Hey folks,
72 yo old long term road cyclist. I have had both hips replaced and can ride as long and hard as I want going on 16th yr post replacement. I have bone on bone deterioration right shoulder which, by XRay, my orthopod states qualifies for surgery now but he recommends waiting until I can’t sleep through night. Currently one of the few activities that do not bother the shoulder is cycling. I feel in next year or two a posterior total shoulder replacement is inevitable and am concerned about its impact on my cycling, currently 150-200 miles a week.
Any folks out there that have had this surgery and are still cycling ?

I’m 64 and ride just a bit less than you (although I’m also an avid swimmer, and I run a bit). I haven’t had shoulder replacement, but I have had surgery for a torn rotator cuff. Recovery from that is bad enough. I’ve also got an artificial hip (2018), and artificial knee (2023). In both cases before the artificial joint replacements, the surgeons persuaded me to wait for “a period.” Their reasoning had to do with it being a mechanical device that can wear out, and doing the surgery again when you’re 85, 90, 95…whatever age…isn’t ideal. They prefer that one device sees you through the rest of your life. I thought “OK, that makes sense.” But I think they’re finding that artificial joints are lasting longer than expected (just my guess though). And “So what?” about having a joint replacement done a second time in your later years. A friend recently told me about their 92 year old mother having knee replacement surgery and all went well. Before I got my hip, and my surgeon suggested waiting because of the reasons I mentioned above, I actually said to him “How ‘bout we do it now. I wear that one out. And then replace that one before I’m too old for the surgery.” He didn’t care for that suggestion. So I say do it ASAP. Improve your quality of life now. And one piece of advice I give to people anticipating any shoulder surgery. If it’s on the side you wipe your butt with…start practicing with the other hand now. You won’t be able to reach back there with the surgical arm for months. — Dan

Thread moved to Pills & Ills forum.