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Shoulder surgery?

WI Short Scaler

WI Short Scaler

Jun 13, 2018
7,872
36,656
Central WI
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#1
So I saw other posts about preventative maintenance and health etc, but I didn't see this specifically so thought I'd run it past everyone.

Based on an initial exam and subsequent MRI I am looking at Arthroscopic surgery on my left shoulder to repair a torn labrum.

Anyone else had this surgery? I'm just wondering what you went through in the rehab process after the procedure. I realize that my arm will be in a sling to prevent motion and no lifting. But could you still play? Obviously not with a strap on that shoulder but sitting on a stool/chair?

Obviously personal pain level, and pain tolerance, will be different for all but I was just curious what others have experienced.

My initial referral to meet with the surgeon is this Thursday am.
 
#3
I had a partial rotator cuff tear repaired in my left shoulder last September. Expect to be in a sling for at least a month, then 3-4 months of physical therapy. I was able to play (sitting down) at about two months afterwards, mainly due to being unable to reach the first two frets before that. A few weeks later I could play standing, although my shoulder was a little sore later. My best advice: Listen to your doctor and physical therapist and do your home exercises with diligence. It makes all the difference.
 
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#5
The one thing I will tell you, having had surgery for a torn rotator cuff and bicep tendon is to speak with your doctor. and do exactly what he/she says. I was back playing bass (sitting down) pretty quickly, but I was playing baseball at the time, and my doctor warned me not to throw a baseball for a year, no matter how good I felt. I didn't listen to him - wish I had.

Don't be afraid to ask specific questions, but listen and obey...
 
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#6
buldog5151bass said:
I was back playing bass (sitting down) pretty quickly, but I was playing baseball at the time, and my doctor warned me not to throw a baseball for a year, no matter how good I felt. I didn't listen to him - wish I had.

Don't be afraid to ask specific questions, but listen and obey...
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Gotcha, I hear what you're saying. I had hernia surgery a few years ago and followed the Dr's advice to the T, no complications. Our drummer had the same surgery within a week of mine and he didn't listen, played a gig the night of his surgery as a fill in for another band, and he had issues for a long time.

Good to hear that you were back on the bass quickly. I'm not looking forward to the stool idea but it sure beats not being able to play at all.
 
#7
MonetBass said:
I had a partial rotator cuff tear repaired in my left shoulder last September. Expect to be in a sling for at least a month, then 3-4 months of physical therapy. I was able to play (sitting down) at about two months afterwards, mainly due to being unable to reach the first two frets before that. A few weeks later I could play standing, although my shoulder was a little sore later. My best advice: Listen to your doctor and physical therapist and do your home exercises with diligence. It makes all the difference.
Click to expand...

The ortho Doc that did the initial diagnosis and MRI said that this surgery is far less intrusive than a full blown rotator cuff procedure. I'm hoping that's correct so I will be able to play at least while on a stool. Guess I'm even more glad now that I got rid of that monster heavy Allen Woody bass. :cool:

This whole thing can probably be attibuted to the osteo-arthritis like I already have in both hands. It's described as "wear and tear" arthritis where the cartilage in the joints is worn away from use over the years.
 
#9
WI Short Scaler said:
I've also informed my two bandmates that with the stool option comes a sling so unloading equip and setup will mean alot of assistance on their part.
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And you would do the same if the roles were reversed. Two years ago, both my drummer and guitarist in one band were having health problems - for two gigs I have to schlep everything - including one gig at a second floor venue with no elevator.
 
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#11
WI Short Scaler said:
The ortho Doc that did the initial diagnosis and MRI said that this surgery is far less intrusive than a full blown rotator cuff procedure. I'm hoping that's correct so I will be able to play at least while on a stool. Guess I'm even more glad now that I got rid of that monster heavy Allen Woody bass. :cool:

This whole thing can probably be attibuted to the osteo-arthritis like I already have in both hands. It's described as "wear and tear" arthritis where the cartilage in the joints is worn away from use over the years.
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That's good. Arthroscopic surgeries make for reduced healing times, so good luck with the surgery! Happy healing.
 
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#12
I had arthroscopic surgery on my shoulder for a tendon impingement (very common apparently). Could play sitting down after 2 weeks but tended to stiffen up quickly so don't overdo it. I agree with everyone who says listen to your doc, if you strain your shoulder while it's healing, or if you don't do your physio correctly you can end up with a frozen shoulder, and that is no fun at all. Best of luck and FCS take it easy!
 
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#13
Scope or not, still a surgery. Have plenty of green juice post op to detox from anesthetic drugs. Have lots of easy to digest protein, and rest well post op.

With labrum tears, its possible to find things to fix that didn't show up on image, so don't be shocked that it turns out to be more than a simple tear.

That said, don't rush back, as your fellow TBers have advised, and strictly adhere to any restrictions.

All in all, you should be good to go in 6 weeks, with light duty before that.

Good luck!
 
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#14
Our guitarist had arthroscopic shoulder surgery last year. He was cleared by his PT to play some after three weeks. Right shoulder, so strap was not an issue. Definitely do what what your doc or therapist recommends and if anything hurts, stop immediately.
 
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#15
I had a torn labrum repaired on my right shoulder in 2010. I am right handed.

The good news is that even though my arm was in a sling for weeks, I was able to play simply by taking my sling off and letting my arm down so that I could pluck by bass. Obviously, I was gentle with any shoulder movements, but I didn't miss any rehearsal or gigs because of the surgery.

That said, I made a vow to never undergo should surgery again unless my life was completely intolerable. Why? I found the recovery process to be a major pain in the a--. Six weeks of sleeping "upright"--that is, you can't lie down to sleep for fear of rolling over on your shoulder. So I hope you have a nice recliner chair.

About 8 weeks in a sling. Many weeks of PT, which OK, was fine, except all these years on and I still do not have full range of motion in my right shoulder. I can't throw a ball any more--not that I spent a lot of time ball-throwing before the surgery, but still. For years, and still occasionally, my right shoulder will ache if I sleep on my side, or if I engaged in extended physical activity like leaf raking or painting.

I will tell you that one thing that has really helped--building up my shoulder strength generally. I spent a lot of time on a rowing machine which really helped a lot. Also weight lifting.

These days, my only real shoulder complaint is the diminished range of motion. That said, my left shoulder is also getting a little funky and if it continues to worsen I will do everything in my power to avoid surgery: massage, acupuncture, voodoo, whatever. Just keep me away from the scalpel.
 
#16
RichardW said:
I had a torn labrum repaired on my right shoulder in 2010. I am right handed.

The good news is that even though my arm was in a sling for weeks, I was able to play simply by taking my sling off and letting my arm down so that I could pluck by bass. Obviously, I was gentle with any shoulder movements, but I didn't miss any rehearsal or gigs because of the surgery.

That said, I made a vow to never undergo should surgery again unless my life was completely intolerable. Why? I found the recovery process to be a major pain in the a--. Six weeks of sleeping "upright"--that is, you can't lie down to sleep for fear of rolling over on your shoulder. So I hope you have a nice recliner chair.

About 8 weeks in a sling. Many weeks of PT, which OK, was fine, except all these years on and I still do not have full range of motion in my right shoulder. I can't throw a ball any more--not that I spent a lot of time ball-throwing before the surgery, but still. For years, and still occasionally, my right shoulder will ache if I sleep on my side, or if I engaged in extended physical activity like leaf raking or painting.

I will tell you that one thing that has really helped--building up my shoulder strength generally. I spent a lot of time on a rowing machine which really helped a lot. Also weight lifting.

These days, my only real shoulder complaint is the diminished range of motion. That said, my left shoulder is also getting a little funky and if it continues to worsen I will do everything in my power to avoid surgery: massage, acupuncture, voodoo, whatever. Just keep me away from the scalpel.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the honest feedback.

I have heard more and more from people that I talk to locally that the surgery may be a bad idea. Is the limited motion/lifting power I have so bad that I can't function?

It's my left shoulder so it won't affect my lack of athletic ability since I'm a right hander too.

Thursday is the initial consult with the surgeon, and he comes highly recommended so right now I won't make any decisions until I hear what he has to say.
 
#17
I had my left shoulder labrum repaired about 12 years ago. I am also right-handed. Every case is unique. For two weeks, I was not allowed to use my left arm/hand for anything. Not even turning a door knob. And sleeping in the recliner was "fun." I got ambien to help me sleep. The rehab was long and sucked, but my shoulder is better now. Just follow the doc's orders and that of your physical therapist. The recovery is long, but it worked out for the best in my case. Good luck!
 
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#18
The biggest thing in the latter part of recovery is getting the strength back in that shoulder. That's what I'm working on now. It's amazing how quickly muscles will lose strength due to disuse. And there are SO many muscles and tendons that control the movement of your shoulder. My therapist warned me from the beginning that recovery would be a slow, gradual process. Ugh - I'm not patient sometimes!
 
#19
MonetBass said:
The biggest thing in the latter part of recovery is getting the strength back in that shoulder. That's what I'm working on now. It's amazing how quickly muscles will lose strength due to disuse. And there are SO many muscles and tendons that control the movement of your shoulder. My therapist warned me from the beginning that recovery would be a slow, gradual process. Ugh - I'm not patient sometimes!
Click to expand...

Um, yeah, I'm not routinely famous for my patience either.

Little anxiety over this referral tomorrow, gotta admit.
 
#20
So for anyone still following this. I had my initial referral with the surgeon today.

He went through my MRI in great detail, much better than the original ortho doc did. His opinion today is that the small "cyst/packet" of fluid is more likely a result of wear/tear osteo-arthritis similar to what I already have in both hands. He felt surgery at this point would the "most aggressive" option and felt that I should try a run of PT first to see if strength can be regained.

I'm not a big believer in PT but I also have no experience with it. Just seems like exercise to me but I'll go along at least for a bit and see what happens. If no improvement after the 8 week PT run he did say there are some tests to check muscle performance and nerve response that should be done still before moving forward with surgery.

So, at least I know something now. Carry on TB'ers!
 

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