11/16/2009 9:07:06 PM - Sam Phillipy
Justin, Congradulation! Greenfield boy makes good. I have a question concerning rehab for a female sofball pitcher who is recovering from surgery for a torn labrium (6 wks post surgery, has been released by surgeron). Labrium was reatached with at 5 & 8 o'clock position. She just completed physical therapy at OthoIndy. What can we do to strengthen her shoulder? What shouldn't we do ? Thank you, Sam Good Luck with your new challenge as a member of Team Elitefts.
SAM! thank you for everything you have done for me over the years and getting me into this game. would not be here without you. On to your question... From the athlete you described and the reattachment sites, this sounds like a SLAP (Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior) shoulder tear. Very common in repetitive overhead sports, landing on arm while in flexion, repetitive heavy lifts done incorrectly, etc. With her just finishing up the acute therapy and being released, lets start with what NOT to do. She will almost certainly still a bit tender in certain positions, and for sure will be limited in range if motion in arm flexion, and probably for a while so be patient. she will also have limited motion in horizontal abduction and external rotation. do not be alarmed or frustrated by this as this is normal, and being only 6-8 weeks out, this is to be expected. Thus, stay away from back squatting for awhile, as just holding that bar position will be difficult and do more damage than good. Front squatting, DB squatting, single leg squatting, RDL's, deadlifts, glute hams, things of that nature all should be good to go, just scale the intesity back and progress as she improves. Also shy away from presses that are past 90 degress of elbow flexion. DB incline bench, DB floor presses, multiple push up variations are all good push movements until she gets motion and strength back. In terms of strengthening the shoulder, have her continue with her exercises from therapy, add lots of upper body pulling movements, mostly row/retraction and horizontal pulls until she regains nearly all of her shoulder flexion back. during all those movements, make sure the shoulder girdle is 'packed', retracted and depressed. and of course stay with various upper body stretching and thoracic spine mobility exercises to help facilitate her recovery. combine this little bit of information I gave along with your decades of experience and you will have her back on the mound and better than ever in no time. I hope you find this reply useful and please write back or call me and we can continue this dialogue. great hearing from you.

Bringing the heat, Justin Cecil
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