I had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, torn biceps tendon, and torn scapular muscle 3 weeks ago. I can't believe how stiff I've become and how little movement I have in my shoulder. Plan to get back in the pool on Monday but know it will be a LONG time until I can swim again. Anyone have any good "workouts" for someone rehabbing a shoulder? something more fun that jogging in the water or kicking for laps on end? Any advice from a swimmer who's been through this would be appreciated.
Parents
Former Member
Don't go back to the water until the doctor says you can!!!! You probably will be in PT for a number of weeks due to the torn rotator cuff and the other injuries.
I've had shoulder surgery a total of 6 times--The last one, for the lax shoulder and rotator cuff--I wasn't allowed to SWIM for upwards of 3 months--I WAS allowed to use the kickboard. After a subacromial decompression I was allowed to breaststroke for a limited amount of yardage but that was it. Even sidestroke isn't advised as you have to stretch one shoulder out way in front of the other.
Ask your therapist for a list of water exercises you can do for your shoulder--I KNOW that won't satisfy you standing on the side of the pool and doing internal and external rotations and pendulums BUT if you want the surgery to actually work--that's what you're faced with.
Give yourself a few weeks more and face the fact that any meets this summer aren't gonna happen.
Don't go back to the water until the doctor says you can!!!! You probably will be in PT for a number of weeks due to the torn rotator cuff and the other injuries.
I've had shoulder surgery a total of 6 times--The last one, for the lax shoulder and rotator cuff--I wasn't allowed to SWIM for upwards of 3 months--I WAS allowed to use the kickboard. After a subacromial decompression I was allowed to breaststroke for a limited amount of yardage but that was it. Even sidestroke isn't advised as you have to stretch one shoulder out way in front of the other.
Ask your therapist for a list of water exercises you can do for your shoulder--I KNOW that won't satisfy you standing on the side of the pool and doing internal and external rotations and pendulums BUT if you want the surgery to actually work--that's what you're faced with.
Give yourself a few weeks more and face the fact that any meets this summer aren't gonna happen.
