SLAP tear - surgery/no-surgery/recovery options?

[saderboy80]

Im not sure what the doc is talking about with no return to weight lifting after a SLAP repair. After my first surgery SLAP lesion and Bankart repair( with 7 anchors and 14 screws) I returned to get PR's in the to most stressful lifts for the anterior labrum that is flat bench press and weighted dips.

 

[Gutterpump]

Im not sure what the doc is talking about with no return to weight lifting after a SLAP repair. After my first surgery SLAP lesion and Bankart repair( with 7 anchors and 14 screws) I returned to get PR's in the to most stressful lifts for the anterior labrum that is flat bench press and weighted dips.

The doc told me I'll definitely be lifting again. I think you misunderstood, people were telling me not to lift at all in the initial stages of rehab after the surgery, But a Dr told me that if I can train light all the way through it, even within a couple weeks of the surgery, that recovery will be faster. I also spoke to someone who had the surgery and went back to training his good side a week later and breezed through rehab without issues. His Dr also recommended to keep up the training on the good side and not to just give up while healing. A little diligence goes a long way though, and of course it pays to be smart about it too.

 

[Axillist]

Just listen to what your body tells you after you have had the surgery that is the most important thing. My plans after surgery were very similar to yours. However, after surgery I couldn't even move my arm. You will see how you respond to physical therapy and you will know where to go from there. You sound very educated on this matter, just remember to keep patient.

After a few weeks post surgery I was down about 30 pounds and I was light to begin with.

 

[Gutterpump]

I gotcha. Yeah I won't be trying to move the injured arm/shoulder immediately after surgery, just the good side, and lower body.

I've already stopped training upper body for 2 months (had lost my drive a bit after the injury - only been training lower body 1-2 times per week) but I've been eating the same, and haven't lost too much. I've been told to get mentally prepared for the atrophy though. It comes back fast so I'm not too worried about that side of it.

 

[Axillist]

I gotcha. Yeah I won't be trying to move the injured arm/shoulder immediately after surgery, just the good side, and lower body.

I've already stopped training upper body for 2 months but I've been eating the same, and haven't lost too much. I've been told to get mentally prepared for the atrophy though. It comes back fast so I'm not too worried about that side of it.

Sounds like you have your head screwed on right. You'll be fine! Just keep positive and try to keep your diet as clean as you can. I'm at 195lbs right now and pre surgery i was about 160 with roughly the same bodyfat percentage. This wont stop long term progression!

 

[Gutterpump]

Thanks! I agree, and it will only make me come back stronger too I think - more drive and determination to get back up to par. I should be able to ride that out and push past where I was in the past.

You should see the gym I train at lol. Last summer there was a guy in a cast on his arm, doing squats with the same good morning bar. 1 handed bar squats, was the strangest thing I've seen lol, but soon enough I'll be that guy haha. I don't know if I'm using the right name for the bar, but it's the one that fits over the shoulders with massive padding, and handles that extend out to the front of the bar. The bar is also about 80 pounds.

 

[Gutterpump]

Hey guys, in case you're wondering the motivation to my ideas for rehab, etc.... here is a quote from the man I speaking with:

i was not impressed by the referral so took it upon myself to find my preferred specialist, specifically a sports orthopedic surgeon, i settled for Dr Zvijac who happens to be head orthopedic surgeon for Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL). When i met with him it was like he was talking a different language to original doc. He told me i would be back playing golf in 12 weeks in addition to many other positive outcomes. After meeting with him i decided to have the surgery, i had to wait approx 4 weeks, during this time i completely shut it down (no golf/no gym).

Had surgery Nov 16th 2011, surgical notes say classic type 2 SLAP 11 to 1 o'clock in addition to small tearing of supraspinatus and debridement of frayed posterior labral tear. Post surgery i was scheduled to meet Dr. Zvijac 21st November, just 5 days after surgery. Stitches were removed and surprisingly he advised only to wear sling for comfort and when in busy public places, needless to say sling came off when i got home and never wore it again. He also advised that gym was good, work the good side and stationary bike is best for cardio. I was also given a PT prescription and advised to start immediately. My first PT session was 9 days after surgery, i remember the physiotherapist commenting "this prescription is aggressive", i was doing active assist immediately i.e. pulley, spider crawl and some isometrics. I had PT 3 times a week and on off days just followed what i was doing in PT at home or in gym. I never did more or less, just what i was cleared to do however i followed my PT schedule religiously and never took a day off.

Some very interesting info in there

 

[thegodfather]

I wore my sling in public for awhile long after i stopped wearing it at home. Gives me the heads up to allow a little more space when passing, and also lets friends know not to come up and tackle your ass after not seeing you for 5 years. After the first week you'll be doing light arm hanging swirls and stuff like that and progress into rubberband work.