I had shoulder surgey about 3 months ago and I was wondering...?

Question

does anyone know any good exercises that I could do before my swimming season starts in august?? I had REALLY good times last year and I want better ones this season

Answer 1

you need to be very careful rehabbing a shoulder if you are planning on swimming competitively. VERY light weight or simple resistance is best. i use surgical tubing as a rubber band lying on a bench face down and simulating the freestyle arm motions while pulling against the rubber band resistance by tying the tubing to something in front of the bench. NO impact. none. you need to work up very slowly. very little blood (i.e. healing fluids) get to the shoulder where you had your surgery so if you aggravate your repair you could be out before the season even starts. i know the temptation to go hard and get back fast, but it is normally a mistake to push hard on a shoulder, especially for swimmers.

good luck

Answer 2

Your physical therapist should have given you exercises to rehab for the season with as well as guidelines for your training. If you did not get these things, call and ask for them, they owe you!

Depending on what you had done to your shoulder your exercises and training will vary. I had arthroscopic laser capsularophy for subluxed tendons on my left shoulder in 2001. It was experiemental and is no longer done because of the side affects 5 years down the road, which I had to deal with last year.

Wyatt is right about the VERY light weights, I use 1-2 pounds weights when I do the exercises I now have to do.

Ultimately, don't push it, especially only 3 months post-operative. You really need to talk to your PT unless you have been released to full activity and it includes swimming and training with your team. Be careful or you could easily re-injure the site!!! Though I am fully recovered and rehabbed, I still have soreness, achiness and numbness in the area when I swim too much fly or free.

Good luck!!!

Answer 3

The answer is obvious. Consult your surgeon. He knows more about your shoulder and what it will be capable of than anyone here. Also, see a professional athletic trainer. Most of their job is helping people rehab after injury of surgery. Dont do anything usless one of those 2 professionals clears you for it, otherwise you could reinjure your shoulder and end up right back in the OR.