steve7

Hi all,been given 10th Jan for my repair ac seperation op ,to all who have had this op .How soon where you back on bike please ?I know everyone is different but feedback would be good.

rumrunn6

good luck. grade 3? I just read this:

After surgery, the patient will need to wear a sling for about four weeks. (If the surgery has to be done using traditional, open techniques instead of minimally invasive, the patient may have to keep the arm immobilized for two to three weeks after surgery.

As soon as healing permits, lower arm exercises can be started. Actions like lifting or reaching above waist level may be prohibited for a time after surgery. Six to eight weeks of physical therapy may also be needed to regain full motion. People who enjoy activities that involve shoulder strength or speed may not be able to do these things for up to six months.

here:
https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patient...eparation.aspx

Maelochs

I had a complete separation (all tendons severed) and it took quite a while to get back on the bike because of the specific stresses cycling puts on the shoulder (pushing it back and up to support some body weight, accented strongly by every bump, plus the movements of steering)----but I didn't have surgery (inoperable injury.) How long it might take? I hate to say this, but way longer than you'd like.

It was several months for me, and I came back too soon, put too much strain on my left (uninjured) arm, and did lasting damage to my left elbow. Don't be like me.

I imagine since you're getting hospital care that they will give you a printed physical therapy regimen to follow at home. I'd say, treat it as you normally would---do at least ten percent more than suggested, but Stop when you know that you did a little too much.

I broke my left clavicle on the last day of June and was off the bike until October because I kept re-injuring it when it was 80 or 85 percent healed, because i was impatient. Again, don't be like me.

I'd say, enjoy the winter months on a treadmill at the local gym, and count on your first tentative rides in late April or early May. I hope you heal a lot faster, but I hope just as much that you heal sufficiently before getting back on the bike.

nickw

This. Letting your body heal appropriately is typically always rewarded down the road vs pushing yourself. It's a nasty spiral when it does.

When in doubt, sit it out.

You may lose some fitness / be bummed out short term, but long term you'll be faster and healthier.

WizardOfBoz

While benchmarks from folks who've had this procedure may be useful, people vary. You may have more/less underlying damage than others who've gone through the process. Surgeons vary in their competence and experience. Even with the same surgeon, outcomes can vary. So don't put too much weight when someone here says "I was doing one armed pushups, with the repaired shoulder, a week after surgery!"

I would research the hell out of your surgeon. Find out how many of these he does a year. The web is your friend. Once you're comfortable that you have a pretty good doc, ask him/her about their physical therapy philosophy. If they can give you specifics about how fast you get in to to rehab work, that's good. Do research on who your physical therapist will be. Talk to her/him about what to expect. Ask her/him about the doc. "Anything I should know about what Doctor Jones likes to do with rehab." And then "Anything at all about Dr. Jones?" You might get some valuable feedback.

There are a couple of rehab timelines here, and here that may be useful and indicative about what to expect. Your PT may have her/his own timeline you can review beforehand.

I'm not a doc, but I do believe that we all have right and duty to take responsibility for our own healthcare. Nothing above should be construed as medical advice. Talk to your appropriately licensed medical professional for definitive advice.

steve7

thanks all for replies and have a prosperous New Year

OldTryGuy

EXCELLENT REPLY!!!!

Two ortho surgeons looked at my right shoulder and gave me their take on a total replacement. Number 2 was even a shoulder specialist. I then went to a third ortho who was recommended by a cycling buddy. He told me I would be back on my bike in 2 days following the replacement instead of the months the others mentioned. It was actually 4 days following the replacement for a short 12 mile ride then the next day a 60 mile ride. Surgery was a Monday morning with my PT visit Tuesday morning at which time the sling came off. Given instructions on what I SHOULD NOT DO and could do, with a follow up in a week at which time I began some very light movements.

Doctor's background and responses to my doubts made all the difference for me, so make sure you have found the best. BTW, had the same situation with my Prostate Cancer doctor who was recommended by another cycling buddy and that doc happens to be at the top of his field IN THE WORLD.

Research, research and have a cycling buddy recommend is now my mantra.

I know my reply did not address your specific situation, it was only meant as a informative as to what differences exist even between top doctors. Good luck and keep us posted.