In December I broke the head of my humerus--nice chip off that has been screwed back on and cracked the tiba plateau. Have just started walking with a hemi walker and PT doing passive lifting of my elbow--ouch times 100 (and my PT says I'm not a woose). I am allowed to let my arm dangle from my shoulder and shrug my shoulders. All I can think about is getting back in the pool and moving my arm around. So scared that I won't have a full recovery. Anyone ever experienced these injuries? I'm 60 and know healing and recovery take longer. Next Dr. appointment on 29, should I ask if I can get back in pool?
Former Member
Well, you should definitely ask him if you can get back in the pool. If you are allowed back, I would make sure to take it really easy. Swimmers are prone to shoulder injuries, so just be careful to not hurt it again.
Thanks again everyone! I appreciate all the encouragement.
@Tabitha--nothing done to my knee. Was in wheelchair for over a month, then with a walker, now with a cane.
Has a PT assessment Tuesday. I had gained about 44 degrees in range of motion in my shoulder. Was so proud of that... I do know you gain the most during the initial phases of PT... and that it is harder to make gains the further out you go. Went to doctor on Wednesday. He was also pleased with my progress. Then we looked at my x-ray. I have some bone over growth :( When I broke my elbows I also had bone over growth and caused me to lose a lot of range of motion.
Lainey
So sorry to hear about your injury... what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!:cheerleader: I'm sure you'll be able to swim again.. just take it easy and don't get back in too early! I know you might be anxious but patience is a virtue. Let us know how you're progressing.
@Orca
I'm progressing. I gained 44 degrees in my shoulder range of motion. However, at a Dr. appointment x-ray showed an overgrowth of bone... Could cause a loss of range of motion.
Lainey
You will be back in the pool...unless you get abducted by aliens and taken to a planet with no water. Just remember, a little bit of patience now will save you a lot of delay later on.
I'm doing well enough that Doc has given me permission to drive and move back home. I'm now seeing another PT in my home town. I asked him if I could get back in the pool. You should have seen his face--it was I can't believe she asked me that. The answer was "no, your shoulder isn't stable enough yet." My strengthing exercises are mostly--yep, you guessed it--for the rotator cuff. So, I'm still out of the water.
Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement.
Hi! I'm sorry to hear about your injury. I suppose that if your doctor(s) tell you you can't swim, then I guess you can't swim. But if they leave the door open a crack, then it's up to you to kick it wide open! You just have to be very patient and diligent with your PT.
In fact, if they tell you a return to swimming is possible, then I would even approach the PT as part of your swimming training; consider it dryland exercises! Put the same effort and consistency into it that you put into swimming. Diligent PT should at least theoretically pay off.
Good luck! Hope they give you some good news.
You will be back in the pool...unless you get abducted by aliens and taken to a planet with no water. Just remember, a little bit of patience now will save you a lot of delay later on.
LOL sometimes this small town feels like another planet.
Greg--thank you for suggesting I think of PT as swim training! As many know PT after an injury is not fun and can be down right painful. I have been dreading each appointment because of the painful/aggressive stretching, but I do it any way and do put in 100% on the exercises. It is going to be much easier now and I'll be motivated too.
Thanks, Elaine
Oh PS: I forgot to say--Not official measurement, but my PT says it looks like I have about 160 degrees of range of motion. That's an increase of about 15 degrees from last official measurement.
