Recovery from Rotator Surgery

 

Image from Creative Commons /
Wikimedia 

I am not lifting heavy items anymore because of my injured rotator cuff (right shoulder). 

I have done rehab and recovered about 85% of of the function of that shoulder. I don't need to be carrying huge boxes of books for the library anymore. I can break down loads to smaller bags.  I really do not have the time to do a year-long recovery when I have achieved a lot of function through rehab. 

People keep encouraging me to have surgery, but I am resisting for three reasons:

Note: This post is not offering medical advice. Its aim is to share my individual experience. It might raise some awareness of health issues for others. However, if you have any questions about your health (including but not limited to the shoulder / rotator cuff), please see a licensed medical professional.

Walking Lowers Risk of All-Cause Mortality

 

It's a mile walk each way to the new
LDS temple in Ephraim

Since experiencing problems with my rotator cuff (right shoulder), I have dialed back on exercises that focus a lot on the shoulder. I am cleared to do so, but I am being cautious. For the time being, I have stopped doing strength training (aka weightlifting), yoga, and swimming. Instead, I have started walking, which does not make that many demands on my shoulders. 

In 2013, I posted about walking rate as a biomarker of longevity. I decided that it's a topic worth revisiting with a slightly different focus. 

Note: This post is not offering medical advise; it is only to raise awareness. If you are planning to start a fitness regime, please discuss your plans with a licensed medical professional. 

To help motivate me, I downloaded an app that uses the fitness tracker on my cell phone, one that includes medals as a reward for completing a walking goal. I am striving to walk somewhere between 5,000 steps and 10,000 steps a day.  If I walk to the public library where I work part time, that helps me to achieve my daily goal.