Shoulder Issues -- Therapies, Surgeries, Etc.

[zacinnc78]

did all you guys get MRI's b4 deciding on surgery?(probably a dumb question )

[bronco_mba]

Originally Posted by zacinnc78

did all you guys get MRI's b4 deciding on surgery?(probably a dumb question )

Yes (10 char).

[Spittle]

Hola folks! Work has been busy lately so I haven't been able to keep up with the thread.

My recovery is coming along fairly well. I'm probably at 95% and have just about full mobility except for the extremes. Played tennis a week or so ago and had no pain whatsoever! I had decided, however, to skip serving and overheads. I'm sure I could probably do them just fine - but I'm being thoroughly cautious.

To those of you just recovering from surgery, good luck! It's definitely aggravating to do everything with your other hand/arm. But, that shouldn't last too long. As far as the overall recovery goes, the time will vary for everyone. Try to keep yourself occupied and don't push yourself too far!

[zacinnc78]

sounds good man ...what it would be like to say(no pain whatsoever after playing)lol

[drak]

Originally Posted by zacinnc78

did all you guys get MRI's b4 deciding on surgery?(probably a dumb question )

yes and it showed a lot of damage, my surgery was necessary if i ever wanted to serve or hit overheads again

recovery going well, one week out and been doing exercises per my phys therapist's instructions from tuesday. no pain at all, just discomfort sleeping.

[bronco_mba]

Originally Posted by Spittle

Hola folks! Work has been busy lately so I haven't been able to keep up with the thread.

My recovery is coming along fairly well. I'm probably at 95% and have just about full mobility except for the extremes. Played tennis a week or so ago and had no pain whatsoever! I had decided, however, to skip serving and overheads. I'm sure I could probably do them just fine - but I'm being thoroughly cautious.

To those of you just recovering from surgery, good luck! It's definitely aggravating to do everything with your other hand/arm. But, that shouldn't last too long. As far as the overall recovery goes, the time will vary for everyone. Try to keep yourself occupied and don't push yourself too far!

Excellent news, Spittle! Very happy to hear your recovery is progressing well.

[danlalane]

Sleeping is a bear - any tricks? Drak how old are you - and are you in sling most of the day and night? The handout given to me on recovery says 4-6 weeks of sling use. This link should be helpful to those considering surgery.

http://www2.massgeneral.org/sports/protocols.html scroll to shoulder surgeries

[drak]

I am 53, just had my postop doc checkup yesterday, they said I am doing well, a bit ahead of schedule. Sling needs to be worn for me for 4 weeks then it's done. Had my 2nd PT session yesterday and it
is all easy passive stuff, and just very easy stretching/movement. On my own she has me doin about 2, 1/2 hr sessions a day.

Yes, sleeping with this friggin sling is a pain in da azz, I alternate between the layZboy and couch. I'm sleeping okay, but usually take an afternoon nap. no pain, just a lot of patience required. Hang in there.

[danlalane]

Thanks Drak - you too. I prop up on pillows on the bed - sitting position and then sometimes rest laying on my good side with my bad arm propped into a strange somewhat neutral position. Glad you are ahead of schedule. I think I am on or slightly behind. My doc said my shoulder was really toast and recovery was going to be longer, I guess it all depends.

[drak]

Originally Posted by danlalane

Thanks Drak - you too. I prop up on pillows on the bed - sitting position and then sometimes rest laying on my good side with my bad arm propped into a strange somewhat neutral position. Glad you are ahead of schedule. I think I am on or slightly behind. My doc said my shoulder was really toast and recovery was going to be longer, I guess it all depends.

I am going to do everything mt PT and docs say, given how long a recovery it is and what a pain in the *** it is I am not going to rush it or do anythng stupid.

[Sentinel]

I used to see the title of this thread and think "Poor chap, thank God I am not him".
2-3 months back I had a discomfort in shoulder esp when takeback (forehand takeback).
Took a few days off, got busy elsewhere ... a month passed - no improvement. Then two. Winter set in and the pain just gets worse.
Not played for 2-3 months! Pain when putting on clothes/jackets.bathing/driving/ almost everything.

when i do any stretching or light strengthening, it pains more the next day. Maybe, i overstretched it.

[drak]

Originally Posted by Sentinel

I used to see the title of this thread and think "Poor chap, thank God I am not him".
2-3 months back I had a discomfort in shoulder esp when takeback (forehand takeback).
Took a few days off, got busy elsewhere ... a month passed - no improvement. Then two. Winter set in and the pain just gets worse.
Not played for 2-3 months! Pain when putting on clothes/jackets.bathing/driving/ almost everything.

when i do any stretching or light strengthening, it pains more the next day. Maybe, i overstretched it.

I would suggest an MRI, I tried everything else and the MRI revealed it was all in vain, a lot of damage that only surgery could fix if I wanted to serve and overhead again.

[danlalane]

BTW:I am replacing my ncode and no more poly for me. Doc says both were bad for my shoulder and elbow. I will miss their combined effectiveness, but not worth the shoulder issues.

[Sentinel]

Originally Posted by drak

I would suggest an MRI, I tried everything else and the MRI revealed it was all in vain, a lot of damage that only surgery could fix if I wanted to serve and overhead again.

^^ This sort of began when I moved to poly (although strung at 50lbs only) and also moved from a flat style to topspin. Loved it.
Moving to topspin meant I was suddenly able to swing a lot harder than before (while keeping the ball in), and this immediately began telling on my shoulder.

In my country, an MRI is frightfully expensive, will first check with a doc (been too busy taking care of ailing parents to get myself checked).

Thanks for the reply.

[Sentinel]

Originally Posted by danlalane

BTW:I am replacing my ncode and no more poly for me. Doc says both were bad for my shoulder and elbow. I will miss their combined effectiveness, but not worth the shoulder issues.

what is wrong with the ncode ? ( I use a PS 6.0 95, and sometimes an old Head Ventoris)

What are you intending switching to ? Something lighter or what ?

[danlalane]

Ncode = stiff. Not sure on replacement, tennis is way way out for me. Like to be able to sleep lying down, raise my arm above my head etc first I'll be back in 6 months to discuss rackets

BTW: Sort of plateaued, pain minimal except at night. Sleep about 3-4 hrs a night. Seeing Dr tomorrow for first post op. Will report back. 2 weeks of sling down, 2-3 to go.

[drak]

Originally Posted by danlalane

Ncode = stiff. Not sure on replacement, tennis is way way out for me. Like to be able to sleep lying down, raise my arm above my head etc first I'll be back in 6 months to discuss rackets

BTW: Sort of plateaued, pain minimal except at night. Sleep about 3-4 hrs a night. Seeing Dr tomorrow for first post op. Will report back. 2 weeks of sling down, 2-3 to go.

The sling is the thing I want gone, mine is gone 4 weeks from surgery. I know it is very important to wear but its a pain. How is your PT going? Besides pt i have now done some moderate cardio the last 3 days and feel a lot better for doin that - just riding the recumbent bike for 30-40 minutes. Happy Holidays!

Drak

[sosutennis18]

Hey everyone i thought I would go ahead and give some of my shoulder experiences. I first irritated my shoulder at the end of my senior year in high school, no surgery just PT three times a week for three months. I then started to play college tennis and have been playing ever since then. The past two or three year I have had shoulder problems still but they kicked back up again in Oct and I decided to get an MRI and see a shoulder specialist.

When I went to my dr. he couldnt see anything on the MRI, but everytime I would move my arm in a circle motion it would pop and grind, but nothing on the MRI! He did some tests and each time my shouder would pop out. So he gave me the choice for surgery or wait till after surgery next May so I can finish out the season.

Since the MRI showed nothing I figured nothing too bad would be wrong, so scheduled surgery for a surgery. I had my surgery four week ago yesterday. Turns out I had no ligaments in the front of my shoulder and thats why nothing showed up on the MRI( I hear its weird not to have ligaments :S),also a posterior labrum tear, he shaved off some bone,and took out my burisitis. Oh they took my supraspinatus and subscapularis and sewed them together to make somewhat a ligament in the front of the shoulder.

I must agree with everyone else that sleeping in the sling in the worse part! I have to have mine on for atleast 2 more weeks and hopefully not longer. I also have not gotten to start any physical therapy. Well just dangling down my arm, and im terrified that Im going to get a frozen shoulder. Im really hoping to play competively tennis by mid march, but I dont even know if I will get to do that!!

Well Merry Christmas Eve everyone!! =]

[danlalane]

PT starts Monday for me. Post op was fine, saw a fellow though because it was christmas eve. Before and after pics are a hoot.

I am going to try some cardio Friday.

Gave me ambian for the sleep......

[drak]

Originally Posted by danlalane

PT starts Monday for me. Post op was fine, saw a fellow though because it was christmas eve. Before and after pics are a hoot.

I am going to try some cardio Friday.

Gave me ambian for the sleep......

Good stuff. I am starting to go heavy on the cardio and getting close to an hr on the stationary bike at a good fat burning level. Having to be so limited physically I need that workout to keep sane! Plus wih a lot of snow on the ground for the last week I cannot go for a walk at all - the risk of slipping is too high. Finally sleeping pretty good and in my bed, so far so good.