Riding after shoulder joint replacement surgery

[bamarider]

I'm having this surgery on my left shoulder the 1st of next month and am concerned about riding afterwards. My surgeon has told me I'll be able to ride after 4 months, but he also strongly advised against water skiing. So has anyone out there had this surgery and continued riding and if so how has it affected your riding?

[Mr. Whippy]

I think you're going to be pleased.  Dirt bikes might be off limits, but you're going to be happy with the results.  DO YOUR REHAB FAITHFULLY.

[Rocky]

Due to a motorcycle crash in Peru I had a steel prosthesis inserted in my right shoulder in July 2008. After seven months of intensive physio I was as fit as a fiddle and riding again in April 2009 as if it never happened. I have some limitations in extreme movements such as putting my arm up behind my back and I can't raise my arm 100% in the vertical position, but these are minor annoyances. 95% is good enough, but I still push it as hard as I can and even today I notice small gains after all this time. Day to day I don't even know I had the surgery and I continue to tour on my bikes hundreds of miles a day with no problem whatsoever. I'm as strong as I ever was and don't even think about it - and I'm 75 years old!
To recover from the surgery and to be as good as you can be you MUST do the physio faithfully and work hard at it. It will be tough at first, but don't give up; don't give in and don't slack off. I can't stress this strongly enough!! If you don't put in the effort then you can't expect good results. It's all up to you.
Good luck!

[veefer800canuck]

Although not a shoulder replacement, I am having my left AC joint repaired with some hardware plus new Dead Guy ligament.

I hope to be riding in 4 months. I tried to get the surgery scheduled earlier, but no dice.

Will let you all know how it goes.

[X1Glider]

I have a plate and 9 screws in my clavicle now as of this past September.  I was able to street ride in a responsible manner after a month.  (shhhh...don't tell my wife)  

I'm not healed yet.  There are still 4 distinct pieces according to my last x-ray a few weeks ago.  Admittedly, even though I'm riding to work everyday, I am sort of uneasy about it in regards to "if I should have an accident."  Houston is full of dumbshit drivers with 50% being uninsured types.  I am fearful of the screws acting as levers and breaking the bones into splinters should something happen.  Physical activity such as weightlifting and dirt riding is very important to me.  Not to mention being able to wash my hair in the shower by myself and do other household projects and turning wrenches on the vehicles.  So it is always on my mind.  But I'm a man and am therfore stupid by nature.  I have a deposit on a '13 KTM 350EXC-F and am considering going to pure dirt which is more abusive even without crashing.

Just do your PT.  Practice your range of motion exercises religiously.  This is most important.  Strength will come eventually.  It'll be slow so don't get discouraged about that.  Range of motion is more important.

[bamarider]

Thanks everyone for all the replies and advice. I'm very aware of the rehab that will be involved to get me back to where I need to be. I had ACL reconstructive on my knee 3 years ago and was very diligent with rehab and had great success with that. I'm very disappointed about not being able to water ski, that something I've been doing most of my life and will miss that.

[X1Glider]

You might be able to water ski eventually, just not anytime soon.  Back in '92 I had 1/2 of my left foot amputated.  Was run over by a forklift at work and everything from the ankle down was crushed.  Out of all the things I did, soccer, rugby, martial arts, rock climbing, weight lifting, skating, mountain biking, etc... the only thing I had to give up completely was rock climbing.  After 6 surgeries and 2 years of healing, I was squatting at the gym, skating, biking...3 years later, I restarted martial arts, 4 years later I was back to rugby and soccer.

When the accident happened, I was pretty depressed because all I could think about was how my life at the tender age of 21 was going to change.  My life revolved around those activities and the social aspects that came with them.  As time marched on, I started to realize that the only thing that would prevent me from doing anything I wanted was my own mind.

Mind and body strong, Grasshopper.

[black hills]

while I didn't have the surgery, I did break the top (the ball part) of my Humerus (sp?). as others have said do your therapy exactly as they say, do not slak of on any part of it! you will be pleased with the results.. good luck.

[bamarider]

Once again thanks for all the encouraging words and advice. I'm really encouraged to see that other riders have gone thru this and still enjoying our sport, especially you Mr.Whippy I see we both ride a multi, missed that on my 1st reply. Hoping the weather here in N. Al. clears up enough so I can get in a few miles before going under the knife.

[Geno]

I had a 'reverse' shoulder replacement last May after a doozy of a skiing accident.  I was riding again after 3 months, but with limited range of motion and strength.  I kept up with physical therapy diligently, and am now about 90 percent healed and gaining strength & endurance every day.  My surgeon said it'll be a year for full recovery if I maintain my exercises.  I'm 68, and have every intention of riding well into advanced geezerhood.  My titanium shoulder sets off metal detectors now, so I keep a copy of my X-ray with me to show the gestapo.  Freaks 'em out...

[Rocky]

  I should have also mentioned that my titanium shoulder joint sets off alarms at airports too.
I don't carry an x-ray with me, but just get well "wanded" up, down and sideways without any problems.
And I always tell the screener first before entering the scanner so it's no surprise to them.