This is now number four of my series of blogs about my recovery from rotator cuff surgery and its attendant ups, downs, complications, and progress.
Last time I wrote, I was fighting some knee pain that was slowly resolving, while simultaneously working in physical therapy to improve my shoulder range of motion and slowly strengthening the shoulder.
I have made some positive progress. As with all recoveries, it is not linear or perfect, and, to quote the great unintentionally wise man, Yogi Berra, “it ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”
Four Months
Four months since my shoulder surgery on October 1st! That’s one-third of a year.
Yet, I’m still not good as new and still in physical therapy. And I’m a very motivated person, who does all the exercises on days I’m not at PT. I go to the gym twice a week and work on things too. That’s not counting the one hundred or so miles of intense bicycle riding I do weekly. I can only imagine how tedious this must be for someone even older than I am or less fit to begin with.
As I approach the four month surgical anniversary, coming up in February, I have very close to normal range of motion. Well, unless I need to wash my back with my right hand. I’m thankful I do not have to secure a bra because the thought of that motion is not appealing, let alone quite possible.
I’m able to do biceps curls with 15 pound dumbbells, do squats with two arms holding weights finally (30 pounds each hand; sets of 30), and have begun performing triceps “skull crushers,” using about 30-35 pounds. And I can perform seated rows with a variety of grips. I have even started chest presses, albeit with only about 15 pound dumbbells. That movement irritates my shoulder near the surgery, although not directly related to where the graft is. In my case, a long ago separated shoulder at the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, causes this area to become “angry” when I stress it. Discretion is the better part of valor.
We had some light snow and I shoveled. I experienced no pain, and my shoulder worked correctly. I even cleared this activity afterwards with my physical therapist. Fortunately, it was light snow. Not sure I would attempt it with heavy, “heart attack” snow of significant accumulation.
While I’m not even close to where I was before I tore up my shoulder, I can see progress.
And let’s not forget that my surgeon told me he fears that the surgical graft could fail up to 12 months after surgery! I have a long way to go, and a lot more stress to load onto my shoulder before I am past that fear.
The Bee’s Knees
My right knee was confirmed to have a partial tear of the medial meniscus, as well as some arthritic changes, and a cyst. But with the combination of the injection, physical therapy exercises, and time, it has improved enough that I am back to walking the dog at least three miles daily, and riding five-six days a week for an hour or more.
It doesn’t feel perfect, and probably never will, but it’s (fingers crossed) back to normal. Sort of. For a 60 year old guy with bad knees, and a serious exercise habit. For now, I’m fine. Let’s see what the future holds for both knees.
Physical Therapists Rock
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again; a great physical therapist, like Emily, who supervises my recovery, is invaluable. Yes, a lot of these movements seem like you can do them on your own. But as someone who is very in tune with his body, very aware of anatomy and medical conditions (I have this side gig where I’m a personal injury and workers’ compensation lawyer), I still don’t think I’d know about half these exercises, how to do them properly, when to start them or move on to others. Every session, I ask Emily questions, “can I try this?,” “what about pushups?” and the like. To every question, she has a legitimate, medical-based answer, along with a specific suggestion, modification, or exercise.
Someone is always watching my back, er, shoulder, and as long as I listen and don’t attempt something not recommended, my shoulder generally feels okay. It is sore at times when I work hard in PT or at the gym, but it’s nothing that doesn’t go away and nothing that isn’t addressed at therapy.
If you don’t have complete confidence in your physical therapist, get a different therapist. I could not do this myself. And I say that as someone who always tries to do things myself.
The Final Chapter
The tentative plan is to let me loose (sort of) at the end of January. At that point, I will attempt to perform exercises myself and modify as needed. Then, we’ll check in after about a month and see where I am, what I need, and tweak things accordingly.
I am not yet ready to proclaim I am as good as new. Not close. But today, I was able to get two propane tanks exchanged and, while extremely careful to hold my arm in a safe position, put most of the weight on the left arm, and lean the tank against my legs, I could do it. Functional ability is a good thing, but my shoulder is not yet able to be trusted without a lot of modifications.
While I enjoy holding forth about the glamor and quickness of a rotator cuff surgery recovery (joke!), I seriously hope to move on to other subjects soon. If you are struggling with your own recovery from an injury, I wish you speedy and full healing, too.
Time will tell.
Takeaways
- Shoulder surgery recovery and rehab continues at a slow, but steady clip
- Physical therapists—good ones—are invaluable to full recovery from serious injuries or surgeries
- I am getting stronger and more flexible. Soon, I will be able to wash my back. I think. Maybe.
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