Years ago I developed suprascapular nerve impingement. After a year of bad HMO doctors I found a good ortho & nerologist who diagnosed my problem. A nerosurgeon, assisted by my ortho perfpmed surgery. Unfortunately while the release was successful, it appears some damage to the nerve was permanent. I left swimming for a dozen years. I slowly returned 2 years go, butI still had major residual problems. I began doing triathlons. It allowed me to compete in swimming while swimming shorter workouts only 2 (sometimes 3) days a week. I also began entering a couple of OW races. I completely reconstructed my stroke to work around the residual weakness, but if I wasn't careful I could easily develop pain in my shoulder that would take days to resolve.. It definitely limited my swim training and speed in a race. I just do not have enough speed to be competitive at anything shorter than 2.5M/4K. I greatly rely on the fitness I develop training for triathlons.
I want to continue OWS and take a shot at a channel swim but I need to do something about my shoulder if I am going to have any success. After consulting with an ortho and taking one more year to do everything I could do to improve my shoulder, I have decided to go forward with an acromioplasty. Anyone had this done? What was your outcome? Am I going to have to blow off a whole season? (surgery is February 17th). I am very determined and diligent with PT after surgery but I don't want to push so hard that I have a setback. I understand that pain should be your guide, but I have a high pain threashold like most athletes. Any advice?
