Torn Labrum

Too many variables to really make predictions. My son, an RHP, had fraying of the posterior (back of shoulder) labrum. He threw an inning or two in an intersquad about 4 month after surgery. He was starting within about 7 months. HOWEVER, he did not get full velocity back until 11-12 months after surgery. Posterior fraying/tears are not as serious as SLAP tears (top of shoulder), which usually take even longer to recover from.

Gotta give him a year. My son had two of those on the same shoulder, first time around we only went about 8 mos, 2nd time we went full year and a lot better off that time. Different doctor though was our main factor on the 2nd surgery.

You can go to the injury and recovery forum.

It does vary athlete to athlete so the players doctor would be best to answer depending on what exactly was the procedure.

As another poster stated: check out the injuries forum. My 17 year old catcher had labrum repair at the end of June. I have read a lot and talked to others that have had it and it's my opinion (for what little it's worth) that for a position player a somewhat realistic/safer goal is a 6 month return to playing timeframe. You are looking at a month in a sling then around 3 months of rehab. Optimistically, start throwing program at 4 months then 2 months working the throwing program while continuing to strengthen the shoulder. This is only anecdotal but we had our repair done locally and know of 2 kids in neighboring town that had repairs done by well-known surgeon and we know neither really "recovered". However we are pretty confident both of them either rushed or didn't do the proper rehab. I tell you this to say "Don't rush it!"
Good luck to your son

Other factors to consider: rotator cuff involvement, bicep tendon involvement (like in a true type 2 SLAP) and whether injury occurred due to throwing or trauma (like in football).
In our case it required 6 anchors but biceps tendon and rotator cuffs were "in pristine condition" per surgeon report as it was a football injury and not due to throwing which I believe improves prognosis.

Very good information from Saints1 as there are different types of surgery and recovery is different for position players than pitchers, but I do believe that the OP is the coach inquiring when he will get his ss back, not the parent.

keep in mind tat each labrum injury and surgery is unique unto itself

TPM thanks for correcting me. Somehow I completely misread it as a parent posting!

To be brutally honest, he could never come back. One thing you should know is every one is different and it does take time. The worst thing you could do is rush him and make him feel like he is behind schedule. The only schedule that is correct, is the one that gets him on the field healthy.

If you want some more information on how a player is feeling the story of my failed SLAP tear recovery is in the injuries and recovery forum. It also has some input from my father too. If you have any more questions you can PM me. Good Luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Nicholas25:
Men (and women):
My SS tore his labrum and has had surgery. I could not find past posts about recovery time. His doctor says he will miss the entire season, at least defensively, but others say recovery varies athlete to athlete. I am looking for testimonials. Thanks.

Coach, while I have no experience with the doctor or the "others," my perspective is to allow your player to follow the doctor's advice and not place any stress or pressure on the player supported by other testimonials.
Labrum surgery ended our son's career. The trainers in our son's MLB team advised him and myself that if he had surgery in September, after the end of a MILB season, he would be fully recovered by April of the following year to compete when the long season would start. He wasn't.
We learned that in 2008 a team physician for the Phillies published a study of post elbow and shoulder surgery players. For those with shoulder surgery(not all labrum and not all Milb players/pitchers), less than 50% of those included in the study recovered to be able to successfully compete at the level of play at the time of injury.
I would propose your shortstop could be facing a critical time for recovery, rehabilitation and becoming the one of less than 50%. I sure hope you will support your shortstop and his doctor in giving him every chance to be playing and competing at the level he wants to compete, when he is medically cleared.

infielddad - was your sons injury in his throwing arm?

Yes, the surgeries for the labrum tear were on the throwing side. The study by the Phillies surgeon was also for injuries to the shoulder/elbow on the throwing arm.

The thing many patients have a hard time understanding is I can tell you how long it should take to recover, but the only timeline that matters is yours. You can't speed up nature as much as you'd like to.

I have really quit giving thoughts on "recovery time" for a specific injury. The answer truly is "it depends."

My SS went to the doctor today. He is not expected to be able to throw a baseball during this senior season, but is expected (by the doctor) to be able to hit. He will be a good leadoff designated hitter if he can in fact hit.