Shoulder revision stabilisation (Latarjet procedure)- post op therapy

[craigy87]

I have recently had a shoulder operation to correct reccuring subluxation of my shoulder. The surgeon explored my left shoulder through a deltopectoral approach and carried out a Latarjet procedure by transferring the coracoid process to the anteroinferior glenoid margin and repairing the capsular labral tissues to the stump of the coracoid acromial ligament.
To simplify I had a bone graph. It has been 6 weeks since the op and I am instructed to Work on further ROM, scapular control and rotator cuff strength and endurance.

How can I use my powerball to help me with this? I am told I have very loose joints, I am 20 and I enjoy playing rugby- how can I further strengthen both my shoulders so that I don't dislocate them in the future?


Thanks in advance.

[arrankenny]

Hi,

I can't help you with this but physioblue should be able to help you. Send him a private message.

Hope this helps,

Arran Kenny

[Installed]

But then again he could just reply right here, so then he could baffle us all with his in-depth lecture. :p

[arrankenny]

lol
Yeah, that would work too :p

[Physioblue]

But then again he could just reply right here, so then he could baffle us all with his in-depth lecture. :p
Happy to oblige!:D

The procedure you describe Craigy87 is quite a traumatic operation. Moving the Coracoid around to generate anterior stability sounds painful. But I am not a surgeon and based on how complex that op sounded I am glad. My head hurts with the stuff I am supposed to know, let alone moving stuff about like that.
Ghastly.

Anyway, the powerball is not the greatest rotator cuff strengthening tool, but it can be a great endurance tool. It could also help a bit with scapular stability.

What you need is a Physio who can teach you the basics to regain ROM, and rotator cuff strength. Its also worth getting them to teach you some scapular stability stuff.

However, you can use a powerball as long as you have some satisfactory ROM. I assume you can lift your arm forwards and sideways to at least 90 degrees?
I guess if the surgeon says you can work on strength and ROM then its game on!
Use the powerball for a minute or two with your arm out in front of you (about 45 degrees) and your elbow straight. This will target the biceps muscle which helps anterior stability. It will also target a muscle called coracobrachialis which (as it name implies) connects to the coracoid process and will therefore be feeling pretty sick right now.
Repeat the powerballing with your arm out to the side (45 degrees again). This works Supraspinatus.
The other muscles in the rotator cuff are harder to hit, but these two exercises will have them working a bit.
Add in another 2 mins or so with your arm in its normal comfortable position but with your shoulders pulled back and down. This should then improve some scapular stability.

If you are already a powerballer then this should be straightforward. IF you have yet to pick up a powerball, then you may want to work up to 2 mins, starting on 30 seconds or so. Once you have the hang of it of course.

And don't be tempted to try powerballing with your arm behind you. It will stretch the repair. Leave that for another 6 weeks or so.

Good luck
and let us know how you get on:)