Sorry about the shoulders. I was at 12 weeks when I got the OK from the surgeon to ride outside. I hope you can get that release soon. I did a lot of strength work, for the shoulders, this past winter. I did the Dialed Health Off Season Road program and the Gravel program. I had to modify some of the exercises but my shoulders were stronger than ever. I recommend shoulder strength work as soon as you can manage it.
Good for you on the good rotator cuff. The reverse replacement eleminates the rotator cuff. I have regained some ability to throw my light boomerrangs but canāt quite thrown the heavier boomerrangs yet.
Good luck with the continued recovery and with the surgery on the second shoulder, when you have it. Please let me know if you have any questions about recovery. I am far from an expert but I am happy to help any way I can.
Thanks for the advice. I am thankful for an anatomic replacement over the reverse replacement. My understanding is the recovery process is much longer. I did try Dialed Health a while back, but found that I was unable (due to shoulder weakness and pain) to do a lot of the prescribed exercises and modifying a lot of the programming. I decided I need more hands-on coaching to get back into the strength game (where I spent most of my training until my hips and then shoulders became issues)
I am fully focused now on rehab and approaching 3-months post-op. Iām planning to transition that focus to consistent strength training. Iāll keep my progress updated here.
Please keep me updated on rehab. Sounds like youāve had a good start. Sorry to hear about the hip issues. I am lucky that shoulders have been my main problem but if family history means anything knees might be next.
Sharing in the event my contributions to this thread will help othersā¦Iām three weeks out from Total Anatomic replacement on my left/non-dominant shoulder. I was very worried about the surgery and recovery, so I put it off for about 6 years. Mainly concerned about limitations, post-surgery and I wanted to check a number of bucket list items off the list while I could. But, it was time for the Hardware upgrade.
The surgery:
According to my doc, the rotator cuff was in great shape, but the bones were terrible. The surgery went really well, according to the MD. Incision was sewn an taped and never bled. Cool looking scar, too.
post- surgery (so far)
I feel great. Almost no pain, if i keep the arm in the sling and avoid most movement/usage as directed. I had a nerve block that lasted close to 4 days, and it was a miracle. I have been able to avoid opiates completely, managing pain with tylenol and naproxin. Sleep is a pain in the shoulder sling, but moving around during the day is fine. 1 week of no typing or work stuff, but that was according to plan.
Re-hab
Started rehab / PT this week and itās going slow and easy. So far so good. Iām doing 2-3 mile walks a couple times a day to get outside and clear my head. Hope to start riding a recumbant stationary bike at the healthclub next week. On Trainerroad by late November, if it keeps going the way it is now.
Shoot me any questions if you got 'em. Thanks @mcconaha1 for the offline info and inspiration.
I am glad the surgery went well. The recumbant is a great option. I really hope you have a quick recovery and get back on that gravel bike soon. Please let me know if I can help in any way. Good luck!
Another update for whoever needs this in the future.
In week 9 post-surgery. Feeling pretty good, but just a wee bit frustrated that recovery isnāt going as fast as I hoped (but, honestly, iām right on track for what the Ortho told me would happen).
PT exercises 2x a day to get ROM back, though as of now, ROM is very good. Little to no strength in repaired shoulder (i.e. canāt lift it past my waist at this point. Pain is low but i can feel it (like a 1 or 2 on a 10 point scale).
Got the greenlight to try the wahoo/bike/Trainerroad setup this week. Hands on the bars was just ok. 30 minutes is doable. Will need another couple weeks before iām in ātrainingā mode, and want to keep doing all the PT and take it slowly.
I think thereās a slight chance I can take on Festive500 on the trainer. Either way, iāll be back in base-building mode by late December.
TL:DR - Modern medicine is miracle, and Iām going to be back in training mode 12 weeks post-shoulder replacement.
