tomorrow where the Doc found the Biceps tendon to be the injured party and the acromium to be the main culprit, and, after a bone scraping and soft tissue cleanup ("like cuttin the grass Bruce" he said) I've had less pain than I feared, have been sleeping through the night right along, even now without meds, made an on deck appearance at practice to tell lane two not to get too comfortable with my absence, am driving as of today (I feel the freedom of a 16 year old gettin his first license), got my stiches removed, was told I could burn my sling unless I wanted it a few more nights for support just while sleeping, start a fairly progressive/aggresive (seems to me anyway) PT program tomorrow and, best of all, can get in the water anytime, like tomorrow (like one week after the knife....yeah man), kicking only at first but adding my arms as I see fit with understanding that I can't rush this thing you've just had a major problem with body invasion surgery etcetcetc blahblahblah, but I don't care, and won't try to rush it too much, I hope, 'cause I feel so good being on the road to recovery....and it's not as bumpy as I thought it'd be....not yet anyway... Tim.....Laura Winslow's thoughts, advice, support and general willingness to share were, and continue to be, invaluable...We share similar masters swimming histories and psyches so her input has been particularly applicable...Thanks for pluggin me in...I'm pleased to report it sounds like her recovery is going well also. So...thank you all, and, for now, this thread has a happy ending.. Bruce

Great news!! Let us know how your in water recovery goes.

Woooowwwhhhhoooo! Lane 1 misses you and looks forward to seeing you swimming next to us soon. :)