Also off my bike for a while... I think... now definitely!

[vickster]

I'm going back to work after 2.5 weeks (before I see surgeon, to a desk job) as a contractor I can't afford to be off longer. I don't expect it to be easy though (my physio thought I should be off for 6-8 weeks ). Probably depends on the nature of your job and also which arm (mine is dominant right)

I would assume at least 8 weeks off bike. Although my case is different as its a repair and not a scrape, and it is posterior upon which cycling places far more stress apparently...the surgeon was very specific about this when we first discussed the surgery knowing I'm a cyclist

With past knee operations I've been back on bike within 6 weeks, 3 months though following tennis elbow repair

 

[AM1]

I'm in the motor trade where there is no such thing as 'light duties', so I'm not going back until I'm ready!

With my case I had 2 choices, either do nothing and let the excess calcium build up and rub it's way through the tendon or have it scraped, so no choice really because if I left it I would have an even bigger problem

It's strange that when I'm riding the bike I have little or no pain, it's only when I'm lifting, pulling, pushing that the pain kicks in which I cannot live with any longer because I'm doing those movements day in day out

Hope everything goes well for you!

 

[Ganymede]

Yes I did thank you, trying to be positive!, my consultant has stated no driving for 2 weeks then go back to see him after week 3 and take it from there although work are expecting me back in week 4, we shall see about that, I'm determined not to be off my bike for very long though!

I drove my car exactly 14 days after my (same) op and felt distinctly unsafe - I actually left it another few days before I tried again. I'm afraid you will find the position you need to be on your bike will be difficult for a while, you can't lean comfortably on your arms, and if the road is bumpy you feel it really badly You also need to be able to react quickly and look over your shoulder. I have a recumbent which I rode instead, but even then I couldn't do much. Sorry to be a downer but you mustn't put too much strain on it or you could end up with a frozen shoulder, which I did, which is hellish.

You'll probably be fine, just listen to your body!

 

[fossyant]

View attachment 122231 Well it's now my turn on Tuesday for the subacromial decompression procedure,can't say that I'm looking forward to it but I cannot stand the pain much longer so I have no choice

Who have you got at Stockport. Mr Warren Smith did my decompression. All fine now.

 

[AM1]

Who have you got at Stockport. Mr Warren Smith did my decompression. All fine now.

My surgeon is Matt Ravenscroft, I'm being 'done' at the Alexandra in Cheadle

 

[fossyant]

My surgeon is Matt Ravescroft, I'm being 'done' at the Alexandra in Cheadle

I know of Mr Ravenscroft. He's very good.

 

[AM1]

Well I've been done, I was booked in as a day case but had a couple of complications so didn't get home till very late last night , apparently my heart BPM dropped below 40 which gave the anethetist a wake up call, I also became very dehydrated so my advice is to make sure you have plenty to drink the night before

To early yet to say if it has been a success but fingers crossed

 

[vickster]

Wow that's bloody compared to mine . Appears to be a lack of steristrips which may explain it though. I can take my steristrips and dressings off today as the week has passed

Heal well

 

[AM1]

If it's to graphic I'll delete it lol

 

[vickster]

Doesn't bother me

My dressings are off, tiny holes with bruising around...giving some indication of the brutal reality of arthroscopy

Did you have a nerve block? How's the pain?

 

[AM1]

No nerve block and the pains ok at the moment, just taking anti inflammatory and paracetamol at the moment, they did change one of the dressings before I came out, I will change them again tomorrow

 

[AM1]

Doesn't bother me

My dressings are off, tiny holes with bruising around...giving some indication of the brutal reality of arthroscopy

Did you have a nerve block? How's the pain?

So 4 days on and the dressings are off, seem to have 4 holes, 2 with stitches and a huge bruise on my bicep ( stop sniggering, I'm only skinny lol )

 

[vickster]

Ouch! I have 3 almost healed tiny nicks on my shoulder like the one on the top of yours. Some bruising around the portals but you look like you've been in the wars. I'm guessing they had to stitch because you bled a lot? No holes down my arm, different surgical technique or location of the bit to fix I assume. Did the surgeon tell you exactly what he had done?

Lots of pain still though especially in my bicep and with certain movements

And last night was my first without an opiate and I didn't sleep very well!

When do you start at the gym to rectify all that bicep wastage

 

[Katherine]

Good luck to you all with the post op healing and recovery.

 

[fossyant]

I just had the hydrocolloid dressings, no stitches. Had to replace one as there had been a bit of blood build up, but the over the counter ones are the same. They were off in two weeks and I was riding the bike upto 10 miles. Week 4 I did a 40 miler (with a blooming big hill in it) and week 6 was back to commuting.

Getting dressed was a challenge and reaching behind me. 4 years on and my shoulder is now perfect, but give it a good 18 months before it will be 100%. You'll get to near 90% quickly, but honking the bike up a big hill will be sore for some time.