Shoulder surgery experiences- tenotomy/tenodesis

[dv5140ca]

Hi all,

I have lurked around for years, usually just a bystander soaking in what I can, I was thinking there may be a few people who have had experience with shoulder surgery/ recovery.

Long story short, have had a sore right shoulder for years. MRI a while ago showed a SLAP tear - basically a tear in the tendon going from your bicep into shoulder- the specialist has said they can't really figure out what is wrong until he goes in. Basically, he said if he could repair the tear, that's what he would do, but often at my age (45) his experience is the damage usually warrants a tenotomy or tenodesis (first is cutting the tendon and leaving it, the second involves cutting the tendon then attaching it back lower down).
To my questions: if you've been through this, how was the healing? How long before you got back to normal? Any advice on things to ask/understand before/if I go through with it?
I am seriously considering it mostly because my two real hobbies are guitar and golf and both are impacted by the pain etc.
Thanks for any information you may be able to give.

Derek

[ruger9]

I haven't been through this, but my drummer has. He said the recovery is very long. He couldn't TOUCH his drums for 3 months... and after that, it was another 3 months of not really being able to play, because he had to continue being so careful with the arm/shoulder.

I too have a chronic right sore shoulder. I went to PT, it did not help. I went to an ortho who have me a cortisone shot, that worked great until it wore off (and you can't keep getting those- it actually damages tendons in the long run.). Next step for me is an MRI, but I am seriously considering just living with it. I can't imagine not being able to play guitar for MONTHS.

Steve Vai actually had shoulder surgery recently. IDK if it was successful or not (he may or may not be living with the pain still), and he got through it... but then he's Steve Vai...

[Brucebubs]

I had a procedure some years back called 'Open Acromioplasty' on my left shoulder - brilliant results, I have excellent pain free movement in that joint.