Post Bankart repair and ROM help

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hi everyone,

Im currently 11 weeks post op from a bankart repair in my right shoulder. This is the 2nd repair in 2.5 years, the first being a SLAP repair, and I'm having a tough time regaining my ROM externally this time. What are some guidelines and when should I start to worry about permanent loss?

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi, I share your frustration. I am a year post bankart with virtually no external rotation. From my experience after three surgeries, watch the progress of your other ROM directions... progress should be roughly the same in all directions. If u are 20 percent in one way, it should be near that in another. After 3 months I personally believe any problems are surfacing. Keep asking for testing and advice from your doctor. Loss of external rotation is painful and dysfunctional. What does it feel like when you try to push the pole out to the side?
    • Posted

      Thank you for the reply. I'm pretty close to having all my ROM back internally and pretty close overhead as well. When I do my external exercises, like the pole out to the side, I feel a wrenching pain almost from the start. I'm about halfway externally from where I need to be and not sure if I need to do more exercises throughout the day or just try something different. My PT seems to still think we will get there but im not feeling as confident.

    • Posted

      Hi, if you have 50 percent external that is great! I am stuck at neutral. You could try adding resistance training on external, ask your physio. You push against them in both directions but u may need to wait to 12 weeks. Where is the pain you feel? My pain is so bad that I feel it as soon as I put my arms in the neutral position and contract the muscles. My arm won't pivot outwards on the elbow like the other side. It just kind of tries to drag outwards along the floor an inch but isn't actually rotate. The pain is excruciating. I prob have some kind of blockage. Does yours actually pivot? Do u know the measurement in degrees?

  • Posted

    Hi Cb, I'm not really sure what exactly the bankart repair is. (I could look it up I suppose). smile however, 11 weeks doesn't sound too bad. I am almost 1 year out from a rotator cuff repair. It took a long time to regain full ROM, and when I go swimming I still have pain. I'm just happy I can raise my arm over my head. Stretches and exercising are huge. Plus, I'm 58. That doesn't help matters any. Lol So, be patient, don't overdue it, but be faithful with therapy and you will get there. (Remember, shoulders take a long time to heal). God bless you!

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