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subacromial decompression surgery success and failure stories

Original Post
Alex Langfield · · Colorado · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 100

I have pretty severe shoulder bursitis and am talking to a doctor about potentially getting subacromial decompression surgery after over a decade of pain and treatment/rehab. I wanted to hear some stories from people who have had this surgery to shave their acromium down. And what the long term effects have been for climbers.

Note: I'm 31 years old, and I have had success with injections but only 7 month relief before symptoms reoccur.

Alyssa K · · South Lake Tahoe · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 46

Had it done with Dr. Chung at Stanford a year and a half ago. Super easy recovery. Could raise my arm over my head after about a week, was climbing (very mellow) multi-pitch at 6 weeks. Full recovery around 4 months I think, with some lingering capsule tightness that ended up being easy to resolve once we figured out what it was. In retrospect, I set my recovery back by starting to climb so early and definitely overdid it, but the surgeon did clear me to start climbing at 4ish weeks. Climbing-specific physical therapy focused on soft tissue work and mobility was also key. Strength came back no problem, just needed to make sure there wasn’t scar tissue buildup early in the recovery that would inhibit mobility later. 

Alex Langfield · · Colorado · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 100
Alyssa K wrote:

Had it done with Dr. Chung at Stanford a year and a half ago. Super easy recovery. Could raise my arm over my head after about a week, was climbing (very mellow) multi-pitch at 6 weeks. Full recovery around 4 months I think, with some lingering capsule tightness that ended up being easy to resolve once we figured out what it was. In retrospect, I set my recovery back by starting to climb so early and definitely overdid it, but the surgeon did clear me to start climbing at 4ish weeks. Climbing-specific physical therapy focused on soft tissue work and mobility was also key. Strength came back no problem, just needed to make sure there wasn’t scar tissue buildup early in the recovery that would inhibit mobility later. 

How is your climbing now? For very STRONG Strenuous long days? I'm typically getting on big climbs in the Valley twice a year and looking to continue that. Have you noticed any similar pains? Or would you say you're fully 'cured'?

Alyssa K · · South Lake Tahoe · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 46
Alex Langfield wrote:

How is your climbing now? For very STRONG Strenuous long days? I'm typically getting on big climbs in the Valley twice a year and looking to continue that. Have you noticed any similar pains? Or would you say you're fully 'cured'?

I mean, strong as I ever was…but I’ve never been strong. Long moderate alpine & multipitch days are fine, shoulder is definitely 100% and it never crosses my mind which I can’t say for any of my other surgeries. I dragged my feet on figuring out the residual capsule tightness, but that went away quickly with a simple stretch. 

saign charlestein · · Tacoma WA · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 2,057

I had one done and it was super easy. Was unrestricted right out the door. Wish I would’ve done it way sooner.

I did tear a pulley about a month later and think it was a byproduct of having weakness in the shoulder.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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