ddeand 

I was just informed by my doctor that I need to have surgery (arthroscopic) to repair a torn rotator cuff. Apparently, I've had the injury for a while. At age 67, I understand that the recovery and rehab will be pretty long, but what I'd like to know is about how long after the surgery before I can get into the cycling position again. Recovery will be during the winter, so I'll only be doing spinning classes at the "Y". Any insight into when I can get back into it?

dksix

A friend from work had it done about a year and a half ago and never got better, was never able to come back to work and is now on disability sitting at home going crazy. Somehow when they were working on him they caused some nerve damage and that's been the source of his problems since. My friend went to a local surgeon how didn't have the best reputation and ended up worse off than when he went in. Good luck, I hope you have access to a surgeon that careful and that you get back healthy quickly.

Gerryattrick

How bad is the pain and how long have you had it for?

I'm 68 and had problems with a torn rotator cuff and was scheduled to have an op to repair it but there were so many delays to having the op that by the scheduled time I realised I was having a lot less trouble with it. I spoke to the surgeon and he advised me not to go ahead with the op as the improvement that I had seen was probably as good as I was likely to see with the op anyway. He said that a very large number of people beyond 60 have torn rotator cuffs and never realise it, just putting it down to inevitable wear and tear or a touch of arthritis.

One year on and I am living very happily with what I would just call an occasional bit of discomfort in my shoulder, and something that does not hinder me in any serious way. Cycling is not a problem at all.

Of course, that was just my situation. If your pain is really bad then the op may be best for you.

The best of luck with your decision.

TheManShow

Both my rotator cuffs are torn, as a member of club suck it up, I am fine. Very good friend who is a Vietnam Marine Combat Veteran, who was blown up on Monkey Mountain, spent 16 month in the hospital, had like 9 surguries, before Marines retired him.

Well he recently had rotator cuff surgury, said the surgury, & rehabulation were his worst life expernce. Vietnam was piece of cake. Others I know who have had rotators fixed tell same story.

John E

I view surgery as a last resort, great if you absolutely need it, but nonetheless something to be avoided, if possible.

freedomrider1

Did they mention a option to do nothing at all? Is it really painful? What made you go have it checked out in the first place? How is it on the bike?

CliffordK

Mom has had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders... The first at about age 62, and the second a decade later at age 72 (or so).

The first was "open" surgery. Painful, but she eventually got essentially 100% recovery in that arm.

The second (a decade later) was arthroscopic. After the surgery, the surgeon commented that there wasn't strong enough muscle to tie it all back together, and only did a partial repair. I don't know if the problem was the arthroscopic surgery, or just older/weaker muscles, or multiple injuries and time between injury and repair, or perhaps a combination of everything.

If it was me, I'd carefully consider outcomes of arthroscopic vs open. I don't care about acute post-op pain... but rather long-term outcome.

Anyway, for Mom, I think the (pre-op) pain has subsided in the arm with the partial repair, but I'm not sure about full restoration of function.

She hasn't ridden her bike n quite some time, so no help there.

If you have a fixed exercise bike, there would be no problem with keeping the bad arm in a sling, or for bikes with movable arms, perhaps even some moderate non-stressful movement (talk to your doctor about that, I wouldn't pull on the arm). Pain is often a good indicator of stress.

Ravenwing

Last year I was diagnosed with Rotator Cuff Tendinitis with micro-tears, a precursor to a torn cuff. Luckily I caught it soon enough so that an intensive (12 weeks) round of physical therapy got me back to pain free. As an added bonus, it was the gym-like atmosphere of PT that got me back into exercising, got me off smoking, and ultimately led me to cycling. I assume you've explored the possibility of trying PT first? If not, it might be worth a shot. Sometimes its surprising what they can accomplish through occupational adjustments and alternative strengthening to take the stress of the affected area. Although I've heard a few good reports on the surgery, it is always described as a last resort and a 'long way back' with extensive PT as well.

nobodyhere

2nd opinions are your friend, and maybe even a 3rd. PT's are also your friend, and if you haven't made their acquaintance, go meet one.

Surgeons vary a LOT in their skills. A friend was ruined for life by a surgeon we later found out had two violations in another state before he moved to this state. Check out the various online reviews (health grades, ratemds, etc.), check with your state department of regulatory agencies or whatever it is called for complaints and lawsuits. Ask this surgeon for outcomes - he likely won't have this, but it would be useful info.

Doug64

I had 3 partially torn tendons, including the rotator cuff, a totally torn bicep tendon, and bone damage repaired 14 months ago at age 70. Cumulative damage from skiing and bike crashes take its toll. I am an active ski patroller, and not fixing things was not an option.

I was on my trainer the week after surgery, and back on the road 12 weeks after the operation. My wife and I did a 1000 mile tour across British Columbia and part of Alberta 5 months after the surgery.

I am highly motivated and did every thing the surgeon and PT told me to do, plus some. During physical therapy, I did 41,000 repetitions of my prescribed exercises. The PT said he usually does not have to limit his patients, but in my case he restricted the weight, number of sets, and number of repititions that I could do in a day. I worked hard at it, and can do pushups and pullups as well as normal weight work without a problem. My wife and I are on an extended bike tour now, but when I am home I hit the gym 5 days a week. I'm just about back were I was at before the surgery.

I have had other injuries from accidents that were harder to recover from the trauma and surgery and much more painful.

Find a surgeon and physical therapist specializing in sports injuries.

I'd definitely do it again if I had to.

TCR Rider

I had two shoulder dislocations in a short period of time and was told I had a Bankhardt Lesion. I had open surgery to correct it and after recovery and a lot of aggressive rehab I had almost total strength and range of motion back. That would be great if it was the end of the story but about 4 years later I started developing significant pain and loss of mobility. I went to have it checked out and was told that I had developed arthritis in the shoulder and had almost no cartilage. This Doctor was talking about a shoulder replacement. That really sounded like a last resort to me so I explored other options.
I decided to try a non invasive course of action and had a series of prolotherapy and PRP injections combined with rehab exercises. My shoulder is nowhere near normal now but it does not affect cycling. I work at maintaining strength and flexibility almost every day. I can do almost everything except overhead motions. I do a lot of bodyweight exercises and kettlebells as well as yoga. I'm able to bang out 50 pushups at a clip but military presses are a no go. I've made peace with it, fortunately it's my non dominate side, and as long as I'm able to cycle and maintain a decent level of strength and flexibility I'm not going under the knife again. I can't help but think that if I hadn't undergone the surgery in the first place I'd be better off today.

TheManShow

BTW I use a TENS Unit for pain control & work out with some rubber bands the VA gave me. What works best is water walking where I am in the water up to my neck. then I breast stroke with cupped hands. Help with my rotators. FYI

Frreed

My wife had RC repair 2 years ago. She was 53 at the time. Her surgeon was great and made it clear that 1) she would do all that she could to get as clse to 100% as possible and 2) it would be a long and challenging process. Surgery in early September, immobilized for about 6 weeks, sling for another 4-6, PT from mid September until January (2-3x per week), light lifting for about 6 months. It took the better part of a year to get to about 75%, but she had no pain. She is now back to 90-95% which is about as good as most people get.

She is not a cyclist, but does ride a spin bike for cardio. Just from her course of recovery, I would guess that you would be looking at about 6 months off the bike. It akes about 4 months for all the repairs to take hold and be able to bear normal stresses.

By the way, it was her right arm so she was truly hindered in daily functions for about 2 months. Whiile she was immobilized I even had to cut her food.

In retrospect, it has worked out well. In the moment it was a lot of pain and some slow progress.

ddeand 

Thanks for the replies - I appreciate the input. Here are a few more specifics about where I'm at. It seems the injury has been there for quite awhile, so I know that I have been able to handle the pain and discomfort up to this point. But a few weeks ago, it started getting worse, and then I had a very minor fall on my mountain bike (fell on my right side - no scrapes or pain) and the left shoulder became bad enough that I knew I was done on the mountain bike for a while. My GP said it was obviously a torn RC and the orthopedist (a sports guy with high rating) looked at the MRI and confirmed. He gave me options - cortisone or surgery. Now, here's where I'm at: I can move my forearm just about any direction I please. But from the elbow up, I have very limited movement - I can't even reach the turn signal lever in my car. Lifting my elbow above my heart-level is impossible because of the weakness and the pain. I can function, but I won't be able to ski, mountain bike, or golf with things as they are now. Plus, my part-time job entails lifting above my head. I'm pretty sturdy and handle pain fairly well, but if I don't do something, my present life will be changed significantly.

Here's my plan (as of right now). I will likely get a cortisone shot now to see what that does for me - that should get me through the rest of the biking season (I have no problems on my road bike or my gravel bike). In October, I will reevaluate and probably schedule the surgery. That will mean that the ski season will be a bust, but I don't think I could ski with the shoulder as it is at present. With luck and a good dose of therapy, I can get back to many of my normal activities by spring/summer. I know that anytime your do something like this, there can be problems, but I think the upside possibilities will be worth it.

Thanks again for the replies.

freedomrider1

Yes that does explain it more clearly. Sounds like you have a good Doc. so i would not hesitate going for it.

TCR Rider

Just from her course of recovery, I would guess that you would be looking at about 6 months off the bike.

Every case is different but I was back on the spin bike in a week. The shoulder was immobilized but I was able to work up a sweat and maintain some aerobic fitness.

Here's my plan (as of right now). I will likely get a cortisone shot now to see what that does for me - that should get me through the rest of the biking
season

Cortisone may or may not work. Personally I got very little relief from it and it can do more harm than good. It has been known to restrict circulation to the area making it more prone to injury. I'm not saying don't go that route but be careful.

bykemike 

My shoulder was fairly bad, I couldn't pull a seatbelt across one handed, couldn't lift an empty coffee cup high enough to put it into a cabinet, it was always
a source of pain, even woke me up many nights.
I was considering surgery but a friend of mine 20 years younger than I am had it (I am 66) and it was expensive, painful, and the net result was not much had changed
even a year after the operation.
In my case, 3 years after I injured it, it is going away all by itself. I have full range of motion and almost no pain.

I do feel, however, I could reinjure this very easily so I try to be mindful of my movements.

rydabent

In the last 10 years I have had what was RT damage to both shoulders due to accidents. With the first one I suffered for 3 or 4 months. Then I started my own recovery exercises. I laid flat on the floor lifted light weights from above my head to verticle, from down by hips up, and from straight out to the side. It hurt some at the start, but the more exercise I did the less pain occured. In short order I once again have full range of motion to that shoulder and the other one when I was hit and knocked over by a pickup driver.

Due to my experience, I fully believe exercise is all that is needed. Doctors alway advise an operation, but all that does is make him and the hospital rich.

chas5131

Have had 4 rotator cuff surgeries.
You can ride a trainer while you recover.
Your shoulder will never be 100%.
Keep doing the therapy for the rest of your life.
Learn the therapy, then do it on your own.
My fourth surgery was because a therapist ripped the shoulder not long after surgery.
Wrapped a wrist cast with foam and ran Nastar one year. Don't advise that after shoulder surgery.
May need a fifth surgery. Decided to try light therapy and denial.
A friend got a shoulder replacement. It came out when he was sleeping. Planned surgery to repair it. They found an infection. Took out part of the shoulder. Put in a port for antibiotics for every day for six months. Something went awry. He is dead.

Have learned that he probably died from an accidental overdose.

70sSanO

Wow! I had a crash last October that shattered my clavicle. Had a plate and 11 screws. My shoulder was okay except when I tried to swim. Got an MRI and I have a couple of RC tears. Started PT but had another crash 2 weeks ago. This one was my stupid fault. I never realized how bad this injury could be till I read these posts because I am pretty pain free. I only pursued treatment so I could get back into surfing. Now I am just thankful for what I can do.

I go back to PT on Monday. Will take it a day at a time. Good luck with your situation.

John

ddeand 

Well . . . I'm set for mid-October for the surgery. I wanted to see if I could make it through Fall so I could stay on my bike. I have pain and limited movement, but there's no problem when I ride. If things fall apart, I ca reschedule the surgery earlier. I'll miss skiing this year, but at least I should be able to do spin classes and some winter fly fishing.

david58

Good luck with the surgery!

I had mine done about six years ago. I had no choice, the RC and Labrum were torn traumatically, and the pain was very bad. Pain meds kept the pain down post surgery, but they kept me awake so the change to something that let me sleep had me so stoned I was out of work for about 10 days total.

Had two coworkers that had surgery just before me - surgery on Thursday, at work on Monday. I didn't meet that standard, due to the drugs, but one fellow is a mountain bike rider and was on his bike within a couple of months or so. Mine stayed cranky for about 10 months, then one day I realized it didn't hurt. I would say that my shoulder is close enough to 100% as it can be - can't notice any limitation.

DO YOUR PT RELIGIOUSLY!!! Meaning, not just on Sunday (lol), but follow the PT's orders every single day, don't miss appointments. Will hurt like hell at first, particularly as they stretch it to work your range of motion, but it is essential to full recovery.

But this is certainly not a "recreational" surgery - shoulders are cranky beasts compared with knees, be patient and do what the PT says and it will likely go well.

avidone1

I tore my rotator cuff when I was sixty. It was extremely painful.
Got open surgery and another battle scar, but am now 100% in that shoulder.
I was in a cast for six weeks, then PT for another six.
It was a frustrating time to be sure, but if the result is full recovery and pain free mobility,
I"ll do it everytime
Good luck to you.

MickeyDee

My husband had surgery a couple of years ago. His muscles were completely torn away from the bone so he had no choice. He has had back surgery and said this was the most painful experience he's ever had. He had an accident at work and caught a guy falling off a ladder and is having the surgery on his other shoulder next month. Pretty much the same situation, but with the other shoulder.

The physical therapy is very hard. My personal opinion is that if you need the surgery and it goes well, make sure you rest the first couple of weeks or whatever they tell you. You can't baby it too much. Healing is the point. That will set you up for a better and speedier recovery. Hopefully you get a good physical therapist. There are differences. If you don't like the one you get, try and change. They each will push you differently and surprisingly will give you some slightly different exercises and instructions.

Lastly, do the exercises they give you religiously. That's how you'll get your mobility back. But make sure you don't go too far as you don't want to re-injure your shoulder.

Of course my advice is based on helping my husband through his recovery and he wasn't in very good shape. But he is an avid fisherman and that was his motivation to get his range of motion back.

Good luck and I wish you a speedy recover!

RonH

I've had both shoulders done (2005 and 2009?) by a sports medicine doc who is also a cyclist.
The first week is rough. I slept in a recliner and got only a few hours sleep. After the second week I was much better and got on the trainer and rode 30 minute sessions. Fortunately my doc started me in physical therapy the morning after surgery. Starting PT early is a must. I have friends who went to an ortho doc for the surgery and didn't start PT until 4-6 weeks after surgery and after 5+ years they still cannot lift their arm above their head.
With the docs ok I started riding my bike to physical therapy after 8 weeks. I had PT for ~3-4 months.