SHOULDER REPLACEMENT -- number 2

[smokin joe]

Tomorrow morning I will go to the hospital to have another shoulder replacement. I had my right shoulder replaced in November of 2016. Tomorrow I will have my left shoulder replaced. I shoot right handed.

My left shoulder has the same problems that my right one did: severe osteoarthritis, complete erosion of the cartilage on the bearing surfaces, and bone-on-bone grinding. The shoulder is completely worn out and pretty useless at this point, so replacement is the best course of action

My right shoulder replacement turned out to be a blessing and I was shooting within about 3 months after the surgery. But my left shoulder was not too far behind in wearing out.

I am going to chronicle the process here as I did with my right shoulder replacement. I suspect that things might progress a bit differently with a bow-hand shoulder versus a string-hand shoulder -- and time will tell.

I hope that writing about my experience and about how I return to trad archery and bowhunting will help inform others who might face shoulder replacement in the future.

Wish me luck. By this time tomorrow I will have another new titanium and polymer shoulder joint.

[hawkeye n pa]

Best of luck with this in addition to the prayers sent.

[achigan]

G'luck with it Joe, I'll be reading along.

[8upbowhunter]

Good luck and I will be praying for a full and speedy recovery.

[Hud]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[kat]

Best of luck. I will be following this.

[Doc Nock]

have a Marine buddy (retired due to many issues) that had both and he loves to hunt and fish and does well with them...he's had both shoulders and both hips... got messed up in a prison riot he was guarding at Gitmo years back...

You'll do fine... you know the ropes and how to push thru the pain and God is with you, if you but keep the faith and let His will be done!  

   

[olddogrib]

Say it ain't so, Joe!  Nobody should have to endure that twice.  Prayers sent.  I had my doubts that you might be a bit overly optimistic the first go round...but if you can get through the string shoulder I'd think the bow shoulder would be easier.  Then again, what do I know...I'm just a three arthroscopy, panty-waisted whiner...you are my hero (and the only one who'd I take being called that off of, lol)

[amicus]

Praying for a speedy recovery.

[smokin joe]

Time for another update. I am six weeks post-replacement and things are going very well.

The range of motion, both active and passive, is improving rapidly now. I can raise my arm above horizontal and with help it will go completely overhead.

The joint is stable and solid, and I am regaining rotator cuff strength and mobility with light stretch cord exercises.

The next two phases are strengthening phases -- first light for a few weeks and then heavier to permit everyday strength needs.

I am pretty optimistic at this point.

[Keefer]

Praying for continued healing and strength as each day go's by !
Healing can take time and you seem to have the right attitude towards your recovery and that helps also in a quick turn around!
 Therapy is a bonus if insurance allows but you can do some at home to help speed the process up "BUT" don't over do it and know your limits!
 We will keep the prayers going for you!

[Doc Nock]

What Keith said... PT is grand and home program is important.  I ask LOTS of ? to ensure I know limits then push thru to the max... it's always proven good to know ones limitations like Clint says in his one Dirty Harry movie...

Do ALL you're allowed and naught your not!