Shoulder surgery (Page 4): I have had two rotator cuff surgeries. Both were painful. One now hurts again after 15 years. The other is quiet. I recommend not getting them if you can...

michaelsinger

I have had two rotator cuff surgeries. Both were painful. One now hurts again after 15 years. The other is quiet. I recommend not getting them if you can avoid it. Physical therapy is the alternative if you can discipline yourself to do it.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

A little over 5 years ago I had some rotator cuff and acromio-clavicular joint surgery for repair and revision. I agree with others, follow the rehabilitation exercises and procedures, that makes a world of difference. I have been riding a full dress Harley and also taking photos (not at the same time though) since without any problems. As for the pain meds, I only took a couple doses as I did not have pain, only minor discomfort. I took the meds only to make sure I did not have pain after rehab exercise.

Another important factor, trust your surgeon. Follow his advice and good luck with the surgery.

Bill P

I can't see how you should have any problems, if you are shooting properly. You should be holding the camera with your upper arms alongside your body, elbows in tight. If you need to move your soulder, perhaps just a bit to shoot a vertical.

Think you'll do well!

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

foggypreacher wrote:

Hey Hogs,
Have any of you had shoulder surgery and still been able to take good photos? In two weeks I am having complete should replacement surgery on my right shoulder. Yep, the one that does most of the camera maneuvering. If you had the same, were you able to overcome the restrictions and still take good photos?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Your doctor is the best one to give you advice on this. I am surprised you have not checked with him by now.

no12mo

foggypreacher wrote:

Hey Hogs,
Have any of you had shoulder surgery and still been able to take good photos? In two weeks I am having complete should replacement surgery on my right shoulder. Yep, the one that does most of the camera maneuvering. If you had the same, were you able to overcome the restrictions and still take good photos?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Please explain the word "should." Should I read "...I am having complete shoulder replacement..."?

In any case, many of us do not appreciate the complexity of the shoulder. You are going to have to do what the doc, your PT and your body says and that may include finding another way to take photos. Sorry to say. Scar tissue on the shoulder that forms post op needs to be managed or you could end up with a frozen shoulder and, believe me, you do NOT want that.

Good luck,

Alan

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

foggypreacher wrote:

Hey Hogs,
Have any of you had shoulder surgery and still been able to take good photos? In two weeks I am having complete should replacement surgery on my right shoulder. Yep, the one that does most of the camera maneuvering. If you had the same, were you able to overcome the restrictions and still take good photos?

Thank you in advance for your help.

I’ve had repair work done on both shoulders but never a replacement. The best advice I can give you is the importance of physical therapy afterwards. The doctor that did my first repair of the clavicle had me start PT right away and that shoulder is like new. I have a little less movement in the other shoulder because PT was started later.

Good luck!!

Bob Locher Loc: Southwest Oregon

I am presently recovering - very nicely, thank you - from knee replacement. But my wife had shoulder replacement surgery in May. She had some rotator cuff damage as well, which the surgeon was watching for and repaired. She is right handed and of course it was her right arm. She is about 80% recovered at this point, and most of the time is pain free, something not true a year ago even with considerable medication.
The physical therapy is not fun for her but she perseveres and is closing in on 100% recovery.
Suggestion: Buy a couple of the gel ice pads that you can stick in the freezer. Ice is your friend!

Good luck and stay with the program!

Nikon1201

I was in a car accident and had shoulder surgery where they took out part of my collar bone . Most painful recovery I experienced. My camera wasn’t in the equation, just prepare for a lot of pain.

scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

foggypreacher wrote:

Hey Hogs,
Have any of you had shoulder surgery and still been able to take good photos? In two weeks I am having complete should replacement surgery on my right shoulder. Yep, the one that does most of the camera maneuvering. If you had the same, were you able to overcome the restrictions and still take good photos?

Thank you in advance for your help.

I had shoulder repair. Originally for torn rotator cuff but ended up rotator and torn bicep and torn ligament. I have to agree with old grey beard. Repair is a long road. Good luck.

steve Loc: Iowa

Yes, I had total rotator cuff repair 2 years ago. Still not even close to normal. Hard to hold up D700
w/ 70-200 some times. I don't wish the surgery on my worst enemy. Hope u have a Great recovery

scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

steve wrote:

Yes, I had total rotator cuff repair 2 years ago. Still not even close to normal. Hard to hold up D700
w/ 70-200 some times. I don't wish the surgery on my worst enemy. Hope u have a Great recovery

bgrn Loc: Pleasant Grove UT

Had my left shoulder completely reconstructed about 12 years ago. As others have said “DO WHAT THE DOC AND PT TELLS YOU” follow that to the letter. Recovery is 9-12 months, but if you follow the directions, don’t miss pt it will be worth it. After all the pain, time, and work I had to thank my doc because it took away my slice in my golf game 👍. What sucks is I am scheduled to go in again on Oct 30 th to do it all over. Wishing they would just replace it but it’s just shy of being bad enough for the insurance to approve it. Good luck and make sure you have pull up pants and either zip up or button up shirts because it’s going to be a long time before you can button up your pants and wear a pullover shirt.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

In short, you get out of it, what you put into it. Some mobility will be based on age & arthritis, etc....however if you are offered physical therapy...take every bit that you can get....if it is not offered...get pushy & demand it...if Dr says not needed...find another Dr...Religiously practice the PT....even after you are released as a patient..or you may lose range of motion over time....Swimming is an excellent exercise to keep shoulders in good condition

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

OUCH!!

I tore my rotator cuff in my left shoulder in a serious fall a number of years ago. I was told back then that the success rare of surgery was low, so I opted for physical therapy. It was a long road back, and I recently re-injured the shoulder, so I'm going through the therapy process once again.

Joint replacement surgery has made great strides in recent years, so you are doing the right thing. Just be sure to do all of the post-op therapy that your MD recommends, and you will once again be able to heft your photo gear better than before. Good luck.

Mark

Terry

I had my left shoulder replaced about 12 years ago, and the only thing I can!t do is pull a bow for hunting. I went to Yellowstone 4 weeks after my surgery and got some beautiful pictures. Good luck