Recent Shoulder Surgery,questions,help and advice...please

**Bullseye Forever** · 02-24-2011, 06:27 AM

I am a Powerlifter(Bench Press only) and i had surgery on January 21st of this year,i had a shoulder impingement(Bone Spurs)removed and a very small tear in my Labrum,ive been doing physical therapy for 5 weeks now and my surgeon tighten my labrum up when he put one stitch in it and im still pretty sore from where the spurs were,my rotator cuff was not torn,but was inflammed,if i hadnt had the surgery,he said it would eventually torn my rotator cuff,i do rotator cuff excercises 2 times a week anyway,but my doctor cleared me to start working out with my shoulder and arm this tuesday,but to do what my PT said to do,my arm is still sore from the tightening of the labrum and the place where the spurs were rubbing the tissue,how long will it take till my rotator cuff is not inflammed anymore?its been 6 weeks since i worked out that arm and shoulder,and my PT didnt want me doing Bicep workouts,skullbusters,lying DB french press for triceps....but i could do tricep kick backs(blah) she said to start out bench pressing with just the bar,shoulder presses with dbs,lateral and front raises,do any back workout except BB rows.....i dont understand about not getting to do biceps,i know the bicep tendon is connected to the same place as the labrum,but my doctor said the labrum is healed? im really confused and my PT is an ass,so i decided to wait another week or so before i work out with my shoulder,cause she says my rotator cuff is still inflammed,this i dont understand cause ive been taking an anti-inflammatory and not worked my shoulder out for 6 weeks,shouldnt it have healed by now?I now ive got to start out light,but im confused cause im afraid that anything i do will tear my rotator cuff........any thoughts,comments,experiences,advice would greatly be appreciated,i apologize for the long post,i just concerned....i dont like my PT at all,and i like 2 weeks more of Physical therapy,and im thinking about requesting a new PT to fininsh up,plus ive been doing my home excercises at home she recommended 3 times a day......again sorry for the long post,i just need some help thanks all

**optionsdude** · 03-07-2011, 12:48 AM

I would get a new PT. I had neck surgery last May and I got a list of PT's from the insurance company network and went around and interviewed them before picking one. It was a long process a few were taken back when I told them what I was doing but most understood where I was coming from. Recovering from any injury is serious and I wanted the most out of my recovery. I am sure you feel the same way. I had a lazy turd for a PT when I hurt my knee and it took forever to get it back. So my advice would be to start the interview process. Look for a young gung ho one fresh out of school. They haven't been jaded by their work yet and are still trying hard at work and not just going through the motions.

**WeakGeek** · 03-09-2011, 01:57 AM

had surgery for a slap tear in oct.. my biceps tendon really started fukkin with me months prior to surgery and even all the way through pt so for me the labrum an the bicep were a big factor with each other... although after about 6 weeks i was doing REALLY light biceps curls but only for like 2 sets at 30 reps... If your not comfortable with your PT switch immediately...

**Bullseye Forever** · 03-10-2011, 07:54 AM

thanks yall,i did find me a new PT one that is a specialist in sports injuries and i started yesterday and she started me on a whole new rehab schedule,and she told me my surgery was minor because i didnt have a tear in my rotator cuff and the reason they tighten my labrum was because i lifted weights,on normal guys who dont lift,she said the surgeons normally dont tighten them as much,so i feel much better now,thanks for your replies,much appraciated

**optionsdude** · 03-16-2011, 07:56 PM

Glad you found a new PT. When I was checking out all of the PTs on my insurance list I was amazed that puting a few exercise machines,some rubberbands, and an ultrasound machine in a room the size of my living room classifies as a PT facility. A lot of jokers making money off of the insurance companies this way.

**Bullseye Forever** · 03-17-2011, 04:28 AM

everything seems to be progressing alot better now,i love my new pt,and its going well!!

**Builder15** · 03-17-2011, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by optionsdude

Glad you found a new PT. When I was checking out all of the PTs on my insurance list I was amazed that puting a few exercise machines,some rubberbands, and an ultrasound machine in a room the size of my living room classifies as a PT facility. A lot of jokers making money off of the insurance companies this way.

I am curious as to what you think physical therapy is then? You don't really need much more than that. Sure a nice big gym with state of the art equipment would be great but that is not needed by any means. The size of physical therapy clinics depends on how many therapists they have and how many patients they see. DO NOT judge how good a PT is by what the clinic is like, in fact I would say the less equipment a clinic has the better the therapists probably are.

As fort he OP, glad you found a new PT that is working better for ya and best of luck as you continue to recover!

**Bigjerdog** · 03-20-2011, 11:59 AM

I hope my story has a happy ending too... Right now im starting to wonder...

**optionsdude** · 03-20-2011, 11:42 PM

Builder15 I have been through PT several times, both knees,neck,shoulder,and tendonitis. I have had luck with a small place, and horrible experience with a large place. I knew a chiropractor who moved a crappy old multi gym machine into a room at his practice and got certified to be a PT facility. This was the kind of guy that gives chiro's a bad name.You have a valid point on the size of the operation not mattering a whole lot. However I like to have a good assortment of equipment for longer PT. After my neck surgery I made sure the facility I chose had a good armbike and a full assortment of dumbells. And most importantly I asked the therapist at each facility I interviewed how they would treat my recovery. I prefer hands on therapy and not a do these exercises and then we'll hook you up to the stim machine and some ice. These people are taking your money or your insurance companies money make them work for it.

**Builder15** · 03-21-2011, 11:32 AM

Double post

**Builder15** · 03-21-2011, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by optionsdude

Builder15 I have been through PT several times, both knees,neck,shoulder,and tendonitis. I have had luck with a small place, and horrible experience with a large place. I knew a chiropractor who moved a crappy old multi gym machine into a room at his practice and got certified to be a PT facility. This was the kind of guy that gives chiro's a bad name.You have a valid point on the size of the operation not mattering a whole lot. However I like to have a good assortment of equipment for longer PT. After my neck surgery I made sure the facility I chose had a good armbike and a full assortment of dumbells. And most importantly I asked the therapist at each facility I interviewed how they would treat my recovery. I prefer hands on therapy and not a do these exercises and then we'll hook you up to the stim machine and some ice. These people are taking your money or your insurance companies money make them work for it.

I agree with you for the most part. You certainly need to make sure your PT is doing what they need to get you better, however, that doesn't always mean that every condition needs to have hands on treatment. I do try to get my hands on most of my patients and do some type of manual therapy, it is very rare that I don't. Exercise is also a very important part of any rehab, remember it is called PHYSICAL therapy which means if you're not doing exercise you are wasting your time. I try to do most of my hands on stuff when I have my 1 on 1 time with a patient then review/change exercises and have them do it at home if they are competent and performing the exercises correctly (which a lot don't).

You make some good points and I am glad that you still find value in PT and sounds likes you can tell the difference between good and bad PTs. As long as you find someone that works for you and you keep making progress thats what you need.