Anyone with shoulder problems riding?

Sgt93 · Sep 12, 2012

I got out of the bike community a few years ago and want back in. My issue is that I have had two shoulder surgeries (same shoulder) since Jan 2012. My last surgery was Aug 21st and was extensive to say the least. I have 7 anchors holding my shoulder in a socket that had bone shaved and removed, muscles cut and stretched etc. A full replacement may be in my near future.

Do any of you guys/gals have/had shoulder issues and still enjoy riding? I'm looking for a glimmer of hope to feed me through this process. If all goes well, I am planning on a Spring 2013 purchase. I have my work cut out for me.
-Steve

DZbum · Sep 12, 2012

I broke my left shoulder crashing 696 in '09.
I had an ATV accident resulting in AC separation (right shoulder) and broken collar in april this year.
have almost 7000 miles on Pani and its very comfortable. Shoulders dont bother me at all.
But again, each case is different.

Sgt93 · Sep 12, 2012

DZbum said:
I broke my left shoulder crashing 696 in '09.
I had an ATV accident resulting in AC separation (right shoulder) and broken collar in april this year.
have almost 7000 miles on Pani and its very comfortable. Shoulders dont bother me at all.
But again, each case is different.

That is inspiring to hear. I know all shoulder injuries are different but non the less, there is hope.

The GSXR 1000 was pretty hard on my shoulders even before I had issues. I'm hoping the Pani will be more forgiving.

Phl · Sep 12, 2012

i've had the left collarbone (center) broken in 2001 and again lateral in the joint 5 years later. i have ongoing shoulder and neck problems (left collarbone shortened about 1"), but never when i am riding my panigale. except with a 30 lbs backpack maybe, but then more because the shoulder strap goes over the sticking out collarbone...

i think for a superbike it has pretty good ergonomics, somewhat like the old Aprilia RSV1000 up to '04.

Sgt93 · Sep 12, 2012

Phil said:
i've had the left collarbone (center) broken in 2001 and again lateral in the joint 5 years later. i have ongoing shoulder and neck problems (left collarbone shortened about 1"), but never when i am riding my panigale. except with a 30 lbs backpack maybe, but then more because the shoulder strap goes over the sticking out collarbone...

i think for a superbike it has pretty good ergonomics, somewhat like the old Aprilia RSV1000 up to '04.

Good to hear on the ergonomics. How do you like the ABS? I have never had a bike with ABS. Worth the extra money?

Flynn · Sep 12, 2012

I have had shoulder surgery a few years ago and had back surgery last November. Let me say that I still enjoy riding. I rode to Indy Ducati this year to pick up a bike for my nephew in his mustang cobra and by the time we got there my back was killing me. I rode his 1198s home for him and felt so much better than being in a car. I wish you the best of luck.

Sgt93 · Sep 12, 2012

Flynn said:
I have had shoulder surgery a few years ago and had back surgery last November. Let me say that I still enjoy riding. I rode to Indy Ducati this year to pick up a bike for my nephew in his mustang cobra and by the time we got there my back was killing me. I rode his 1198s home for him and felt so much better than being in a car. I wish you the best of luck.

I'm loving the positive posts. Only time will tell for me and my goal is to be ready in the spring. I wish the Dr would have just put a full replacement in as I hear recovery is shorter and I can still do a lot of things, it would just wear out quicker since I am 37, and replacements are made for 60+ people. I'm told the technology just isn't there yet to make them last longer.

Phl · Sep 12, 2012

Sgt93 said:
Good to hear on the ergonomics. How do you like the ABS? I have never had a bike with ABS. Worth the extra money?

first of all i thought i wouldn't need it, as it's an extra grand and just for emergency situations, also extra weight and less transparency on the track.

but i broke the collarbone and spent a few days in hospital in 2001 because i hit the brakes too hard in a curve (shock reaction), ABS would have saved me.

having tried it in 2005 on a R1200GS on gravel i was absolutely amazed, so i went for it and love it.

the brakes are superb, and the ABS works really well. (wet and dry). the only thing i will have to do is bleed the brakes, as the pressure point is not as precise as it should be. but that has nothing to do with the ABS.

phil

Sgt93 · Sep 12, 2012

Phil said:
first of all i thought i wouldn't need it, as it's an extra grand and just for emergency situations, also extra weight and less transparency on the track.

but i broke the collarbone and spent a few days in hospital in 2001 because i hit the brakes too hard in a curve (shock reaction), ABS would have saved me.

having tried it in 2005 on a R1200GS on gravel i was absolutely amazed, so i went for it and love it.

the brakes are superb, and the ABS works really well. (wet and dry). the only thing i will have to do is bleed the brakes, as the pressure point is not as precise as it should be. but that has nothing to do with the ABS.

phil

Great write up Phil, thanks. I went down on a corner years ago in a situation like yours. I think ABS would have helped.

thomaskenyon · Sep 12, 2012

I'm 41 years old.. broke both my right and left collar bones twice.. shattered my right scapula, punctured my lung, two broken ribs and fractured my pelvis.. Those are just the upper extremity issues in my past.

I think overall, this is one of the most comfortable sportbikes I've ever ridden.. Maybe the old Jap 600's of the mid to late 90's were a bit better but, I don't feel any pain from riding this bike.

Now, playing basketball and tennis? That freaking hurts me sometimes.

I bet if I ever crash again... (knock on wood) I'm gonna crumble apart pretty easily though.

Ride on dude.

Sgt93 · Sep 12, 2012

thomaskenyon said:
I'm 41 years old.. broke both my right and left collar bones twice.. shattered my right scapula, punctured my lung, two broken ribs and fractured my pelvis.. Those are just the upper extremity issues in my past.

I think overall, this is one of the most comfortable sportbikes I've ever ridden.. Maybe the old Jap 600's of the mid to late 90's were a bit better but, I don't feel any pain from riding this bike.

Now, playing basketball and tennis? That freaking hurts me sometimes.

I bet if I ever crash again... (knock on wood) I'm gonna crumble apart pretty easily though.

Ride on dude.

Awesome post! I hear you about sports. I even think Golf is done for me. Riding is what I am worried about. A very inspirational post, thanks

RSR racer · Sep 12, 2012

Had my right rotator cuff torn and repaired and my right bicep torn and reattached / repaired and have a torn labrum left side (unrepaired). Back to full sports and weight training as a religion.

Zero problems riding. As long as your PT was spot on and you have regained your full ROM, shouldn't have problems with sport bike positions.

Full joint replacements have their downsides and at your age, you're looking at possible more than one replacement. Strong PT and will power will prevail. Mind over matter.

Sgt93 · Sep 12, 2012

RSR racer said:
Had my right rotator cuff torn and repaired and my right bicep torn and reattached / repaired and have a torn labrum left side (unrepaired). Back to full sports and weight training as a religion.

Zero problems riding. As long as your PT was spot on and you have regained your full ROM, shouldn't have problems with sport bike positions.

Full joint replacements have their downsides and at your age, you're looking at possible more than one replacement. Strong PT and will power will prevail. Mind over matter.

The Doc said that I would need a full shoulder replacement every 6-8 years. I went through months of therapy before this last surgery and am not looking forward to it again. It's going to be a bear this time around but I am hoping for the best.

Andy1199 · Sep 13, 2012

Funny you should ask. Been suffering left shoulder problem for 9 months now. Initially it was a snowboard fall but has got much worse now. The weird thing is riding the 1199 it's fine but on the pikes peak it's bloody agony! Weird! Had an MRI last week awaiting results. Couldn't come soon enough its getting bloody painful. Ruined the golf handicap.

Sgt93 · Sep 13, 2012

Andy1199 said:
Funny you should ask. Been suffering left shoulder problem for 9 months now. Initially it was a snowboard fall but has got much worse now. The weird thing is riding the 1199 it's fine but on the pikes peak it's bloody agony! Weird! Had an MRI last week awaiting results. Couldn't come soon enough its getting bloody painful. Ruined the golf handicap.

Best of luck to you. My Gold game is ruined, so I sold my equipment. 2 surgeries in a year is killer on your morale. I hope you fair better.

WAfatboy · Sep 14, 2012

I've had various rotator cuff problems and riding never seems to exacerbate them. I'm riding 2-300km at a time. Get the race seat to get the best position, tiny bit harder on the ass but less weight on the wrists/shoulders.

The way I figure it, I want to keep pushing until I have to be lifted onto the bike! If I'm not tired I haven't been riding long enough or hard enough. I don't want to grow old gracefully! If it hurts you know you're still alive. Don't go quietlly or slowly! Ride on!

Sgt93 · Sep 14, 2012

WAfatboy said:
I've had various rotator cuff problems and riding never seems to exacerbate them. I'm riding 2-300km at a time. Get the race seat to get the best position, tiny bit harder on the ass but less weight on the wrists/shoulders.

The way I figure it, I want to keep pushing until I have to be lifted onto the bike! If I'm not tired I haven't been riding long enough or hard enough. I don't want to grow old gracefully! If it hurts you know you're still alive. Don't go quietlly or slowly! Ride on!

Great info and inspiration, thank you.

You all have been great in this forum an I thank you all.

Sgt93 · Sep 15, 2012

I was out running errands with the wife today when I said, "I think I am going to get a Ducati this Spring". She said, "Do you think you will be able to ride it?".

Think about her answer......... GREEN LIGHT

anthem · Sep 15, 2012

Do you ride fundamentally sound ? I would surmise that if you ride the superbike like you're suppose to (using your core muscles) and the weight on the arms are very light - that will help alleviate some of your shoulder issues. Essentially your shoulder will probably be in a more comfortable situation if you're in a good tuck since you'll be using your core stomach/leg/back muscles and just using your arms to push/pull for steering input.

Sgt93 · Sep 15, 2012

anthem said:
Do you ride fundamentally sound ? I would surmise that if you ride the superbike like you're suppose to (using your core muscles) and the weight on the arms are very light - that will help alleviate some of your shoulder issues. Essentially your shoulder will probably be in a more comfortable situation if you're in a good tuck since you'll be using your core stomach/leg/back muscles and just using your arms to push/pull for steering input.

I ride pretty sound. When this is finished, it really is going to be a test on my physical abilities. I had a bunch of bone removed and 7 anchors are in place. Only time will tell. I just hope I don't need a shoulder replacement o I will be looking 2 riding seasons out before getting back on 2 wheels.

Anyone with shoulder problems riding?

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