how do i get strength back in shoulder 3 years after surgery?

I am at 6 months posr rotator cuff surgery. I am now allowed to lift 5lb per arm or 10lb total overhead, twice that to shoulder level until I see the surgeon in July. Then I expect the limit to double. FREE weights and resistance bands only, no machines. My PT reviews and approves each exercise and checks my form. More focus on form, range of motion and flexibility to prevent reinjury. I was told full recovery will be close to 2 years.

Wow thanks Sue.

From the people I've talked with, a TSR is much easier to recover from that an RC repair. I have no idea why this is the case, but people I know who have had their RC cuff repaired have had lengthy recoveries.

Prior to getting the ok for an anatomical TSR, I had to get an MRI that fortunately showed an intact RC.

One question for you - when is repairing an RC better than doing a rTSR? Certainly the RC does a better job at holding the joint together, and that is lost in a rTSR where the deltoids take over.

I know you'll stick to the plan Sue and I wish you all the best!

Joe

According to my surgeon, rTSR should be a last resort if a RC cuff is impossible or fails, exactly because you lose stability. But he said you also lose range of motion and have permanent lifting/activity restrictions.

We discussed eventual TSR for my intact right shoulder, and he said early limitations are less, but total recovery time to full strength is still a year. I'm sitting across the breakfast table from a friend who had one - she said the same.

After all of that, I have seen two stellar PT's (and a mediocre one) since this surgery - you should see the big stack of exercises I have to choose from for my 4X weekly PT and 2X weekly weight training!

Thanks Sue.

It's always better to save/repair the RC as it is the primary way our shoulders are held in place. A rTSR would only be necessary if the joint itself was very arthritic, and that doesn't sound like it applies to you.

I'm very active at the gym and I work with a trainer twice a week. I've had great success replacements for both knees and recently my right hip.

I will be in a sling for 4 weeks as the subscapularis heals back into place. I can't start PT until that 4 weeks is up.

I expect that around month three I will be able to resume some lifting in the gym, but with very low resistance. I do expect to be back to my "normal" resistance routine after 6 months or so, again taking it slowly. It does take a full year after any replacement to be pretty much back to pre-op fitness. These are all traumatic surgeries, and the capsule surrounding the respective joint takes time to scar over and heal.

Fortunately 80% of my time in the gym is spinning/cardio. I should be able to resume that once the initial PT is done, if not a little sooner.

Take care Sue!

Joe

You’re not giving yourself enough recovery time post operatively. Usually takes a year but we are all different and heal differently plus you’re no spring chicken which plays a roll too. Hope you’re still doing your PT exercises too?