p17's shoulder injury journey

[Madsunz]

Chances of you playing - good.

Chances of you playing and throwing hard - not good, unless you want to pop a staple or tear it again. I had a buddy that did the surgery, took close to 9 months off, rehabbed and did his PT, and within two weeks tore it again. I think you have to build up to going all out. If you can toss the ball from catch to the pitcher, from pitchers plate to home, or from first to the pitcher (maybe second to first), then you should be great! I would take it easy...

 

[Kenny Powers]

Ahhh, I am also an accountant. With my system, I need to use my right arm a lot between my mouse and my numpad. I've tried to use my numpad with my left hand, but I can't do it. I'm getting a temp to come in for me for a couple weeks

Yup, I'd be in the same boat as you if it was my right arm. I'll be playing 1B another year while this thing recovers.

 

[Dave.C]

Chances of you playing - good.

Chances of you playing and throwing hard - not good, unless you want to pop a staple or tear it again. I had a buddy that did the surgery, took close to 9 months off, rehabbed and did his PT, and within two weeks tore it again. I think you have to build up to going all out. If you can toss the ball from catch to the pitcher, from pitchers plate to home, or from first to the pitcher (maybe second to first), then you should be great! I would take it easy...

Think there is a risk of tearing it while swinging a bat? I have no problem with catching all season or playing first. But I don't really want to half swing all season.

 

[p17]

Yup, I'd be in the same boat as you if it was my right arm. I'll be playing 1B another year while this thing recovers.

Yeah, I just can't wait for the day to be able to throw again

Think there is a risk of tearing it while swinging a bat? I have no problem with catching all season or playing first. But I don't really want to half swing all season.

Probably not, but it may depend how badly/where yours is torn. Mine hurts every time I swing, but it's nothing like when I try to throw. It's more of a dull pain for me when swinging. I've never 'thrown' my arm out while hitting, but all it takes is about a 30% throw for my arm to go dead for a while

 

[Madsunz]

Think there is a risk of tearing it while swinging a bat? I have no problem with catching all season or playing first. But I don't really want to half swing all season.

Hard to say, but this did NOT bother my buddy at all. He was hitting the snot out of the ball, even when he was hurt. Hit fine afterwards as well.

 

[Madsunz]

Probably not, but it may depend how badly/where yours is torn. Mine hurts every time I swing, but it's nothing like when I try to throw. It's more of a dull pain for me when swinging. I've never 'thrown' my arm out while hitting, but all it takes is about a 30% throw for my arm to go dead for a while

This is exactly how it was for my buddy.

 

[obagain]

The Dr gave me this program.
Start by stretching, make sure you do all your stretches.
Then run or jog for a minute or 2 so the heart rate is up some, you want as much blood flow as possible.
Now to start throwing, all throws should be long toss style, nothing hard.
Start at the pitchers mound and try to hit the backstop, dont worry if you cant at first and dont try to throw harder to get it there.
Throw 15 balls and then rest for five minute and then repeat the whole workout.
If you do this 3 times a weeks you should be able to move back half way between the mound and 2nd.
After a week of that move all the way back to second.
When you can hit the backstop regularly from second you can start long toss starting at 125 feey and then start working your way back.
When you are at 175 you can start to throw some hard.
Dont over do the hard throws and if you feel that pain come back you need to back off and start over with long toss.

 

[374 Feet]

I too ended up with a SLAP tear about 18 months ago. I used to be able to throw well, and then ended up creating a situation, where my off-season lifting program, over-developed my front deltoids. My arm was able to accelerate forward very well, but the muscles in the rear of the delt, were unable to stabilize and decelerate the throw, thus the tearing.

I went to P/T and was under a regimen for awhile, including Ultrasound therapy. It was going very very slow. Then I got with a buddy of mind who is a Former pro BB pitcher. Got me using 1,2,3 pound weights for rotator cuff exercises, as well as Light - exercise band work. And LOTS of stretching.

To sum this up - I am 12 months into this work - and I am able to throw at 70-80% of my original velocity. I require about 30-40 throws at 10-20% velocity to warm up and then gradually increase to distance throws as I continue to warm up. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. As of now, the pain has dropped to about a 2-3 on the scale and I can throw every three days - with decent velocity. I am able to manage Softball throws at about 130-150 feet without pain and up to 200 feet with a slight twinge. But it's coming back. I imagine at this rate, another 6-7 months and I will be back, and the arm will be better than ever. But I still only use 1,2,3 pound weights and bands.

Good luck, I feel your pain.

 

[saint]

How are you buddy? Able to get the nerve block?

 

[Dave.C]

How are you buddy? Able to get the nerve block?

I got my surgery coming up in 2 weeks. Had my pre-op yesterday and I am getting the nerve block which should be good for a day, they offered me a cather in my neck with the nerve block which would have been good for an extra day of pain relief (2 total), but I didnt go for it. Should I ?

 

[NO_MAAM]

Research pro atheletes with Labrum Tears!!!!
A labrum tear used to be the end of a career nows it's 3-6 months post OP recovery/therapy.
With a good doc you'll be able to have the exact same surgery but you'll miss out on the additive they recieve post OP!!!
Colon Example:
forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=134505631

 

[flytyer643]

I had the operation done in June of this year. I now have 6 screws and a cable that were implanted to repair the tear that was my labrum. I also had rotator cuff tears and the onset of arthritis that was also repaired at the same time of the labrum procedure. I am now to the point that I am starting light throwing. I echo the above post about starting PT as soon as you can. I started the day after my procedure and I believe that helped me out a lot. You will have times that you feel you are ready to start throwing, but I have held off until my Doc told me that I was ready. Good luck to you.

 

[saint]

I got my surgery coming up in 2 weeks. Had my pre-op yesterday and I am getting the nerve block which should be good for a day, they offered me a cather in my neck with the nerve block which would have been good for an extra day of pain relief (2 total), but I didnt go for it. Should I ?

Nah. Not worth it for the extra day.

 

[cheato]

i had this surgery (played 6 months with the tears), had a partial labrum and partial rotator cuff tear. They also smoothed out some bone spurs as well. Just make sure you go to physical therapy and also do what they say on your own time and you should have no problem recovering. You were correct in them not knowing til they get in there, I had a MRI w/ dye and they did not know if I needed anchors put in or not. Me and my best friend both had this surgery and he had 4 anchors put in, his arm is about 90% back to where it was, mine is all the way back. It really depends on the work you put in to make it better once you get into therapy

if you want more information, to hear others experiences etc I was a frequent poster on this forum during pre/post surgery and recovery
http://slaptear.com/

recovery time is weird, I could swing a bat, free swinging, about 6 weeks after surgery. Throwing takes much much longer 4-5 months. I played in nationals for tennis 3 months after surgery (I don't recommend this) but it was my last year of college eligibility so it was worth it to me. Your doing this at a good time however, I had mine done in mid November as well gives you a lot of time to recover before the season and there isn't pressure to get back on the field too early

sidenote: I would look for a sports specialist to do it, it was much smoother than my friend who just went to a regular shoulder surgeon

 

[cheato]

Think there is a risk of tearing it while swinging a bat? I have no problem with catching all season or playing first. But I don't really want to half swing all season.

negative, much better chance of tearing it while throwing

 

[p17]

I'm alive, I made it. I don't really feel like typing much, so cliff notes:

Surgery went well. The SLAP needed a few anchors, then the rest of the labrum was cleaned up cause it was entirely frayed. He also cleaned out a lot of scar tissue, bone spurs, and bursitis. They cleaned up the rotator cuff as well. I will be immobilized for another week or two and therapy starts in a couple days. Doc thinks I'm looking at about a 4 month recovery before I should even think about throwing. I did get the nerve block. That thing was awesome. I couldn't feel or move my entire arm for about 24 hours. It's been pretty painful since it went away though. It seems like it gets more tender every day. I think that's because the swelling keeps going down and it is getting 'looser', if that makes any sense. I can take out my arm to loosen my elbow, and I've tried to move my arm but I really can't go more than 4 inches in any direction at this point. Today has been the first day that I really feel like getting up and moving around. It's hard not being able to hold my newborn son, but at least I don't need to do diapers

So yeah, things are going well. I'm glad I'm finally getting this taken care of

 

[saint]

good to hear bro. keep icing.

 

[p17]

Yeah that's another thing. I've been icing pretty much 24/7 which has definitely helped

 

[obagain]

I'm alive, I made it. I don't really feel like typing much, so cliff notes:

Surgery went well. The SLAP needed a few anchors, then the rest of the labrum was cleaned up cause it was entirely frayed. He also cleaned out a lot of scar tissue, bone spurs, and bursitis. They cleaned up the rotator cuff as well. I will be immobilized for another week or two and therapy starts in a couple days. Doc thinks I'm looking at about a 4 month recovery before I should even think about throwing. I did get the nerve block. That thing was awesome. I couldn't feel or move my entire arm for about 24 hours. It's been pretty painful since it went away though. It seems like it gets more tender every day. I think that's because the swelling keeps going down and it is getting 'looser', if that makes any sense. I can take out my arm to loosen my elbow, and I've tried to move my arm but I really can't go more than 4 inches in any direction at this point. Today has been the first day that I really feel like getting up and moving around. It's hard not being able to hold my newborn son, but at least I don't need to do diapers

So yeah, things are going well. I'm glad I'm finally getting this taken care of

I know it is hard now and especially with a new baby but believe me, it will be worth it in the long run.
In about a month you will be in the wierd stage, some things you will be able to do with no pain and it will feel normal and other things you will feel like you are just learning to do them.
Like others have said, swinging a bat will be no problem but throwing a ball more than 20 feet will be a major victory.
Do the PT and stretch as much as possible, frozen shoulder is worse than the surgery.

 

[Kenny Powers]

I'm alive, I made it. I don't really feel like typing much, so cliff notes:

Surgery went well. The SLAP needed a few anchors, then the rest of the labrum was cleaned up cause it was entirely frayed. He also cleaned out a lot of scar tissue, bone spurs, and bursitis. They cleaned up the rotator cuff as well. I will be immobilized for another week or two and therapy starts in a couple days. Doc thinks I'm looking at about a 4 month recovery before I should even think about throwing. I did get the nerve block. That thing was awesome. I couldn't feel or move my entire arm for about 24 hours. It's been pretty painful since it went away though. It seems like it gets more tender every day. I think that's because the swelling keeps going down and it is getting 'looser', if that makes any sense. I can take out my arm to loosen my elbow, and I've tried to move my arm but I really can't go more than 4 inches in any direction at this point. Today has been the first day that I really feel like getting up and moving around. It's hard not being able to hold my newborn son, but at least I don't need to do diapers

So yeah, things are going well. I'm glad I'm finally getting this taken care of

Glad to hear it went well! I am 3 weeks out from surgery and it gets easier every day. Range of motion gets better with each exercise/stretch routine. Looking forward to getting out of the sling.

I was just now able to hold my newborn neice a few days ago. Opposite arm of course, your prolly a few short weeks away from holding the little guy. It gets much better.

I had to change my diet a lot as well since I am not active yet (compared to pre-surgery).

 

[saint]

I'm at week 5 after surgery. Seems like beginning of this week my arm seemed to feel more loose and a lot less pain. Therapy beat me up yesterday and a little sore, but overall see major improvements this week.

 

[p17]

So I'm two weeks into recovery, and things are going well. I can lift my arm up and out to be about parallel with the ground. Going up is far more easier than going out to the side. Pain is minimal; kind of an achy pain all the time and a dull pain when moving, but a very painful sharp pain when I push my limits. Doctor told me a couple days ago he hasn't seen someone heal as fast as I have with this type of procedure, so that's great. Only restriction I have is a max of lifting 5lbs. Therapy kind of sucks, as we're working mainly on range of motion right now. So they basically take my arm and stretch it out for me and it hurts a ton. I could go back to work this Monday, but I think I'll end up taking next week off too since I would only be working Mon/Tues anyway. I might as well sit out and take the extra time to recover.

 

[Dave.C]

Thanks for all the great info guys, I am going in on Tuesday for my surgery and thanks to you guys I have a better idea of what to expect.

Dave

 

[saint]

Thanks for all the great info guys, I am going in on Tuesday for my surgery and thanks to you guys I have a better idea of what to expect.

Dave

exactly what p17 started it for.

 

[p17]

Yep, I am pleased.

 

[Madsunz]

Happy to hear it is going well for you. Therapy does suck.

 

[Trogdor]

damn it i need to get my shoulder done.

 

[Kenny Powers]

So I'm two weeks into recovery, and things are going well. I can lift my arm up and out to be about parallel with the ground. Going up is far more easier than going out to the side. Pain is minimal; kind of an achy pain all the time and a dull pain when moving, but a very painful sharp pain when I push my limits. Doctor told me a couple days ago he hasn't seen someone heal as fast as I have with this type of procedure, so that's great. Only restriction I have is a max of lifting 5lbs. Therapy kind of sucks, as we're working mainly on range of motion right now. So they basically take my arm and stretch it out for me and it hurts a ton. I could go back to work this Monday, but I think I'll end up taking next week off too since I would only be working Mon/Tues anyway. I might as well sit out and take the extra time to recover.

Wow! I am 4 weeks now and the therapist told me absolutely no weights yet. I am only doing stretching and range of motion and he was surprised at my progress. You are super human. Must be the softball fans post count. Lol!

 

[p17]

Back at work today. Not feeling well lol

 

[saint]

yeah. Took a few days to get adjusted. I had to put my keyboard and mouse on boxes to stand.