As good luck would have it, I slipped on a small patch of ice while jogging (someone was running their sprinklers in 20 degree weather & I didn't see the ice in the dark). I have a consult with an orthopedist next week, but have been diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff. If I have to have surgery, I'm kind of nervous about the effect that this will have on my exercise routine, as it looks like the recovery from surgery is pretty long. Anyone have any experience with rotator cuff surgery or physical therapy?

Had rotator cuff surgery and with PT I was still able to do cardio. The most important thing is to go to PT and make sure you do the exercises in the office and at home.

I only just started my three month pre-surgery diet and won't have surgery until mid-May or so, but I've got bone spurs in both feet, a bad knee, a bad back and two severely arthritic shoulders, so ever the thought of exercise fills me with pain. I explained that to the doctor and when it comes to exercise he said simply "Just do what you can and maybe after you've lost some weight it will be easier," but he wasn't going to reject me because I couldn't work out.

Try swimming,or some other pool therapies. The buoyancy eases the strain on your joints ,

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I had a head on collision with a semi in 1992. Broke both my wrists, ankles, knock out most of my teeth, compression injury to my heart, and severe trauma to my back. It took my 3 months to walk with a walker and another year to walk unaided.

I had rotator cuff surgery and bone spur removal on my collar bone in 2007.

The recovery from the rotator cuff and collar bone were the worse pain I have ever felt. Coughing or sneezing would reduce me to a gibbering, sobbing mess. It was truly incredibly painful. I cannot tell you if it was the removal or bone spurs or the cleaning of the rotator cuff that caused the pain. However, I will say that it was totally worth it. That shoulder is now my good one. Follow their PT instructions to the letter!

I was off work for 8 weeks. Exercise was not even a consideration for me. The pain was far and away too much.

Now, before you become frightened. A very good friend of mine owns a garage and he is a master mechanic. He had rotator cuff surgery and his bicep reattached. Similar to my surgery but muscle complication instead of bone. His surgery was on a Friday, the following Wednesday he was back at work using just one arm and not taking pain killers. EIther he is a freak of nature or I am an incredible wuss.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I appreciate it. What you describe, BigViffer, fits what I have read elsewhere. My surgical consult is Thursday, so I will have a better sense then of whether it will be physical therapy first or surgery now.

Quick follow up on the rotator cuff after seeing the orthopedist. On the negative side, my MRI showed 4 tears, although all were 2/3 tears and not full ones. On the positive side, my dr is hopeful that physical therapy may delay, if not prevent, the need for surgery. All in all, this was exactly what I was hoping to hear.

Thanks again, everyone, for the helpful advice.

I had rotator cuff surgery about 8 years ago. I had heard the horror stories of the pain involved with rehab. I kept waiting for it, but it never showed up. Sure, there was some discomfort, and it increased with the PT. But I never saw or felt the severe debilitating stuff others felt.

I am not some crazy person that enjoys pain (OK, maybe I am a little.....going through a divorce for two years proves that :-)). But I only report this to show that everyone is different, and your mileage WILL vary.

And lastly, every doc always says that PT may delay the need for surgery. The insurance companies demand that, not the docs. They try and sell that so you go away and not cost them more money. You drive a car? Have a tap in the motor? Think it will go away on its own? Nope, it will only continue to cause problems. Same goes for your four tears. They usually do not heal on their own.......I waited five years before I got mine operated on, hoping they would heal on their own.

Good luck

Ron