So this is week three since my rotator cuff surgery and I have to say, things are going surprisingly well (so far🤞🏼). The incision points have largely healed up, I got cleared for stationary bike on earlier this week, my first PT session was a few days ago and I’m getting through the day, largely without a sling. I bought myself a light weight, mesh-sling that acts more of a reminder to not reach for anything with my left arm. I usually wear this when walking the dog or when driving. But I have to remind myself there’s still a long way to go before full range of motion and strength returns!

PT begins

You know, “PT begins”, sounds dramatic, but in reality it’s a just a handful of basic movements. My physical therapist gave me the heads up that the first 4 sessions are going to be boring as hell. As of right now, my prescribed “exercises” are as following:

• Shoulder pendulum swings (bend down, keep arms loose and make small circles)
• Chest expansions (to flex the subscapularis which they humpty dumptied with a screw)
• Shoulder shrugs
• Squeeze ball
• And raising my left arm (by holding the wrist with the right) so the upper arm is 90 degrees angle to my body

That’s pretty much it!

Post Surgery “Workouts”

This past Monday, I got to hop on my Echelon Connect and pedaled like a mad bicyclist for 45 minutes and felt so good to work up a sweat. I bought the stationary bike during my post-ankle surgery rehab times and had set this up in the garage the week before my rotator cuff surgery. Other than that, I’ve been averaging 15K steps almost every day, walking and hiking. I’m so happy that I can get my wiggles out!

Besides the walking and biking, I’ve been doing a limited version of Tai Chi which seems to help nudge the mobility of my shoulder too. I call it T-Rex Tai Chi, ‘cos you know short left arm and all 😂 but hey as long as I keep the shoulder movement restricted it seems to help.

Last but not the least, I’ve been sketching a lot with my iPad and Procreate, one of the more sedentary activities but very gratifying. This Chestnut-backed Chickadee is a frequent visitor to our backyard!

I’m very hopeful that I get cleared for running 4, maybe, 5 weeks post-surgery. Though, I have to be extremely mindful of tripping and taking a fall. Even if it’s just a couple of miles around the neighborhood that’ll be a huge win. But until then, just the basics, waiting for the slow chemistry & biology 🙄 to do their healing and repair.