Rotator cuff surgery

[Buckeyechuck]

On 6/11/2022 at 7:33 PM, MikeOH said:

I've just got to ask, what happened earlier in your lives that your shoulders are shot?

All it took for me (right shoulder) was rolling over in bed while my arm was behind my back due to a sore back.  While going thru prep to get it fixed I tore the left shoulder pulling on a breaker bar removing lawnmower blades. I’m left handed so that one became the priority. Two anchors for rotator cuff repair, grinding some bones smooth and fixing a torn labrum and the left one is 100% now.  Did my own PT. You don’t know pain till you start using your fingers to “climb the wall”.  Decided after that the right shoulder was not that bad.  I have manual gear. I climb at 80 until ready to raise the gear.  Dropping the nose while swinging the gear, makes it a non event. 

[sw1024]

I've had two shoulder reconstruction surgeries on my right shoulder in the last few years - from a mountain bike accident. In my late 40's at the time--the amount of time it took to heal was a bit shocking.  It just takes time...

In terms of flying, I was out for a while--about a month and a half before my wife felt comfortable enough to fly with me.  Biggest hurdle was operating my manual flaps (pumping), reaching over to input transponder codes (mine is on the right side of the panel) and closing the door if I was alone.  Pulling the plane out of the hangar too--would have neen nice to have something other than a standard tow bar.  So I didn't fly unless I was with someone who could help. 

Best of luck with your surgery--hope you heal fast!

[Richie the C]

Dude, you’ll be so uncomfortable, flying will be the least of your worries. First month, your goal will be to sleep in a bed normally. Second month, PT will take your breath away. Third month, off pain killers, some semblance of a normal shoulder.

[MBDiagMan]

I went through shoulder problems about four years ago, but in the end were not nearly as serious as they started out to be and did not require surgery.

From a flying perspective, the biggest problem was that I had a beautiful C at the time and it was impossible for me to manage the Johnson bar gear.  I ended up selling it and buying an F with electric gear.  When I did that I went from a 100% corrosion free airplane with a 250 hour since new prop and engine to a plane that has required an engine overhaul and serious landing gear work.  The plane is now very well sorted, but it has been a journey that I would not have taken were it not for the shoulder problems.

Shoulder background:  I was a catcher from little league to the age of 22.  At my heftiest I was 6’1” and 150 pounds.  My frame was pretty heavily stressed.  About five games before the end of my last season my elbow and shoulder turned loose on a throw to second.  Something happened but I didn’t know exactly what.  I struggled through a few games and haven’t thrown really hard since.  
 

Then four years ago, I was coming up the brick steps from the pool in flip flops.  I tripped and with my hands full I caught myself with my right arm.  It hurt some at first but not real bad.  By the next day it was hurting a lot if I moved it very much.  The steps have been redone and are now much more safe.

Imaging showed a benign growth of some sort right in that area and it showed a tendon that was frayed.  The surgeon said that it was like a frayed rope going over a pulley and wanted to schedule surgery.  It was August or September and I wanted to wait a few months.  During that few months it got much better so I put it off a little longer and it got to about 80% and I said forget about the surgery.  It’s probably 90% or more now although the thought of trying to throw out a runner at second is not something I want to experience.

There were many people who told me that for shoulder surgery take whatever recovery time they tell you and double it.

During the time I was recovering there was a frequent poster on Pilots of America who corresponded with me while he was recovering from shoulder surgery.  He was sleeping and spending almost all his time in his recliner and clearly was VERY miserable.  Approach the shoulder surgery with both eyes wide open.

I was SO lucky to recover like I did.

BTW, I could handle the Johnson bar now with no problem.

I offer all best wishes to the OP as he makes this decision.

[carusoam]

Great details MBD!

Thanks for sharing them.

Best regards,

-a-

[alextstone]

On 6/11/2022 at 11:18 AM, alextstone said:

Yeah, me too... Surgical consult is Monday.   I'm assuming so far the recovery is 3 months

Surgery one week from tomorrow.   I'm gonna fly this weekend and exercise the TKS before having her washed and put to bed for a couole of months.  I bought an electric automatic engine dehydrator for the downtime.

 

Alex

 

[Buckeyechuck]

3 hours ago, alextstone said:

Surgery one week from tomorrow.

Good luck. 

[Fly Boomer]

3 hours ago, alextstone said:

Surgery one week from tomorrow.

Surgeries are never fun -- I hope yours goes as well as possible.

What dehydration system did you get?

[alextstone]

7 hours ago, Fly Boomer said:

Surgeries are never fun -- I hope yours goes as well as possible.

What dehydration system did you get?

Black Max Engine Saver

[N201MKTurbo]

Well, I finally went to the doctor about my shot shoulder. It is worse than I thought. Severe degenerative osteoarthritis. No cartilage, and bone warn 5 mm away on both the ball and socket. 
 

They keep asking about pain. That isn’t the problem. It just won’t move anymore. Anyway, I’m getting a major repair on Wednesday. Hopefully, I’ll be airworthy sometime soon.

[Ragsf15e]

51 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

Well, I finally went to the doctor about my shot shoulder. It is worse than I thought. Severe degenerative osteoarthritis. No cartilage, and bone warn 5 mm away on both the ball and socket. 
 

They keep asking about pain. That isn’t the problem. It just won’t move anymore. Anyway, I’m getting a major repair on Wednesday. Hopefully, I’ll be airworthy sometime soon.

We’ll be thinking of you.  See if you can catch up to @carusoam’s post numbers while you’re stuck in bed!

File the -337 for the major repair.

[Hank]

1 hour ago, N201MKTurbo said:

Well, I finally went to the doctor about my shot shoulder. It is worse than I thought. Severe degenerative osteoarthritis. No cartilage, and bone warn 5 mm away on both the ball and socket. 
 

They keep asking about pain. That isn’t the problem. It just won’t move anymore. Anyway, I’m getting a major repair on Wednesday. Hopefully, I’ll be airworthy sometime soon.

Hope it goes well, and recovery is smooth. My own shoulder surgery was pre-PPL, and not as invasive as yours.

Take the pills when they say, set alarms on your phone. You will heal better and faster when you aren't in pain.

See you afterwards!

[carusoam]

On 2/24/2025 at 10:08 PM, Ragsf15e said:

We’ll be thinking of you.  See if you can catch up to @carusoam’s post numbers while you’re stuck in bed!

File the -337 for the major repair.

Start the post timer… now!

Start: 14.5k

i hope your @N201MKTurbo recovery goes quickly…

 

less work… more time for MS!

best regards,

 

-a-

[N201MKTurbo]

It is really hard to type on the iPad with just my left hand. 

[cliffy]

Lefties do it all the time

Why can't you?  :-)

[Andy95W]

Just now, cliffy said:

Lefties do it all the time

Why can't you?  :-)

Because he’s holding his beer in his left hand.  

[cliffy]

Hold my beer  Watch this!   :-)

[Hank]

38 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

It is really hard to type on the iPad with just my left hand. 

Glad it's over! Enjoy the recovery process, and don't skimp on physical therapy. It's not fun, but not doing it will result in years of not fun.

[Buckeyechuck]

Good luck class with the rehab. I’ve messed up the left shoulder I had repaired, but it’s getting to the point where I think I can go on without another surgery. The right one isn’t great but is good enough to swing gear in my C. We will all be hoping for a quick recovery for you. 

[cliffy]

Do the PT but don't push too hard. BTDT  Follow the directions and you will do OK

Don't think by doing more you will get better quicker. 

FOLLOW THE PT DIRECTIONS TO THE T and you will be fine. 

Had a friend rupture his again at 5 weeks by trying to do more than prescribed

[Ragsf15e]

2 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

It is really hard to type on the iPad with just my left hand. 

Use the dictation mic button. You should be solving everyone’s airplane problems!  Hope you’re doing well!

[N201MKTurbo]

12 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

Use the dictation mic button. You should be solving everyone’s airplane problems!  Hope you’re doing well!

The nerve block is still working. No pain at all. Dead weight hanging off my right side. Sometime this evening reality will set in.

[Fly Boomer]

17 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

The nerve block is still working. No pain at all. Dead weight hanging off my right side. Sometime this evening reality will set in.

Pop the pills before you think you need them.  Once you get behind the eight-ball, it's hard to dig your way out.

[Andy95W]

40 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

The nerve block is still working. No pain at all. Dead weight hanging off my right side. Sometime this evening reality will set in.

Good luck, Rich.  Hope you’re feeling better soon.

[Ragsf15e]

1 hour ago, N201MKTurbo said:

The nerve block is still working. No pain at all. Dead weight hanging off my right side. Sometime this evening reality will set in.

Honestly you already helped me today!  I’ve never seen my mechanic lube the rudder tube pass through underneath the exhaust cavity.  I put it on my list to check at annual next month.

Good luck.  If I remember right, it doesn’t hurt much unless you try to move it.  The sling is bliss compared to PT!