Play golf or face surgery?

[JustOne]

I damaged my right shoulder sliding down an embankment 8 months ago (bent my arm over my head) and it's been painful ever since. I can't use it to close the boot of the car, throw a ball, lift a box into the attic or anything that puts and force/pressure on it... but I can play golf as I don't need to raise it over my head. I've got so many other ongoing injuries (back, knee, wrist yada yada) that it's just another one I've been adding to the list.....

It was pretty painful today and I can't decide whether it's affecting my quality of life enough to get it looked at....

Would you potentially sacrifice your golf for a year (or maybe forever) for a sore shoulder?

 

[bluewolf]

When I read the title of this post I thought "Thank the lord, Justone is finally having his face re-modelled". Im slightly disappointed now...
In answer to your question though, Play golf, A sore shoulder is something i've had to deal with for the last 7 years. You get used to it eventually... Im sure someone else will be along shortly to tell you to get the surgery as your health is more important than golf though...

 

[Hendo007]

Deff play golf just toughen up a bit ;-)

 

[full_throttle]

only you can decide. Does the golf make up for quality of life. One year out to have a more pain free living or just continue as you are and end up being more restricted due to health issues

 

[Imurg]

To my mind you have to weigh up the possibility of it getting worse the longer you leave it - the shoulder not the Golf!
If it's been 8 months then it ain't goinna fix itself - can you take the pain/inconvenience for, potentially, another 40 or 50 years...?
I'd get it properly assessed - after all, although Golf is most things to us, it is only a game.........

 

[ScienceBoy]

Get the face surgery... you look like death

 

[Smiffy]

You are a walking disaster area

 

[G1BB0]

James, get it sorted is my advice. Had tennis elbow 4 years ago, manned up and just worked through it until 2 years later I was knackered as couldnt grip or perform even basic tasks, had surgery and feels better than ever.

I doubt you would lose a years golf tbh, but if you did surely 1 year would be better than possibly permanant!!! Get it checked out as may even be an easy fix.

good luck :thup:

 

[CMAC]

Surgery? What Surgery? You haven't even had it looked at according to your post, start there and see what the experts say, might only need physio, but at least ensure your not making it worse.

 

[AmandaJR]

See a sports physio for a diagnosis and go from there. Surgery always a last resort so if it's required then have it. Likely that some decent physio and rehab will get it sorted.

 

[DappaDonDave]

Don't suppose you're local to the north west? blackpool in particular?

My father in law is a legend at healing...he's a Chinese martial arts grandmaster and heals people all the time, worked a treat on my shoulder and ankle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oAoi2SuNJc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJDcsA6xQ3Q&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[chrisd]

Surgery?

Who would ever have surgery to put something right?

 

[Ethan]

Have you seen a decent surgeon with expertise in sports injuries?

(I would pass on the martial arts grandmaster).

If so, they should be able to advise on what will happen if you don't get it fixed (It obviously won't get properly better on its own), and how much downtime there would be after surgery. As a general rule, you should get these things fixed sooner rather than later.

 

[North Mimms]

I agree with those that recommend a physio as a start.

Surgery may be an option but a more conservative approach may still help.

That said, I had bilateral carpal tunnel decompression a few years back and dont regret it.
I was lucky enough to have it done in Jan and was able to play when weather was nice in May

 

[Hobbit]

Get a proper diagnosis and a prognosis of what will happen if you leave it. If the end result means having surgery, how about getting it done Nov time giving you at least 4 mths of physio to get over it.

 

[DappaDonDave]

Have you seen a decent surgeon with expertise in sports injuries?

(I would pass on the martial arts grandmaster).

If so, they should be able to advise on what will happen if you don't get it fixed (It obviously won't get properly better on its own), and how much downtime there would be after surgery. As a general rule, you should get these things fixed sooner rather than later.

Failed to mention....trained psysio with recommendations coming out of his ears. But hey..you're the expert.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Get it looked at you fool. Lets face it even a year out and not playing will mean your golf can't get any worse. Quality of life over golf - yes even for me

 

[kid2]

James have you got a specialists opinion on it.
From your description it might just be tendon or ligament damage.

The problem with having the surgery is the recovery time. And to be honestcan you be garaunteed that it will fix it.

Tendons will heal over time on their own and anyone will tell you that they heal a hell of a lot slower than bone injuries.
If it were me id stay away from the knife but thats just me. Iv never been on the surgeons table.

I would think long and hard about the decision.
And you also need to take age into account. The older we get the longer the recovery.
Iv ruptured both my achilles and the first one on my right leg still acts up occasionally and thats 3 years after the injury.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I'm another one who'd recommend the physio route - which helped me after ACL and ankle injuries.

You got me thinking about my dodgy shoulder. I hurt it falling off a motorbike years ago; I went over the handlebars and didn't let go with my left hand so really wrenched the shoulder.

Didn't do anything about it and for years just didn't have the same mobility in the left shoulder as in the right. I've just realised that it *has* recovered; it's fully mobile today and I can't actually remember the last time it bothered me.

Not sure that helps you - it might get better on its own but that might take years!

 

[Dave B]

James

If it's like the shoulder issue I have it's likely to be the AC Joint, (google for info), which can be down to wear and tear, (typically starts playing up when you reach your mid forties), or a jarred/shocked joint caused by a fall or impact.

First course of action should be physio to increase mobility and build strength in the joint however if this doesn't work or is too painfull the next step is a cortisone injection which will stop you playing for the best part of a week.

I'm booked in on Tuesday for the cortisone. The physio has helped but the joint is still painfull and I cannot make a full swing although I can still play quite well.

You can have up to three cortisones and if they don't work it's then an op to clean the joint and increase the mobility, (if you were at this stage it's doubtfull that you'd be playing at the moment).

My advice would be to see a physio and go from there.