SLAP tear right shoulder

[AdrenalineJunkie]

So back in March I played a quick round a frisbee golf with some buddies. The next day my shoulder was really sore and began poppin and grinding when moved in certain directions. I didnt notice anything out of the ordinary when I was playing but it was the only thing I could think of that put my shoulder to good work. I didn't worry about it too much until a couple months later when it had still not gone away and was starting to affect my lifting. I went to the doctor and it was diagnosed as a SLAP tear which I was told is not very significant and will heal in time. I took time off from lifting (about two months) and rested it and did some light rehab exercises.

Long story short it has not seemed to improve what so ever. I am back to lifting as normal but lifts that move my shoulder in a certain position still cause it to "pop and grind". Has anyone had one of these type injuries and found a good exercise, rehab, supplement, etc that has helped in the recovery process?

[lovbyts]

Yeah more or less, mind did all that and more. I spent about 1 year trying to rehab it and it did get better but I knew it would never get 100% or even much over 50% on it's own so I went in for surgery a couple of months ago.

The MRI with contrast did not even show nearly the extent of how bad it was. The doctor said after the surgery he had no idea it was that bad. I had 2 tears, lots of frayed edges, 2 large marbles, some bone spurs and a lot of arthritis/inflammation that had to be cleaned out.

I'm only at about 50% now and things are improving slowly but improving. I'm hoping in 6 months time I will be back close to 100%

[AdrenalineJunkie]

Yeah more or less, mind did all that and more. I spent about 1 year trying to rehab it and it did get better but I knew it would never get 100% or even much over 50% on it's own so I went in for surgery a couple of months ago.

The MRI with contrast did not even show nearly the extent of how bad it was. The doctor said after the surgery he had no idea it was that bad. I had 2 tears, lots of frayed edges, 2 large marbles, some bone spurs and a lot of arthritis/inflammation that had to be cleaned out.

I'm only at about 50% now and things are improving slowly but improving. I'm hoping in 6 months time I will be back close to 100%

I was afraid of that. It just really doesn't seem to be recovering at all on its own. I read another posting on here about a slap tear and he went years without it healing so Im starting to think surgery is the only way. It just is a terrible time for me, and a 1 year recovery is a hard thing for me to grasp right now. I think Im going to continue to put it off and hope for the best. Im sure someday Ill be getting that surgery though.

[calstate23]

So back in March I played a quick round a frisbee golf with some buddies. The next day my shoulder was really sore and began poppin and grinding when moved in certain directions. I didnt notice anything out of the ordinary when I was playing but it was the only thing I could think of that put my shoulder to good work. I didn't worry about it too much until a couple months later when it had still not gone away and was starting to affect my lifting. I went to the doctor and it was diagnosed as a SLAP tear which I was told is not very significant and will heal in time. I took time off from lifting (about two months) and rested it and did some light rehab exercises.

Long story short it has not seemed to improve what so ever. I am back to lifting as normal but lifts that move my shoulder in a certain position still cause it to "pop and grind". Has anyone had one of these type injuries and found a good exercise, rehab, supplement, etc that has helped in the recovery process?

Yes, very much so...I had my right shoulder (Labrum) anchored back down to the bone about a year ago or so...It had bothered me for years before but I had full strength except for shoulder presses and incline chest...Which sucks because these are major exercises I had to workout around..I decided to do the surgery ONLY because I basically had one of the best shoulder surgeons in the US. Dr. Yocum does all the pro baseball players doing a ton of labrums and tommy john surgery. He actually works right below Frank Jobe WHO ACTUALLY INVENTED THE TOMMY JOHN SURGERY FOR BASEBALL PLAYERS! So this guy is legit.

Anyways, here is the deal on labrums. There is 80% chance of full recovery without surgery and doing rehab..The chances are pretty good...But does this mean that the labrum reattached itself back to the bone? No, it doesn't. Once a labrum is torn it CANNOT "REATTACH" itself back to the bone. But again, this doesn't mean you can't make a full recovery, your body healed itself enough to work around the injury....

It is something to REALLY consider...Because I'll tell you right now rehab for labrums is a bitch and it's FOREVER. Rehab is about 6 months or so, and no heavy heavy lifting for at least 9 months maybe even longer....Not to mention, once it's worked on your shoulder will never to the same, it will be repaired tissue now. Which always has a chance to reinjure...The cartilage is debrided and the repair is anchored back down with a screw.

I still cannot do shoulfer presses or incline to fullest potential....Even with the surgeon, best repair, best physical therapy there is always a chance with surgery that it make to help or make it worse. So it is something to carefully consider. So if you don't have all top 3 which I just stated I wouldn't even consider it.

I still debate with myself if I should have even done it...I could lift heavy and hard with everything except for a couple exercises. I could play any sports, baseball and racquetball. But now I'm left with a hefty surgery bill, months and months of rehab during my summer, still can't lift 100% and can't play racquetball like I did before surgery...But it is a long process and mine is still healing and I still do exercises at home.

But as you stated, "I am back to lifting as normal"....Is it worth it? A lot of questions to ask. If you want rehab exercises I can tell you everything I did months and months in rehab.

[AdrenalineJunkie]

Yes, very much so...I had my right shoulder (Labrum) anchored back down to the bone about a year ago or so...It had bothered me for years before but I had full strength except for shoulder presses and incline chest...Which sucks because these are major exercises I had to workout around..I decided to do the surgery ONLY because I basically had one of the best shoulder surgeons in the US. Dr. Yocum does all the pro baseball players doing a ton of labrums and tommy john surgery. He actually works right below Frank Jobe WHO ACTUALLY INVENTED THE TOMMY JOHN SURGERY FOR BASEBALL PLAYERS! So this guy is legit.

Anyways, here is the deal on labrums. There is 80% chance of full recovery without surgery and doing rehab..The chances are pretty good...But does this mean that the labrum reattached itself back to the bone? No, it doesn't. Once a labrum is torn it CANNOT "REATTACH" itself back to the bone. But again, this doesn't mean you can't make a full recovery, your body healed itself enough to work around the injury....

It is something to REALLY consider...Because I'll tell you right now rehab for labrums is a bitch and it's FOREVER. Rehab is about 6 months or so, and no heavy heavy lifting for at least 9 months maybe even longer....Not to mention, once it's worked on your shoulder will never to the same, it will be repaired tissue now. Which always has a chance to reinjure...The cartilage is debrided and the repair is anchored back down with a screw.

I still cannot do shoulfer presses or incline to fullest potential....Even with the surgeon, best repair, best physical therapy there is always a chance with surgery that it make to help or make it worse. So it is something to carefully consider. So if you don't have all top 3 which I just stated I wouldn't even consider it.

I still debate with myself if I should have even done it...I could lift heavy and hard with everything except for a couple exercises. I could play any sports, baseball and racquetball. But now I'm left with a hefty surgery bill, months and months of rehab during my summer, still can't lift 100% and can't play racquetball like I did before surgery...But it is a long process and mine is still healing and I still do exercises at home.

But as you stated, "I am back to lifting as normal"....Is it worth it? A lot of questions to ask. If you want rehab exercises I can tell you everything I did months and months in rehab.

Awesome response. Just what I needed. I never really considered surgery making it worse. Thanks man. Its actually been feeling the best it ever has just this week so Im definitely gonna hold off. And if I ever do decide to get surgery itll be years down the road so I csn give it the best chance to heal on its own. Is there a "rep" option on here. I feel i definitely owe you some for typing thay out and bringing up some things I had never considered.

[lovbyts]

Looks like we had the same mind set before surgery. I also went with what I think is the best in my area, Dr. E. Edward Khalfayan who is the head surgeon for the Seahawks and Mariners.

About a week ago mine took a turn for the better. All of the sudden it stopped hurting 24/7 and now only nags me when I over work it or ever stretch it. It was about 12 weeks out from surgery.

It's slowly getting better and stronger and I think I am better off with the surgery. It has slowly gotten a little better and stronger before the surgery but it had been almost a year and I knew in my heart and shoulder that in another year it would not be nearly where it should be. Now after this big change at 12 weeks I am having even more faith than I did and am hoping at 6 months I can start lifting more heavy or at least a respectable weight again and in 1 year be close to 100%?

[calstate23]

[QUOTE=AdrenalineJunkie;6090872]Awesome response. Just what I needed. I never really considered surgery making it worse. Thanks man. Its actually been feeling the best it ever has just this week so Im definitely gonna hold off. And if I ever do decide to get surgery itll be years down the road so I csn give it the best chance to heal on its own. Is there a "rep" option on here. I feel i definitely owe you some for typing thay out and bringing up some things I had never considered.[/QUOTE

No problem...The recovery part I really think is quite relative. There are many factors that are contributed to a successful surgery. Who is the doctor, how well was the injury repaired, where you go to physical therapy, how hard you work in physical therapy and a little luck.

Honestly, I don't always think surgery is REQUIRED (Depending on what it is and how bad the injury is). If you can function very well with most exercises and have most your strength in those exercises AND can do most physical activities the injury can not be that severe. In this case, the first priority any good doctor would say is do physical therapy for a few months and see if that can not heal the injury. If then, and only then, does it not help surgery may be taken into consideration.

You really have to look at your situation and see what is best. Are you trying to become a professional athlete? Are you happy with being at 90% to be able to do any and all activities?

Sometimes, surgery is required though. Meaning, if you cannot function at all doing physical activities and pain is too severe to do anything. Since in surgery there is ALWAYS a risk you have to ask yourself, "Am I happy with what I can do now or do you want to take that risk?"

[calstate23]

Looks like we had the same mind set before surgery. I also went with what I think is the best in my area, Dr. E. Edward Khalfayan who is the head surgeon for the Seahawks and Mariners.

About a week ago mine took a turn for the better. All of the sudden it stopped hurting 24/7 and now only nags me when I over work it or ever stretch it. It was about 12 weeks out from surgery.

It's slowly getting better and stronger and I think I am better off with the surgery. It has slowly gotten a little better and stronger before the surgery but it had been almost a year and I knew in my heart and shoulder that in another year it would not be nearly where it should be. Now after this big change at 12 weeks I am having even more faith than I did and am hoping at 6 months I can start lifting more heavy or at least a respectable weight again and in 1 year be close to 100%?

Yes, definitely sounds like we did. I felt the same way. it was weird one week I would be having a hard time doing certain rehab exercises and then all of sudden out of no where I felt like I could do it with ease...For me, this is how my whole rehab went. Always in intervals, I stay in one spot for about 2 months or so and then out of the blue the next week pain decreased, range of motion better and strength up...Then I would go another 2 months feeling the same, and then, BAM next week would miraculously be at the next level. This continued like this for me for about 10 months.

Recovery is just a long process for labrums. The thing that sucked for me, was right when I was coming out of my sling and starting to slowly use my arm with things I was taking out a hot cup of coffee from the microwave and it spilled on my hand. By natural reaction I jerked my whole arm. Just the tiny fast motion and I heard almost like a rip in my shoulder and the pain was excruciating..Within a few days, my whole shoulder bruised up which was a horrible sign. It definitely set me back in recovery and quite possibly could have effected how well my final recovery would be...it still bothers me, wondering if I would be that much better if I hadn't have done that....But it is what it is

[lovbyts]

Interesting, my doc had a different approach. I was in rehab the 1st day after surgery and only used a sling for 3 days and after that I never wore it again.

[calstate23]

Interesting, my doc had a different approach. I was in rehab the 1st day after surgery and only used a sling for 3 days and after that I never wore it again.

I did start physical therapy fast, within 3 days, not as fast as you though. I think many doctors nowadays realize getting into physical therapy sooner means quicker recovery and range of motion...

Although, I started physical soon I still used a sling for about 3 weeks...So the only time I was out of my sling was during physical therapy and after I left I would use my sling. It's just a precautionary, as the shoulder and the repair is very fragile at that point in time. Any fast or accidental movements, like the one I had can ruin a repair during the first stages of recovery.

[lovbyts]

Been reading up on Thymosin Beta 4(TB-500)
I might have to give it a try. A lot of guys on other forums claiming a lot of relieve in a short time with shoulder issues.

[AdrenalineJunkie]

Been reading up on Thymosin Beta 4(TB-500)
I might have to give it a try. A lot of guys on other forums claiming a lot of relieve in a short time with shoulder issues.

I just ordered mine. Giving it a whirl as well. Ill let you know my results/experience. Keep me updated om yours too. How much you thinking about cycling?

[calstate23]

Been reading up on Thymosin Beta 4(TB-500)
I might have to give it a try. A lot of guys on other forums claiming a lot of relieve in a short time with shoulder issues.

No, I haven't but I'm getting on GH any day now. Never used it from recovering from injury so I'll see how much it actually does help strengthening ligaments and tendons..Rebuild cartilage...Will be taking it with IGF-1 as well

[MuscleInk]

No, I haven't but I'm getting on GH any day now. Never used it from recovering from injury so I'll see how much it actually does help strengthening ligaments and tendons..Rebuild cartilage...Will be taking it with IGF-1 as well

Tore my calf June 14, 2012. Ortho said 4-6 months recovery. Self treated with 10iu GH daily and 2iu IGF-1. Back to lifting 350lbs on calf in under 6 weeks.

Not claiming it was all GH but 6 weeks sure isn't 6 months!