Is there golf after rotator cuff surgery?

[cnl390]

Just found out I need rotator cuff surgery.  The doc tells me that we are looking at moths of of rehab.

Can anyone give me an idea how long it will be before I can play golf again?

Thanks

[oudrees]

I had surgery to repair two tears in my labrum in my shoulder in June 2013 and didn't play golf till April 2014. It took 4 months before I was cleared for full activity and it was still really weak and throwing a ball wasn't fun, so I didn't try swinging a club.  After 6 months, I was into winter and didn't really try.  I would guess you could be back playing around 6-8 months.  I think rotator cuff is a similar recovery to labrum repair.  Just make sure you really take PT seriously to get back quickly.  My insurance cut me off of PT early and I still have reduced Range of Motion in my shoulder.

[jcjim]

I can't tell you what the rotator cuff surgery will do...I have had rotator cuff problems for about 3 years...I can't raise my upper left arm more than a bit below parallel to the floor...I cannot reach to get a glass from a shelf without serious pain...so the right arm gets double duty..

I had two doctors look at it and surgery was suggested but neither doctor would give me a positive outlook after surgery....In other words whatever happens will happen...Not good enough for me to go through it....

I had a cousin that had rotator cuff problems very similar to mine..he had surgery 8 years ago and still has problems and he says it isn't much better than it was before surgery and says he wished he had never had it....

[cnl390]

I can't tell you what the rotator cuff surgery will do...I have had rotator cuff problems for about 3 years...I can't raise my upper left arm more than a bit below parallel to the floor...I cannot reach to get a glass from a shelf without serious pain...so the right arm gets double duty..

I had two doctors look at it and surgery was suggested but neither doctor would give me a positive outlook after surgery....In other words whatever happens will happen...Not good enough for me to go through it....

I had a cousin that had rotator cuff problems very similar to mine..he had surgery 8 years ago and still has problems and he says it isn't much better than it was before surgery and says he wished he had never had it....

I am in the same boat as you as far as mobility and pain.  However I don't have much of a choice.  The MRI shows that mine is torn almost all the way through.

[jcjim]

I am in the same boat as you as far as mobility and pain.  However I don't have much of a choice.  The MRI shows that mine is torn almost all the way through.

Well if it.s almost all the way through it looks like you may not have a choice...Mine is torn in 2 places but not almost detached..

Many years ago I had my right shoulder rotator messed up but after about 5 years it got better and today I never have a problem or pain...knock on wood....

My shoulders were messed up lifting weights for many years and probable a few other things...

Well good luck with your shoulder..Try to pick a good surgeon if you have a choice....

[oudrees]

Kobe Bryant was cleared for full basketball activity today, 9 months after his rotator cuff surgery if that helps at all.  Looks like the recovery is a little longer than I thought.

[DrvFrShow]

Yes. My neighbor had RCS and is back to playing at about an 8 HC. It's a long recovery, but you have to do all of the physical therapy that is required. All of it. Don't slack off. The more you slack off the longer it will take to come back. If you have access to a health club the shoulder cable machine works really well for doing all of the PT exercises you'll be given once your insurance company cuts off the treatments.

The stretching will be painful. Don't wimp out. You'll have to do the stretches at home as well as at PT, and you'll have to do them a couple times a day. Do them.

You'll also be surprised at how strong they want you to get those muscles eventually.

They'll go in with a scope, usually, and do the surgery. Your doctor will mend the torn tissue and hopefully tidy up any bone spurs that you have in the immediate area that can cause irritation. They usually want you to start PT right away.

Remember, it will take as long as it takes. Don't get discouraged. For your golf fix - pick up Rory PGA tour 2015.

[vangator]

I've had rotator cuff problems a couple of times with my left shoulder. Never had surgery but my doctor told me to rest my left arm as much as possible so the shoulder could repair itself. I wore a sling for many months. After 7 months I was cleared to golf. I still have minor pain from time to time, but not a problem. He said mine was torn but no completely since I could raise my arm somewhat. My sister-in-law had rotator cuff surgery and it has completely healed. I think I'll ask my wife to check in on her to see if everything is still OK. If so, I won't be as hesitant to get the surgery if needed.

[Lastpick]

Yes there is golf after rotator cuff surgery and the golf will be pain free.  As stated above, you will have to do post surgery therapy.  It hurts and is annoying.  Just do it as the therapy is only temporary(at minimum a couple of months).  One guy in our local group had the surgery and didn't do the therapy, did lots of pain pills, and his recovery was about two years.  We kind of make fun of him because of his claim that his surgery was the worst of all time.  The surgery that from my observation takes the longest to get back to golf IMO is knee replacement.

[flopster]

Wife had it done last June 3rd, 2 tendon tear. has full mobility with PT assistance with no pain, she's not athletic so you might be good after 4 or 5 months depending on how strong and young you are.

[chspeed]

Absolutely. I had open shoulder surgery to repair a torn subscapular tendon and remove a piece a bone. Surgery was in September 2013, and I was swinging a club by March and back on the course by April. Didn't even miss a season

Obviously, the success of the surgery is important, but assuming that goes well, your PT holds the key to a quick recovery. Listen to him/her, stick to your routine, don't overdo it, and wait until your surgeon and PT clear you before swinging a club.

BTW, worst part of shoulder surgery for me was the two or three weeks after surgery. Sleeping lying down hurt too much, so had to sleep sitting up. Make sure you have a good LZ-boy or something to sleep on.

Good luck!

[oudrees]

BTW, worst part of shoulder surgery for me was the two or three weeks after surgery. Sleeping lying down hurt too much, so had to sleep sitting up. Make sure you have a good LZ-boy or something to sleep on.

Good luck!

A good recliner is a must.  I think I slept in mine for a month and even when I moved back to the bed, I had pillows surrounding me.  PT is going to be hell for a little bit but is a requirement.  Bare down and stick with it.

[cnl390]

I want to thank for sharing your experiences, recommendations, tips, etc.  While I a certainly not looking forward to the surgery, at least now I know what to expect.  Which is half the battle.

I am scheduled to have the surgery on December 19th and will give a status report as soon as I am able.  I know this will kill the Christmas holidays, but my wife and I own a business and by having it then I should be well enough to answer the phone and use a keyboard one handed when work resumes.

[avmech]

Had rotator cuff surgery (reattach a completely unattached tendon and removing a bone spur) toward the end of October 2013. Was cleared for golf and exercise early February 2014. Doc is one who believes in agressive rehab and I have zero problems and have full motion with my shoulder. This was my left shoulder and I am right handed and 59 yrs young. Just remember to do what the doc says, do what the PT says (I even made up some of the PT equipment at home) and take your pain meds, especially right before the therapy sessions so the shoulder can be moved with minimal pain by the therapist. At first sleeping with a sling and the cuff that recirculates ice water is a major PITA. It gets better and better and soon you are back as good as new. Wish you the best!