Back in the Saddle – Shoulder Surgery Recovery after 50

Back in the Saddle – Shoulder Surgery Recovery after 50

Shoulder Surgery Recovery after 50. This is a personal journey from injury to back to my e-bike, with laughter and lessons along the way.

The Harmless Fall

It all started with what I thought was a harmless fall. I was on a gravel track, not even a steep one, just rolling to a stop when the loose stones shifted beneath my tyres. The bike slid out from underneath me, and instinctively, I put my right hand out to catch myself. Apart from some scratches on my right knee and hand, and my dented pride since this was my first fall in 15 years of riding an ebike, I was fine. I got straight back up, dusted myself off, and cycled home, thinking nothing of it.

The next day, my shoulder felt a bit stiff and sore, but nothing alarming. However, over the next two weeks, it got steadily worse until I realised I needed to see the doctor. After a scan, he said those dreaded words: “Your shoulder doesn’t look so good.” And that’s how I found myself booked in for surgery.

Post Surgery

Recovering from shoulder surgery has been a real eye-opener. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I didn’t realise just how many simple, everyday things suddenly become a challenge. When you’re used to being independent and active, even something as ordinary as getting out of bed can feel like climbing a mountain.

The first few nights were rough. I had to sleep on my back, slightly raised, not lying flat, which sounds simple until you try it. I’m normally a side sleeper, so being propped up with pillows felt completely unnatural. After a few nights of awkward pillow towers and not much sleep, I discovered the best thing ever: a pregnancy pillow. It wraps around you, gives support where you need it, and stops you from rolling over. Honestly, it was a game-changer.

Daily Challenges

Simple things like washing, brushing my teeth, and brushing my hair suddenly became daily challenges. My husband, Pete, had to help me shower because I could hardly move my arm. That’s humbling enough, but trying to manage everything else one-handed provided plenty of unintentional comedy. Brushing my teeth with my left hand nearly resulted in a trip to the dentist, and I came dangerously close to sticking the toothbrush up my nose. Then came the hairbrush incident, when I managed to hit myself in the eye while trying to detangle my hair. Let’s not even talk about the mascara attempt… the less said about that, the better!

Pain, Pills and Physio

Pain-wise, the first week was brutal. The operation pain was bad enough, but the medication didn’t exactly help; it made me feel sick and gave me stomach problems. So it became a choice between pain and diarrhoea. Not the kind of decision anyone wants to make, but that’s the reality.

After a week, I started physiotherapy and lymph drainage, and that’s when things began to improve. The lymph drainage was amazing, and I felt an instant difference after the first session. My shoulder felt lighter, the swelling reduced, and even the pain eased for a while. It’s now part of my weekly routine, and I can honestly say it’s helped my recovery more than I expected. Physio, too, is key. Regaining full movement in the arm and shoulder doesn’t just happen; it takes guided exercises, patience, and consistency. The goal is to rebuild strength safely, because ultimately, I want to get back on my e-bike, and that’s my motivation to keep going.

One small but surprising thing: after weeks of awkward, semi-upright sleep, I’ve actually got used to being on my back. It’s now so comfortable that Pete had to check I was still breathing one night because I was so quiet!

Dr Hernegger

I also want to say a big thank you to Dr Hernegger from St Johann, who carried out my surgery. He did an amazing job, my scar is neat, and he took plenty of time to explain everything clearly before and after the operation. He answered all our questions with patience and care. It’s no wonder he has so many international clients. Plus, his English is excellent, and he’s very easy to talk to and can be quite amusing!

Recovery

Recovering from shoulder surgery after 50 takes longer; that’s just reality. But it’s also a reminder to slow down, listen to your body, and celebrate small victories. I’m learning to laugh at the mishaps, enjoy the progress, and stay focused on the moment I can finally get back in the saddle and ride again.

Thanks for following along on my Back In The Saddle journey — recovering from shoulder surgery after 50 isn’t easy, but every small win gets me closer to that first ride again. 🚴‍♀️

Still healing, still laughing and counting down the days until I’m back in the saddle. 💙

Stay Connected

I’ll be sharing the next update in two weeks, with more honest reflections on recovery, physio progress, and how I’m preparing to get back on the e-bike.

Follow my recovery and cycling adventures on:
👉 Instagram: @EbikeEurope
👉 Facebook: Ebike-Europe
👉 Website: www.ebike-europe.com

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