Shoulder update

As it's been just over six weeks since the anthroscopic stabilisation of my right shoulder following recurrent dislocations, I thought I would write a short post on how it has been so far. The main reason being that people stumble across these little posts of mine for the strangest reasons, so I should write about something potentially useful for a change.

It took a week or so for the swelling around my chest and shoulder to go down post-op and I've never had any pain really. Occasionally there would be some ache on waking in the morning, but that quickly went away. Luckily I was able to go back to work after a week (not allowed in the plant) - I would have been very bored at home for six weeks, the evenings reading and watching TV started to drag on as it was.

After a few weeks I started to get more movement with my humerus by my side and my forearm out in front of my body - that was during the short periods when I wasn't wearing the very comfortable polysling. Over the last week of six in the sling I have often had my forearm out to type, while still keeping my elbow attached to the sling at my side.

The sling came off early this week and I'm now able to drive again, which is nice. There's still no pain and movement of my arm is good within its range. My upper arm will only lift to about 75 - 90 degrees out from my torso, which isn't a problem for normal life. Although it does mean I have a good reason for not climbing ladders to the top of tanks or driers at work. I'm sure the physio sessions that start in about ten minutes will work on that and the strength of the joint.

Yesterday I was fitted with a new elasticated harness that is supposed to hold the joint up, as it were. It fits under my shirt and while rather tight around the body, it allows plenty of movement. I hope this isn't too hot come summer time.

*So I have some simple exercises from the physio now to get a bit more movement going on and improve my arm's strength. That last part may not be necessary as I negated to tell the physio that I had no measurable upper body strength pre-op anyway. Unfortunately I can't get out running just yet - jeans are getting tighter. But I can move my physio sessions out of London closer to home.

Now I think I will go to Rome.