I just discovered these videos and you have helped me decide that unless my current pain gets much worse, I will decline to have rotator cuff surgery.. Thanks for opening my eyes!
I am on day two after my rotator cuff surgery of a 54 mm tear. 6 band and strews later. I fell while scrubbing the roof of my house boat,after I stepped on a quarter inch half inch extended bolt to my right heel. I will go-along with him it is day two as he said, my block it has just started wearing off I thought I was Home Free I said are not too bad we will see how this goes from here on out. I appreciate the video thank you very much I will look forward for day 7! I am goal oriented so this will work fine. Don’t wait for DR when you Feel the symptoms as he described get it checked immediately if you have a severe tear you want to get it fixed as soon as possible so you don’t create further damage
Appreciate you sharing your experience. I am due to have surgery in two weeks time for a full thickness tear of the supraspinatus of my right (dominant) shoulder. I feel better prepared with your insights.
Nathan:Thanks for posting these videos. I found both videos very helpful. I am now 4 months post rotator cuff (and some other related repairs that the surgeon found necessary to make). I discovered your videos before my surgery. The first video was helpful as I prepared for surgery and the second video was helpful as I went through the process. Periodically, as I recovered, I checked in to see how my progress compared to your progress. In general, I found your milestones and timeline very close to my own experience. I will add that the first nine weeks was a miserable experience. My shoulder always hurt during PT (both in the PT office and at home) and on some of the exercises, I saw no progress. I was quite frustrated. In week 10, things changed suddenly. The pain started to decrease and I actually started to see progress. Of course, with progress, my mental outlook improved. So now at month 4, my recovery is about where you were at. For others who are considering surgery or planning to have surgery, I recommend the videos posted by Anne Schmidt. Anne and Nathan were my "go to" videos.
Thanks for this update … today is my 4 week post op date. Therapy is going well and I can see progress. Not a cyclist … golfer/snowboarder/skier. Going to miss most if not all of my winter fun. Thank you for an encouraging outlook! Much appreciated!
I couldn’t agree more with your conclusions. I’m only three months out and although my PT help say I’m making remarkable progress, like you I feel frustrated that I’m not further along in the process. I too am a cyclist and it’s making me crazy that I’m not out with my community too but, there are days when I’m in great spirits while on others, I’m still in pain and cannot understand why. Thanks for the encouragement and good luck to all who are in the recovery stage.
Hang in there. It gets better. For the record, my shoulder is not what it was pre-injury, but loads better than it was before the surgery. I've made some modifications to my riding position on the bike, mainly through changing out handlebars. But, I'm very grateful to be able to do what I can do.
Hello Nathan Thanks for the very helpful videos I cant wait for your next follow up video so we can find out how you have been doing what youve been doing and what you are able to do and what you still cant do or are having trouble with...No pressure but if you can update us this week that would be AWESOME!! I had a full tear Supraspinatus and bicep tendonesis surgery on 3-7-23 Im at 18 weeks tomorrow and doing pretty good however I am doing 2 PT sessions a day for a total of at least 2 hours...in the beginning I was doing 3 sessions but I was causing myself pain so I cut it back to 2 sessions and that seems to be good for me. I still cant sleep in my normal position which is my head sideways on the pillow with one arm above my head but I do get in that position for 15-30 minutes before I revert to laying on my back with a pillow under my surgical arm or on my good side with two pillows under my surgical side. My arm is most achy when I wake up during the night or in the morning amd I am careful how I move it to move the pillows or sheets.I am super careful with my arm and dont use hapazardly in any way and am super strict with the PT unfortunately my wife has to carry the load that my surgical arm cant but at least she finally realizes how much that arm does but very greatful that she encourages me to keep up my PT as she has a long list for that arm once its back in action. I am also an avid Road cyclist but I am very patient and my surgeon knows so I have not even mentioned riding to him. I see him in September for my 6 month check up and Ill mention it but My focus is getting my arm 100% so until then my bikes sit idle in the basement and my motorcycle...oh forget about that until at least next year😢 by the way I am 60y.o. for anybody else going through this remember 1 day at a time put in the work and slooowly you will reap the rewards...you want that arm back the way it was before just put in the time and effort...good luck to you all and Nathan ...Thanks again, much appreciated now about that video update😊😊
Thanks for your interest in my recovery. I'd say I'm 90 to 95% of what I was preinjury. I have a little more limited range of motion than I used to have and have modified my riding position on the bike through different handlebars to be more upright than I used to be. But, I'm grateful to be able to do what I can do!
@@KentuckyCycling Hi Nathan thanks for your quick reply. Very happy to hear that you are back on the bike and doing well...that gives us all encouragement that we will eventually get there. I'm still looking forward to that follow up video where you fill us all in on the rest of your path to where you are now😁🤞Thanks again, be well and ride 🚴Safe❗❗
@@MichaelSchoen-f2x Sorry, to say that I don't plan to do another post-shoulder surgery video. But, for an update on my cycling adventures (and proof that I'm back on the bike), check out the recent videos on the channel!
I had major shoulder surgery with a brand new procedure and 5 months out from surgery. After being super fit I am now getting nervous I may not fully recover. Im probably doing better than I think I am but I work a physical job and long to way to go,
I'm 5 months post surgery, and I will stress the...Do not skip or wimp out of the physical therapy...you will be glad you did. It's a good feeling now, know that 3 months ago I had difficulty touching the top of my head, now I can brush my hair and everything I used to do before injury. Good luck and be positive, you will get there.
I like your surgeons plan because mine told me straight up I’m looking at a full year and at 4 months now…I’m sure he’s correct. Long tough process for sure
Thanks so much for your encouragement! I am in week three after surgery and feel the tightness will never let go, but your video helps me see the light at the end of the tunnel, and now it is only a matter of time and hard work. Thanks very, very much!
@@KentuckyCycling they took me out of the sling on day 6 and say I should be doing pendulum swings and lifting my arm up and it just feels completely frozen. Said if I don’t get it moving immediately I could develop frozen shoulder from scar tissue. But it’s extremely painful to move it even an inch. It just seems way too early to be doing all this only 7 days out from surgery.
I was supossed to go yesterday but it was cancelled...I should be going next week ....I don't feel like it...I am not scared of the pain ...It's the recovery afterwards..
Thanks for this video! I'm 5 days post surgery and engaged in 3 days of PT so far. Your videos really help put recovery time in perspective and setting realistic goal expectations.
Thank You so much for your 4 month progress. i too am at the 4 month. Im a competitive swimmer (am 62 years young ; ) ) I started back in 2018. I ended up with a full thickness tear that was almost not fixable. It has been a long process, but am progressing. I was happy I could put my contacts in and put my makeup on after 6 weeks. Itll be about 3 more months before I can do some serious training again. I wish I had seen your videos before hand. I saw others, but not the same. I will continue to watch your videos.
I’m having this surgery on this coming Monday, march 18. After seeing your videos I’m scared to death lol other videos I saw said the pain was not bad at all. This recovery is going to be a nightmare especially with trying to work. lol I really want to back out of this but also want my shoulder fixed while I have the insurance to cover it. …. Lord Jesus help me ! lol
I have 6-12mths to prepare for this surgery n subcromial decompression I'm petrified having low pain threshold hoping it goes ok at 62 n not that physical fit it will be a challenge with help n physio hoping it releives the pain that I'm in now it brings me to tears trying to keep it somewhat mobile.
I'm almost 4 months post surgery in my right shoulder rotator cuff. I have around 90 percent mobility back. Having a rough time getting my arm behind my back too far! Been doing strength at PT thr last 3 weeks. Hopefully in 3 weeks I'll be released to go back to work full duty!
My experience has been that progress is slow. I'm now 7 months post-surgery. Most of my mobility is back, but I'm still working on rebuilding strength and have little setbacks here and there if I push too far, too fast.
just watched your video as I am almost at four months in my recovery and interested in seeing how others are doing to gauge my progress. I got a kick out of how you described your slow progress and the not a straight line recovery along with the no pain no gain. Its like this, pain means you have a problem not that you are healing which is just the opposite of this recovery and had to get past that to progress. Took a while to understand how it all worked as many times I felt I was damaging my shoulder. Like you my PT stretched my arm which was so dam painful was not sure I could get thru it but my guy who I learned to love said you will lose the use of your arm. So I could relate to everything you had to say as was very close to my experience in recovery. Like you I am finally feeling that I am going to make a full recovery and am now working on strength training and past the more painful range of motion. You video was a great help I definitively could relate. Thanks for your help
Thank you for sharing that helpful information. I’ve been a professional drummer the past 50yrs. I'm 4 months & 3 weeks post arthroscopic small tear rotator cuff surgery. Everything you said hit home for me. I’m doing stretching and strengthening daily and having some good days and bad ones. My doctor told me to stop thinking about full recovery in weeks but in 6-8 months to a year! Thanks again!
Two quick questions from a fellow mountain biker in Minnesota that tore his rotator cuff after a jump and subsequent "wash out". Surgery is scheduled for October 15th. First, where can I find a list of fun winter-time cross-country MTB events? I ride events (i.e. Chequamegon MTB Festival) year-round on my fat bike and gravel bike but now that I am retired am thinking of escaping sub-freezing temps for a week or so each year. Second, understandably each of us has different issues and activity restrictions placed by our physicians, were you able to return to rowdy single-track riding by the fifth month? I am registered for the Fat Bike Birkie in March but it seems a little early to risk crashing. Of course, I will follow my surgeons guidance to a tee but am just curious about your situation. Worst-case, I will volunteer at the event so I will still have loads of fun! Thoughts?
Sorry, I'm not at all knowledgeable about wintertime MTB XC events. (To my knowledge, we don't have those here in KY.) With regard to my experience with being cleared to ride at the 5th month. The surgeon did give me clearance to ride again, but I was far from 100% and could only ride for about 5 miles, on a trainer, when I started back and increased very gradually. It was probably about 9 months after surgery before I was comfortable riding single track again.
Thank you so much for your videos ,they are very helpful! I’m at 3 months ,I had bicep repair as well. ( tenodesis] Im very compliant with my exercises, do them at home daily and go to PT twice a week. I’m using my arm much more now, doing 1 lb weights now, but the manual stretching is a killer. I have wonderful PT’s, I know it’s a necessary evil,but I’ll be very happy when I’m past it.
Thank you I'm just starting my second week of PT, aka Pain/Torture :) I appreciate your encouragement. I've been told it would be 4-6 months and I've been in self-denial about that. Your videos have helped me focus on reality and that's best --one week at a time!
Thanks for the update video. The information in this and the three week video were very helpful. Especially thanks for the insight into the impact on typing after surgery. I've had difficulty finding information on that. I am told I have a 13mm full thickness partial width tear of the supraspinatus and an acomial bone spur on my dominant (right) arm. I was eager to get surgery until I started looking into it and found out how much down time it would incur. I'm a single dad and I don't see how I can take care of everything while sitting in a chair all day for months. So for now I decided to focus on physical therapy and overall health and fitness and see how it goes. I'm functioning, just have pain and some limits to the range of motion. I will reevaluate it next year.
I have a similar injury, full width and depth of same tendon. How much range and strength have you regained with PT only? Hope your recovery goes well.
@@richardgunter4677 Mine is full-thickness partial-width. I have not had surgery as yet. So far as long as I am diligent about daily stretching, hanging from a bar, and light weight strength training my range of motion is pretty good. With my current range of motion and discomfort level I probably wouldn't even have gone to the doctor or gotten an MRI to begin with. My other shoulder has had somewhat similar discomfort but again as long as I do the PT at home it's ok. I'm not saying it's perfect, I can't do overhead or bench presses, that sucks, but it's livable. If you are full-width full-thickness and have pain and mobility issues you should probably get surgery before it's too late.
Hi Nathan, How are you doing .?Im from India, recently had surgery and its been 6 weeks and Im also a cyclist as an hobby, As Im now going through the rehab process and How is it with your shoulder now after this long. Its to 100% normal. How is it with cycling do you feel anything now.
Hi @harsha19921. I would not say that I am back to what I was prior to the injury. I would, however, say that I'm much better off for having had the surgery. These days, I prefer a more upright riding position, in part due to my shoulder, and have adjusted my riding position accordingly.
Thank you. Its taking forever im in my 3rd mth of recovery and still can't put a upper garment on. the manipulation part is so devious i think im the only one in therapy that screams
Thanks Kentucky man, I appreciate this info a great deal. I am having an arthroscopy surgery of my shoulder done on March 23, 2023 and I'm scared stiff that I will never be the same, obviously you are doing quite well in this video. Would love to know how you are doing today. Was it worth it? have you recovered? Thanks a lot!
I can confidently say that it was worth it as I am an active person with many years ahead of me. As to the question of whether or not I am "fully recovered", the doctors would say yes. I would say that my shoulder is not quite what it was before the injury. However, it is a whole lot better than the way it was before the surgery. So, in my mind, it's a win. Hope that helps.
Hi Nathan, curious how regularly you went to PT and how much time daily you spent exercising. Glad you’re well on your way to full recovery. Assumably you’re happy with the original decision...
Hi Jeff. PT exercises probably average 30 minutes a day. I started out going 3 times a week, then dropped to 2, then 1, and now every other week. My main advice as far as managing expectations with this stuff is that progress is slow and estimates to recovery are just that. I'm now 7 months into this process and am still not back to normal. But, yes, provided I get there, which I still believe I will, it'll be worth it. At this point in the process, I'm learning that it can be problematic to push yourself too far, too fast (adding more weight too soon) and have inflamed the tendon here and there, causing little setbacks along the way. Still, the overall progress is forward, so I remain optimistic for the final outcome. Plus my tolerance for putting weight on it for short rides on the trainer seems to be getting better. Best of luck to you. My advice is try to stay positive if/when the little setbacks occur and remember how far you've come.
Thanks for sharing. I also suffer rotate cuff tear in october 2022.almost 3 months post injury i do feel 80% better. But steel there is pain although the intensity is less. What i have to do now and how long do i need to wait before fully recovered.
Hi! I’m Marie, I live in Clarksville, Tn. I have ruptured three rotator cuff and biceps tendons. My surgery is scheduled for the 22 of November. A hand specialist is also repairing two fingers on the same hand at the same time. I have many surgeries in my life to include, recently having five titanium plates put in my neck and a cesarean section with no anesthesia. Both of those surgeries were emergent, so I had no time to ponder the pain. With all that in mind, I’m scared to death with my up coming surgeries and the horrific stories about the pain. A nurse at the doctor’s office told me day three was the worse, true? I really don’t have anyone to stay with me full time, is that going to be possible? If not, at what point might it be doable to be alone? I’m a teacher, middle school, based on your experience, when would you guess I’ll be able to return to work? Is there anything that you can tell me to ease my fear of going into this surgery? Anything positive at all? I’m not sure how to see your reply to me, as I’ve never messaged anyone on RU-vid. I guess I’ll get some type of notice that you’ve answered? If there is anyway for you to determine that I haven’t seen your reply, and I haven’t, and you don’t mind, could you please let me know you’ve answered me and how I can view your reply at Marie.rainey@cmcss.net Thank you, Marie If you’d like, once I’m able, I’ll let you know how the process compares for a fit (worked out fairly hard daily, until injury. Mine was not an accident, but overuse from sports and lifting for so many years. I actually audibly heard my tendons popping while releasing from the bone) sixty two year old woman who is five foot and 100lbs. versus a male of your description.
Hi Nathan, I'm a cyclist in California and was wondering how long to took for you to get back on your bike after surgery. Thanks for your videos. they are very helpful. I had my surgery eight weeks ago and just started my physical therapy a week ago. You're right about the pain. Regards, Jim
I was cleared to start riding at 5 months. But, it was a slow process. I started with 5-mike rides on a trainer and went-to 10 and slowly built up as my shoulder could tolerate it. I also adjusted the riding position on my bikes to make everything a little more upright, which has helped. FYI, I’m still not 100% of what I was pre-injury, but much better off for having had the surgery and am happy to be out and having full day adventures on the bike again.
Hi Nathan, thanks for the update. I'm planning the same way. I'm about 10 or 11 weeks from surgery and still have a long way to go on PT. Very slow process. Thanks again. Jim
My surgeon had all stats for recovery, re tear etc. All mileage will vary based on age health, compliance . On week 4 now just getting really bored and stir crazy. This and sleep have been worst to this point.
Great content! I am 3 months out of rotator cuff surgery. I was wondering if your shoulder seemed to sit normally compared to the shoulder that wasn't worked on? I know when I just do a simple stretch forward the shoulder seems to react differently as it seems to sit more inward and forward compared to the healthy one. Just curious if you had anything similar and does it seem to go away over time?
I had a similar issue and suspect it will either go away or get better over time. Assuming that you are in physical therapy, that'd be a good question for your physical therapist.
Thanks for the video. I am currently at 4 months from surgery. Everything you are saying is 100 accurate. This is a slow moving process. One question I have for you is at your 4 month point how much pain did you have when raising your arm straight up? I still have lots of pain when I have to reach straight up and hold the arm there. Is this normal? Do I just need to be more patient? Thanks
Hi Paul, by four months, it didn't hurt to lift my arm up. But, if I were in your shoes and was concerned about it, I'd probably ask my PT for his/her thoughts. It could be that you are having some overcompensation going on that is aggravating certain muscles. They might be able to help isolate and address what is causing the pain. I definitely had muscles that would overcompensate and become painful (though not necessarily with the same movement) and I found that to help. I also ended up getting a massage hand gun to help loosen up muscles when they were overcompensating and getting worked too hard.
@@KentuckyCycling okay...I've mentioned it to the therapist and basically she just said that everyone is different....I understand that. But starting to wonder if there maybe some scar tissue issues. I'll see the doctor in a couple weeks and mention it to him. Have to see....anyway thanks for responding.
@@paulrichardson675 Sounds like asking the surgeon is the logical next step. Hopefully, it will resolve over time for you. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
It's been a couple of years now so I don't recall exactly. But, I will say that I was surprised that they cleared me as soon as they did as I didn't feel very capable at the time. I just had to start with short rides and gradually build up distance over a couple of months.
Thank you being a cyclist and master trainer trusting someone with my body was scary . Listening to others that have experienced that type of pain helps. But seriously my surgeon said this is traumatic but you love cycling And working out so you should do it . Went through most of what you had mentioned before you had surgery, j experienced. So decided Surgery was my best option everything happened the same as you mentioned first two weeks were hard . 8 weeks in now doing PT yes the stretches were hard but necessary!! Learned to breathe through the pain so having 3 children used those breathing techniques helps Still aways to go but following you has helped the process because im about a month behind you so happy to know it gets better weekly having patients is a must .. thanks again plan on full recovery.. 😕✋🏽👊🏽
This is an old video. I'm riding now. They gave me clearance to start riding about 5 months after surgery. But, I couldn't tolerate more than about a 5 mile ride to start and gradually built back up from there.
I am scheduled for shoulder surgery in 2 weeks. My question, did you experience any muscle spasms in the injured area after surgery. If you did how did you manage?? Thank you
Thanks for the update, I will be having similar surgery in March. One question, was your post surgery physical therapy exercises the same or similar to pre surgery? I’m hoping to be back Kayaking in 5 months or so after surgery, as my surgeon stated in will be a four month process. Glad you have improved, safe cycling.
There was some overlap in exercises. But, the initial PT was focused on regaining movement so all that was new. Toward the end, there was some overlap, but overall there was a lot more variety and intensity in the post-surgery PT.
@@KentuckyCycling Hi there, I notice that this is a very recent reply. I saw that you are riding again on your channel. That's great! So can you state that you are now 100% back to normal? Does recovery depend on the type of invasive method the surgeon takes?
Thanks for your very valuable overview. I am 74 yo female who had reverse shoulder surgery in my dominant side. Styling my hair has been a struggle , even after 3 months. I am progressing nicely and unfortunately I feel that my right shoulder will happen in time. But I look forward to following you
Hi! I am 4 months past rotator cuff surgery on my right (dominant) shoulder. Everything went fine until last week, I started weight training but all of a sudden I am having bouts of pain and seem not to be progressing. My PT specialist also pedaled back with exercises as she obviously is afraid to hurt me...don't know what to think. Any ideas?
Sounds like maybe you moved a little faster than what your body could handle so pedaling back sounds like the right approach. Hang in there and best wishes for a full recovery.
@@KentuckyCycling Thank you so much for the fast reply! It could be the case...I am a violinist and teach music/orchestra at Public school full time, and for me regaining my right shoulder function is a question of survival indeed. I am currently home and can't wait to get better...
I’m 72 and have to have to have this surgery, ugh. I help take care of my granddaughter so need to heal quickly. These comments are not very encouraging. I had both knees replaced but this sounds worse.
I’m sure they vary by physical therapist and patient to some degree and change throughout the process, but they are initially focus on regain range of motion and then strengthening.
i torn my rotator cuff and i have the same symptoms as you did but i am not planning to have a surgery becauset i dont think i can bear the pain and the time it takes to heal , assuming that i would heal within 6 months if i am lucky. Did you think twice before you decide to have a surgery and how long did it take you since the time of the accident and decide that you need to have a surgery?
I did not rush to the decision to have surgery. The fall happened in early August 2020. After still having shoulder pain three months later, I started physical therapy in November and worked with a PT until January. The PT helped a lot, but I still had pain so my PT suggested that I likely needed to have an MRI, which is something that a surgeon's office has to order. The MRI revealed that one of my tendons was torn greater than 50%, which, I understand, is generally the indicator that the tendon won't heal up on its own. I also have the benefit of my sister-in-law's husband being an orthopedic surgeon down in NC. So, I was able to obtain a 2nd opinion from someone I trust to tell me that surgery was necessary if I was able going to regain full use of the shoulder. So, it was 11 months after the fall that I finally underwent the surgery. For me, it was a decision of facing relatively short-term pain in exchange for many more years of riding.
