Labram Surgery
Any one who has visited my site in the past knows that a few years back I injured my shoulder playing Flag Football with some friends. Initially, it was diagnosed as a sprain, or strain, and I received physical therapy and standard cortisone shots. For the last few years I've trained on the shoulder, hoping it would just get better, but it never has.
On Sept 15th, 2005, I had arthroscopic surgery on my left shoulder to repair what turned out to be my torn and damaged labram and to tighten my shoulder capsule. The procedure was done by Dr. Brian N. Victoroff M.D., Associate Professor of Orthopaedics at The University Hospital of Cleveland. http://universityorthopaedicsonline.com/Victoroffbrianbio_n.htm
Here are some photos of the procedure, before, during, and after repair (They should open in a separate browser screen.)
The procedure went smoothly, thanks to Dr Victoroff, and I'm now on the mend, rehabbing locally at The Riverside Sports, Spine, and Fitness Center. I'll be in a sling for 6 weeks, and away from the gym until February 2006.
Updates
Early November - Physical Therapy is going well and my strength is greatly improving in the shoulder again. I'm a long way off from perfect, but Dr Victoroff and My therapists are happy with my range of motion and relative lack of pain.
11.21.05 - We may have run into a problem. Immediately following therapy, my arm froze up and hurt worse than it had at any time following the surgery. Personally, I am concerned that we may have damaged the shoulder again"
11.25.05 - By Phone, Dr Victoroff assures me that he doesn't believe that anything done during therapy would have retorn anything, and that I should rest the shoulder for the weekend.
11.28.05 - I returned to Therapy today and while I'm not as pain free as I was 2 weeks ago, I'm much improved over my condition from last week. I'll keep everyone up to date on my progress.
03.11.06 - Officially, I have been training for a month or so now, and am slowly beginning to get some of my old strength back. The shoulder still doesn't feel "right", so I don't push it hard at all and really go for more of a "pumper" workout, lighter weights and more reps. My bodyweight is about 177lbs and redistributing again nicely. I'm back to training with my old training partner Chuck Spencer, and a new training partner on alternating days, William Haught.
I have my eyes on a few shows in the fall of 2006. If all goes well with my rehab and training, I should be more than ready to give any competition all they can handle!
Also I will be judging a show on March 25th, 2006 in Heath Ohio, the ONBF Classic. I do truly enjoy judging, and am excited to remain a part of this sport even when I'm not at 100 percent.