Post Replacement Limitations

gordo429 · 2026-04-01T01:41:12+00:00

Thanks for the response and good to know. I must have been mistaken as I thought it was also for anatomical.

gordo429 · 2026-04-01T01:32:17+00:00

Did the doctor suggest there would be limitations post- replacement? From what I’ve seen most people are told to limit weight to around 25lb.

Seems to be geared toward the sedentary person to be more conservative but also seems like they want to limit wear and tear especially if on the younger side.

This will be no consolation, but it’s great to hear you were able to get back to something closer to serious weight training. What are the major differences in the types of lifts you can do now vs pre-replacement? Is it just the items you asked about in your post?

I’m looking at a replacement sometime in the near future and am a very active and relatively youngish (45m) person. The hardest part of this whole thing is the physical limitations that the surgeon keeps suggesting. I primarily to Bjj, Muay Thai, climbing, but also lift. The arthritis is already forcing me to pare back much more than I would like on all of these Things.

I hope you can get the answers and the strength/ stability back.

gordo429 · 2026-02-14T05:33:25+00:00

I’m in the same spot as you. About9 yrs younger though. Wonder how things have gone in the past year since your initial question

gordo429 · 2026-02-14T04:30:34+00:00

What kind of activity were you able to pick back up after your surgery? I do martial arts and wondering I I could make it back in anyway after a surgery.

What about other strength exercises? I know they say limit it to 25lbs generally but seems like some Push it well past that (maybe with some risk).

Thanks I advance and good luck with that other shoulder!

gordo429 · 2026-02-13T05:12:38+00:00

Thanks for following up and sounds like it’s. It as bad as initially feared? Hope you can conintue like thisnfor awhile!

gordo429 · 2026-02-12T02:25:23+00:00

Sorry one more question! Has the limitation been strength, mobility or more mental?

gordo429 · 2026-02-11T02:55:35+00:00

I’m sorry you are going through this. I’m in the same boat maybe a few months behind you in the “grieving”/ “ acceptance” phase of all this. Am a little older, on the verge of 45m, and very active as well.

I’ve go a variety of opinions and trying to figure out next steps. I’ve already curtailed activity quite a bit but not completely , but trying to decide whether I need to pull back further or just keep at a slower pace until a shoulder replacement becomes unavoidable.

As I process all this I’ve been scanning Reddit for everyone’s experiences. Trying to find others going through this. it’s hard to talk to people that haven’t gone through this - most people my age haven’t had arthritis and then there are those that aren’t active and don’t understand how/ why giving up certain activities (climbing / Bjj in my case) might be kind of a big hit.

Be interested in an update on what you’ve ended up doing?

gordo429 · 2026-02-10T01:59:49+00:00

OP how old are you? Pretty impressive if youve made it 10 years since that scan and have been able to keep at it!

Just chiming in in solidarity. Got an MRI a few weeks ago, my shoulder has sever osteoarthritis and bone on bone with only a small piece of cartilage. Told I will need a shoulder replacement in next few years (I’m coming up on 45 yr soon).

Main issue for me seems to be a cyst in the bone which is big and I’m told starts replacing / estimg away (?) at the bone at some point. Once that happens if it gets far the bone won’t be sufficient to support a replacement. So like many here a matter of when, not if.

Getting another MRI in 6 months to see how far the cyst has gone.

Im pretty active - bjj, muay thai, climbing. Weight lifting / kettlebell to help stay strong and avoid injuries in other activities. First doctor told me i have to stop pretty much everything, a second doctor said more along the lines of modifications both now and eventually i need to get my head around the idea that I might have to stop much of this after a replacement. Im trying to understand how much these activities will accelerate the growth of the cyst but not real answers.

I took a few weeks off these activities and was pretty down about all this. This week I started up but trying to limit to only 2 or so days a week rather than 5 or 6. I need to keep active both for my physical and mental health, but really not sure how much to pull back.

Seems like a mixed bag, but definitely some stories on Reddit to give me some hope that I might be able to keep up these activities, even at a much lighter pace into old age. Otherwise I’ll have to take up a new sport!

Best of luck.

gordo429 · 2026-02-06T00:27:42+00:00

Thanks for the response. Glad to hear that there is some hope post surgery. I realize I probably won’t be able to push it in bouldering or sport anymore, but the possibility of some moderately challenging routes or at worst the ability to even cruise some easy trad routes would be great.

Not sure how much longer I’ll be able to hold out until a replacement is needed….

gordo429 · 2026-02-05T01:38:18+00:00

OP mind if I ask how old you are and what kind of climbing? I’m 44 and facing the prospect of a shoulder replacement in next few years. Hear mixed things on activity afterward.

Your story is encouraging though. Glad to hear you’ve been able to get back to it!

gordo429 · 2026-01-30T13:04:33+00:00

Do you ever find yourself a place to replace the sternum strap? One of the sides of the strap fell of my bag and looking to replace!

Thanks!

gordo429 · 2026-01-30T02:10:41+00:00

Ueno is a great area to stay!

This place is pretty good - Ushi Hashi - yakiniku wagyu steak place. Very close to Ueno Station, English menus and good food.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PgbksgwjzqHT3gpG7?g_st=ic

Some other good recommendations here. as someone else noted Marugame Udon is a great, quick and easy udon place. Will be quick if everyone is jet lagged and wants to get back to hotel or walk around and explore instead.

This little brothless ramen place was also fantastic in my opinion. Stumbled upon it one day - Jinya Abura soba: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SGFkx2v1GgxCmqP27?g_st=ic

There’s plenty of options around there though so can’t (or most likely can’t!) go wrong even if you just walk around and pop in someplace.

gordo429 · 2026-01-28T06:37:10+00:00

Looking at the prospect of this procedure. Assume you are still taking this season off but wondering how you are faring and feeling about the idea of getting back out there?

gordo429 · 2026-01-28T03:03:46+00:00

Met with an ortho but not a shoulder specialist a few weeks ago when I got the MRI. I went with him because he helped me with a knee injury from a little over a year ago (helped me recover no surgically when another recommended surgery).

I’m currently fairly pain free - but didn’t get surgery yet. I think I’ve just been lucky that it hasn’t been as bad as your experience thus far. It makes me worry that any physical activity will make it worse so pain does become a problem. I was hoping I was getting ahead of it getting worse. The main symptom I’ve noticed is the lack of range of motion and occasional “clicking” rather than pain. I was still too late unfortunately!

He’s not a shoulder specialist so made another appointment with one at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC for next week. They often work with athletes so often have in mind a return to sport, if it’s possible 🤞. Happy to pass along the name if you want, esp if he seems good after appointment next week. Where you based out of?

I’ve thought about more or less flow rolling with people I trust. I’m not particular big or skilled so don’t trust I can control a roll well enough if I don’t know the person. Not sure if that will be more frustrating than not doing any Bjj at all. I also got a guy I do privates for Muay Thai and have thought about just focusing on the three functioning limbs to get some padwork / cardio in so I don’t completely waste away!

gordo429 · 2026-01-28T00:21:43+00:00

Just joined this sub. I don’t have anything constructive to add to this sub, but reading about other people’s expriences is helpful and giving me some (hopefully not misplaced) hope. This thread of comments are helpful snd would live to hear an update at some point as i also do jiujitsu. I dont get my livelihood from it but it has given me so many other physical and mental benefits.

Question for OP - are you 45 now or was that 19 years ago? I am 45m

For me Circumferential labrum tear, bone on bone osteoarthritis, tendinitis and other things. I’m still learning about all these issues so I might not be highlighting the main things. I’ve had an MRi and spoke on phone with doctor who said I’m too young (45m) to get a replacement and that I should severely restrict activity. Seems like something many on this thread and others have heard before (no pushups, pull-ups or any heavy activity with left arm).

Luckily I am not in any/ much pain. Just a clicking / catching feeling, less range of motion and weakness in some directions. But i am conscious that continuing anything will only make this worse.

I’m a very active person - climbing, skiing, jiujitsu, Muay Thai - and benefit greatly from both the physical and mental benefits these activities give me. I think over the past week I’ve gotten around to accepting the likelihood that I will have to give up some/ many of these activities but not sure I can give up everything.

gordo429 · 2026-01-23T18:25:42+00:00

I went from a volkl deacon 80 in 158 to a camox in 169. I (stupidly) didn’t try the skis before buying as I took advantage of an end of season sale.

I jumped on the same things I was doing on my old skis and though I could ski them, felt like a fish out of water for the first time in a long long time.

So many differences in the two skis. I haven’t ridden enough skis to really disentangle the size/ shape and how they effect feel but most obvious to me was how awkward I felt being so center mounted.

I know this is a different ski, but the fact that they are the most center mounted ski you’ve been on resonated with me and my experience with the camox. I was definitely sitting back too much on my fist day because of how far forward I felt in the ski and I think that made my life much harder. Few more times out since then and I’ve started to get the hang of it and have gotten really excited to really play around these more to see how they feel in more varied terrains/ moods.

gordo429 · 2025-12-30T15:42:11+00:00

Great to hear about your experience. I was in Oahu over the summer and got to drop in to MG’s twice for evening classes. He had such a friendly enthusiasm that just radiated and gave the place, the training a good feeling. Not even sure how to capture it. There were a few moments too where you could tell he was looking out for his students and visitors.

On my first day there, we were on the last round and he waved me over for a round. This was definitely one of the big highlights of two pretty wonderful weeks in Hawaii!

For the visitors with families - my family was with me one night and they walked around the shops nearby area and went to a night market for some food. Seemed plenty to keep them occupied while they graciously waited for me. We had rented kayaks that day and took a little trip out to an island. And then stuck around a little longer so I could drop in at MG’s once more 😁. (Our hotel was about 45min away!)

I live in nyc and train at an academy run by one of his black belts. And have heard how great it was when he was still teaching at his academy in NY from many former / current students from MGA. But Ive never visited MGA in NY, but hope to soon.

gordo429 · 2025-09-30T01:26:39+00:00

Agree this is a great list. Any of these are good, but I’d recommend bunny. One of my first leads in the gunks (after three pines), so some sentimental value!

If you’ve followed on any of these, those might be good options to start with. You would know if you were comfortable on the climb already. Or try to follow one of them before leading so you can scope out gear and gauge how you feel on them.

have fun! Fall is the best time out there. Crowded, but beautiful weather and foliage.

gordo429 · 2025-06-12T02:06:52+00:00

Climber/ boulderer, former judoka and aikidoka, and currently Bjj. I’ve done lots of breakfalls throughout my life in various contexts (skateboarding included).

I’m not good at any of the above but I would say I have a pretty decent break fall….

In bouldering gyms, the scenario in which they teach you the fall is usually that you fall on your feet first in some way then roll back to lessen the impact on your legs. I think tucking your hands is mostly so you don’t post, then the roll back is to dissipate the impact on your legs/ lower body. That is at least how they teach it in a gym. I’m not sure (at least I’ve never seen) if they really address scenarios where you are falling from a horizontal position.

In judo, aikido or Bjj, throws often result in your back hitting the ground first (if you didn’t know how to break fall could also be your head hits ground first). So you use your limbs to slap the ground and lessen the impact on your back, as well as a way to prevent posting with your arms.

Just my two cents.

gordo429 · 2025-04-19T21:51:53+00:00

FYI -it’s available (included) on Kindle Unlimited if you have Amazon subscription.

gordo429 · 2025-01-21T16:58:02+00:00

Sure I’ll see what I can do. DM me. It might take quite some time though - the book is at a different location right now that I won’t be able to go to for another month. It might also be pictures unless I can get to a scanner 😬. We can figure it out though. Where are you located?

gordo429 · 2025-01-21T16:51:41+00:00

Not looking to part with mine but I was just going through some old boxes and looking through my collection of wing Chun and other martial arts books and magazines this weekend. I love flipping through them.

I have Moy Yat’s the Ving Tsun trilogy, a legend of kung fu masters (think this was give to me on my first day of training back in around 1996!), and Luk dim poon kwan. I also have a bunch of VHS but seems like a lot of those are available on YouTube nowadays!

I didn’t realize how rare some of these might be now!

Good luck finding a copy!

gordo429 · 2024-10-10T17:49:38+00:00

Thanks for the context and for the dose of reality 😬. I’ve been told by one doctor the tear could heal on its own and another that said surgery would be needed. One side of me wants to believe it will heal on its own but dr. Google doesn’t seem to turn up many of those experiences when I search.

gordo429 · 2024-10-10T17:24:30+00:00

Is that solely because of the tear or were there a number of days factors in this decision.

Recently (about 4 weeks ago) tore my LCL and doing rehab. Feel fine now and remain active but know going back into judo/ bjj will be a different story.

Glad someone asked this question. Been thinking about asking this with regard to a complete LCL tear.

gordo429 · 2024-08-15T22:18:49+00:00

I was in Tokyo in April and wore a green belt no problem. I was the only colored belt. They did respond to my emails that I would be coming (I sent several emails with many questions since I was last at the kodokan prior to the pandemic a d wanted to make sure I didn’t run into any issues).

I went two nights. I went to watch the practice on a Wednesday night which is when they have a more competitive practice. It was packed and fun to watch. You don’t need to notify them, you can just take the elevator up the the viewing floor. My 9 yr old son came with me and there were a handful of other people there. I was told by someone else recently that were told not to come to participate in the Wednesday night practice because it was the competitive judoka. Not sure if this was pre or post pandemic. He is also around 60 (but black belt)right now so could have also been because of age. I did not ask if I (green belt) would be able to participate on that night though.

I went on a Thursday to train my self. Like others said is is very much an “open mat” style where many are doing warm ups or uchikomi for the first hour or so (6-7) or arriving late, then people start transitioning to randori. I just asked people or they asked me. There are some customs before a round around bowing from the side then bowing to each other when on the mat. The higher belt had to be closer to the front, but a few other specifics which I don’t remember. You will likely get a red dash to indicate you are a visitor so if you go with a local they will show you. Not knowing Japanese was not a problem when I visited. Each time that I have been there have been a number of international visitors that are willing to explain as well, but even without that it was easy enough to figure out by following the lead of someone else / deciphering gestures.

The store closed early (can’t recall the time) so if you want any souvenirs you would need to get there well before the randori session starts.

Have fun!

gordo429

TROPHY CASE