Unrelated Snowmobile Question: Rotator Cuff Surgery

[ultrasks700]

This does not at all relate to performance or trouble shooting of an Arctic Cat snowmobile...BUT i figured maybe someone on this forum could share their experience.
Had a bad motocross crash this fall and landed on my shoulder. I'm 28, and very active. Long story short its a torn rotator cuff and im schdualed for surgery the beginning of December. The "full" recovery time is stated to be 6 months, but I was told I'll start having use of my arm again after a couple months.
My question: Should I have any hope of being able to ride my sled at all? I was hoping Mid Feb and March being able to ride a little, but again I dont know what my condition will be.
Anyways if the anwser is NO WAY STAY OFF IT, then i should get a for sale sign on it so its not staring me down all season.
Again...Just hoping one of you mountain riders have had a similar experience and might provide some insite

 

[backcountryislife]

I've hurt mine kayaking, and then did it in riding DH one day a few years ago... 3 months after surgery I was riding, and after another 2 months I was pushing again. Only issue for me is off camber landings... come down where one side of the sled tries to yank your arm, those are rough.

I'd say it'll be a bit, but you'll be riding this year if you're careful about it.

Btw, when I started jumping again I was very aware of my landing areas, and only hit hits where I could let go if needed, and learned quick to just let go of the sled if the landing was going to yank me hard.

 

[ultrasks700]

3 months...I can do that...That will mean Mid Feb i could get on the sled again(well thats only 2-1/2 but F it)
My plan will be to get out and maybe be the camera boy early on in the season. I've done Crossfit and alot of other workout programs and I'm sure I'll come back quick...I just dont wanna see my baby not rode

 

[Arctic Thunder]

The number one thing for a quick, solid recovery is to follow the physical therapy plan to a T. I have seen a bunch of guys have this procedure done, the ones that do exactly as they are told, are 100%. The ones that push it and don't follow the therapy plan, not so good.

Thunder

 

[RACINSTATION]

The number one thing for a quick, solid recovery is to follow the physical therapy plan to a T. I have seen a bunch of guys have this procedure done, the ones that do exactly as they are told, are 100%. The ones that push it and don't follow the therapy plan, not so good.

Thunder

There's the key. I had a really bad one in 2004 and like BCIL said, it will be about 3 months until you are rocking. For me riding a sled or a bike wasn't bad, especially standing up because then your arm is hanging anyway. Another guy had his surgery about a week before mine and we were both on the same therapy plan. After about 2 weeks, he started skipping sessions and today he can't lift his arm any higher than shoulder height.

Hit the therapy like your arm depends on it, because it does.

 

[Arctic Thunder]

There's the key. I had a really bad one in 2004 and like BCIL said, it will be about 3 months until you are rocking. For me riding a sled or a bike wasn't bad, especially standing up because then your arm is hanging anyway. Another guy had his surgery about a week before mine and we were both on the same therapy plan. After about 2 weeks, he started skipping sessions and today he can't lift his arm any higher than shoulder height.

Hit the therapy like your arm depends on it, because it does.

Agreed, to be 100% honest, your a young guy, with LOTS of riding years left. If you wanted to make damn sure you get back to 100% you would sell the sled for the season. The temptation to go out when you are feeling better will get the best of ya.

The one guy I can think of here at work did just that. He sold his sleds for the season, snow checked one for the following year, and spent the winter buying mod parts and getting ready. now he is ripping it up.

Thunder

 

[pigbristles]

Choose and talk to the physical therapist before the surgery. Doctors don't always know best about the days after surgery and before PT. Jim

 

[K2]

Man, be careful post-op - you get back on too early and shred the repair you can kiss hangin' on to any handlebar on anything goodbye for an indefinite period of time ... it'd suk having to keep your hand in your pocket all summer ...

 

[RobertTrivanovic]

My dad who's almost 60 was getting back into mild sports at 3 months.

Also if you ever somehow get a sudden urge to cancel the surgery to ride this winter, don't, I made that mistake 5 summers back and now my shoulder is f*cked, sometimes its hard being stubborn.

 

[ultrasks700]

THANKS TO EVERYONE on all the feed back...I appricate it big time. I have a good buddy who does PT and he is going to do my recovery for me(we meet from my ACL).
I think the sled is going to go on the lawn for this year...my love is in motocross riding(snowmobiling here in Maine is a short season) and i would hate to screw that up...Plus maybe i do some late season shopping and find me something sweet for the 2015 season...

 

[graham_r]

I dislocated mine two seasons ago in January. I started Physio 1 week after the accident and I was riding by the end of march. (Physio was not impressed). I did physio twice a week up to my surgery date in July and then started Physio again a month after. I rode 5000 km/s last year with no issue. Everyone involved believes that my shoulder recovered so fast and strong due to the Physio I did pre surgery.

 

[crossfire879]

My dad who's almost 60 was getting back into mild sports at 3 months.

Also if you ever somehow get a sudden urge to cancel the surgery to ride this winter, don't, I made that mistake 5 summers back and now my shoulder is f*cked, sometimes its hard being stubborn.

Me too man. Damaged my rotator cuff playing football in highschool. Didn't get surgery and now my shoulder is hooped. There is so much scar tissue built up around it that i can't keep my arm over my head for more than 10 seconds without it getting tired and sore.