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I'm due for a replacement in the next few months.
My surgeon said no to any off road dirt biking or vigorous MTB.
A friend got one and was also told not to do anything dangerous. He still sneaks in a short ride here and there but he had to switch to an ATV/UTV to ride in the mountains and desert.
If your cuff is repairable then why get the shoulder replaced?
Well, was misdiagnosed by 2 PA’s that it was just a sprain, but Ortho Dr confirmed the supraspinatus rotator cuff was completely torn. I should known better but I had all range of motion, not much pain, so didn’t think it was that torn, since I had a similar injury a year ago and it healed fine. Now at 12 weeks out from the injury date, the max timeframe to repair it is supposedly 6 weeks, until it atrophies and shrinks beyond repair. Word of advice to anyone having a shoulder injury, get it checked by an Orthopedic Dr, no matter how minor it seems due the time window to repair it. They can’t just replace the tendon with another graft like they do with ACL’s, and a reverse shoulder replacement fix’s the rotator cuff problem, but I understand MX riding is too much stress on it. This will probably be the injury that ends my riding, seems like a minor one that could have been avoided. If anyone knows of a good shoulder specialist/surgeon, please LMK, I’m in CT. Thanks!
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Keep the faith !!
Had a 5mm tear and retraction of my supraspinatus in 2013. Had it repaired , recovery was about 9 months. Stronger than before
8 weeks ago I had my other shoulder repaired because of a small tear , should be back at by end of February
Do you remember how much time went by before you had the 1st one repaired?
I think about 3 months . Went to several Drs and heard the same story you have. I guess that’s why it’s called a “practice”
First one was 3 anchors w/ bicep tear
Last one 5 anchors w/bicep tear https://www.instagram.com/reel/DENhHFCPVsj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Cory did your repairs?
Husain , Rancho Cucamonga. CA
Oh shit . Im waiting for a reverse replacement. Completely tore 3 out of 4 rotator cuff tendons shorting a large gap jump.Ruptured both achilles as well. My axillary nerve also shit the bed. June 30 last year. The nerve is now working well enough to get the reverse replacement shoulder . Looking like may/june for surgery. Doc wants my shoulder a little stronger. Im 56 and a concrete finisher. He says I can go back to normal work activities 3 months after surgery. He also said I can ski again. I did not ask about racing mx again. I think I know his answer lol. However in my mind if I can pour concrete and ski then I can ride ! Another vital guy says he's riding again after the reverse surgery. Feel free to ask me anything I've studied this situation a whole lot.I think the biggest issue is that the new joint will wear out. 20 years if ur a couch potato. Considerably less if u ride moto. work construction. ski etc. From what I've read I dont think its worth it for you. You have 3 cuff tendons left. I only have 1.
I’ve heard dislocations are a concern with the reverse replacements? Also could a crash/hit to the humerous bone where the implant is anchored tend to shatter the bone making it unrepairable? If the cup wears out, is it difficult to replace it? I’ve heard there’s only one attempt possible for a reverse procedure, meaning replacements down the road aren’t possible? Does the reverse replacement limit weight training afterwards? Some Drs say no bench pressing or pull ups, 25lbs limit for overhead lifts? Thinking if my supraspinatus cuff can’t be repaired, I’d be at a high risk for potential dislocations when riding. Thanks for the advice…
I broke my shoulder 2 years ago and ended up needing a reverse replacement after a bunch of complications and haven’t been on the bike since. There aren’t any options if you mess up a reverse so I’ve been pretty hesitant to get back on. I think it comes down to your risk tolerance and how you feel. Since the majority of your rotator cuff is intact and you have full range of motion you might feel great. I lost 3 of my rotator cuff muscles and lost all of my external rotation so my shoulder is never going to feel normal. I do ride my mountain bike and I feel pretty good on it but I mostly ride on the road.
Whatever you do, make sure you get multiple opinions. If you’re still young I’d do everything you can to avoid a replacement. I’m 37 and with the hardware lasting 10-15 years I’m looking at many more surgeries after already having 5. If you go with surgery, find the best shoulder specialist you can find. My first surgeon ruined my shoulder and sent me down this road.
The reverse replacement has a much deeper joint then ur natural shoulder. Yes its possible to dislocate. I was also told I won't be doing heavy shoulder presses. Im fine with that. The anchor in ur humorous is pretty friggin solid. Im not gonna think about that . I have a contractor I do work for who had to shop for a surgeon to repair his supraspinatus. The first 2 wouldn't. He got his surgery 8 or 9 months after his injury. Im from Canada. As is he. Our free health care would not pay for his repair as it was deemed irreparable. We do have the option of private surgeons. He traveled across the country and paid 25k. Mine is so bad that I really have no choice . I could live with it. There is zero pain but I can only lift my shoulder high enough for my hand to scratch my ear. If I dont support my left hand with my right I can only bench a 5 pound pink dumbell. If I use my right to stabilize i can bench a 70lber.
Mine dislocated twice but it was from the implant getting infected. Most doctors give you anywhere from a 5-25 pound weight limit for life, and no overhead lifting of any weight. I can still do push ups but it does put a lot of stress on the hardware. Replacing the cup isn’t much easier than the initial surgery because they have to recut through your subscapular to get access to the capsule. I’ve had it cut 5 times and it’s been hard to get any muscle mass on the front of my shoulder. Shattering either side of my implant is my worst nightmare because it’s not fixable after that.
Are you still riding or racing moto?Disregard. Just read your first post.I will be honest. I do plan on riding turn tracks. Some offroad. Lots of street and some adventure riding.
Arrowhead ortho? I think I saw him but not for a rotator.
I’m 2.5 months post rotator cuff repair from a major rupture. No major event just years of abuse. Doc said I can start riding at 6 months. I’ve been in PT weekly since the second week and doing my own PT at home everyday. Still hurts like a MF though.
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I'm not sure to understand... do you have a completely torn supraspinatus tendon or a completely torn rotator cuff? Because in the latter case, having a full range of motion actively is impossible. Are there other bone or cartilage pathologies in the joint in question? Does the MRI show fatty atrophy of the muscles whose tendons are torn? How old are you?
Having the MRI this coming week. At orthopedic visit, Dr took X-rays, physical exam, and resistance tests in various planes and concluded that the Supraspinatus was fully torn, since the humerous ball was moved upward and no gap existed, an indentation on the rear side of the shoulder surface supposedly indicative of a retracted supraspinatus. I’m 60, and hope to continue to keep riding for many more years if possible.
This thread is questioning my choice of going for reverse replacement. I honestly feel at some point in the near future I will be able to ride.work. and ski with my situation as is.One of the dudes I ski with is 70 with both knees replaced. He said don't ask ur Dr regarding activities. He/she will likely tell you things you can't accept. Let ur body tell you. Do you think Doug Henry s dr would tell him its ok to ride? How bout those dudes with prosthetic arms and legs out riding? How bout Austin Forkners dr? There are no solid answers to these situations.
I'm 65 and still ride hard moto, I've had a couple of complete supraspinatus tears in both shoulders, my surgeon told me that the first repair would not be as strong as the original non damaged shoulder, it wasn't, after the second repairs, just lifting a wheelbarrow of wet mud tore it apart again, this was 2 years ago, after this period only a reverse shoulder is possible, BUT my surgeon said he wouldn't do it, he has done the last 9 of my 39 ops, he said; for sure I'd destroy it, with no where to go after that.
I wear a French RXR shoulder brace now, it feels like the only one that really captures the shoulder, although I steer clear of iffy triples, failing a monster jump would be the end of me ;-)
That RXR brace is an interesting option, is the main function to prevent dislocations? That may be a good option for me to wear that and avoid repair or replacement to plan to keep riding…. I forgot to consider the repair attempt wouldn’t be as strong, seems like a lot of pain and PT to go through if it’s likely to tear again. Other than riding. How’s your shoulder use without the tendons in place? Much pain or limitations?
I have good range when not under any load, I can only just get my hands behind my head, I struggle to put goggles on, not too much pain, the shoulders ache in bed at night, feeling and hearing the shoulder joint sliding around is freaky.
I've been very slack lately, I pay the price of not building my shoulder muscles back up, I must get back to gym and start swinging dumbells around.
Take a look at the donjoy sully brace. I have one. Really keeps that joint feeling solid. Its a neoprene unit. Not your small cheap one. 400$ The straps really tighten things up. Im gonna check out that rxr thing .
Is this the correct Sully brace, it’s only $163, not the $400 one you mentioned?
Yes. But I paid 400$ canadian from the local drug store. They fit me for it. I also bought an evs brace several years ago after a dislocation. It covers both shoulders and is pretty impressive as well. I wore it for work and riding.
Hey Joko so just my 2 cents not a doctor.. once you get the MRI your surgeon will have a much better idea about whether or not a repair is possible, without the study it’s somewhat of a blind guess as to what can be done. I would then suggest you get at least a 2nd opinion from a reputable surgeon who specializes in shoulder arthroscopy. If you’re an active guy who likes to do high impact activities like Mx, mtb, lifting heavy weights, etc I would think of reverse as a last resort option that can likely resolve your pain and give you pretty good function for most normal activities, but will never be as strong or flexible as your native shoulder and as others have stated if it gets messed up at some point can be a big problem to fix it. If your cuff is repairable then a successful repair would likely be able to return you to your pre injury function but will require several months of rehab to regain your range of motion and then strength after the surgery and the rehab will likely be painful. Also there is always a chance of a retear which you can do your best to mitigate by staying up on keeping the rotator cuff and shoulder strong and flexible.
My question to you would be why are you considering surgery, is it because of pain or not able to do the things you want to do, or both? Also have you had any therapy or injections?
The pain is not bad, maybe a 1-2 out of 10. Some days it feels pretty good. I’m concerned about a potential dislocation if I continue to ride, causing further damage and a crash. I also like to keep up with moderate weight lifting for fitness, and concerned without that supraspinatus tendon I would further damage over time, joint wear & arthritis … I’ve been doing PT on my own with exercise direction, seems to slowly improve. No injections yet. You’re right, once the MRI results come back I can decide if the repair is possible; if so I’m leaning going that route instead of a replacement. If not repairable, maybe leaving it alone and using those braces recommended for activities could work…
This is the correct advice.
Yes I have a reverse total shoulder replacement. Yes I still ride my KX450 as fast as I like without issue. However, no racing stuff, I choose much gentler tracks purposely, and my shoulder is very sore afterwards.
If you are considering a reverse total shoulder (or any total shoulder) my advice is DON’T DO IT. Always get second opinion on cuff tear repair options. Joint replacement path is big surgery, does not give you a strong or flexible shoulder, has a lot of complication risks, and should be a last resort option (level 10 pain!). The reverse joint I have took four tries to get a successful outcome.
Post a reply to: Anyone ride/race after a reverse shoulder replacement or torn supraspinatus & LH biceps tendon rupture??