Photography after Shoulder Replacement? (Page 2): The orthopedic surgeon that replaced one of my hips a couple of years ago had both of his shoulders replaced previously and he still...

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

The orthopedic surgeon that replaced one of my hips a couple of years ago had both of his shoulders replaced previously and he still has his reputation as one of the finest ortho surgeons around, so, I wouldn't worry too much about photography. If he can spend entire days in surgery you should have no problem carrying a camera.
As others have stated, full recovery will take about a year even though in 4-6 months you should be about 75% recovered. That was my experience with both cervical spine surgery and hip replacement. I had my prostate removed 9 months ago and am still shaking off the last of the side effects from that even though recovery has been excellent.
Whatever you do, RESEARCH the surgeon and his or her team! Minimally invasive robotic surgery is becoming the norm for such operations but you MUST have an experienced team. Check the surgeon's track record. The internet is a priceless resource for that. Such surgeries are routine today but they are still major surgery.
Best wishes!

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas

Complete rotator cuff tear about 8 years ago. No where near 100% after surgery, but the doctor told me that. It's impossible for me to life a gallon of milk up to my shoulder. Don't even try to hand hold my 500mm f4.0. No way.

olddog Loc: louisville ky

Dickbas wrote:

Any Hoggers out there who have had Shoulder Replacement? How has it effected your photography? Can you still hand hold a DSLR with a 400mm lens?
Have any tips or tricks to pass along?
Many thanks in advance!

Hi Dickbas. I had my shoulder replaced two years ago. I might not be the average patient, but I had 12 therapy sessions scheduled and finished in 6. I had no pain in therapy and can use my arm almost the same as before. I was very happy with the surgery and would do it again. I am 81 and can't stand more than a few minutes because of my back, but can sit and use the camera just fine. Hope things go well with you.
Olddog

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

olddog wrote:

Hi Dickbas. I had my shoulder replaced two years ago. I might not be the average patient, but I had 12 therapy sessions scheduled and finished in 6. I had no pain in therapy and can use my arm almost the same as before. I was very happy with the surgery and would do it again. I am 81 and can't stand more than a few minutes because of my back, but can sit and use the camera just fine. Hope things go well with you.
Olddog

Attitude is 99% of it, and you sound like you've got a great one!

Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

wapiti wrote:

Complete rotator cuff tear about 8 years ago. No where near 100% after surgery, but the doctor told me that. It's impossible for me to life a gallon of milk up to my shoulder. Don't even try to hand hold my 500mm f4.0. No way.

Look into “Reverse Shoulder Replacement”, saved my life. Don’t continue to suffer I know what that is like. 3 years ago I couldn’t reach out to change a station on my radio in the car, I had maybe 10-20% use of Both! Arms. After a year post surgery ( I did them 2 years apart) I’m kayaking and using my big lenses

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

Dickbas wrote:

Any Hoggers out there who have had Shoulder Replacement? How has it effected your photography? Can you still hand hold a DSLR with a 400mm lens?
Have any tips or tricks to pass along?
Many thanks in advance!

I crushed my left arm in a fall from a mountain and needed reconstruction. Could not hold any dslr with any lens. I purchased the A7r and a couple of small prime lenses. That is why/how I got Mirrorless. As I get stronger I am starting to go Mack to Nikon.

Zooman 1

Had the left shoulder replaced 3 years ago, and now will have the right done in about a month. Was able to get back in to photography after a month following the left surgery. But, I am right handed so think until rehab has started may not be able to use cameras, unless I can set them up on a tripod. All due to arthritis.
Good luck hope all goes well.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Frank and others nailed it. Your physical therapist is going to be your best friend. Mine helped through several broken bones, including a vertebrae. I've had little if any residual issues.
--Bob

Dickbas wrote:

Any Hoggers out there who have had Shoulder Replacement? How has it effected your photography? Can you still hand hold a DSLR with a 400mm lens?
Have any tips or tricks to pass along?
Many thanks in advance!

Taggs

Thank you everyone, I had shoulder replacement less than a week ago and I am still in the sling. Great outlook for the future.

Dave

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

I had a fall while on a bike ride (extenuating conditions) and fractured the ball at the top of the humerus on the left side. Surgeon replaced the ball with a titanium one and a rod runs almost to my elbow due to other cracks in the bone. Surgeon warned that I was looking at a loss of about 50% range of motion. I can lift my left arm to shoulder height now, but that is it.

I continued to use my Canon 5D Mk II for about six months, but it was challenging and painful. For a longtime, even adjusting my ball head on a tripod was painful.

I made a switch to Olympus EM 1 MK II when it came out in early 2017 and have enjoyed it immensely. Selling my Canon gear including a 300mm f2.8 L IS about covered the cost of the Olympus gear I purchased. In April I did a 14 day safari in Tanzania and all shooting was done handheld. I primarily used a Panasonic 100-400 mm lens on my EM-1 MK II. I would never have been able to shoot 12,000 images with the Canon gear due to my left shoulder.

poxer

I had a total replacement of my left shoulder. After a VERY painful rehab it has't bothered my meager attempts at photography at all.

Dickbas Loc: Southern New Jersey

Thank you for sharing your experience.
It is very encouraging for me!

RL Loc: Canyon, Texas

I have had both shoulders replaced, the left one twice due to a faulty surgery the first time. I carry a Canon 7D II with battery grip and a 100-400 lens often. I carried the same set up with the 40D and 50D Canons without problems while chasing whales, orcas, and sea birds in Alaska for a number of years. I use the Cotton Carrier to support the weight when not taking photos. This is also the set up I used for laccrosse photos with grandkids. The extra weight seems to help hold the camera steady.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Dickbas wrote:

Any Hoggers out there who have had Shoulder Replacement? How has it effected your photography? Can you still hand hold a DSLR with a 400mm lens?
Have any tips or tricks to pass along?
Many thanks in advance!

Get yourself into a good physical therapy program and work at it religiously.

MarciaES

Hi, I had my right shoulder replaced the last day of Feb. 2018. I had gotten to the point where I couldn't hold a camera of any kind up to my face because of the pain. Couldn't brush my hair or do much of anything. I went to all the physical therapy sessions that they wanted me to and by the middle of June was able to go to Alaska (for the 2nd time) and had no problem with my camera. Just before going I got an 18-400 lens to really zoom in on the critters & glaciers up there and had no problems. Now, that's my go-to lens & have it on my camera most of the time. Shoulder is probably 90 - 95% there after a year & 1/2. No pain at all and would go through the surgery again in a heartbeat. Be sure to ask for a nerve block if your surgeon doesn't say something first. Because of it, I didn't need any kind of narcotic pain reliever post surgery.