I Want to Be Healthy

It grows more and more difficult to stay fit. I swim everyday but it irritates my shoulder. I have already had a surgery to repair 1 torn rotator cuff... I do not want to go through that again! Ick! But... I do not want to stop swimming because it is such good exercise. :(

How do you like to exercise?

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samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

I had the same trouble. Start using a brush to scrub your back! Washing your back irritates the rotator cuff. Better yet, shower with someone who washes your back!

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samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

@NewBecky One of my good friends is an orthopedic surgeon. the 2 times I had my shoulder problem, his comment is that he operates on middle aged jocks who can't stand waiting for the healing process, but wouldn't undergo the surgery himself if he tore his cuff. That sort of told me something. My wife went through PT and avoided surgery. I just try to protect the shoulder now, that is why I always use the brush now. When I travel, I just try to be very careful.

NewBecky · 51-55, F

Swimming is difficult because it is reaching above the head repetitively.... I want to be careful, as you are... but I do not want to stop exercising!

samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

@NewBecky That is why I changed from swimming to running. Unfortunately, running outside is difficult, both weather wise and my knees started to get stiff. I started to run on the local golf course, but was stopped by a ranger, he wasn't happy, although no one was playing at the time.

I have exercise equipment in my basement. If I get hot, I can strip down, have even exercised nude at times. There is always the risk that someone may walk by and look into the window and spot me, but i don't think that I can get into any real legal trouble. We have a "walk out basement" which looks out into a common area, but there is a big tree and a berm which gives me some privacy.

Fun4All · 61-69, M

Maybe you don't have to swim. There are water-robics. I have done tis a couple of times. While you are doing them it does not feel like much. But after you get done, you are fairly well worked out.

jackson55 · M

You too? I'm at the end of rotator cuff repair. I ride a bicycle a lot for exercise.

NewBecky · 51-55, F

@jackson55 Do not stop your therapy until it feels 100%. It might yet feel weak but that is fine. But it is important to keep up with the exercises even after they have discontinued your therapy sessions so that you will not have a frozen shoulder! Frozen shoulder will send you back to therapy and it is so sad to admit that you did not keep up with it. lol

jackson55 · M

[@ Yes I know and thanks. I exercise with weights and a rubberband everyday. It's been a real pain, it's about 90% now.

samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

@jackson55 I don't do as much exercise with my arms. One of my rotator injuries was under supervision of an OT, I was trying too hard to get batter fast! I have to admit, I am frightened to do too much with my arms, I do treadmill and elliptical, then core, and some light weights only.