Anybody had shoulder surgery? How do you deal with not being able to play?

[mannish]

I am having shoulder surgery in early January on my fretting (left shoulder).  I know I will be unable to play for an undetermined amount of time.  I know I am really going to miss it.  I don't want to lose all connection to guitar during this time.  Was thinking of brushing up on theory or maybe working on ear training or something.  Anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this?  I'd take ideas from anyone but particularly interested in hearing from someone who has been through something similar. 

Thanks.

[Mr_LV19E]

I haven't had shoulder surgery but I do have arthritis in both shoulders so I am familier with the agony.  You might want to get a slide and work on some lap style guitar.

[brandon]

What type of surgery are you having? Rotator cuff, total shoulder arthroplasty, etc?

[unclrob]

  Exactley what I was going to suggest!!!!!   Good luck to you and hope all goes well.

[mannish]

Thanks for the replies.

Brandon -  it is what they call a Mumford procedure - cutting off about 5 mm of the end of the clavicle to get rid of arthritis where the clavicle meets the acromioclavicular.  Also trimming off the underside of the acromioclavicular bone (subacromial decompression) to eliminate impingement on the supraspinatus tendon.  I am right handed so my strumming arm is unaffected.

Dan

[PCT57]

Dan

I had an operation on my left wrist and now have two screws in there.



The rotation of my wrist has been affected and it took months before I could even pick up a guitar. There was I time when I thought that was it for guitar and I bought a mandolin which my wife hated so I got rid and concentrated on the guitar. I had to change a lot of my technique to suit the wrist and you can see in my videos how my left shoulder is dropped down to get the angle of my wrist reasonable. I still can't do bar chords lower than the 4th fret.

I am not sure how it will affect your guitar playing with it being your shoulder but the important thing is to not give in to it at all and keep going with the physio and be determined and I am sure you will do it 

Hope this helps and keep the guitar faith 

Regards