Does anyone return to Presses after shoulder replacement surgery?

[PizzaDad]

I am 51 years old. 6'2" 225. I had my shoulder evaluated today. After X-rays the doc said he can't believe I am able to do the things I am doing. My shoulder was repaired 19 years ago and I knew that I had a screw in the scapula. I figured that was coming loose because sometimes I could feel something in there crunching and wearing at me.
Long story's short, my shoulder is in bad shape.
We are going to get a CT scan to see if he can remove the 3 anchors in the scapula and do some "formal arthroscopy" to avoid or put off shoulder replacement. He knows that I lift and do farm work and want to keep doing so. When I asked about activity limitation in the mean time, he said if I stop doing everything for 2 months I probably won't get back to where I am so I should continue to train as long as pain doesn't stop me and perhaps reduce my weight load on press and bench. My weight load is already low on both. 135# for press and on the rare occasion that I bench I usually don't go over 185 because of the pressure I feel in the joint.

His notes are as follows

Radiographs demonstrate the bone-on-bone arthritis in the glenohumeral join., there are 3 metal anchors from his previous reconstrucgtion which potentially are exposted in the glenoid and rubbing the humeral head. he has a huge inferior huberal head spur. He has multiple large loose bodies in the shoulder. Has a type 2 acromion . He has moderate AC joint arthrosis.

This is the same guy who built me a new ACL 3 years ago. He does more knees and shoulders than anyone else in my city. Good solid reputation. Neither procedure sounds good. Replacement sounds like a game ender, although I have read about a few people returning to weightlifting afterwards.

At least I can still use my SSB and squat.

Thoughts?

[Mark Rippetoe]

I have no experience with a total shoulder post-op. We'll ask.

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

I have a client who had a total shoulder about 2 years ago. He's about 67. We Press 1x/week with 3-5 moderate sets of 5. Once per week we do neutral grip DB bench pressing. Any type of barbell benching is a problem. We do pulldowns 1x/week for sets of 8-10 and seated rows 1x/week for sets of 8-10. He has no issues with this upper body regimen. He can't low bar squat, but we high-bar 1x/week and he's fine with that exercise.

[Will Morris]

A very high ranking military officer had a total shoulder replacement and is well known for absolutely crushing his subordinates in the gym.

[PizzaDad]

When I meet with my doc after the CT scan, I am going to talk to him about a procedure called "ream and run" which approaches the shoulder replacement in a different way.

A very high ranking military officer had a total shoulder replacement and is well known for absolutely crushing his subordinates in the gym.

Any way to find out what kind of procedure he had?

[John Petrizzo]

As with any surgical procedure, there can always be complications and I have found total shoulders to be a little more complicated to recover from than a hip or a knee replacement, but I have worked with several patients post total shoulder replacement and have not had an issue with getting them back to pressing. I am sure your training background will aid you in your recovery.

[Will Morris]

Any way to find out what kind of procedure he had?

No. But, does it really matter?

[PizzaDad]

No. But, does it really matter?

Yes and no. Yes because what I am reading indicates that the standard style of total shoulder replacement involves a plastic socket and steel ball and the plastic wears out. The Ream and Run involves a steel ball and crafting a new socket by reaming out the bone .

No because either way he has decided to go hard as hell and that sounds like a better life than babying the shoulder all the time and wasting away.

And thank you for your responses. It helps to have a little better frame of reference for what's coming my way.

[David Kirkham]

All I can say is I’ve pressed significant weight (250) with a seriously bum shoulder (nerve impingement). Like empty bar warm ups make me actually see stars. After I’m done pressing I ALWAYS feel better. Frankly, I’m scared to NOT press. I don’t know anything about replacement parts—so, YMMV.

[Will Morris]

Yes and no. Yes because what I am reading indicates that the standard style of total shoulder replacement involves a plastic socket and steel ball and the plastic wears out. The Ream and Run involves a steel ball and crafting a new socket by reaming out the bone .

No because either way he has decided to go hard as hell and that sounds like a better life than babying the shoulder all the time and wasting away.

And thank you for your responses. It helps to have a little better frame of reference for what's coming my way.

The best surgical procedure you can have is the one the surgeon is comfortable doing.