Recovery from Injury

[mikejohnchapman]

I have just had an operation to repair damage to the rotator cuff in my left shoulder following a fall. The consultant said the operation was a success but told me it was unlikely I would play again for at least a year and there was a 50:50 chance I wouldn't play again.

I hope he is setting my expectations low so reality will be better but has anyone any experience of such an injury and the rehab times / success?

 

[farfaeforfar]

I had my dislocated shoulder operated on 3.5 years ago now. I dont know how similar the operation is ad I am left with 3 permanent pins in the right shoulder. Along with arthritisarthritis (arently quite common result), and restricted movement in all axis on the right shoulder. wasn't playing back then but am now. However I would have said I wouldn't have been able to swing a club for a minimum 6-8 months as I was in a sling for 4 months.

Now I am playing regular golf I know I won't ever be as good or as consistent as I once was. Mainly as the shoulder gets stiffer the longer the round and the movement restricts further. Winter golf is out also as the pain from the arthritis is really severe in the winter months.

I have regular periods of physio to help the shoulder but even the physio has told me to accept the shoulder is never going to be 100%. They reckon it has 75% movement now and it will not improve. Further dislocationstudy and operations are now more probable.

Overall I'm back playing but it's a difficult road and one you need to think through in terms of ongoing care. Physio, stretches at home, stretches at the course (these are more beneficial than hitting balls for me nowadays!) and knowing when to back off from hitting balls. I make sure I have two non golf days in every 7 to ensure my shoulder gets some rest.

 

[Hobbit]

You'll play again, but in all probability you'll have a different swing. Providing it repeats and has power, you'll score ok.

10 years down the line I still play with a bucketful of painkillers but I can still put a decent score together- but the swing isn't a thing of beauty

 

[Slime]

I've had both shoulders done, the last was NYE 2012.

See post #9 on this thread : http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/showthread.php?48859-Another-man-down!-Another-man-down

It was six months off golf for me, well, six months off full swings.
If it all goes well & you do the physio, which is the bit that hurts, you should be fine.
I was hitting easy wedges about a month early and used a bit of the physio as putting practice!
You've just got to be patient and don't rush your recovery.

Good luck & keep us posted :thup:.

Slime.