Just thought I would drop you guys a note to let you know why I have been missing of late.

When I returned from Argentina in June, I was scheduled to have surgery within 4 days, to re-attach a severed rotator tendon in my left shoulder. Well as things go, it was not so simple. The one-hour surgery turned into a marathon of repairing an old, well used, body. When I woke up in recovery 3 1/2 hours later I had a re-attached bicep tendon, a re-attached pectoral tendon, a repaired split (end to end) Rotator tendon complete with new/used donor parts, five stainless screws and the removal of the meniscus from above the shoulder joint plus the removal of a half inch from the end of the left collar bone.

The removal of bone and meniscus was to make room for a rotator tendon that was double in thickness, due to the cadaver tendon being sewed onto the old severed and split rotator tendon. The donor tendon was then screwed to the bone

When a doctor tells you this is going to sting, it usually hurts like hell. When a doctor tells you this is going to be very painful, just get ready. But, now after 3 weeks, the pain has pretty much subsided and we are into rehab. Tomorrow will be my 5th rehab session.

Shoulder rehab is pretty interesting stuff. About as interesting as being staked out on an anthill. The minipulation of the joint consists of several submission holds applied one after the other. The only thing my therapist is missing is a leather outfit and whip.

Why would a person go through this? Ortho surgeon says to me; "one day, your shoulder will just stop working, you have about 6 months....." I sort of like having two arms that work, so that was no option at all.

Just in case you are wondering, at least 4 months without shooting or fishing. Just a very few years ago the shoulder would have been unreparable. Looks like I might make some of the late hunting seasons.
Ed

It's always unpleasant to have to go under the knife. Get well soon Ed, hope you make those late seasons.

Take it easy Swampfox and mend well.

Thanks guys, we are well on the mend, although a little bug nuts, after three weeks (today) of looking out the windows. They say in another 5 weeks I might be able to drive and maybe they will allow me to remove the arm from the sling. Actually it is an innocuous cloth item that after a few hours trying to sleep becomes a 24-hour torture device, they call a sling.
Ed

Mend well. My dad didn't listen to his doctor after a simular surgery and his shoulder still gives him trouble. (He went back to lift things a week later at work)

I spent several months on crutches once, what a delight. Those clever little rubber tips have these concentric grooves cut into them, ostensibly for traction, and they get packed with snow in the winter (probably not a concern for my southern-most friends). You walk into a mall or any of those places with hard tile floors and they tend to take off at 90 degrees at the same time. Makes for a lovely impression of one's face on the floor.

swamp take it easy, listen to the docs, my FIL went through rotator cuff surg. almost a month ago, had bone spurs and chips floating around in there cutting the tendons up from the inside.. so i feel for you.. just think though, you will be well healed by the time fall season rolls around!!

Wish ya fast recovery SwampFox. Get mended in time for Hunting season
Joe

I wish you a quick recovery. I have had three of them over the years. If it is your shooting arm, that first shot post surgery is always one of anticipation in more ways than one. The thought runs through your mind "Is it really healed up enough for this?"

jsmurphy wrote:

I wish you a quick recovery. I have had three of them over the years. If it is your shooting arm, that first shot post surgery is always one of anticipation in more ways than one. The thought runs through your mind "Is it really healed up enough for this?"

oh i hear ya there, "Is this gonna hurt?" the FIL is my riding buddy, and with him down the cycle hasnt moved.. he took the kiddo fishing couple weeks ago, so that was good therapy for him!

You have a "Physical Terrorist", just in case you were wondering.
I'm going to have to have a total knee done very soon. I'm looking forward to that as much as chewing on tin foil. LOL
Glad you're on the mend. Now take your drugs like the Doc ordered.
Yotebuster [b]

Been there--Done that. Both shoulders.
My heart goes out to you SwamFox.
Behave yourself, and get better before hunting season.

God Bless,

Eric

same here swampfox,take care of yourself. there is only one you.I'm still inpain sometimes with my shoulders. being a mech,you tear em up pretty fast. get well soon. Dave

Gidday Ed. Get well soon mate.

As much as it seems that your Physiotherapist is Madam Lash in disguise, he/she is doing you good favours. You sometimes have to be cruel to be kind.

Do your exercises, take your drugs mate and look forward to your next hunting season when your shoulder will be good.

Cheers, Vince

I figured that some of you more mature folks would have had some experiance. After the surgery I looked up the various injuries that they corrected and found that the severed bicep tendon is fairly common in men over 50. I guess for us old guys, our memory of what we used to do is better than our ability to do what we used to do.

Sounds like one more thing that goes with the hair and eyesight.
Ed