The first two sessions of physical therapy following the healing of my shoulder fracture consisted of a variety of stretches, but the next two sessions also featured some strength training. What a welcome activity! The muscles in my left arm and back had atrophied while the shoulder was immobilized and had hardly any power of movement. Because I wasn’t allowed to lift weights yet, I had no idea how to build up these weak muscles. Here’s what the physical therapist, Jeremy Zell, had me do: Using rubber tubing, I kept my elbow at my side and rotated my arm outward away from my body, 3 sets of 10 repetitions. Next, using the rubber tubing, I kept my elbow at my side while rotating my arm inward across my body, again 3 sets of 10 repetitions. It felt so good to use these muscles again!
During the extreme stretch segment of therapy, Jeremy stretched and massaged muscles that had been spasming, so that the shoulder would continue to stretch farther and farther. He said he was pleased with my progress. I’m pleased, too! After the first four sessions (out of 12), I can already cut meat at dinner, wash dishes, and even put my earrings on all by myself! These sound like simple tasks, but not after you’ve fractured your shoulder in four places. It won’t be long before I can drive again…and go boogie boarding!
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Tags: broken bone, osteoporosis, physical therapy, Shoulder Fracture
[...] 8-7-08 – Physical Therapy for Shoulder Range of Motion: Sessions 3 and 4 [...]
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WEBSITE!
Congratulations on your full recovery!
I broke my shoulder in 3 places 23 days ago. I happened onto your website about three days after the accident and it has been so beneficial to me. You give me hope for a full recovery and help me overcome the negative people who are all full of doom and gloom and tell me that I will never be the same.
Thank you so much for taking time to chronicle your recovery path–you’ve given everyone who is going through the anguish of a broken shoulder much to look forward to.
May you enjoy continued excellent health!
Barbara J
Thank you, Barbara, for your encouraging comments! What joy you’ve added to my day! Though I’m sorry to hear of your fracture, I’m glad that you are making progress and feel a sense of real hope. You know, I did so much stretching to ensure that I would regain full mobility of my broken shoulder that it is now more limber than the shoulder I didn’t break! I will keep you in my prayers for a full recovery, too.
God bless you,
Kathy
I fell in my old apt bathtub 3 1/2weeks ago on January 16th before I got got to move down to main floor into another big apt due to mobility issues ive had it with dealing with my shoulder being out
if it wasnt for the Chiropractor Dr.GaryPotter I would be in more trouble with my left shoulder I sleep with the Imbolizer on Our weather is -33below outside up here In International Falls,Mn We’re 6blocks from the Canandian Border
Isn’t chiropractic WONDERFUL? I, too, had chiropractic adjustments while I was recovering from my shoulder fracture, and they made a tremendous difference in my comfort level.
33 degrees below zero! I live in Florida, and the high is going to be 60 today–which I thought of as rather cold until I read your comment. I love the hot, humid 90′s!
God bless you and keep you, Linda, as you recover your strength and mobility.
Kathy
Kathy,
Kathy,
where do you buy your calcium? I have not heard of the brand. I Enjoyed your blog, I too have a broken humerous bone.
MJ
Hi, Mary Jane. At the time I broke my arm, I was taking a liquid calcium-magnesium supplement that I bought from Whole Family Health Care in Winter Park. Now I take Garden of Life’s Grow Bone System, which is available online from amazon.com and others, as well as from my local health food store. I will keep you in prayer for a speedy recovery from your fracture.
God bless you,
Kathy
Kathy,
thanks for the info ,and your prayers
Mary Jane
I thank you for your thoughts. I broke my shoulder in Jan. a plate and 9 screws.
I can do just about everything like do my hair agAin, eat , cut and so on. It is amazing how much you appreciate the little things you get back slowly.
Did you have a hard time raising your arm?bit has been 2 1/2 months and icannot raise my arm up too far. Any suggestions to release the shoulder muscles. I do my pulley every day. My doctor says I need to go hang gliding.
Thank you
Wendy
Hi, Wendy. I’m glad you’re recovering well. Yes, raising my arms was difficult for a long time. As the months went by and I kept working at it, my range of motion improved. Eventually, I joined Planet Fitness, just to be able to hang from the bars and stretch my shoulder to the max! By a year, I pretty much had full mobility, and I bet you will, too!
God bless you,
Kathy