In my extensive research leading up to my surgery, this question came up a lot, and it's natural and relevant. In most cases, including my own, the answer is usually yes, it's worth it. This is usually AFTER all other methods of treatment are exhausted.
For me, a I waited a year after an MRI showed a partial RC tear. Did therapy and it got to about 80%. I then played tennis while continuing my PT, warming up well before, icing down after, the whole bit. I didn't have a lot of pain, but started to notice a marked and steady decline in strength. I then had a second MRI, with dye injected, and it showed the RC tear plus a SLAP tear. Two different surgeons told me it would not heal without surgery. So after talking to several players who had similar surgery, I went ahead with it.
I'm now 4 months out from surgery and I'll admit, I have questioned my decision many, many times in the last 4 months. It's a tough road. But, with every passing week, I feel less pain, more strength, and have started hitting light groundies again. My doc says I'm on track for a full recovery at around 8 months. The key in keeping me sane was a surgeon who can communicate well and being diligent with rehab.
So, while it was not an easy decision and continues to be a long road back, I'm now glad I'm past it and looking forward to playing without pain or weakness.
Good luck.
what I've learned is that results are very different for so many, even with similar problems. Bottom line is that it is somewhat of a crap shoot, I was very lucky and so far am 100% and had very little pain after the first few weeks, even during rehab. I felt the risk was worth it since the pain when I has serving was getting worse and worse, I tried other options but when the MRI showed a full RC tear and bone spurs and a Slap tear if I wanted to really play tennis again the risk was worth it to me. I had also made up my mind before the surgery that if this did not work I'd likely hang it up and do other things. And frankly even after with my relatively "easy" recovery it's was still a ***** and I don't want to do that again. So I will enjoy my tennis I have now as much as i can and for as long as I can, if it crops up again and becomes chronic a will likely wish tennis a fond farewell.
Drak
how long before the pain was tolerable??? how long until you could use the operated arm a little bit?
so it was worth it maybe since you wouldnt do it again??
"I've also heard that 40 is sort-of a cut-off age for a lot of things: fast vs. long recovery, percentage to return to sport, etc....
That is so true. I have always been physically fit and kept the weight down, do a lot of mountain biking, cross country skiing, long day hikes in the Alps but the day I turned 40 it all changed. Tennis elbow at 43, trigger finger at 45, muscle pulls that would have never happened before, shin splints, little wrist and ankle problems that take days to go away, cuts and bruises take longer to heal, and the list goes on. I still do everything possible to get as much exercise as I can but the body just takes longer to recover and isn't as flexible and strong as it was in my 20's. It sucks having the energy of a 20 yo old and the body of a 45 yo.
As for the OP, I just had trigger finger surgery on my dominant hand, a relatively simple operation. They said in 2 weeks I would be back on the courts. It's now exactly three and the finger still hurts enough that I am afraid to start banging balls again. I had no choice as they told me it would never heal and would eventually get worse. Better to tackle it earlier than later.
Bottom line is one only has surgery when needed, but just because one is 50 or older that is not necessarily a bad omen IMO.
I didn't mean to imply that success rates for surgery after 40 are bad. Both OS I saw said that success rates are quite high at most any age. They did both mention the 40 year old mark more to let me know that recovery is generally slower than for younger people. The message I got was "don't wait, cuz it ain't going to get easier."
Drak, I read your long post with danlalane before I had my surgery and your story was encouraging. He didn't fair as well, but seems to be doing better now.
I am 49, had mine done at 48 and recovered very quickly, but never got back to 100%. maybe 80%, but like others if I don't play tennis, I have no issues at all. i was back on the court in less than 3 months and serving at 5 months and my progress form 6 months to now has been minimal. Dan and I hit every week. he is still not 100% but he is finally serving and his range of motion has improved significantly.
In my extensive research leading up to my surgery, this question came up a lot, and it's natural and relevant. In most cases, including my own, the answer is usually yes, it's worth it. This is usually AFTER all other methods of treatment are exhausted.
For me, a I waited a year after an MRI showed a partial RC tear. Did therapy and it got to about 80%. I then played tennis while continuing my PT, warming up well before, icing down after, the whole bit. I didn't have a lot of pain, but started to notice a marked and steady decline in strength. I then had a second MRI, with dye injected, and it showed the RC tear plus a SLAP tear. Two different surgeons told me it would not heal without surgery. So after talking to several players who had similar surgery, I went ahead with it.
I'm now 4 months out from surgery and I'll admit, I have questioned my decision many, many times in the last 4 months. It's a tough road. But, with every passing week, I feel less pain, more strength, and have started hitting light groundies again. My doc says I'm on track for a full recovery at around 8 months. The key in keeping me sane was a surgeon who can communicate well and being diligent with rehab.
So, while it was not an easy decision and continues to be a long road back, I'm now glad I'm past it and looking forward to playing without pain or weakness.
Good luck.
I am 5 weeks Post Op (I've posted the details of my full tear 4 anchors, 2 bone spurs here in a few other threads) and I still think I made the right choice, even though it has been a very tuff time for me. The dull ache just won't stop and makes sleep really difficult tho it is slowly improving. ROM is increasing, and I remain hopeful.
Best of lucky with your decision, and as you know, if you are going to have the surgery, the sooner the better as more abuse only makes the recovery more difficult.
Gary
Keeping a journal helps a lot; keep bad days from robbing your good...
Hard to see progress/watch paint dry/grass grow...
Track med's, sleep, progress - vent some...
Totally agree. Don't just measure progress in PT because there will be ups and downs. Make mental or written notes of small everyday stuff:
"Hey, I couldn't reach that belt-loop last week... couldn't reach that cupboard, shampoo hair, apply deodorant to the opposite side... etc."
It's hard to imaging as generally fit and athletic people, but it's amazing what kind if mundane things you will appreciate and small victories add up to full recovery.
Good luck!
In my extensive research leading up to my surgery, this question came up a lot, and it's natural and relevant. In most cases, including my own, the answer is usually yes, it's worth it. This is usually AFTER all other methods of treatment are exhausted.
For me, a I waited a year after an MRI showed a partial RC tear. Did therapy and it got to about 80%. I then played tennis while continuing my PT, warming up well before, icing down after, the whole bit. I didn't have a lot of pain, but started to notice a marked and steady decline in strength. I then had a second MRI, with dye injected, and it showed the RC tear plus a SLAP tear. Two different surgeons told me it would not heal without surgery. So after talking to several players who had similar surgery, I went ahead with it.
I'm now 4 months out from surgery and I'll admit, I have questioned my decision many, many times in the last 4 months. It's a tough road. But, with every passing week, I feel less pain, more strength, and have started hitting light groundies again. My doc says I'm on track for a full recovery at around 8 months. The key in keeping me sane was a surgeon who can communicate well and being diligent with rehab.
So, while it was not an easy decision and continues to be a long road back, I'm now glad I'm past it and looking forward to playing without pain or weakness.
Good luck.
How is your recovery going? I was diagnosed with a SLAP tear this week. After 4 years of living with shoulder issues from playing with tennis I finally learned I have a SLAP tear. I have done all the conservative treatments for four years rest, icing, anti-inflammatories, and massive amounts of shoulder exercises of all kinds. It helped to a point - about 80% like you said. But my only option left is to now have the surgery since it feels like it has gotten worse over the last 8 months or so.
I've finally turned a corner on my recovery. At 18 months now I'm feeling good. Strength is at 100% and ROM is 90+ and probably as good as it's going to get. I continue to do 3 strength and stretching sessions per week and will for the rest of my playing days.
My biggest advice - don't rush the recovery. I felt on track with my docs timeline - full groundies at 6 months, serving at 9 months, 100% at 12 months. BUT... while at 12 months I felt OK, I tried to play competitively and felt insecure, tight, and needed a good week to recover from the soreness. So, I backed off and continued to work on strength, stretching, and technical aspects of my game.
Now, at 18 months, I feel way better than at 12 months. I feel stronger, more flexible, recovery is only a day or two, and I trust the shoulder a lot more. I've played 4 competitive matches in the past month and felt great during play and good the next day(s). I haven't tried to play back to back days yet, but I think I can, just being safe. I typically rotate tennis one day, strength/stretching the next, and rest the next and repeat. I will increase tennis over the next few months gradually and plan to play some tournaments and flex league later this summer.
Bottom line, everyone is different and I just needed the extra 6 months. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
My team just won sectionals last weekend and it's on it to 4.5 senior nationals, shoulder continues 100%. I feel very fortunate and obviously am glad I got it done or I would never have gotten to enjoy and compete at this level again. Way worth it for me.