Day 43 post-surgery
Today marks exactly six weeks since my shoulder surgery. And, based on the original estimate, I can stop wearing my sling today. In point of fact, I haven’t worn the sling for nearly a week. It feels great. If someone didn’t know I had an injury, they probably wouldn’t notice it observing me go about daily life.
I see the doctor again on Thursday, and it will be interesting to hear what we tells me to do. The original estimate was 6 weeks in a sling, the following 6 weeks regaining range of motion, and then 3 additional months of strengthening exercises before resuming contact sports.
Obviously, I’m pushing that particular envelope. I did a few pushups from my knees yesterday. I can throw some punches, though not with full force. Two days ago I hit Kali sticks with my left hand. And today I shoveled the walkway and used a rolling snow pushing contraption to clear the driveway.
Range of motion is also good. There is a little tightness around the incision, but I can reach my arm straight up and then backwards. External rotation is good. I can grab my hands together behind my back. In fact, for someone who has dislocated his shoulder a number of times, it is probably too flexible for the amount of strength in my shoulder.
So, I’m hoping that the doctor will tell me that everything is healing ahead of schedule, and will clear me for some light/medium strengthening exercises. We’ll see.