50 and switching from Iron to cable machines?

[Brett N]

Man, machines (and a good variety of them) are going to be a necessity for a great workout as you get older. During Covid, I bought a lot of resistance bands. You can get in a nice workout & you are only limited by your imagination regarding how many exercise you can come up with. If you’ve been off that long and you’re returning as a Mason, please tell me you have had a lot of physical therapy?

Honestly I started out with a therapist and the last time I had a therapist too and they were a bit on the pathetic side. This time after the first 6 weeks which was basically stretches and mobility I asked them to set me up with an itinerary and I checked in once a week. I did a lot of research on what sports therapists did, bought me some bands and started ultra light with 2.5 lb bands. Not only working the rotator but also all the muscles surrounding it. I think quite a few therapists are run of the mill. The high quality ones are usually working higher end jobs.

This was not workers comp and was all out of my own pocket and insurance so it worked out to my benefit financially and physically. The Dr. is a very higly sought after doc in the St Louis area and told me 12-16 week recovery and to plan on 16 at consult time because of what I do. At my 12 week visit he was surprised at my progress and I told him I felt good about going back. He told me he would be ok with it but he didn't want me doing any heavy weightlifting like benching or shoulder work for 3 more months. So, everyday is leg day. LMAO

I have thought about looking on Craigslist for a Bowflex, I didn't know how good of a value they were.

[wango]

Honestly I started out with a therapist and the last time I had a therapist too and they were a bit on the pathetic side. This time after the first 6 weeks which was basically stretches and mobility I asked them to set me up with an itinerary and I checked in once a week. I did a lot of research on what sports therapists did, bought me some bands and started ultra light with 2.5 lb bands. Not only working the rotator but also all the muscles surrounding it. I think quite a few therapists are run of the mill. The high quality ones are usually working higher end jobs.

This was not workers comp and was all out of my own pocket and insurance so it worked out to my benefit financially and physically. The Dr. is a very higly sought after doc in the St Louis area and told me 12-16 week recovery and to plan on 16 at consult time because of what I do. At my 12 week visit he was surprised at my progress and I told him I felt good about going back. He told me he would be ok with it but he didn't want me doing any heavy weightlifting like benching or shoulder work for 3 more months. So, everyday is leg day. LMAO

I have thought about looking on Craigslist for a Bowflex, I didn't know how good of a value they were.

Retired PT myself, did a lot of orthopedic stuff. Also I’m 63, one rotator cuff is 90% gone (with the long head of the biceps), the other about 50% gone. Total shoulders when the pain is unbearable.

Agree about finding good PT’s, it’s hit or miss. And yeah, if it’s out of pocket, that ain’t cheap.

Glad you have confidence in your surgeon. I’m thinking as long as he knows exact what you’re doing at work and gives you the ok. Do you do a lot of overhead stuff? What kind of lifting are you doing at work? Definitely watch that biceps if they reattached it (I was too old for them to consider fixing mine and it’s not pretty to look at some time ).

[Iranon]

Honestly I started out with a therapist and the last time I had a therapist too and they were a bit on the pathetic side. This time after the first 6 weeks which was basically stretches and mobility I asked them to set me up with an itinerary and I checked in once a week. I did a lot of research on what sports therapists did, bought me some bands and started ultra light with 2.5 lb bands. Not only working the rotator but also all the muscles surrounding it. I think quite a few therapists are run of the mill. The high quality ones are usually working higher end jobs.

That is fine but it wont save you, it is just putting a band-aid on and not adressing the reason you are where you are. Like I said, you need to understand the shoulder joint and your injurys and then make a plan to prevent further damage and a PT will only help a tiny bit.

[Brett N]

That is fine but it wont save you, it is just putting a band-aid on and not adressing the reason you are where you are. Like I said, you need to understand the shoulder joint and your injurys and then make a plan to prevent further damage and a PT will only help a tiny bit.

I guess I'm not fully understanding what you are getting at?? I totally get the reason I am where I am, it started back in high school when I decided to smoke weed and not pay attention. I was a smart ass and thought I knew more than my teachers. I ended up joining the military instead of college and eventually entered a construction trade that I've spent 26 years tearing my body up. I have 26 invested into multiple pensions that I don't plan on dropping out of. The earliest I can leave is 55 with heavy penalties. Realistically, 59 is when I can retire with minimal penalties.

On any given day I lay about 3.5-4 tons of brick each day going by the weight of 7-8 pounds each. Thats not including mortar. It's all on my right shoulder. When I'm laying stone it's probably more but it also includes swinging a 3 pound stone hammer with a carbide chisel on the end to shape the stone. The stone gets lifted and turned multiple times to shape it to fit and then laid. They can weigh between 2 pounds and 80+ pounds that need to guys to lay them precisely.

I enjoy lifting but most of it is out of necessity to stay in shape for my career.

So, what do I change to avoid further injury that is a possibility?? If you say career change, point me in the direction of someone that's hiring someone with no education past HS that pays $75k+ with excellent insurance and retirement because my Dr. suggested the same thing.

[wango]

I guess I'm not fully understanding what you are getting at?? I totally get the reason I am where I am, it started back in high school when I decided to smoke weed and not pay attention. I was a smart ass and thought I knew more than my teachers. I ended up joining the military instead of college and eventually entered a construction trade that I've spent 26 years tearing my body up. I have 26 invested into multiple pensions that I don't plan on dropping out of. The earliest I can leave is 55 with heavy penalties. Realistically, 59 is when I can retire with minimal penalties.

On any given day I lay about 3.5-4 tons of brick each day going by the weight of 7-8 pounds each. Thats not including mortar. It's all on my right shoulder. When I'm laying stone it's probably more but it also includes swinging a 3 pound stone hammer with a carbide chisel on the end to shape the stone. The stone gets lifted and turned multiple times to shape it to fit and then laid. They can weigh between 2 pounds and 80+ pounds that need to guys to lay them precisely.

I enjoy lifting but most of it is out of necessity to stay in shape for my career.

So, what do I change to avoid further injury that is a possibility?? If you say career change, point me in the direction of someone that's hiring someone with no education past HS that pays $75k+ with excellent insurance and retirement because my Dr. suggested the same thing.

Once a person is fortunate enough to find a great craftsman like yourself (painter, carpenter, plumber, stone worker, electrician), you found a best friend for life. I have decades old relationships with all, and all, like yourself are suffering physically because of the tole you’re job takes on your body. I wish you all the best. Is there anything you can arrange with your employer to allow you time to adjust to your return from surgery? I just started enjoying that light at the end of the tunnel (retirement) and hope you get there. Can you cut your hours even a bit, to give you added recovery time?

As this is a steroid forum, how’s your testosterone levels? At 56 I started TRT and physically, it really gave me a boost.

BTW, really work at your scapular muscles, like rhomboids & middle, lower traps. Also, watch that posture and stretch, stretch, stretch.

Sorry, once a PT, always a PT. As you are aware, ice will be your friend. Also you might find the compression sleeve helpful for work.