Hi folks
In Feb 2009 I had rotator cuff surgery. They sewed up a 2.5cm buttonhole like tear in my supraspinatus tendon.
For about 7 years prior to the surgery, I had been swimming 1k 3x a week.
After the surgery, I had given up on the idea of swimming for fitness, but I'm starting to think that was premature.
I've read on this forum of people with much worse rotator cuff injuries than me getting back in the water.
The physical therapist says I'm good to start swimming with a kickboard. I'm going to get some fins because kicking alone seems to get me nowhere.
Can any forum members who've recovered from a rotator cuff repair give me some advice about how to approach my return AFTER I stop using a kickboard?
Thanks in advance
Mark
Parents
Former Member
I had acrmioplasties done on both of my shoulders about 15 years ago. For this procedure, they go in & shave the acromium bone, which is the bone inside of the rotator cuff.
That's interesting. Do they cut the rotator cuff?
After re-hab, I continued swimming , I swam masters for a season or 2 before taking some time off to focus on running I got back into competitive swimming this past season. I am able to swim without too much trouble. There weren't any events that I couldn't do. Any reduction in time is mor due to aging than the procedures. I just have to be smart, making sure that I continue to do the strengthening exercises (internal & external rotation) w/ the elastic bands.
The physical therapists and I have discussed my staying on a shoulder strenghtening weight training program forever. I had shoulder tendonitis in the past, so I had one from that. Now, they're giving me one a bit heavier duty.
I'm not sure that I can give you a workout schedule as such. I can give you some suggestions on do's & don'ts. First, don't overdo it. I never swim more than 2 days in a row. Usually, I'll take a day off between swim workouts. Second, start off gradually, keeping your Physical Therapist in the loop. Stick to freestyle at least at first, and easy freestyle at that. Build your strength up before you try anything fast. Third, don't use gloves or hand paddles. They tend to put too much stress on your shoulder. fourth, once you feel comfortable w/ your freestyle, start working in some backstroke. For me, it makes my overall shoulder feel stronger.
I'm not looking for a schedule. I'm looking for exactly what you gave me - what you did, what you learned, what worked and what didn't.
Before the surgery, I swam Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - so no problem there.
I don't make a move without my PT. They've been telling me there's no reason I can't start swimming again. I've rediscovered how much I dislike running, so back in the pool I go.
On this forum, I've read about no hand paddles after rotator cuff surgery. Do you mean no fist gloves? I've also read on this forum that fist gloves are supposed to ease the load on your shoulder and at least one poster recommended their use.
Did you do any breaststroke? The surgeon's mentioned that would be the first stroke he lets me do.
Backstroke? Gotta go get lessons. My backstroke looks more like diving to the bottom of the pool than anything else ;-)
Thanks very much for the info
Mark
I had acrmioplasties done on both of my shoulders about 15 years ago. For this procedure, they go in & shave the acromium bone, which is the bone inside of the rotator cuff.
That's interesting. Do they cut the rotator cuff?
After re-hab, I continued swimming , I swam masters for a season or 2 before taking some time off to focus on running I got back into competitive swimming this past season. I am able to swim without too much trouble. There weren't any events that I couldn't do. Any reduction in time is mor due to aging than the procedures. I just have to be smart, making sure that I continue to do the strengthening exercises (internal & external rotation) w/ the elastic bands.
The physical therapists and I have discussed my staying on a shoulder strenghtening weight training program forever. I had shoulder tendonitis in the past, so I had one from that. Now, they're giving me one a bit heavier duty.
I'm not sure that I can give you a workout schedule as such. I can give you some suggestions on do's & don'ts. First, don't overdo it. I never swim more than 2 days in a row. Usually, I'll take a day off between swim workouts. Second, start off gradually, keeping your Physical Therapist in the loop. Stick to freestyle at least at first, and easy freestyle at that. Build your strength up before you try anything fast. Third, don't use gloves or hand paddles. They tend to put too much stress on your shoulder. fourth, once you feel comfortable w/ your freestyle, start working in some backstroke. For me, it makes my overall shoulder feel stronger.
I'm not looking for a schedule. I'm looking for exactly what you gave me - what you did, what you learned, what worked and what didn't.
Before the surgery, I swam Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - so no problem there.
I don't make a move without my PT. They've been telling me there's no reason I can't start swimming again. I've rediscovered how much I dislike running, so back in the pool I go.
On this forum, I've read about no hand paddles after rotator cuff surgery. Do you mean no fist gloves? I've also read on this forum that fist gloves are supposed to ease the load on your shoulder and at least one poster recommended their use.
Did you do any breaststroke? The surgeon's mentioned that would be the first stroke he lets me do.
Backstroke? Gotta go get lessons. My backstroke looks more like diving to the bottom of the pool than anything else ;-)
Thanks very much for the info
Mark
