help to maintain exercise program while recuperating?

doceo

Hi all,
I have been working out diligently since March with a trainer as well as spin, row, pilates, yoga, and piyo. I've toned up and I've lost all but 5 lbs of my goal.

Three years ago, I tore my rotator cuff.

I started to have some pain when I moved in a certain way when doing things at home. Oddly, I never felt pain when working out at the gym with weights or any other workout. I can't explain that; perhaps someone else can.

I had an MRI and it said I had some "fraying." I see the specialist this Wednesday and will find out if I need surgery again.

Either way, I assume I will have to rest/ heal my shoulder or have surgery and have a longer rest heal period. To complicate this matter, I'll also be out of my home state for three months right after I have surgery (if needed).


So, dear fitness people, do you have any suggestions to maintain a toned/ muscle workout while I recuperate without a trainer?

Thanks, in advance.

spiriteagle99

You should be getting PT, whether you have surgery or not. Ask the PT for assistance. You will probably lose some strength while recuperating, but not all.

I have a torn rotator and the pain really limits what I can do. I don't want surgery, so I just live with the limits, but then lifting weights was never that important to me. I can still walk and run, so it is easy to live with, and if I do the exercises I was given in PT, the pain is less. I'm just bad at continuing the exercises.

doceo

I'm sure I'll be getting PT, but I have to see the specialist first. I really don't want to give up my weight-lifting, so I'm hoping the Dr can help me continue. I'm not a runner, so I'm looking for other ways to stay in shape until I can weight lift again.

Packerjohn

I've had several shoulder operations, including rotator cuff. Do the PT as the doctor/therapist recommends. Ask them if it is a problem if you do a bit more rehab that prescribed. Per my doctor, after surgery he didn't want a whole lot of activity other than walking until the stitches were removed.

After that, in addition to walking and my therapy exercises, I did selectorized leg machines, leg work with bands, etc.

sgt1372

I've had 2 rotator cuff surgeries. One in both shoulders for different reasons.

If you've torn a tendon, your shoulder will NEVER be the same unless you get the surgery done. Doing PT will not help until AFTER the surgery is done.

No reason not to get the surgery as long as you have insurance to cover the cost and a competent surgeon to do it.

Recovery will take some time but, if trained properly, your shoulder can become even stronger than it was before.

On the other hand, if you do nothing, your shoulder will never get better and could get worse.

Not sure why anyone would choose to remain in pain and disabled when a solution to that problem is at hand.

doceo

I agree sgt1372; if I need surgery, I'll get it. I want to live a full life, not a 'eh' life. My dr is the same one who works on pro athletes and I worked with a professional trainer. I see the dr tomorrow....I really hope there is something I can do beyond walking until I'm recuperated fully.

Packerjohn

sgt1372 wrote: »

I've had 2 rotator cuff surgeries. One in both shoulders for different reasons.

If you've torn a tendon, your shoulder will NEVER be the same unless you get the surgery done. Doing PT will not help until AFTER the surgery is done.

No reason not to get the surgery as long as you have insurance to cover the cost and a competent surgeon to do it.

Recovery will take some time but, if trained properly, your shoulder can become even stronger than it was before.

On the other hand, if you do nothing, your shoulder will never get better and could get worse.

Not sure why anyone would choose to remain in pain and disabled when a solution to that problem is at hand.

I agree with the highlighted. However, with my insurance at least, after the first visit for shoulder issues they have you do a bit of PT before they do imaging and potentially operate. The only times I got around it was when I tore the long head of my bicep tendon (the upper arm is actually misshapen after this) and anyone could tell by looking at it and a Google picture it was torn.

Best of luck.