Another Shoulder Surgery

[ICMDEER]

I appreciated all of the responses you guys gave on the other surgery post. I had surgery 6 weeks ago. I had a "mumford procedure" where the end of the clavicle is cut off. The surgeon also went in with the scope and "cleaned out" the AC joint. He said he cut off the end of the bone in the AC joint, then also "scraped" about 1/8" off the underside in the AC joint.

I have some concrens. Perhaps some of you may be able to help/respond.

1. My surgeon never recommended any post-op therapy. Just said go home and do whatever you want.
2. When I went back after 5 weeks, there is still a major "clunk and clicking"' that takes place when I try to raise my arm so my bicep is against my ear. The surgeon said "don't raise your arm if it clunks and clicks". But I asked if I could start shooting my bow, and he said, "sure, why not?" He also said the clunk in my should may never go away. Frankly, this causes me some serious distress, since the clunk is in the AC joint that was fine before the sugery. He said he just "cleaned it out for preventive maintneance" since I'm 50 years old.
3. I have some questions: Will this "clunk" get better? Are there exercises like stretching I could or should do? How long until I should expect it to be well?

Any counsel or suggestions will be appreciated. I just got a new Switchback and can hardly wait to shoot it. But I'm thinking I'm going to wait until the "clunk" is gone before I start, so I don't so any seroius damage to that shoulder. By the way, I'm left handed and this is my left shoulder.

Thanks in advance for your help.

ICMDEER - Jim Freeburn

 

[c3]

Jim, I highly recomend that you seek out at least three opinions from sports minded physical therapists. Your insurance should pay for the visits for the most part.

Any joint surgery and or immobility for an extended period, require some serious manipulation (read that as excrusiating pain) to be worked out.

It takes super hard painful work to get back to 100% mobility and strength. I don't care what anyone say's it can be done if you work hard enough and smart enough.

Don't accept permanent annoying issues with your shoulder. With the right balance of stretching, weight training, ice and advil you can most likely be as good as new.

Cheers,
Pete

 

[MikeLonsford]

About 2 years ago I went to a physical therapist for my shoulder, I had been refered by my GP. I had a shoulder that had caused me great pain off and on for the last 20 years. My boss had recently had a "Mumford" procedure and I was asking my GP about that as help for me. He suggested this first (I ended up having no surgery). The therapist used a combo of exercise, electro stimulus, stretching (by them and me) and icing to get me fixed up. I haven't felt this good since before high school. Some of their stretching on me caused very bad "clunking" and they seemed to concentrate on it and liked the fact it would click, etc. They did the same motion over and over. Felt like some weird wrestling hold on my shoulder. Anyhow I'm great after the therapy, my boss is also great after his surgery and I believe he did do some therapy and I know he his an avid gym enthusiast before and after. I think you should check into the therapy for post surgery healing and future preventative maintenance. Then you can take care of it on your own after that. Good Luck.

Mike

 

[ICMDEER]

Thanks for the helpful advice guys. I'm with you - not sure why no therapy has been prescribed. I will follow up the next time I see the Dr. and try to get some help. It is good news that I should be able to get full range of motion and use that shoulder to shoot arrows at big muleys again this fall.

Thanks again.

Jim

 

[JT]

Jim,

I can't help but reply since I am a physical therapist.

It is interesting that your MD didn't recommend PT initially, but not necessarily inappropriate. After a Mumford proceedure, patients can make a normal recovery without therapy, BUT if you are still having symptoms and limitations you need to do something about it.

Different MD's have different methods and opinions about post-op therapy. Most orthopods I have associated with are very pro-therapy. However, some become disinterested once the surgery is done and will write a PT referral if the patient requests it, others take the attitude that their surgery is so good, the patient doesn't need any therapy no matter what. Anyway, my point is YOU need to do what's best for you. Don't be afraid to get a second or third opinion -- from an MD or a PT.

I agree with the above recommendation to find an orthopedic/sports oriented physical therapist. Your MD should be able to recommend one, but don't feel limited to that recommendation, especially if you don't feel comfortable and confident with what they are doing.

A good PT should be able to help you decrease pain, swelling, stiffness, etc. and regain range-of-motion, strength and functional use of your shoulder. Don't be afraid to ask questions -- the better you understand what's going on with your shoulder, the more confident you will be in getting your shoulder better. Tell the PT what you want to get out of the therapy. Make sure they know you want to start shooting your bow -- the more they know about you, the better they will be able to customize your therapy program.

One last note -- shoulders really like to tighten up after trauma (read as surgery). In general, the longer they go without being stretched out, the more difficult it becomes to stretch them out. Also, strengthening those muscle is going to take some time. The sooner you get working on it the better!

Good Luck!

JT

 

[ICMDEER]

JT,

Thanks for the wise advice. I'll follow up on it. My range of motion has not been bad. I've had what I'd call "full range of motion" since 3 weeks after surgery. And there's no swelling. I just have that nasty "clunk" at the top end of my range of motion. The surgeon says it is scar tissue from the trauma of surgery and the bone surface will heal and smooth out over time (he hopes).

I'm not known for my patience, but I'll wait on this one. My oldest daughter is an Occupational Therapist, but she lives 250 miles away. She has given me some stretching and range of motion exercises that I'm following. But she has cautioned me to avoid heavy weights until the "clunk" is gone.

The problem with the clunk is that it is also a bit painful. It's a little like a low-voltage shock when the clunk and click happen. Hopefully, it will get better with time.

Thanks again to all.

 

[Foxbow]

Hi Jim
Sorry to hear you had to have shoulder surgery.
That does not seem like fun.
Hope your feeling well soon, so you can be out flinging some arrows this fall.
Tom.

 

[ICMDEER]

Thanks, Tom. I hope it heals. Some days it feels decent, but there are times when I wonder. But I'll be bow hunting regardless of how it feels. My main goal for 2006 is to take a solid buck with my bow. It may hurt, but come June or July, I'll start practicing either way. But I have faith - it wll be better.