shoulder recovery & stationary pedaling

[Miranda]

OK, since my crash, work has been struggling to cover my Spinning classes I teach at the gym. I think I am going to loose my job if I don't go back really soon.

My legs are actually fine to pedal. The ortho doc said it appears my acl joint (shoulder bone to collar bone) has separated. It hurts constantly (even w/otc pain meds). He doesn't sling them due to wanting people to stay mobile, and not freeze the shoulder. Next week I see him for my MRI results to determine if it will heal with surgery, or without. Plus, PT eval later this week. He did say I could spin my legs stationary.

I basically hold my arm next to my side like it IS in a sling more of the time to relieve the pressure. But, it's getting enough movement that it's not going to freeze. It just hurts progressively worse with activity throughout the day (necessities of taking care of kids, driving to school, appts, etc.).

Frankly, I do not see myself being able to perform all the moves on the spin bike to teach my class. I could cue it and not do it as an option. But...

My arm needs support!

I know this is a common injury for a lot of pro cyclists. Surely their coaches have their arms slung up somehow when they are riding in their trainers?

I tried to google Lance's crash to find some pic of him with the arm slung up on the bici trainer. No luck.

Getting desperate here... I am going to make my own if I have to. I need pics / links of how these pros are gerri rigged up.

I plan to ask my PT Friday if they can make me a sling. At least just to wear for spin class. Not sure if they will do it since the doc doesn't like it.

I'm frustrated (besides hurt)... and don't want to lose my job. Any brainstorming appreciated.

Thx
Miranda

[maillotpois]

I tried a couple of different slings during my broken shoulder/trainer workout phase. Most slings are too big/cumbersome and you don't want to sweat in them.

Ultimately the best thing was just something simple around the waist that the arm could be tied to to restrain it. As I got stronger, I would allow my hand to be free and only restrain the elbow to the side so I would use my hand to balance for standing.

something like these:

http://www.braceshop.com/productcart...zer-51p585.htm

http://supports4less.com/birdcronin/...mmobilizer.htm

http://supports4less.com/procare/del...mmobilizer.htm

The key is having the elbow fixed at your side nice and tight. I can't imagine wearing something like that for an hour or 2 a day will make that much difference to your doc.

[Miranda]

I tried a couple of different slings during my broken shoulder/trainer workout phase. Most slings are too big/cumbersome and you don't want to sweat in them.

Ultimately the best thing was just something simple around the waist that the arm could be tied to to restrain it. As I got stronger, I would allow my hand to be free and only restrain the elbow to the side so I would use my hand to balance for standing.

something like these:

http://www.braceshop.com/productcart...zer-51p585.htm

http://supports4less.com/birdcronin/...mmobilizer.htm

http://supports4less.com/procare/del...mmobilizer.htm

The key is having the elbow fixed at your side nice and tight. I can't imagine wearing something like that for an hour or 2 a day will make that much difference to your doc.

Thank you for those links. They look like they would do the trick to help get me through. I just need something to at least get me by for work. Think I will print those links out and ask the PT since I will see them before the doc (he's busy and in surgery most of the time).

[lph]

Not my shoulder but a dislocated elbow, which is easier to stabilize I should think. But then I got straight on the stationary bike with my arm in a plaster cast for the first week, pedalling sitting up. When I got a removable cast I varied between the cast and a sling (sitting upright), and eventually leaning forward and supporting my wrist on the bars, sometimes with the cast.

I figured I should try to exercise everything *not* injured as much as possible. My arm would swell a bit and throb sometimes, but in total I'm sure it did me good.

[roadie gal]

If your doc doesn't want you immobilized, then a clavicle strap is a good way to go. It supports your AC joint without freezing up your arm. A few years ago, when I got an AC separation (fell off the mountain bike), wearing the clavicle strap made it so I could go back to work.

Here's a picture of one: http://www.kneeshop.com/proddetail.a...20500X&cat=413

[Miranda]

Not my shoulder but a dislocated elbow, which is easier to stabilize I should think. But then I got straight on the stationary bike with my arm in a plaster cast for the first week, pedalling sitting up. When I got a removable cast I varied between the cast and a sling (sitting upright), and eventually leaning forward and supporting my wrist on the bars, sometimes with the cast.

I figured I should try to exercise everything *not* injured as much as possible. My arm would swell a bit and throb sometimes, but in total I'm sure it did me good.

If your doc doesn't want you immobilized, then a clavicle strap is a good way to go. It supports your AC joint without freezing up your arm. A few years ago, when I got an AC separation (fell off the mountain bike), wearing the clavicle strap made it so I could go back to work.

Here's a picture of one: http://www.kneeshop.com/proddetail.a...20500X&cat=413

Thanks for the ideas. I wish I could just stop and rest for a while. But unfortunately the rest of the world does not just stop.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Can you put any weight on the arm at all?
Is there a way to adjust the spin bike so you can rest on the handlebars?
Is the main problem when you have to do standing?

I broke my ball joint of my shoulder last year so have some idea about muscle issues as I also tore the muscles off the joint as well.

I managed to get on my windtrainer with a sling but felt very unbalanced. When I was out of the sling I rested my hand without too much weight on the handlebars. I also adjusted my bike to have a high angle stem to raise the handlebars.

I find my arm is most sore and tired when I have to lean on the arm so I often hang it downwards on the bike to give it a rest. I also found I couldn't do standing cycling and can only do little 2 second hits even now.

In spin class can you explain that you are not doing standing but when you call stand that the class should do so?

Also becareful about how much time you spend with your elbow bent. I have spent many months getting my elbow striaght again due to issues of having my arm in a sling for 6 weeks.

[aicabsolut]

My AC joint is ok, but I was getting a lot of impingement of tendons around there due to rotator cuff problems (which started as a generic diagnosis of frozen shoulder). I don't know if this will be enough for you, but taping the supraspinatus muscle with Kinesio tape is the only way I've been able to ride my bike--holding my arm in that position, putting weight on it to stand out of the saddle.

It was always a lot easier to ride a spin bike when it was the most painful, though I did have to sit up more often. Not sure if that's a strong enough fix for you, but it might help.

[Miranda]

Can you put any weight on the arm at all?
Is there a way to adjust the spin bike so you can rest on the handlebars?
Is the main problem when you have to do standing?

I broke my ball joint of my shoulder last year so have some idea about muscle issues as I also tore the muscles off the joint as well.

I managed to get on my windtrainer with a sling but felt very unbalanced. When I was out of the sling I rested my hand without too much weight on the handlebars. I also adjusted my bike to have a high angle stem to raise the handlebars.

I find my arm is most sore and tired when I have to lean on the arm so I often hang it downwards on the bike to give it a rest. I also found I couldn't do standing cycling and can only do little 2 second hits even now.

In spin class can you explain that you are not doing standing but when you call stand that the class should do so?

Also becareful about how much time you spend with your elbow bent. I have spent many months getting my elbow striaght again due to issues of having my arm in a sling for 6 weeks.

Thx for those thoughts. I'm sure the ortho doc has seen many patients like your elbow in his time of practicing that he likes to keep the mobility. I saw one of my other docs recently that does not specialize in this area, but personally had the same injury. He wore the sling for relief. But, made a point to remove it consistently throughout the day and put the limb through the full range of motion. Plus whatever else for rehab he had. And I also wondered the same thing about my balance on the bike. It's hard to recover when it's work. Surely there is some way to manage.

My AC joint is ok, but I was getting a lot of impingement of tendons around there due to rotator cuff problems (which started as a generic diagnosis of frozen shoulder). I don't know if this will be enough for you, but taping the supraspinatus muscle with Kinesio tape is the only way I've been able to ride my bike--holding my arm in that position, putting weight on it to stand out of the saddle.

It was always a lot easier to ride a spin bike when it was the most painful, though I did have to sit up more often. Not sure if that's a strong enough fix for you, but it might help.

Thinking back (at a different PT practice and area on my body) I had Kinesio taping done before. It does lend support. For my broken foot bone this summer I kept it taped w/just athletic support tape from the drug store. It was just enough for me to be able to ride. Another idea I will bring up with the PT. Thx.

[Miranda]

Tried to ride inside w/just the arm held tight to my side. That did not go well. Other things in my body started to hurt that did not before. I assume they are complimentary muscles to the ones involved. See if the PT has any advice.