rotator cuff tear

It looks like I'll need to have a repair done to my shoulder, any advice on recovery?  Doc said it's three months but what has your experience been? 

Felt "good enough" after 3 months. Felt relatively normal in terms of strength after 6 months. Though, I'm going on 15 years and it still doesn't feel completely normal. I generally avoid any climbs that have big moves on that side. Be vigilant about your PT and be aware that you might be doing those exercises for the rest of your life (obviously, ymmv).

Most surgeons refer as "good enough" around 3 months. This means that you will be doing most household tasks normally and living your typical life without thinking about it too much. I would recommend finding a Sports PT and emphasizing that you are a climber as you will likely need some additional strengthening compared to the typical RTC repair patient. I'm a Sports PT so feel free to fire away with any questions you have. 

Blakevan wrote:

It looks like I'll need to have a repair done to my shoulder, any advice on recovery?  Doc said it's three months but what has your experience been? 

I’ve had 3 surgeries on both shoulders. Don’t know about 3 months- that’s about how long it takes for the pain from the surgery to go away. That’s when you can comb your hair or wipe your butt without pain.
My third surgery- the big one- I ripped my rotator cuff so badly that the doctor saved a still of the MRI just to show it as an example. Let your Doctor know that you climb and wish to continue to do so and that you love to work out and will do PT religiously. But to answer your question about “how long” … 2.5 years before I felt strong enuf to be 20 feet out and pop that 5.10 right handed mantle.
Be well, good luck. 

Have you tried non-surgical options or gotten a second opinion? I have a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum and both opinions I received (one from a surgeon and one from a physiatrist) both recommended a cortisone shot first. The cortisone shot made it feel better instantly, had a 4-6 week recovery time before I could do most household stuff and about another 9 months before I could do sports to my full capacity. The surgeon told me there was a 50% chance that it would not work completely right after surgery since it’s a complex joint. While the rehab may have been longer, I’m glad I went with the cortisone and longer rehab. This was 7 years ago and through a lot of focus on my back muscles my shoulder works great. YMMV… everyone’s body is different but it might be worth asking about

Note; my primary sport is volleyball, a lot of internal rotation on that joint. Secondary is rock climbing, I could climb before I could play vb.  

good luck - hope you heal up soon

Thank you for the replies!  Having suffered a broken talus and years of recovery from that I'm a little down about this but no choice. I broke it so now I have to buy it.

"rotator cuff tear" - is kind of vague.  Have you had an MRI?  Which tendons?  Full or partial tear?  Detached?  Retracted?

You'll be wearing a sling for six weeks minimum.  Get a good PT and do the exercises they give you.  Take your time--you don't want to re-injure it before it's totally healed.

And get the best surgeon you can afford.  They make a difference.

High-grade partial thickness articular surface tear of the anterior supraspinatus tendon measures 1.8 cm mediolateral and 1.7 cm AP seen best on series 106 image 9 and series 107 image 7. No full-thickness tear is seen. There is mild tendinosis of the remainder of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons.

I've seen two surgeons and both indicate I can wait until a full tear or fix it now it is the same price. (Ron White fans)

I've met my out-of-pocket this year already so it makes the most financial sense to just get it over with.  

100% try to PT this to recovery first. Find the best PT you can. 

Definitely try cortisone and pt first. My buddy just got your prognosis after a MRI, was told he had to have surgery but tried the injection/pt route and is fine. 

I've tried that route and was not successful. 

Full thicknees tear supraspiinatus plus distal clavicle resection and sub accromial decompression-Cleared to climb at 5  1/2 months-Gotta be patient with recovery