Shoulder surgery recovery - 2026

[hoosierhunter11]

I inherited some bad luck and poor genetics when it comes to shoulder injuries. I had two labral repairs on my right arm in high school from sports-related injuries and at 33, just had surgery on my left arm on 4/27. Starting this thread 6 days post-op. Below are some details on the operation:

arthroscopic surgery encompassed the following:
- full thickness rotator cuff repair
- distal clavicle excision
- labral debridement
- bursectomy
- acriomioplasty

Recovery has been pretty brutal thus far. Much worse than the labral repairs. Having a hard time managing pain, sleeping, getting comfortable. I already started PT and am doing some very minor passive range of motion work. I’ve got a long road ahead of me but my goal is to be able to archery hunt for whitetails here in Indiana come October
/November and go on a rifle deer or elk hunt this year.

Two main goals of this thread:

- document recovery, share tips, etc
- obtain feedback and support from the Rokslide community

If any of yall have had a similar operation and want to share your experience, I’m all ears.

Thanks

 

[survivalistd]

I've needed an anatomical shoulder replacement for awhile. 4 months ago I started taking bpc157/tb-500 peptides. It has completely changed my game. Pain is gone. I still feel the bone movements but pain is not there.

 

[LostArra]

I inherited some bad luck and poor genetics when it comes to shoulder injuries. I had two labral repairs on my right arm in high school from sports-related injuries and at 33, just had surgery on my left arm on 4/27. Starting this thread 6 days post-op. Below are some details on the operation:

arthroscopic surgery encompassed the following:
- full thickness rotator cuff repair
- distal clavicle excision
- labral debridement
- bursectomy
- acriomioplasty

Recovery has been pretty brutal thus far. Much worse than the labral repairs. Having a hard time managing pain, sleeping, getting comfortable. I already started PT and am doing some very minor passive range of motion work. I’ve got a long road ahead of me but my goal is to be able to archery hunt for whitetails here in Indiana come October
/November and go on a rifle deer or elk hunt this year.

Two main goals of this thread:

- document recovery, share tips, etc
- obtain feedback and support from the Rokslide community

If any of yall have had a similar operation and want to share your experience, I’m all ears.

Thanks

Do you shoot a bow right handed?
(Surgery is on your bow arm?)

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Don’t stay in the sling a minute longer than the doctor recommends. I got “frozen shoulder” and it was awful.

Do the physical therapy as long as possible and then some. Particularly exercises that have you walk your fingers up the wall.

 

[awbowhunter]

I had a full thickness tear in my right shoulder about 8 years ago. Recovery was painful and slow at first. Some good news is the surgery was in March and I was drawing bow (right handed) at 70 pounds by September the same year.

Biggest tip I can give is to do your PT exactly as prescribed and more when you can. I was doing 3 physical therapy sessions a week plus stretches and exercises at home. You have to get your range of motion back NOW, during the healing process, as well as building strength back.

I slept in a recliner for probably the first 3 weeks after surgery. That was the best way to get somewhat comfortable.

I am blessed that I rarely think about the injury now or have any issues from it. I will fully put that on doing the PT work needed to recover.

Hang in there, the pain will get better.

 

[steelheadmike]

I’m following. I had a full thickness rotator cuff tear in early 2024 (acute injury; it sounded like jeans ripping in my shoulder).

Listen to your surgeon and your PT. Plan on 6+ months of recovery. I pushed it a little too hard that fall.

I’d rather give up one fall of hunting than deal with months more of recovery because I did things I wasn’t ready for.

I’ll add one more thing: no matter how “tough” you are, take the drugs post op. Your body and, more importantly, those helping you, will be thankful. The first week can be rough.

 

[hoosierhunter11]

Do you shoot a bow right handed?
(Surgery is on your bow arm?)

Good question, yes I’m a righty so my left arm is my bow arm.

 

[JDPAPA]

Recovering here from Dec. 6th surgery and had very similar to you with the exception of a completely torn bicep that they did not reattach. I followed all instructions perfectly and was only permitted to do basic stretches at home before beginning PT at 3 months and had to stay in a sling and sleep in a recliner for that long as well. Kept rotating ice packs or the ice machine was all that helped and I just took ibuprofen for the pain. I was just terrified of a slip and fall and was extra careful and it was a big challenge with a 125 pound Rottie running through the house chasing a toy and could have taken me out at the knees at any time. Only missed work for about 10 days but then took a roller back in every day to carry my lunch, thermos and computer. The torn labrum was by far the worst part of the whole deal and the bicep will cause some issues as the other muscles will need to eventually take up the slack.
Good luck getting better and watch all of your sudden moves etc. as they will bring tears to your eyes sometimes.

 

[snype]

Going under the knife soon.....looking forward to getting it fixed but sucks not being able to shoot

 

[Luck13]

Good news! At age 33 and your first full standard rotator/ debridement/ bursectomy, you're likely going to be in good shape sooner providing you don't push the line on allowing full recovery (!)

Have had 3 rotator surgeries. First one (full thickness) right side at age 47. Recovery to the extent of full range of motion, full strength and no nerve sensations took a year. Had light, conservative PT and was on light duty from my very physical employment for six months. I had to skip hunting season (waterfowl) for most of that winter. But, to this day 14 years later, it's as good as new

Second one, left side at age 54. Full thickness. After the success of the first one 7 years earlier, I was overconfident, pressured the Doctor, pushed it in recovery and returned to full duty too soon. This earned me a bicep tear and third, career ending full repair with a balloon spacer the following year. The balloon spacer (artificial temporary bursa) was a game changer for pain in recovery but never regained full strength or ROM. Currently, 4 years later am having bicep tendon issues.

So yes, you're in the very painful initial stages post surgery. It's a brutal mind game and test of patience especially if you're an active type. You didn't mention your job but if possible stay in recovery tasks as long as you can. You'll start feeling improvement in a few weeks and it's at this point staying cautious and not becoming overconfident and pushing it is crucial. I'd bet, next fall you're good to go rifle hunting, archery you might have to skip (?) Also, understand and expect lingering nerve sensations, tingles, pops, etc for up to a year. Do the recovery conservatively. Time is on your side. Good luck !

 

[Joshk358]

I've needed an anatomical shoulder replacement for awhile. 4 months ago I started taking bpc157/tb-500 peptides. It has completely changed my game. Pain is gone. I still feel the bone movements but pain is not there.

Been wondering about that stack myself......interesting. Might have to try that for a couple small (for now) nagging injuries.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have had each shoulder joint replaced, 6 months apart. As mentioned, sleeping in my recliner was the only way to sleep and get any rest. I am 5 years out since my last one was done. I don't have any pain and do almost anything I want too. My right shoulder has an issue with my rotator cuff that I have to be a little careful with. The RC has worn away on the underside of it and allows my shoulder to move around more than it should. It used to pop out of joint when I did certain movements. (very painful!) I 've learned to avoid those stress movements. My surgeon says I will need a reverse joint if I live long enough LOL. (I am 84 ). I have learned to adapt and have not had it pop out in at least a year.

 

[KenLee]

Don’t stay in the sling a minute longer than the doctor recommends. I got “frozen shoulder” and it was awful.

Do the physical therapy as long as possible and then some. Particularly exercises that have you walk your fingers up the wall.

Absolutely agree with this answer. You definitely want to avoid the "crank and yank" treatment for a frozen shoulder.

 

[survivalistd]

Been wondering about that stack myself......interesting. Might have to try that for a couple small (for now) nagging injuries.

I and many I've talked to have seen incredible changes. I will highly recommend it. Do your research..it's 1 of the 12-17 peptides on the FDA list to approve.

 

[Burnsie]

Had my right shoulder done twice. The second time everything was tore/shredded from the bone, the doctor put anchors in bone and stitched the tendon back into place. I got explicit directions from my surgeon to follow PT to the letter and not get overconfident, because if I tore the tendon back off I'd be out of luck, there wouldn't be anything left for him to work with. The first 8 weeks of PT was minimal to let the tendon start reattaching. Post op pain was brutal, recliner was the only way I could sleep. Everything finally came together and I'm pain free and can can do most anything I want. I never regained full strength and my shoulder still pops with certain movements, overhead work is pretty much a no-go.