Pressing 3 Months Post-Op from Shoulder Surgery (Two Fractures)

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
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Huge fan of Barbell Medicine. Applying to MD programs at the moment and excited to challenge my future colleagues and professors with material I’ve picked up watching/listening/reading BBM content. I’m 3 months post-op following surgery to fix a displaced glenoid fracture (two screws). I also had a non-displaced greater tuberosity fracture (no-surgery for that). Lesson learned: no more skiing.

I’ve been meticulous about my PT. I’m climbing back to my pre-injury numbers: deadlift (~85%), row (75%), shoulder press (50%, still a bit painful but tolerable). Still can not get into low-bar squat position without pain. Bench is also painful. My question is, in my case, how do I differentiate between muscle weakness (from shoulder atrophy), range of motion pain (Ortho said the greater tuberosity leads to long term stiffness), nerve pain (I experience radiating pain when I try to pushup), and just needing to toughen up? Are there long term consequences in terms of mobility if I push through the pain?

Thank you for your time, it’s greatly appreciated.

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Thanks for following our stuff! Good luck to you in pursuing your MD.

So, muscular weakness does not cause pain. You do have a rather obvious reason to have pain with ROM shoulder surgery, and range of motion limitation & functionality are kind of the whole purpose of post-operative physical therapy. I can’t tell you for sure whether you’re having “nerve pain” just based on the report of “radiating” pain, however. Pain is weird, and can often radiate, expand, or move in various situations. If you have concern for a nerve injury, I’d discuss that with your surgeon, as there are many nerves in/around the shoulder joint with the potential to be injured during surgery.

I’d continue deadlifting and pressing. There is nothing magical about low bar squatting, so feel free to high bar or SSB squat if those are more tolerable for you.