Total shoulder replacement recovery?

[Rockytop]

I've been putting off having my shoulder replaced for a few years and I think I've had about all I can take. My biggest fear is that I won't be able to fish and hunt like I used to. I've already had to change the way I cast and set the hook, I've stepped down from 12 gauges to 20 gauge and .410. I'm wondering if any body on here has undergone a shoulder replacement and has any advice.

[Fishlegs]

Never had anything like that yet, but I believe there are some here who have. Wish you the best in your surgery & recovery.

[softwateronly]

1 hour ago, Rockytop said:

I've been putting off having my shoulder replaced for a few years and I think I've had about all I can take. My biggest fear is that I won't be able to fish and hunt like I used to. I've already had to change the way I cast and set the hook, I've stepped down from 12 gauges to 20 gauge and .410. I'm wondering if any body on here has undergone a shoulder replacement and has any advice.

Sounds like you can’t really hunt or fish the way you like now. If the docs say it’s time and the rest of your life is lined up, it’s probably better to do it sooner rather than later. I’m not speaking from personal experience but my friends and relatives that have been down this road have all said I should have done it sooner. I’m gonna do my best to take their advice when it’s my time.  Best of luck to speedy recovery. The fish will be there. 
 

scott

[TOXIC]

Personally, I still have all my original parts but know of a lot that have had knees and hips done.  They all were glad they did and said they were better after.  I can only hope the same would be true for you and your shoulder.  Another thing they all agreed on was to follow the doctor and rehab directions to a tee.  Those who didn’t, regretted it.  Good luck! 

[Valvodinho]

Haven't had a full shoulder replacement, but have had some serious shoulder surgeries... it definitely affected the way I fish and I had to take a hiatus from hunting completely for a while. I remember my first time back on the water being terrified to even cast, not to mention set a hook. But as long as you are patient with your body and listen to your physical therapist and doctors with regards to recovery eventually you'll be fully functioning again. My should will never feel the same again and there's a good chance you're in the same boat as me, but it can be d**n close and you'll be able to pick up where you left off. Best of luck to you and your recovery. 

[Fishin Dad]

I have not had that surgery, but good luck getting things repaired and getting back to the woods and water!!  

[mcipinkie]

I don't know how old you are, or what you have tried to date.  I'm 76 and have a right shoulder that hurts all the time.  Went to my doctor.  X-rays and MRI.  No torn rotator cuff, just arthritis.  She recommended physical therapy.  Went to a fantastic PT guy.  The first day and the day after were agony.  He beat the snot out of me.  Gave me an exercise regimen to follow.  I did it religiously.  Hurt, but I did all the exercises he wanted plus more.  I couldn't raise my right arm above horizontal before PT.  In two days, I was reaching over my head to apply deodorant.  Don't seem like much, but a major  accomplishment.  I've been doing this six weeks now.  The improvement is a miracle.  Still some pain, but  nothing I can't deal with.  I'm retired and fish almost every day.  Today was my 8th day in a row.  I'll start back on tournaments this month.  I expect to out fish guys half my age.

 

Long narrative, but the point is to avoid the surgery if at all possible. If you have it, the PT afterward will be long and painful from my conversations with other people.  Tough out the PT instead if you can.  I do 4 routines a day.  2 - rotation, 2 - strength.  They hurt, but better than the knife.

 

GOOD LUCK !!

[LrgmouthShad]

Just here to say I hope you are able to enjoy life the way you want to, one way or another. I dealt with shoulder issues over the past 9-10 months or so. I stopped fishing for a decent portion of that time. I am better now, not fully recovered still, and actually I pulled something while washing the truck the other day, but I am able to manage the injury and once again fish and lift the way I want to. I understand I am lucky, and I wish nothing but the best for you. I never want to have to go through constant pain again, so I feel for you. Prayers sent for your recovery, either natural or through surgery

11 hours ago, mcipinkie said:

Tough out the PT instead if you can.  I do 4 routines a day.  2 - rotation, 2 - strength.  They hurt, but better than the knife.

I can’t say whether PT in this guy’s case is better than the knife, but I can say that PT helped me. At some point, I just was fed up with “babying” the injury and went harder with PT and doing things that caused me pain, within reason, and that’s when I actually started to see progress. For me, I needed to strengthen the muscles, even if it hurt

[LrgmouthShad]

Triple tap. Sorry, I’m passionate about this. OP, I would do yourself a favor and stop fishing if you have to change your cast and hookset. Play the long game. If you have not yet taken time to first rest your shoulders, then do that. After resting, then go into PT and work hard at it. All this if you want to go the natural route. If you want surgery, then I don’t know what advice to give

 

 

[Tim Kelly]

Probably totally different to your situation, but I've had chronic shoulder pain for about 20 years, saw umpteen physiotherapists who all said they'd have me sorted in a fortnight, but didn't. Went and had MRI and the shoulder looked like a relief map of the Himalayas, surgeon said a new shoulder was the only option, but it would only last 10 or so years if I treated it gently. I'm, a plumber, so not an option. 

About 6 months ago I worked out how to improve my posture. Years of pilates had failed to get me to understand how to improve it, but I finally worked out how to activate my back muscles to do what they're supposed to do. I have very little pain now and improved movement. Fingers crossed I can keep this option working as it's been so liberating! 

 

Personally I'd avoid surgery as long as possible and look for other options. A surgeon is always going to recommend surgery, a physiotherapist  physiotherapy etc, so just because they offer you a solution it isn't always the only option. Once surgery has happened it is irreversible. 

[Captain Phil]

I am 76 years old.  I have not had shoulder surgery, but I have had major back surgery.  I started having trouble standing in my fifties.  Went to a surgeon in my sixties and was diagnosed with spinal stenosis.  He told me I could take two paths, be happy sitting in front of my TV all day or have surgery.  He also told me to wait until my body tells me what to do.  I am not a sitting around type of person, so after five years I had the surgery which turned out to be a four vertebra fusion.   That was over two years ago.  Recovery has taken longer than I expected.   I will never be 40 again, but I can stand, walk and fish.  After two years, I am still improving.  Most likely your recovery will be similar. Like me, you will have to make some adjustments.   If I had not had surgery, I am sure I would be in a wheel chair by now.  Do what the surgeon tells you to do.  How you handle your physical therapy will determine the quality of your recovery.   It will help if you have the support of your family.  I could not have done this if my wife wasn't with me.

[928JLH]

Curious if you have talked with a physical therapist. I was seriously amazed at what PT did for a spinal disc injury and sciatica. I've only had a shoulder surgery but have experienced the amazing benefits of what a good physical therapist can outline and the results when you commit to the plan.

[Captain Phil]

1 hour ago, 928JLH said:

Curious if you have talked with a physical therapist. I was seriously amazed at what PT did for a spinal disc injury and sciatica. I've only had a shoulder surgery but have experienced the amazing benefits of what a good physical therapist can outline and the results when you commit to the plan.

 

My wife shattered her knee cap in a fall five years ago.  It was broken into seven pieces and they had to remove the knee cap in her left leg. Many people including some doctors told her she would never walk right again.  Her surgeon called in a special physical therapist.   My wife is a tough person and the therapist worked with her for nearly a year.  Her therapy was so intense, I had to leave the house as I couldn't stand to watch it.   If you saw her today, you would never know she didn't have a knee cap.  It's a miracle she does what she does.  Physical therapy works.

[Woody B]

I can't answer your questions but Mrs B and myself wish you successful surgery and a speedy recovery.  You'll be in our prayers tonight.  

[Rockytop]

I did at least six months of physical therapy and it didn't help. My doctor decided to try to do arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs and reshape the end of my humerus. Six weeks after the surgery they got me to try the prp injections. I had about a month of relief but not much. The next step is a total replacement. I also need both knees replaced.

[slonezp]

I have had a number of shoulder surgeries due to injury, not shoulder replacement. The last one I had was in 2014. I tore my trapezius and rhomboid muscles off my shoulder blade, including other damage in 2012 that took 3 different surgeries to repair. I pretty much tore my left arm off without actually tearing it off. I am legally disabled but you wouldn't know it.

 

I sold all my shotguns and gave up tournament fishing. I've become more of a multi species fisherman. The reality for me is, I can deal with the pain and discomfort on the water. The recovery time is what whoops I disagree. I can bass fish an 8-10hr day and it will take me 2-3 days to "recover" from it.