Shoulder Injury-Induced Depression

[Wayne S.]

Six weeks ago I took a bad fall six weeks while on an early morning run and thought for sure I had broken my upper arm. ER staff sent me home after determining there was no fracture and told me to follow up with primary care in a few weeks to rule out rotator cuff tear. Well, ortho doc and MRI just confirmed a torn subscapularis tendon. Surgery appears only option. Was basically told there was no way I could PT my way out of this injury.

Have yet to meet the shoulder specialist who'll do the surgery but his PA has told me that given my fitness level, healthy shoulders, and motivation I'm as good a candidate as any to resume my previous activities and that includes kayaking. He's saying the process will take 3-4 months. I'm not expecting miracles and am reconciled to the fact it may never be 100% but I'm hoping to some paddling this summer (okay maybe not the Blackburn). Am I crazy, or what?

[leong]

Wayne, you're not crazy. I’ll bet that you'll be doing some light paddling sometime this summer and faster next year. Here's what one patient said after his subscapularis repair surgery:

“Cathy gave me the exercises l needed and l saw her every other week, l did the exercises without exception and now 5 months later still doing all the exercises she gave me. My shoulder is fantastic! I'm swimming, playing tennis and golf best ever and really do thank Mr Funk and Cathy Barrett for a great job done, l now feel 38 not 58!”

Good luck.

-Leon

[rfolster]

I think that Leon has picked up on the most important point - DO THE EXERCISES!! PT sessions are only to help you learn the exercises properly and evaluate your progress. If you don't do the exercises at home, you will not heal and gain your strength like you should.

So, I agree with Leon that you might be able to paddle this summer, but it will definitely have to be light.

[Pintail]

Apologies for appearing less charitable than Sir Leon; but you asked: "Am I crazy or what?"

Answer: of course -- why the heck were treadmills invented? Wasn't it to avoid running in snow and ice? ;^O

Nevertheless: commiserations.

[BethS]

You have my sympathy, shoulder injuries can be so painful and frustrating! But i agree, you should be fine in the long run, just do the darn PT and find other things to keep you busy. Also just from my own experience with a shoulder separation many years ago (different injury, no surgery needed, but i was not given a great prognosis at the time) i found that after i was better, what really got me to 100% was aquatic therapy (specific excercises using water as resistance); at some point you may want to look into this as part of your rehab, many PTs know about this and some do it as a specialty. It will get well, don't despair! Also, consider a Greenland paddle, much easier on the joints!

[Wayne S.]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. The consensus everywhere is that once a good repair job is done by the surgeon, PT and one's dedication to it is the key. Believe me, I'm dedicated.

The treadmill question is entirely reasonable but what can I say, the hamster atmosphere of treadmills is something I find kind of disagreeable.

Beth, I switched to a Greenland paddle last year and use it almost exclusively. Love the thing. That's one thing I've got going for me in this.

[ccarlson]

If you would like an opinion from an extremely qualified physical therapist who specializes in non-surgical shoulder rehab, you may wish to contact James Kennedy at Anna Jaques Hospital PT department in Newburyport.