Hi All - I'm a late onset adult swimmer, meaning I hadn't been in a pool for decades but a few years ago got turned on to open water swimming. For the past couple of years, I was swimming 2 miles/day freestyle about 3 or 4 days/week, with a few open water lake/river/ocean swims in the summer. Not that I go particularly fast (those 2 miles take me just shy of an hour) but it felt so good! And it's the only sport I figured was sustainable and not overly demanding on my bum knees...
But now my 50 yr old shoulder evidently has decided that may not be such a good idea, and I've got a massive rotator cuff tear (as documented by an unequivocal MRI) and have been advised to have surgery.
Does anyone have thoughts on this? Anything I should do before or after surgery to skew the odds to get back into swimming and avoid re-injury?
Does anyone know a good rehab in Westchester County or NYC with someone who knows about swimming? I'd prefer to rehab smart and targeted, rather than otherwise... And I really need to get back in the water... I'm getting fat and sad! All suggestions very very welcome!
I had surgery the middle of January to repair a complete tear. I echo the others who say Physical Therapy will make or break you. Don't just go to physical therapy, but do the exercises at home consistently. These are key!
After being completely out of the water from my surgery date to the 3rd week in March, I just kicked in the water for the rest of March. I began swimming again in April. Of course, when I say "swimming", I mean that I might do 100-200 meters freestyle in an entire 3500 meter workout - and kick the rest of the way. Two months later, I'm up to between 1000-1300 meters of actual freestyle before kicking or doing one-arm fly drills for the rest of the workout. However, I will caution to not push too quickly. I sprinted for the first time last week (500 free in :37, which is good for me - especially all things considered). The next day's workout included a 100 free sprint, so I did it. BAD IDEA! Pain returned and I've drastically cut my freestyle swimming again and feel like I'm starting all over again. But... lesson learned.
When your shoulder starts to feel better, be thankful BUT CAUTIOUS. My goals are now long-term, like being ready for 2013 USMS SCY Nationals, instead of this year's LCM Nationals and open water events.
Just take it one stroke at a time....and be patient.
Good luck!
I had surgery the middle of January to repair a complete tear. I echo the others who say Physical Therapy will make or break you. Don't just go to physical therapy, but do the exercises at home consistently. These are key!
After being completely out of the water from my surgery date to the 3rd week in March, I just kicked in the water for the rest of March. I began swimming again in April. Of course, when I say "swimming", I mean that I might do 100-200 meters freestyle in an entire 3500 meter workout - and kick the rest of the way. Two months later, I'm up to between 1000-1300 meters of actual freestyle before kicking or doing one-arm fly drills for the rest of the workout. However, I will caution to not push too quickly. I sprinted for the first time last week (500 free in :37, which is good for me - especially all things considered). The next day's workout included a 100 free sprint, so I did it. BAD IDEA! Pain returned and I've drastically cut my freestyle swimming again and feel like I'm starting all over again. But... lesson learned.
When your shoulder starts to feel better, be thankful BUT CAUTIOUS. My goals are now long-term, like being ready for 2013 USMS SCY Nationals, instead of this year's LCM Nationals and open water events.
Just take it one stroke at a time....and be patient.
Good luck!
