Lack of ROM to Lock Out - RC Rehab

[Dbennettsr]

Had rotator cuff surgery in December to repair a 2cm atypical supraspinatus tear. I have 100% passive ROM and 90% active ROM. After reading all the posts on rehab I feel I have been "babied" in rehab. I have gone against most of PT advice in regards to lifting. I am squatting, dead lifting, rowing and benching with dumbbells. I neglected pressing out of fear. I tried to press yesterday with light dumbbells. I couldn't achieve lockout do to ROM. Should I just keeping pressing and working towards lockout? The PT advised against due to lack of complete ROM. After reading your posts I think I should press.

David

[Mark Rippetoe]

I think you should press and chin.

[Dbennettsr]

I will.

A little embarrassed as I can only press an 8lb dumbbell with my rehabbing shoulder. I missed the boat on this one. My pressing strength is gone. I'm squatting 225, deadlifting 235 and rowing with 135. I can only bench 35 dumbbells.

Just ordered four of books and DVD. Looking forward to reading them putting them into practice.

David

[Mark Rippetoe]

Why would you assume that dumbbells would be the preferred way to do either pressing movement? Use the SEARCH FUNCTION again.

[Dbennettsr]

I was told by my PT that using dumbbells was safer because it wouldn't lock the shoulder joint into a fixed position. I'll search the forum.

I can't press an Olympic bar yet. I'll have to find a lighter bar until my strength improves. I was using a broomstick to work on ROM. I can use the bar on the bench.

David

[Mark Rippetoe]

If you read my posts about this, you know that I used the rings as a support for the bar. I advise that you do the same, although I did mine 2 weeks post-op whereas you have waited patiently for 8 months for the PT to tell you what to do. I, in contrast, pressed 192 x 1 x 7 last week. Learn from this.

[hatmanii]

After three surgeries to my right shoulder and a separation to my left I've come to the conclusion that most orthos and PTs don't know shit.

If I ever have to rehab another musculoskeletal injury/surgery I will not be following their advice, I assure you.

-Hat