Son went to first PT session yesterday, three months after surgery. He was put through the normal rotator cuff exercises and didn't experience any pain. Of course he didn't ask the therapist if that was normal, so I'm asking anyone of you who have been through it. Was the lack of any discomfort normal or is it a positive sign that he’s further along than expected?

My son had his torn labrum repaired the 2nd week of April. He began intensive PT last week and has already regained a tremendous amount of motion. The PT said he's doing well, and thought he could progress beyond the protocol that was set forth by his Surgeon. However, he's going to wait until he visits the surgeon on Friday, and let the doctor determine whether he can accelerate the process or not.

My son has some pain while the PT is actually working on the shoulder, but it's apparently related to the scar tissue.

Hey guys,

just keep doing what the PT's tell you and it will all work out. If I remember correctly, the Lambrum works like a washer in the shoulder joint. Tore mine the first time, shredded it the second. Along with a few other muscles. Just make sure they do their prescribed rehab. They ended up taking mine out and I came back feeling fine. The tear was worse than when it was removed.

Good luck and tell your boys to remain focused on getting back and staying mentally positive. The mind is a powerful tool in the process.. imo..

Bizazz,

Your doc starts rehab a whole month earlier than ours. He says he won't release him for six months to throw "hard" again. He can start softly throwing in August. But till then, it's building up the strength in the shoulder.

I wonder if the rehab start is related to the severity of the tear and amount of work required to re-attach? My son didn't have any additional damage other than the labrum tear (e.g. rotator cuff, etc.). He also ended up going about 2 months between the last time he pitched and the actual surgery.

quote:

Originally posted by obrady:
Son went to first PT session yesterday, three months after surgery. He was put through the normal rotator cuff exercises and didn't experience any pain. Of course he didn't ask the therapist if that was normal, so I'm asking anyone of you who have been through it. Was the lack of any discomfort normal or is it a positive sign that he’s further along than expected?

Lack of pain/discomfurt is +
A number of questions remain
What was the RC regimen?
Wat reps, weights, banding?

Too earlyto tell, no pain = better than some.

Depending on the exercise, but very light, 1 lb for most, 5 lb for a shrug exercise.

quote:

Originally posted by obrady:
Depending on the exercise, but very light, 1 lb for most, 5 lb for a shrug exercise.

Supra/infraspinatus, teres and subscapularis
RCs that stabilize the shoulder
The head of the upper arm bone
In the shoulder joint

RC exercises are to help assure
That the humeral head
Stays in the socket
Where the labrum is cushioning the joint

By doing so, less humeral head movement
Means better labrum recovery
While your son does not play
And then when he does

His prognosis is subject to the positioning of the tear
The surgical success
Whether he is a position player or P

This cannot be rushed
Post rehab strength training should not be delayed

quote:

Originally posted by Bizazz:
I wonder if the rehab start is related to the severity of the tear and amount of work required to re-attach? My son didn't have any additional damage other than the labrum tear (e.g. rotator cuff, etc.). He also ended up going about 2 months between the last time he pitched and the actual surgery.

Rehab is a prescription
Like any prescription it is subject to Dr. personal judgement
Invasisveness of surgery
Knife or arthroscopic
Is a certain determiner


Area and severity of tear
Is as well

quote:

Originally posted by Bizazz:
My son had his torn labrum repaired the 2nd week of April. He began intensive PT last week and has already regained a tremendous amount of motion. The PT said he's doing well, and thought he could progress beyond the protocol that was set forth by his Surgeon. However, he's going to wait until he visits the surgeon on Friday, and let the doctor determine whether he can accelerate the process or not.

My son has some pain while the PT is actually working on the shoulder, but it's apparently related to the scar tissue.

Return of motion quickly is typical
The body refuses to allow
Full range under injured conditions

Unless the protocol was prescribed with high conservativeness
I cannot see the need to accelerate
When the downside is severe
if injury re-occurs

PT work-offs of scar tissue
Are always painful
NSAIDS would be helpful
Hopefully prescribed
For pain and swelling
Ask if not

My PT would not give any medication---he felt they would mask what was happening as he worked---you learn to endure the pain--after awhile it becomes part of the procedure---I was going three times a week immediately after surgery so he wanted to know what the story was as we worked

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
My PT would not give any medication---he felt they would mask what was happening as he worked---you learn to endure the pain--after awhile it becomes part of the procedure---I was going three times a week immediately after surgery so he wanted to know what the story was as we worked

Some PTs, once pain in range is determined, will opt for NSAIDS.
Others not.
If the range of motion required to break apart scar tissue but pain inhibits that range, a PT may look to NSAIDS for pain control.

My son had his surgery on April 18. He had very good pain control so he had almost no discomfort. He started PT 3 weeks after surgery although at the beginning it was basically just moving the shoulder. He is now 2 months post surgery and has no pain with his PT and goes 3 times per week. His range of motion is very good and he does not feel any tightness in his shoulder. We anticipate his being able to toss the ball in about a month but still a while away from pitching. Just hoping now that he doesn't do something stupid and put himself back to square one.

3boysmom,

Sames here. Tossing starts July 11.

College son has his 8 month post op with Dr. Andrews in the morning.
It's been a long process, but one thing that can't be emphasized enough is the PT and patience. Don't push it. Son was cleared at the 6 month appt to begin complete baseball workouts, but wasnt 100% comfortable with swinging the bat, so pulled back. A few weeks ago, started back up..and is now working out 2-4 hrs a day getting "baseball ready" and feeling great!

Even if you're cleared, you have to listen to your body and back down if necessary. I know mine does not want to go through this again. Just wanting to play ball... Be patient and let all those parts heal back properly.

My son had surgery June 20. He was found to have a small labral tear. Thirty minutes to repair, probably 12 months to recover. Today at post-op session, Dr. warned against being hasty with wants, and instead being realistic with needs. I've gone from initially reading that rehab would be 4-6 months, to being told by the surgeon that he should expect 8-12 months rehab, and along the way being told by his future college pitching coach that 12-16 months might be realistic.

My son had his labrum repaired 4/10. He's on a throwing protocol about 3 times/week. Started with 2 sets of 25 throws at 30 ft and is working his way up. He's been throwing at 90 ft for the past week with no pain (3 sets last time out). The PT said he could think about pitching when he's able to throw 50 times at 180 feet with no pain. The surgeon is onboard with the protocol, so I'm trusting these guys to know what they're doing.

A bigger problem is that he's throwing with his old man. I'm probably going to max out at 120 feet.

I spoke with son's PT about 10 days ago and he gave the green light for son to try fall baseball. He will be limited to batting and infield work but assuming proper progress between now and fall he feels it will be a nice transition for him. He is optimistic that he can start pitching late October or early November. Of course, this is all dependent on his progressing at the same level he has to this point. He will likely start tossing the ball on July 16. He only had pain prior to the surgery when pitching so I think he will be very confident until he gets back to full pitching. I am not sure how he will feel mentally when he gets there.

When you or your kid, were first giving permission to start "tossing" the ball; how long did it take to work through the intial pain?

Bizazz:

Once you feel you have "maxed out" on the distance get your son to throw to you out of a bucket of balls. You just catch...
I am another old guy with no arm anymore.