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The SLAP tear recovery timeline, needing some advice...

Original Post
Mitch Musci · · Estes Park, CO · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 665

Well I have read through quite a few threads on the subject but have a couple specific questions for those who have been through this process:

I have a SLAP tear plus a cyst in my right shoulder and am considering surgery in early December. I would have the cyst drained, the tear repaired, and the acromion shaved. My surgeon says that after surgery I am supposed to rest for 5 weeks before starting physical therapy, which will last for 8 weeks.

I am signed up for a WEMT course that has a start date of March 9th, so basically I would have 3 months from date of surgery to start of class. Given my surgeon's timeline, I would technically have just enough time to squeeze it in, but I'm hesitant to proceed with such a small healing window.

1. It seems like waiting 5 weeks after surgery before starting PT is quite long, and I worry about issues with scar tissue. Can anyone comment on this?

2. Does 8 weeks of PT seem accurate? I've read some people doing PT for 16 weeks, but not sure if that includes all the at-home therapy. I worry that my EMT course might start with me still needing more therapy, not to mention trying to do all my theraband exercises during the course. What do you guys think?

Richard Pacifico · · New York, New York · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 0

I'm not sure about 5 weeks after surgery but usually doctors say 4 weeks just to let things settle in there and you don't treat it without it healing itself a bit. pt I think is 8 weeks minimum, if you go back after 8 weeks and need more, maybe you get 8 more weeks or maybe you're young and just need 8 weeks. Everybody is different.

Jon Clark · · Planet Earth · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 1,153

Mitch,

Have you tried a few months of PT already? How old is the injury and are there other structures in need of repair? I tore my labrum (also have a cyst on the humeral head) in 2009 and got good results from PT. The recovery from the surgery is long. Expect 9 months to a year before it's going to be as good as it gets. Three months isn't realistic. I think you'll need to stick with PT for life either way. I wouldn't worry about the scar tissue. You could probably find it in all of your joints if you had imaging done.

Caz Drach · · C'Wood, UT · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 310

i had my SLAP tear in APR, surgery in MAY and was back on the wall late AUG...just keep the faith and maintain fitness overall as it helps improve recovery time. Begin protein regiment, condrotin (sp?), glucosomine, and glutamine and all your body to heal...

bulletproof makes a collagen protein that specifically targets soft tissue repair...it worked for me...i am a little more holistic than others, but I feel my recovery has been great.

-Z

Chris Graham · · Bartlett, NH · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 545

This may be of some help:

Ac Joint Surgery and recovery

Grammy

Mitch Musci · · Estes Park, CO · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 665

Thanks for all the input guys! I have decided to wait on the surgery, as it really seems like 3 months will not be enough recovery time. I have heard of people like D-Roc recovering in that amount of time, but it's just too risky with the WEMT waiting around the corner.

I tore my labrum about 5 years ago and have never been able to afford the surgery until now. My shoulder pain goes in waves, but at the moment I am able to climb quite hard and even though I have done extensive PT, I give almost all the credit to Dr. Steve Melis at Proactive Chiropractic. Probably did 10-15 sessions with him on my shoulder and he brought me back to 85-90%.

DSnider · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 1

Mitch, I have SLAP protocols for almost all the doc's here in Boulder plus extensive knowledge of pre and post op treatments of this particular diagnosis. Let me know who your thinking about seeing and when and I'll be happy to help you out. I think you would be fine but that is a tight window. Hope your well.

Mitch Musci · · Estes Park, CO · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 665

DSnider PM sent.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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