Akil Thomas's DOUBLE shoulder surgery, long-term effects (orthopedist, anyone?)

[triplcrown]

A few weeks back, Akil Thomas had both shoulders operated on, and screws
have been inserted (I assume, in place of ligaments) into both shoulders.

Prior to surgery, his shoulders were described by Akil as a "mess" that needed to be fixed.
The injuries/wear & tear date back a couple years or more.

With rehab/strengthening expected to take until Dec-January or so, it may be
after Jan 1st B4 we see him in an Ontario game, although it could possibly be a bit sooner(?)

Does anyone know how serious the long-term effect might be from surgery of this type?

Are there other athletes (esp hockey players) who have had this surgery and gone on to have good careers?

Can he really ever be at, or close to 100% again?

Akil is one of my favorite Kings prospects, and I'm trying not to worry about him.

But could this put a damper on his career, or is it something he could come back ALL THE WAY from,
and still have the same career he was heading towards (whatever that is)?

 

[Helvetica]

i dont know **** about shoulder surgery or Akil's specific surgery, but i just googled "shoulder surgery inserting screws" and the first things that came up were in regards to rotator cuff injuries. With surgical repairs generally taking 4-6 months to rehab. I have no way of knowing what his injury is, but rotator cuffs seem like a long recovery and scary proposition.

 

[jammer06]

Well dang, I hope he rehabs well, I've wanted to see him at his full potential

 

[BDTR]

The times I?ve heard Hoven mention it on his podcast he?s made it sound very routine and nothing to worry about. I don?t remember specifics though.

 

[dannybuoy1]

Damn it I am a publicist, not a doctor!

Man, I hope for the best. Wishing him well.

 

[LAKingSteve]

The times I’ve heard Hoven mention it on his podcast he’s made it sound very routine and nothing to worry about. I don’t remember specifics though.

Yep, was going to mention the same thing. Just sounds like he'll need to recover and rehab and should be back on the ice and as good as new.

 

[MiketheKing]

Damn it I am a publicist, not a doctor!

Man, I hope for the best. Wishing him well.

Let's hope his World Jr's goal was just the beginning of a long, fruitful career.

 

[Ice24]

He will be fine after a few months of rehab! I stayed in a Holiday Inn last night.

 

[roenick]

He will be fine after a few months of rehab! I stayed in a Holiday Inn last night.

Or ate at Taco Bell ..

 

[Trapper9]

Mayor was saying somewhere around Thanksgiving.

 

[AngelEyes]

He will be fine after a few months of rehab! I stayed in a Holiday Inn last night.

But not at a Holiday Inn Express. Makes a world of difference when it comes to proclamations and prognostications. :Tigger:

 

[VCRW]

I had surgery performed on my left shoulder in 2016 that included rotator cuff repair. It took 6 months of intensive physical therapy followed by strength training to feel close to normal again.

Akil is young and at the peak of his physical conditioning so I assume his rehab will be shorter. But the shoulder joint is the most complex in the body and recovery can't be rushed.

 

[Ice24]

I had surgery performed on my left shoulder in 2016 that included rotator cuff repair. It took 6 months of intensive physical therapy followed by strength training to feel close to normal again.

Akil is young and at the peak of his physical conditioning so I assume his rehab will be shorter. But the shoulder joint is the most complex in the body and recovery can't be rushed.

Don?t sell yourself short VCRW, you are also at your peak physical conditioning.

 

[VCRW]

Don’t sell yourself short VCRW, you are also at your peak physical conditioning.

Only in a distant memory, I fear…

Although I am hoping to coax my 72-year old body back onto the ice when I am home in September if Simi Ice-O-Plex is open.

 

[STONE]

Only in a distant memory, I fear…

Although I am hoping to coax my 72-year old body back onto the ice when I am home in September if Simi Ice-O-Plex is open.

The Silingers will have it open, have no fear.

 

[sgt blitz]

I also had to have rotator cuff surgery (AKA Impingement Syndrome) on both shoulders 2 years apart. No screws needed but both took about 3 to 4 months of recovery with pretty intense, and I will admit painful, physical therapy. On the second surgery I had a female therapist who was from Iraq or Iran and built like a middle linebacker. The other patients warned me about her...she loved hearing me scream in pain.

 

[waynet]

Didn't stay at a Holiday Inn, but did some volunteer work at VA ortho clinic many years ago. We dealt with a lot of arthritis and replacements. Arthritis was often treated via arthroscopic surgery, recovery about 2-3mos. More serious non-replacement shoulder surgical recovery programs usually 5-9mos, perhaps a year depending on age/health. Replacements similar recovery time, however, even after "healed" there is restricted motion and weight limits. Neighbor (old guy like me) just had his 2nd replacement surgery on same shoulder. He won't be lifting much over 5-10lbs with that arm.

Considering health/age factors, I would surmise the OP description would lie in the 4-6mo recovery range.

 

[triplcrown]

I also had to have rotator cuff surgery (AKA Impingement Syndrome) on both shoulders 2 years apart. No screws needed but both took about 3 to 4 months of recovery with pretty intense, and I will admit painful, physical therapy. On the second surgery I had a female therapist who was from Iraq or Iran and built like a middle linebacker. The other patients warned me about her...she loved hearing me scream in pain.

 

[King Ludwig]

I have steel rods and screws in my lower back...and am about 75% after 7 months... I have a second surgery to get the L4 implant back in place after slipping a half inch...

And no comments from the peanut gallery about having a screw loose...

 

[spudboy]

I stayed at a Holiday Inn on Monday. I almost booked a Holiday Inn Express for the next 2 weeks, but chose another hotel instead. So, I have no idea. But, I hope he has a speedy recovery. His shoulders had affected his physicality. He wouldn't have made the big club immediately right away anyway. So, hopefully he'll be stronger and better in several months.