Shoulder Rehab 3 months later...I swim

Something new happened on Tuesday at the swimming pool.  I swam freestyle with 2 arms.  It felt different and on video you will see it is different.  I didn't think the one arm swimming would make that much of a difference but it did.  My head staying in the water, for now...ha ha.  It was a huge break though and it felt great. I did maybe 200 meters total of freestyle and tried kicking on my stomach and back with my arms over my head too.  Coach Dominic said I don't have full extension yet, but I also have to learn to tuck my scapula in.  It is different when I am in the water without the floor under me. You can't feel the scapula tucking or the feeling of using all your small back muscles and your trapezoids, it requires a little more concentration.

Shoulder Rehab Week 12

I am at the 3 month point post surgery.  The past 2 weeks I have been on a steroid to push through the last bit of resistance and get the pinching to stop in my shoulder.  So far it has shown to be a success. Brad has wisely chosen the past two weeks to be on travel all but two nights.  Coincidence? I think so but he is darn lucky.  I haven't slept much, I can't workout enough and I am not losing any weight.  Just loving the holiday season this year!

Last Thursday and this Thursday I have done physical therapy in the Lorton office of Greater Metropolitan Orthopedics since that is where Susan, my therapist, is now working. I have been able to progress to 'swimming' on the ball, not a lot of strokes but it is a step forward. 

At first it seems easy but then I can still feel the pinching so I have had to think about my stroke.  Just like in all my stretching exercises I have to pull my scapula muscle in so there isn't any pinching when I reach.  I will also be putting those small underused muscles to work with each stroke.  I don't yet know how this will translate in the pool.  Last Thursday I pushed off the wall with both arms above my head and tried to kick a 25 with fins on and my arms out front.  The pressure of the water really surprised me and there is still pinching.  My anchors that hold the bicep and labrum feel solid and all is secure but we haven't done a stroke yet.  I am hopeful that I can try a freestyle stroke either this week or next.  Dr. Carlini saw me today, he is really pleased with the flexibility I have after two weeks of steroids.  Hopefully after I see him next month I will be good to go.  Here is a small comparison of where I am at and what is considered 'normal'.
All measurements in degrees  11/29        book normal        Trish normal              12/8
Internal Rotation                       80                 70                       100                          100
External Rotation                      91                 90                       130                          108
Flexion                                      175               180                     185+
Abduction                                 157               180                     185+

Internal Rotation means I am on my back and lift my arm over my head, the external rotation means I bring it up from the side as high as I can. The flexion and glenohumeral abduction are when I have my arm at shoulder height, elbow bent and I push my hand down towards the front and the abduction is pushing it to the back.  I like the progress. 

Shoulder Rehab Week 9-11

See how easily I can make bunny ears
 again over this pink lit flamingo
 at my folks house?

Let's start out by saying I was right, it is better to travel with a Sherpa, even if he likes to be called your husband.  It was SO much easier traveling with Brad helping the entire time.  In fact I came back from Thanksgiving with MORE flexibility and movement in my shoulder.  In the past three weeks I have been able to put a sports bra back on, which makes me happy when I go to the gym.  What I have really noticed is I can do more normal every day things with my right shoulder and arm than I have been able, to not just since surgery but before then as well.  I have had to learn to 'tuck' my scapula in and in turn my little muscles in my back are all getting stronger and used more. Apparently that is also improving my posture and one can hope my core too. 

Piper took this one, she also took one of our butts. It's pretty
good but Lynn would kill me if I published it.

We all had a great trip to Washington for Thanksgiving and enjoyed seeing Grandpa and Grandma Seubert, Auntie Meg and a lot of friends.  I was able to help my friend, Lynn Sullivan, with her booth at the Holiday Bazaar for Moments to Remember and watch the Washington Huskies win the Apple Cup in Seattle. 

This past week, since we've been back from Washington,  I swam with one arm still, had a great spin class too. I am finally able to add 2 pound weights to my exercises and workouts in my right hand.  I had a really positive appointment with Dr. Carlini on Wednesday, November 30 and in an effort to get that last bit of 'Trish Normal' flexibility back I am now on a 2 plus week steroid series.  Brad had some reserves of getting out of the house this weekend unharmed but he managed to stay on my good side and is fine.  That might also be because I didn't exactly do the first few days dosage correctly...when Brad realized that he had the gall to actually say, "...that is hilarious, you can't even take performance enhancing drugs right." Boy is he lucky I didn't or he would have been in so much trouble!

Hopefully with these steroids the last pinching where my arm gets a numb feeling, almost like my circulation is cut off, when it's over my head will go away and it will open up.  Then in another few weeks I will be able to take a swim stroke.  I have been able to do a wide arm stroke on land, every day a little more flexibility comes back.  Next post will be my measurements and more movement pictures.