shoulder problems

[wmh9680]

Well, I'm going to have a total right reverse shoulder replacement Feb 17th. Is there anything out there to make the Spyder easier to turn (I plan on getting the TriAxis handlebars)? I don't think I'll have a problem when it's all healed but I don't know if I can wait that long to ride. Thanks, Mike

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

EASY TURN

Well the higher the air pressure in the front tires the less rolling resistance there is ...... so it would make it easier to turn at a higher front PSI ....... Of course this is going to compromise other factors and I don't think that it's worth it. At speed I can easily turn my RT with one arm...... in a parking lot that's a different story ....... best of luck ...... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Peter Aawen]

After a number of earlier 'shoulder repairs' that I managed to continue re-injuring, I had fairly major shoulder re-construction surgery on my left shoulder a couple of years ago - and I was back ryding the Spyder safely & comfortably well before I was able to go back to driving a car!!

Because of the lower hand level & less need to 'push away' & lift at the same time because of the DPS assistance, the 'strain' imposed on my healing shoulder by Spyder Ryding (admittedly at a fairly relaxed pace) was a helluva lot less than the strain imposed on either/both of my shoulders by the 'push & lift' or the 'pull down' action required on the steering wheel of any car we tried! (& we tried a few!!) The Therapist checked my Spyder out & OK'ed Ryding as therapy just a couple of weeks after the cast came off, but it took a little more than 8 weeks before I was cleared to go back to driving a car, 4WD, or truck - which is a pain in sooo many ways when that's pretty much all I get to do these days!! :shocked:

So while Mike's advice is good & certainly might help in reducing the steering effort required (but possibly not great for traction or ride/handling et al) it could pay to get your PT to check out your Spyder before your surgery - it could be that your Spyder will impose less strain on your healing shoulder, & then you too may be able to get back to ryding some weeks sooner than you can get back to driving!! And btw, my shoulder has healed really well post surgery, & today even spirited ryding is no issue at all; despite the 'push & lift' action that turning a car or truck steering wheel entails beginning to become tiring after the first four hours or so of driving!

 

[Devious56]

I have found that pushing on the outside handlebar, instead of pulling on the inside bar, is much easier on my shoulders and provides more precise steering than doing the opposite.

David

 

[SPYD3R]

I SHOULD

I SHOULD HAVE MY LEFT SHOULDER FIXED, but i'm chicken....
all my life (69 yrs) i unknowingly steered with my left arm-hand, then about 5 yrs ago, i fell off a ladder and grabbed with the left hand to stop me from hitting the floor... OUCH... i pulled my shoulder out, and it hasn't been the same since...
while riding afterwards, i found that 90% of my steering was with the left arm-hand, i figured out that i never knew i did this... well since, i've tried to learn to push-pull with the right arm-hand... old habits die hard, because i still find myself steering with the left...
hopefully, after your all healed up, you won't need to re-learn, but if it still hurts, do the push-pull trick with the opposite side...
good luck, and best wishes on your recovery....
Dan P
SPYD3R

 

[wmh9680]

Thanks, the Doc says reverse replacement is easier to recover from than rotator cuff repair with very little therapy. I just want to get it done and be riding again asap. Thanks Mike

 

[rutger]

total left should replacement]

I've had 4 shoulder surgeries. Rotor cuff and bicep tendon reattachment in right side. 3 surgeries plus finally total replacement on the left. That was March 2015.

Left replaced (after owning the Spyder RT) and I was out doing short rides on it by 3 - 3 1/2 weeks after the surgery and just before starting therapy. Granted was very careful in turns to make sure I was using mostly the right shoulder because didn't want to screw thinks up even before starting therapy. But by second week of therapy I was riding the bike to and from it.

It can be done. Just don't push it in the turns. And my advice is to do ALL therapy after the replacement. I had cut short every therapy after surgery up until that point. Finished doing all only own but if i had to do it over maybe some of the surgeries wouldn't have been needed.

And to the gentleman who is putting it off.

DON'T!

I did with the replacement on my left and now have limited range of motion even after the replacement because I waited a good 6 years too long. Dr's (as in plural) telling me I needed to have it replaced, only so much they can do to relieve pain without. BIG MISTAKE in putting it off and now paying the price!! Pain is 90% + gone but certain movements are simply impossible now which wouldn't have been the case if i'd have adhered to their advice earlier and just done it!

If you need to have it done. DO IT! The shoulder does't get better or even stay the same with waiting. It only gets worse.

Added: YES! Total shoulder replacement is a MUCH shorter recovery time than Rotor cuff surgery. I had the Rotor cuff done years earlier and total recovery time was close to a year back to full strength and range of motion.

It's the major reason why I waited so long to have the total replacement done. Thinking if it took a year to recover from Rotor cuff how long MUST it take for TOTAL replacement. Wish I'd have asked because when I finally did. The Dr. assistant asked. "Do you remember your rotor cuff recovery?" Yes I do!

"Well it's about 1/3 that long."

And my jaw about hit the floor! "How soon can I get it done!"

 

[wmh9680]

Now I really can't wait. Thanks, Mike

 

[rudym]

from a neuro muscular therapist

Well, I'm going to have a total right reverse shoulder replacement Feb 17th. Is there anything out there to make the Spyder easier to turn (I plan on getting the TriAxis handlebars)? I don't think I'll have a problem when it's all healed but I don't know if I can wait that long to ride. Thanks, Mike

The most important thing will be to take the time to completely rehab the shoulder - strengthen it! BUT you have to do this slowly to prevent other injuries from occurring. In fact the greatest problem with joint replacement failure comes from people who don't rehab fully or try to resume activities too quickly.
Remember that ice is your friend - do not put heat on your aches and pains. 15-25 mins of icing after riding can go a long way to helping calm things down.
Also good to find someone who does neuro muscular massage or orthopedic massage who is familiar with shoulder / joint replacement.