Accept limitations or push through them?

Training Q&A [Moderated]
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Hello. I’m a former pitcher with some shoulder history: subacromial decompression in 2011, partial thickness rotator cuff tear, and early onset glenohumeral osteoarthritis. My doctor and surgeon have both suggested I stop lifting weights. Boo to them. I enjoy this, and want to safely and wisely continue what I can. I am currently lifting nearly pain free by focusing on deadlifting, benching with a block to limit shoulder ROM, and using a SSB to avoid the stress of highbar/low bar on my shoulder. If I don’t plan to compete and simply enjoy lifting heavy things, is there anything wrong with this approach? Based on my internet education, it seems to limit wear and tear on my shoulder joint while still enabling me to do what I love. On the other hand, I’ve received some conflicting opinions that my goal should be to improve my symptoms and eventually get back to regular bench and back squat; however, in my mind the risk of further damage to my shoulder outweighs the benefit of resuming the conventional lifts. Thanks

(For what it’s worth, I continue to do shoulder rehab/strengthening work, but my goal is to maximize the rest of my shoulder’s useful life.)

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Bench pressing and other activities cause structural adaptations to the shoulder joint (and other elements of the MSK system) that improve their ability to tolerate and perform the activity. This is why humans are different than cars and the wear and tear analogy does not apply.

While you can live a full and complete life without ever doing a full ROM bench press again, if you’re having pain symptoms with this and/or other activities I would address that. A consultation with our pain and rehab team may be useful given the “professional” advice you’ve received so far.

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