Shoulder Replacement?

[Dan Kelly]

Any player out there in PSG-land go through a shoulder replacement? I am having my left shoulder replaced (due to osteoarthritis) in early February. I am wondering how soon I can get back to playing and how the replacement will affect technique related issues.

Anybody have any experience they can share?

If not... how about some shoulder jokes?

[mtulbert]

Dan
Had my left shoulder replaced about five years ago. Surgery not bad..rehab takes a while. While I did not regain full motion I can play without any issues at all.

PM Me if you want more details; I would be glad to talk with you

Mark T.

[Jerry Malvern]

I had my right shoulder replaced in January 2007, Played my first gig post op 6 weeks later. PM me if you wanna hear about mine.

[Ron Pruter]

My wife had a reverse shoulder replacement 5.5 months ago. Still can't lift her elbow to the horizontal and has noticeable loss of strength. Just finishing her second round of PT. At least she can now sleep pain free and is just now, driving again. Not quite what we were expecting. RP

[Dan Kelly]

Thanks for the replies!

Mark, I PM'd you my contact information. It would be great to spend a few minutes talking about your experiences. I am glad to hear you can play without any issues. Encouraging!

Jerry, it is encouraging to hear you were back playing so soon. I will PM you my contact info.

Ron, I am glad to hear about the pain free sleep. That is a milestone I am looking forward to. Prayers for your wife's continued recovery.

On the face of it, this may be an opportunity for a concentrated effort on improving right hand technique. Maybe, it could be a time to advance PSG Theory knowledge. I dunno. We will see.

Thank you for the replies!

[Ross Shafer]

Good luck on your surgery Dan, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have to go bionic on at least one of my shoulders. I've broken them both in the last 10 years or so and complete recovery from that seems like a distant dream.

Will you ask your Doc if he offers quantity discounts?

[Dan Kelly]

Hello All:

The total shoulder replacement went very well. It has been about 10 days since the operation and most of the pain has subsided. The first round of PT is starting in a couple of days after the stitches are removed.

Regarding technique, I plan on finally memorizing PFs permutations, and just concentrate on RH technique. PF's new course on "Modes" will be tackled, as well.

Again, regarding technique, many players, (Buck Reid stresses this) maintain that the elbow of the left (bar hand) arm should be anchored to the rib cage. Well, that is where my sling holds my arm/ elbow anyway, so I thought I would give the bar hand a try. Surprisingly, things work well as long as I stay above the 2nd or F# fret. Reaching too far to the left is somewhat painful and restricted by the sling.

I am still going to take it slow and try not to do something stupid by pushing things along too quickly (one of my many fatal flaws). But I thought it was interesting and unexpected. Clearing this with my doctor when the stitches come out will be a priority. I kinda think we all know what he is going to say, but I gonna axe him anyway!

Thanks for all the advice and PMs and kind thoughts leading up to this! As Ross would say, you guys are the "Bestest!"