Gerryattrick

I've been making an effort to get fitter this winter ready for more riding in the summer, and have even started building a bike more suitable for road riding.

Just had a letter from my local hospital telling me that my rotator cuff surgery is planned for late April, which means I'll probably miss the best riding months recovering.

Makes me feel like *#^*#** swearing.

OldsCOOL

I'd tell them back off until fall.

Cougrrcj

I feel your pain! I haven't been able to ride much for the past 2-1/2 years due to multiple surgeries. Getting old sucks!!! I'm hoping I can kick this neck pain this year (caused by severe arthritis in C3-C4, and a bulged disc C5-6.) I had really hoped that my retirement would be enjoyable, and not feeling like a crippled old fart!

Siu Blue Wind

Recovery from RC surgery is 4-6 months, so yes, you would miss it. Gosh you aren't even allowed to pick up a phone book for the first couple of months. It's awful.

Cycle Babble

Maybe it's just me, but I would call the hospitol and say you are sorry, but will be out of the country until late September.

John S

Gerryattrick

Our NHS is good at many things, particularly emergency/critical care, but giving choice over timescales is not one of them. If you turn down an op you're likely to go to the back of the queue again.

I'd already asked for it not to be in July because of holidays and they honoured that request.

I could have it done at a private hospital but that would cost around £5k and probably be done by the same surgeon.

I'll just have to build up my fitness before the op, take the hit and afterwards keep fit walking and by borrowing a friend's turbo trainer for use outside in the garden.

OldsCOOL

In that case, I wish you the best in recovery and minimal downtime!

OldTryGuy

So often life gets in the way of enjoying life. It is probably wiser to get things taken care of sooner than later. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

NOS88

Might be a good time to pick up an additional hobby. Notice I didn't suggest that you drop cycling. Just fill the time with something else you enjoy.

Gerryattrick

We have plenty of mountains in Wales so I'll have time to do a lot more hill walking, which has taken a back seat since I got back into cycling.

On the plus side I get out of gardening, painting the house, tiling the bathroom, fitting new kitchen units, all of which my wife had planned for me this summer.

qcpmsame 

Hope everything goes well for you, I'd hate to cross the NHS with another date change, as you said. I'd say stick with the schedule and get as fit as you can prior to the surgery and follow the surgeon's directions so the recovery doesn't drag out with complications and then get back in the saddle when you are healed up fully.

Bill

Dudelsack 

In this situation, it's only fair to ask: WWBD?

Here Bruce darn near got his head severed in a cycling accident and got on the bike just a few week later.

Seriously, your bike will wait patiently for you. They're good about that.

Biker395 

I'm gonna be calling to arrange for hernia surgery soon, so I feel your pain. Well ... sort of ... I guess mine is a different pain.

Wait a minute ... why am I telling the world about this?

RonH

Hospital??? Both times I had my rotator cuff surgeries it was as an outpatient. Surgery at 7am and home by 2 pm. Physical therapy started the following day. I was back on the bike in ~2 months.

choteau

DO YOUR PHYSICAL REHAB !!! If your shoulder is bad enough to need surgery get it done. I had my right shoulder done 17 Oct 2013, when the surgeon got in there he found nothing wrong with the RC... But the biceps tendon was badly frayed, the bursa was scarred and inflamed, the collarbone and scapula were rubbing together, multiple bone spurs, hole worn in joint cartilige, etc... Surgeon fixed all. Have been on 3 short rides in last week, on my old upright cruiser so no weight on hands and being CAREFULL Tim

Gerryattrick

Mine will probably also be day surgery in the local hospital. I will be aiming to get back on the bike as soon as I can, without being too stupid, and hope I can do as well as you.

Siu Blue Wind

My husband was in at 630am, home by 6pm. He had a large amount of work done. It's just the healing that takes a long time.

Dudelsack 

So what kind of STD do you have?




Just kidding. Seems like I say that a lot.

Biker395 

The worst kind. I'm old!

RonH

I was back on the bike (trainer) in about a week. No worries about falling over since your arm will be in a sling.
The toughest part of the whole thing was sleeping in a comfortable chair for the first week or so after the surgery. It felt so good to sleep in the bed after the doc allowed to take my arm out of the sling at night.

h2oxtc

Could always plan to spend next winter in Florida to make up for the time off the bike.

GFish

If you don't mind me asking. I'm having some pain in the shoulders, still have mobility but wondering what are the symptoms that lead to rotator cuff surgery?

I know, I know, need to visit the doc to see what's going on.

Artmo 

One of the symptoms is being unable to lift your arm to the side, horizontally, without severe pain in your shoulder.

Zinger

^^^^

This

OldsCOOL

And rotating the thumb up/back. Major indicator of rotator cuff.

Or when it hurts getting the back wheel off to fix a flat.