I think you should talk to a PT about what to expect post surgery.
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headed toward a shoulder replacement...
- Thread starter Ewo
- Start date
I think you should talk to a PT about what to expect post surgery.
Yeah try whatever first. But winter might be a good time to get it out of the way if you decide to do it.
I'm sure a doc can correct me, but I have always heard that recovery is harder the further the surgery is away from your trunk. So elbow rehab would be hard than shoulder. My knee surgery recovery certainly took a lot longer than my father in laws hip surgery recovery. And I worked at it harder than he did.
I'm sure a doc can correct me, but I have always heard that recovery is harder the further the surgery is away from your trunk. So elbow rehab would be hard than shoulder. My knee surgery recovery certainly took a lot longer than my father in laws hip surgery recovery. And I worked at it harder than he did.
If it hurts bad, get a few opinions,. from qualified doctors, commit to a solution, and follow through on it. Ask questions at your appointments, so you can understand options as well as possible. Go for the best long term solution, as opposed to something to make you feel better for a few days. I had a horrible motorcycle accident, (amputation horrible), my left shoulder hurt worse then the less than half a left foot I have left. I saw 3 doctors about the shoulder, asked everything I could ask, (replacement was an option), I was 54 at the time. I wound up choosing therapy, nearly a years worth, (with doctor's approval). I'm not in pain all the time, I can stand with my bass, and...sometimes it hurts a bit, which I've gotten used to. I can't swing a baseball bat, but, that's ok, I can't run the basses anyway, I'm content, and comfortable. My point is not about me, it is....don't be in pain all the time, do something about it, therapy may be useless in your situation, I don't know, but, ..get out, make some appointments, and take action.
I had mine replaced in '08. I was back to work in 3 months. Physical job, fireman. It's a good thing. Left shoulder.
Midwest Orthopedics in Chicago
Dr Anthony Romeo is the Jaco of shoulder replacements.
Midwest Orthopedics in Chicago
Dr Anthony Romeo is the Jaco of shoulder replacements.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
They can replace complete shoulders now? If you do get the surgery make sure you request to keep any parts they take out because you don't want some crazy doctor making a clone and that clone goes out commits a murder that you get blamed for .... ahhh I'm going to go night night now good luck and keep us updated
okcrum
in your chest
Shoulders are trickier. The guitarist in my main project got a new left shoulder about 7 weeks ago after trying three other procedures to avoid replacement. He's just starting to do light practice and active PT (as opposed to only the therapist working the joint). He also just got the sling off. Now he has to rebuild the muscles from scratch.
It'll take a little longer than a hip or knee.
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I had surgery on my right shoulder five years ago for a torn labrum. The doctor also removed a "loose body" in the joint and said I had a little arthritis in the shoulder. The surgery itself was not a problem; the recovery was REALLY a pain in the a--. I had to wear a sling for about six weeks and during that time had to sleep sitting up, which means I had six weeks of really poor sleep. PT was fine. But I can tell you--five years on--my shoulder is still not 100%. I'd say it's 95%, which is pretty good, but I do not have the same range of motion and it will ache with overuse.
My left shoulder is also a little cranky, but I can tell you I will do anything and everything else before submitting to surgery.
Ironically, as for playing the bass, the surgery on my shoulder was not an issue at all. I was back a rehearsal within a week of the surgery. I just slipped off my sling and played. Fortunately, I pick with my right hand--not sure I could have played if I'd had to fret with my right hand.
I can't speak to "total shoulder replacement," but I would echo the comments here about looking at alternatives--second opinions, PT, massage, acupuncture, whatever. Surgery was not fun.
My left shoulder is also a little cranky, but I can tell you I will do anything and everything else before submitting to surgery.
Ironically, as for playing the bass, the surgery on my shoulder was not an issue at all. I was back a rehearsal within a week of the surgery. I just slipped off my sling and played. Fortunately, I pick with my right hand--not sure I could have played if I'd had to fret with my right hand.
I can't speak to "total shoulder replacement," but I would echo the comments here about looking at alternatives--second opinions, PT, massage, acupuncture, whatever. Surgery was not fun.
there's different kinds. partial, where they just put in a new head of the humerus or put a new socket on the glenoid. or total where they replace both like I had. They also do a "reverse total" now, where they put the ball on the glenoid cavity and the socket on the humerus.
luckily I didn't have any muscular problems, but they still have to cut a couple muscles to put the new hardware in.
luckily I didn't have any muscular problems, but they still have to cut a couple muscles to put the new hardware in.
Thanks, all, for the comments--and please keep 'em coming.
Seems like I'm lucky in a couple respects.
It's my _plucking_ side shoulder (rather than fretting), so the time off the bass won't be so long. Makes sense, as plucking doesn't involve reaching out from the body. Might have to lay off slapping for a while, though; that move does work the shoulder a bit.
And whatever down time there is won't be a problem in my day job. I'm a university prof, so I just run my yap about nonsense and collect checks... (JK! Self-deprecating humor, there. I dig my day job and work hard at it.) But my job isn't demanding physically. Won't be able to write on the board as easily, but I can practice switching to my left hand.
Seems like I'm lucky in a couple respects.
It's my _plucking_ side shoulder (rather than fretting), so the time off the bass won't be so long. Makes sense, as plucking doesn't involve reaching out from the body. Might have to lay off slapping for a while, though; that move does work the shoulder a bit.
And whatever down time there is won't be a problem in my day job. I'm a university prof, so I just run my yap about nonsense and collect checks... (JK! Self-deprecating humor, there. I dig my day job and work hard at it.) But my job isn't demanding physically. Won't be able to write on the board as easily, but I can practice switching to my left hand.
Yeah, the surgeon was talking about a total replacement, since the repair would be expected to outlast me. He said partial replacements are sometimes done for younger folks, as they expect it'll have to be reworked in about 25 years.
He brought out a model of the bones with the new parts. He does a lot of the normal (non-reversed) replacements: ball on humerus and socket on glenoid. Actually, it amazes me that the recovery time isn't longer, given what they do to mount the parts...
Before you get the surgery, there is a natural supplement which can help rebuild the cartilage called Arthrozyme from Nutri Health supplements. My left knee was in such bad shape from 42 yr of pumping heavy big rig clutches that I could not put any weight on it. I used the Arthrozyme supplement for a couple months and the pain is gone. I don't even need a cane anymore. I can walk normally and have full range of motion again. It really worked for me. It is a bit expensive but much less than surgery. It is worth checking out. You can always get the surgery later on if it doesn't work. I hope it works as well for you as it did for me. Good luck. 
Spring/Summer of 2015 I was dealing with some terrible pain in my right shoulder. I have a high tolerance for pain and I basically tried to ignore it, but when it got so painful I almost dropped to my knees I had it looked at.
Diagnosis was a severely torn Rotator Cuff, I had Surgery that July. I couldn't play nor barely raisey arm for a period of time and PT lasted close to 5 months. It was well worth having it done.
Diagnosis was a severely torn Rotator Cuff, I had Surgery that July. I couldn't play nor barely raisey arm for a period of time and PT lasted close to 5 months. It was well worth having it done.
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I couldn't rotate my left arm out. straight ahead was the best I could do. And it hurt like a mofo. The headstock was pointed straight out like I was doing the "shooting the audience" move those virtuosos Duff, the Blink 182 guy and Iron Maiden guy do.
I was gonna send a pic to Fender hoping they would make a Mike Carasotti signature model just because I could pull that move off.
I probably have 40 degree external now.
I was gonna send a pic to Fender hoping they would make a Mike Carasotti signature model just because I could pull that move off.
I probably have 40 degree external now.
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I had a SLAP repair, cartilage repaired, and bone spurs removed in February this year (dislocations and subluxations in both shoulders constantly since I was a kid). PT was annoying, but it helped and made me realize all the muscles in the joint responsible for keeping it together. While I couldn't use a strap for a couple months afterward, it's more comfortable to play with a strap now (surgery on left shoulder), and I don't regret it one bit.
While it's not the same as a full replacement, I imagine a lot of the recovery is the same (couldn't rotate 90 degrees for weeks). It'll be worth the couple months of pain for a sturdier, more usable joint.
And you'll have an excuse to sit down whenever you play
While it's not the same as a full replacement, I imagine a lot of the recovery is the same (couldn't rotate 90 degrees for weeks). It'll be worth the couple months of pain for a sturdier, more usable joint.
And you'll have an excuse to sit down whenever you play
Lots of good advice here already. Get multiple opinions. Each will be a learning experience. Specifically ask why the opinion you are getting at the moment is better than the others. Ask both about pre-hab and re-hab. Ask who will do the post-op rehab, and perhaps talk to a few of those folks. They will have a much better idea of what recovery is like than will the surgeon.
Nutritional therapy is a must, both before and after. Not only will you need to recover from the surgery--and the anesthesia, you will also have to recover from a period of post-op inactivity, which for some people is the hardest part.
Proper preparation can really save on the back end. The more you know, the more engaged you are, the more you can leverage the training of the caregivers you are working with.
As for hips, knees, shoulders, shoulders are more complex, more range of motion, etc. Screwing up in recovery will set back the entire process.
Give yourself a due diligence plan and deadline. If surgery is the best possible option, the sooner the better. Every year you wait is another year of aging on that machine of a body, and incrementally longer recovery.
Last but not least, the spiritual part. Whatever your spiritual connection to the universe, religious or otherwise, make it better. It will serve you and your body well.
Best of luck. The more confidence you have in your plan, the better it will work.
Nutritional therapy is a must, both before and after. Not only will you need to recover from the surgery--and the anesthesia, you will also have to recover from a period of post-op inactivity, which for some people is the hardest part.
Proper preparation can really save on the back end. The more you know, the more engaged you are, the more you can leverage the training of the caregivers you are working with.
As for hips, knees, shoulders, shoulders are more complex, more range of motion, etc. Screwing up in recovery will set back the entire process.
Give yourself a due diligence plan and deadline. If surgery is the best possible option, the sooner the better. Every year you wait is another year of aging on that machine of a body, and incrementally longer recovery.
Last but not least, the spiritual part. Whatever your spiritual connection to the universe, religious or otherwise, make it better. It will serve you and your body well.
Best of luck. The more confidence you have in your plan, the better it will work.
Probably too late for you, but I'm a big believer in the basic barbell lifts: Squat, Deadlift, Overhead Press, Row, Bench Press, and Chin-ups. Do them all with a medium stance and grip, for optimal leverage (wide-grip bench pressing like the powerlifters do will put a lot of strain on your shoulders). I began to have pain in my shoulder in my forties, got my upper back strong by doing weights again. No more shoulder pain. Rows and Deadlifts in particular counteract the sedentary tendency for the shoulders to come forward while sitting for extended periods of time. I found out last year I also have degenerative menisci. Two orthos told me to stop doing squats and deadlifts, but one guy, one of the top orthos in the Twin Cities (works with a lot of the pro athletes here) said nonsense, the lifting has kept the joint strong, and therefore ameliorates the condition. He was right. I had to give up endurance running (subbed with cycling), but my knees feel great with regular lifting.
Check out Mark Rippetoe's books, he explains the concepts and techniques in great detail. It's too bad that lifting weights is so strongly associated with bodybuilders and their pill-popping, fake-tan posing silliness. Lifting weights is the best anti-aging protocol there is, IMO. Doesn't have to be super heavy, just do three sets of five reps for each exercise. Increase the load when it starts to feel easy, or just stay at the same load; for anti-aging purposes, it doesn't really matter.
Also, make sure your shoes don't have a heel. Try to find 'zero-drop' shoes, like those offered by Vivobarefoot. They have some nice dress shoes as well as sneakers. Wearing even a modest heel puts your whole kinetic chain out of kilter and causes problems all the way up to your neck, including the shoulders. If you can, try to walk barefoot whenever possible, that also helps. Heels were invented for riding horses. If you don't ride a horse, and aren't vain about wanting to appear taller than you are, there's no reason to wear a shoe with a heel. Unfortunately, almost all shoes these days are made with a heel, including toddler shoes! Take a bottle and put a pencil under one side. Watch how far forward the top of the opposite side of the bottle goes from this small increase at the bottom. That's what happens to your body too when you wear a heel, and then your muscles have to pull everything back unnaturally to remain straight, creating unhealthy tension throughout the back and knees, hips, and shoulders.
Check out Mark Rippetoe's books, he explains the concepts and techniques in great detail. It's too bad that lifting weights is so strongly associated with bodybuilders and their pill-popping, fake-tan posing silliness. Lifting weights is the best anti-aging protocol there is, IMO. Doesn't have to be super heavy, just do three sets of five reps for each exercise. Increase the load when it starts to feel easy, or just stay at the same load; for anti-aging purposes, it doesn't really matter.
Also, make sure your shoes don't have a heel. Try to find 'zero-drop' shoes, like those offered by Vivobarefoot. They have some nice dress shoes as well as sneakers. Wearing even a modest heel puts your whole kinetic chain out of kilter and causes problems all the way up to your neck, including the shoulders. If you can, try to walk barefoot whenever possible, that also helps. Heels were invented for riding horses. If you don't ride a horse, and aren't vain about wanting to appear taller than you are, there's no reason to wear a shoe with a heel. Unfortunately, almost all shoes these days are made with a heel, including toddler shoes! Take a bottle and put a pencil under one side. Watch how far forward the top of the opposite side of the bottle goes from this small increase at the bottom. That's what happens to your body too when you wear a heel, and then your muscles have to pull everything back unnaturally to remain straight, creating unhealthy tension throughout the back and knees, hips, and shoulders.
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