surgery recovery?

Question

Back in October I seperated my shoulder playing soccer (a GK at my university). I loosened the ligaments in my shoulder, tore my labrum (cartiledge), and tore my rotator cuff slightly. I'm scheduled for surgery soon and I'd like to know how long I should expect it to take before I'm back at 100% and doing pull-ups again. The doc said he'll be tightening the ligaments and repairing the cartiledge but will most likely do very little, if anything, to my rotator cuff. I know I'll be doing rehab for a while and that each person is different when it comes to recovery, but how long did it take any of you to recover from a similar surgery?

Thanks for all o the answers. The doc will only be able to do the arthoscopic surgery if my ligaments are completly detached--and we don't think so--so i'tll probably be an open surgery. And I'll be traveling a bit so I'll have 3 physical therapists in a little over 2 months.

Answer 1

yes everyone heals differently. It also depends how good the surgeon is - I have seen some quicker recoveries from some patients if the surgery is done well.

I would assume he is doing arthroscopic surgery - 3 to 5 small incisions. This would be a quicker healing process than an open procedure.

Don't be suprised if the surgeon actually does more work when he is actually in there. I heard one surgeon state that MRIs only show 63% of what is going on - it's the other 37% that can be a concern!

You may be in a sling with restrictions placed on your movement and weight you are allowed to lift. Again, this varies from surgeon to surgeon, but should be for around 4-6 weeks. After that, rehab can start. I would guesstimate somewhere around 2-3 months to gain your full movement back and about 80% of your strength. The following 2-3 months to really gain your remaining strength and stability.

Don't rush it! Just make sure you have a good relationship with your physical therapist. Ensure your doctor gives good pain medications to help control your symptoms.

Good luck!

Just read your additional comments - here's mine:
shame it is an open procedure - your healing will probably be longer as a result. You will really have to be aware of scar management once the staples/stitches are removed. Tight scars can restrict range of movement - the therapist will need to work on these.

Although the physical therapist may not like to do this, ask for a report which you can take to the next therapist. This is not common practice but at least the next therapist will know what the previous one has been doing. Make sure they put down your exact plan of care to that date, range of movement they have been stretching you in, any modalities they were using, exercises, etc. If this report is not written, the next therapist may be starting from scratch - this will further lengthen your rehab. The next therapist needs to continue with your therapy, not start all over again from scratch!

Good luck again.

Answer 2

About three months for that type of surgury.
You really don't want to stress that too soon.
Some very light weight lifting at first is all, like one pound.

Might take up to nine months or more for that rotator cuff to heal.

Don't expect fast recovery for the cuff. That is a hard area to get healed.

Answer 3

i had surgery back in march on the 29th...and im still in a cast even. I had tendon a ligament things done in my foot and only 2 weeks ago about i was allowed to start putting weight on it. i get my cast off the 22nd and then i have to go through crazy therapy and they said it will be 3 times a week and about the whole summer...isnt that great..=(

Answer 4

I had knee surgery (petella realignment) it took 3 months before i was able to stand or walk with crutches, and about 6 months before i could even bend my knee. I still have problems and it has never fully healed. I wish you the best of luck and hope your recovery is better than mine was.

Answer 5

That's a tuffy considering all heal differently and since your still young it shouldn't be as long as say my professor who had surgery due to a tennis injury---he said his recovery was 6 months.....Older guy...alway good luck, im sure you'll bounce back fast.

Answer 6

I had my knee done two screws. I took me about six to eight weeks before I could walk again on my own. My mother-n-law tore her cup as you did. It took her about a month before she could lift things again. When it gets cold her shoulder does get stiff and hurt.

Answer 7

oh bad one
6 months