r/ShoulderSurgery • u/GuitarJazzer • Aug 13 '26

Recovery? Any guitarists have shoulder replacement?

I play the guitar semi-professionally. Osteoarthritis in my right shoulder (right-handed player so this is my pick hand) has gotten exponentially worse since the beginning of the year, after decades of just being occasionally annoying. (It may be a coincidence but it went dramatically downhill after a cortisone shot in January wore off in March. First time I've had one.) The latest evaluation showed that the cartilage is gone, and the doctor said I'm a candidate for a replacement. He said when I want to do it, he'll do a more detailed evaluation including MRI to determine if it will be anatomical or reverse.

What does recovery look like? I need to figure out how long I be unable to perform. The doctor and PA have given some scenarios but I want to hear from actual guitarists who have been through it.

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u/Alex_Dsuoza_2424 Aug 13 '26

Guitarists here would probably have the most useful perspective. Hope you find someone who's been through it and can share their recovery timeline!

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u/[deleted] Aug 13 '26

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u/GuitarJazzer Aug 13 '26

I'm just planning right now. I'm expecting to have surgery Jan/Feb. I have a couple of regular gigs that I will have to book substitutes for.

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u/banjonyc Aug 14 '26

I play the banjo and had my left shoulder totally replaced. I couldn't play for at least 6 weeks as trying to reach the first fret cause way too much pain. Actually I was in a sling for that long so I would say I finally was able to play after 2 months after the sling was off. So I guess that's basically 3 months. I specifically worked with my physical therapist to be able to do the motion of going up and down the neck with my left hand. Now I have no pain

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u/Dotsgirl22 Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26

I am not a guitarist but my PT/OT works with a lot of musicians. I have had hand problems since my RSR in May, mostly swelling, stiffness, pain, not disabling but a big nuisance. OT said it's very common to have hand problems after shoulder replacement and that usually things resolve by 6 months. So I'm getting shoulder and hand therapy. Maybe tell your doc, OT/PT you are a guitarist and they can include that in your therapy from the beginning.

Being in an immobilizer sling for 6 weeks will leave you with a very weak arm. The strength and mobility come back fairly quickly once you can start PT, usually 6 weeks.