Rotator cuff issues

[Loraine]

Very sorry to hear that @Dirk_R . I had rotator cuff surgery years ago, and it was over a year of recovery to where the shoulder was back to what I would consider normal. You’ll have to work on building skills with just the opposite arm during that 6 week period. Might be a good time to revisit some music theory too. Good luck with it!

• This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by  Loraine.

[Dirk_R]

Thanks Loraine, I am just worried that I will put down the guitar and lolly gag about picking it up because I feel super motivated now and am worried about losing that drive due to 6 weeks off.

[Loraine]

@Dirk_R Knowing you, you’ll probably be jumping to get back to the guitar and be super motivated. Let us know when you’re surgery is scheduled. You might want to consider that smaller bodied guitar we all discussed previously. Hang in there (and breathe).

[Cadgirl]

Don’t worry @Dirk_K. 6 weeks is a long time but there is plenty to do. You can learn how to use a slide for one. Sit on the couch with the head stock on the arm of the coach and slide away. Tony has a course and there are plenty courses on the web. I’m wondering if you could use a child’s guitar, like a First Act. They are 1/4 size (and about $30)? I have one myself that I use with the Challenges. Figure out how to use Recording Equipment. Download Garageband and figure out how to use it. When you get back into playing you will already be primed to start uploading songs in a VOM. I like @Loraine idea of building your music theory. I’ve read in other posts the Fretboard Wizard is coming up soon. Good luck.

[Dirk_R]

Lots of good ideas, thanks Cadgirl

[jumpinjeff]

can’t remember @Dirk_R is it you fretting shoulder or Pick/strum shoulder?

[Dirk_R]

strumming shoulder

[Carol-3M-Stillhand]

@Dirk_R sorry to hear your rotator cuff is going to need a little more coaxing to go away…. I’ve had this issue in both shoulders (not all at one time) and I’d say if you have to have it, it’s better to have it in your picking/strumming arm… and I totally agree that once you are feeling like playing again, that a small parlor size or 1/2 size or 3/4 size guitar is your best bet until everything is fully healed… If that’s not an option, then if you play more of a classical style with your guitar on your left knee and the neck at a 45 degree angle, that makes the lower bout of the guitar alot “smaller” to your poor right shoulder and arm. Maybe now is a good time to polish up on your uke skills. Anywayz let us know when your surgery is, and how you’re doing!! Best wishes for a successful operation!!

[jumpinjeff]

there is a way you can still play. I am sure you will be in a sling….I had one that had this shelf sort of thing…by putting your fingers up around the 12th fret you can still do a finger flick type of strum all fingers perpendicular to the strings and all fingers extend on the down stroke and all flex back to a closed hand sort of a position for the up stroke. Desperate times call for desperate measures. It is not ideal but it kept me in the groove.

[Bill_Brown]

Hi @Dirk_R , sorry to hear that your shoulder is still giving you problems. Has your doctor mentioned anything about cortisone/steroid shots for the shoulder? Sometimes this is offered as a last option before having to do surgery. I for one would try anything before going ahead with surgery.

[Dirk_R]

Thanks for all the support.

[The_JCoop]

I had this surgery done 2 weeks ago, on my strumming hand shoulder. I have tried several times to get various guitars/basses in my lap. Still no luck. Thanks for the good ideas on other things to try.

I am playing bass, in the pit, for an upcoming musical and getting nervous about having to back away from it. I am going to attempt playing my P Bass, like an upright, once my wife gets home (I need a spotter to catch my bass if something goes awry) and scour the interwebs for alternatives.

[That_Guy]

Every time I am away from my guitar for a few days (vacation, etc) I have the same paranoia that I am going to forget how to play or something when I get back and pick it up again. So far this hasn’t happened and the couple days away from it were actually good for me.

[RLD]

I can’t say that I know exactly what you’re going through as we’re all different, but I’m 1 year post-op from my 3rd rotator cuff repair, this one is #2 on my right shoulder. It has definitely impacted my guitar playing. It seemed to take me forever before I could get my right arm over my Martin dread, and then the shoulder would tire quickly. It is definitely getting better each time I play. What has kept me in the swing of things was getting a smaller body guitar: a 00 size that is much easier on my shoulder and got me going when I really couldn’t play my dread for any length of time. On various Facebook guitar forums, I’ve read many comments from people my age (72) about needing to switch to smaller guitars because of their aging shoulders or slow recovery from various surgical procedures. My experiences has been that these recoveries require patience. My doc told me that playing guitar is great therapy, but not to be in a rush. I love playing the 00 size guitar and it may become my favorite. I hope this helps.

[Dirk_R]

<div>Yes I bought two new smaller body guitars MRTIN dn jr a taylor gs mini and right shoulder pain is significantly less, although just learned I had a full length tear in my left shoulder last week (been living with a full length in my right shoulder for 14 years</div>

[HowardM]

Agree with all of the great advice, and good luck.

[muzzleblaster1]

Dirk after four rotator cuff surgeries getting back into the routine of playing was something that drove me to work at getting well quick. Just remember to give yourself time to heal and don’t push yourself. Too aggressive on the therapy can put you right back where you are. Best of luck with surgery if you choose to go that way.