SLAP tear--full recovery?

[papahemi]

Hi there, peeps. Just diagnosed with a slap tear, with "probable detachment" of my labrum. Ugh. Rotator cuff and bicep tendon appear fine. Anyone out there come back from this (or similar) and become 100% on the court again? Anyone?

Right now I can hit groundies just fine, it's serving/overheads which are the problem. Trying to decide if surgery is worth it. Physical therapy was a failure.

 

[matt.flynn60]

From what I've read full recovery is about impossible without surgery, but I have no experience with that particular injury myself. Good luck.

 

[hcb0804]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=339777&highlight=slap+tear

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=359933&highlight=slap+tear


http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=340267&highlight=slap+tear


and several other threads on this topic found by using the search tool
I myself am in recovery from this; surgery is required, recovery is hell.

 

[BMC9670]

I started one of the above threads on my 1 year post-op anniversary and am still working to get back to 100%. I feel about 90% right now - I can do most of what I could before (on and off court), but the shoulder still does not feel 100% normal as in some stiffness and aches and pains.

Although I felt "functionally 100%" at about 10 months, I've talked to some further along than I, and some cases can take 1 1/2 to 2 years to feel completely solid. I'm hoping this is the case for me. Time will tell.

 

[papahemi]

Thanks, folks. BMC I have followed your writing here--very informative and helpful, thanks a lot. I'd love to hear from some of the 1.5-2 year total recovery folks.

Do any of you find it hard to let your serve fly bc of the increased chance (I assume) of reinjuring your shoulder?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I didn't have a SLAP tear, but I did have a partially torn posterior labrum, and a partially torn supraspinatus. Both were repaired in one surgery 3 years ago.

Shoulder surgery is just hell to recover. My only advice is to keep at it. Once you've been cleared by your physical therapist, keep doing those maintenance exercises! (Those external/internal rotations).

As far as tennis goes, < 1 year post-op I was in agony after intense hitting session. But as time goes on, the shoulder has gotten much stronger. I only get sore/ache after REALLY intense 3set matches...

 

[BMC9670]

I didn't have a SLAP tear, but I did have a partially torn posterior labrum, and a partially torn supraspinatus. Both were repaired in one surgery 3 years ago.

Shoulder surgery is just hell to recover. My only advice is to keep at it. Once you've been cleared by your physical therapist, keep doing those maintenance exercises! (Those external/internal rotations).

As far as tennis goes, < 1 year post-op I was in agony after intense hitting session. But as time goes on, the shoulder has gotten much stronger. I only get sore/ache after REALLY intense 3set matches...

Is the soreness you feel after 3 years still related to the surgery/recovery or more general soreness that many would feel after a long, hard match? Also, at what point did you feel confident to go 100% on the court, especially serving?

Any other 1.5, 2, or more year recovers out there?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Is the soreness you feel after 3 years still related to the surgery/recovery or more general soreness that many would feel after a long, hard match? Also, at what point did you feel confident to go 100% on the court, especially serving?

Any other 1.5, 2, or more year recovers out there?

I'm sure the surgeries (i had two, separated by ~6years) had something to do with the soreness after those intense 3matches. But I also feel like it's sore because I just don't play as much anymore. You can go to the gym all you want, but there's really nothing in the gym that will replicate the intensity/duration/stress of competition (for any sports). Because after those long days, my shoulder is not the only thing that's sore. So I think it's general soreness associated with the long match, but it'll be ridiculous for me to say the surgeries had nothing to do with it.

HONESTLY, maybe I was just playing it safe, but I didn't want to go 100% until ~2years post-op.

 

[BMC9670]

HONESTLY, maybe I was just playing it safe, but I didn't want to go 100% until ~2years post-op.

I hear you. I'm 13 months out and am reluctant to go full out yet, mainly serving. I'd rather play it safe as well until it feels completely solid rather than repeat that injury/surgery/recovery!