[cetheridge]

Like TR, I'm not a medical professional. I have not jumped from a plane in 44 years, so I cannot advise on when you might be ready to RTD.

However, 9 weeks ago I had right shoulder surgery to repair/attach bicep tendon, remove 2 bone spurs, re-attach another tendon, and debride worn and shredded cartilage (not much left). My shoulder started hurting in January and got progressively worse. In March I went to my GP who referred me to a surgeon in April. I had the surgery May 28th.

Your arm WILL be in a sling for at least 6 weeks, even sleeping. If surgery is on your dominate arm you will learn to do everything with the other arm. (Wiping your ass with the non-dominate arm will be a new experience). Therapy will most likely begin the next day.

Your attitude and tolerance for pain will play a big part in your recovery progress in physical therapy. While in the sling, all activity with the affected arm will be passive....you will do no lifting with it. Your unaffected arm will assist lifting the affected arm. You don't want to lift anything heavier than your hand at this stage of recovery.

Taking pain meds an hour before PT will help some. Get off the narcotic crap as soon as possible (within 2 days) and use OTC meds. My surgeon advised me to "push thru the pain" when doing PT and flexibility will return quicker. Be careful....don't try to be superman.

While in the sling, all PT exercises will be passive. Out of the sling, you will start exercises with resistance bands, light weights, and some real fun stretching.

You will be given exercise instructions to perform at home on days when not at the therapist. If the instructions say do an exercise once a day, do it twice a day. Go that "extra mile" (my surgeon's advice). Follow your surgeon's advice.
Do the home exercises religiously every day to keep the shoulder flexible.

For the first several months, don't do anything stupid, like using post hole diggers, using a hammer, or lifting heavy objects, unless you really liked that post surgery pain and want to start all over again. In the past month, I know 2 people (one at 7 weeks into therapy and the other at 8 weeks) who used a hammer and post hole diggers because they felt better, and now they both have
just had surgery again.

9 weeks ago, I had the surgery. I have regained 85%-90% range of motion in the right arm. Thursday, July 31, I visited my surgeon and was released from official PT. I had a great surgeon, PA, and therapist (she is about 5'-10" tall, slender, short blonde hair, very attractive....damn I'm going to miss her....but I digress).

As TR said, total recovery will be about 10-12 months. It's a slow healing process.

I still have some tightness and some occasional discomfort (not really pain).

If I can help you through the recovery, feel free to PM me.

Carl