223 days post-surgery, 47 days post-MUA…
Who says old dogs can’t learn new tricks? I’ve learned a ton of new tricks in the past 7 months! It turns out that pain is great motivator. I don’t suggest trying that with your dog though…
I’ve learned my new tricks so well that I’m having a hard time remembering how I did things for the 40+ years when my shoulder was healthy. It’s funny how deeply ingrained habits can become in only a few weeks or months.
Here are a few of my new tricks:
Talking
Every physical therapy session starts out with a few minutes of talking. How are you feeling? Anything new/different? Better/worse? You get the idea. A few months ago, my therapist commented that when I talk, I only gesture with my right (good) hand. I totally didn’t realize this. I didn’t realize that I gestured at all when I talked, but apparently I do, and I have learned not to do it with my bad arm. I’m trying to make an effort to balance this out, but it’s hard to work at something you didn’t realize you were doing in the first place.
Pockets
Immediately after my accident, I had to re-think my whole pocket strategy (as in: what things go in which pockets). Years ago I moved away from putting anything in my back pockets, so everything is either in my front left or right pocket. My front left pocket became very problematic for obvious reasons. So it forced me to cut down dramatically what I carry in my pockets, and to get very strict about putting things that I access often in my right pocket (phone and wallet), and putting things that I need to have on me, but access infrequently (keys, cash) in my left pocket. I’m lucky in that I don’t need to take my keys out of my pocket to start or unlock my car.
This habit feels pretty positive, so I’m not planning on changing it.
Backpacks
Following the accident, I didn’t use backpacks much. When I did, it was with great difficulty. I kept my left (bad) arm straight, pulled the backpack up over the arm, and then reached the right arm back to complete the operation. I’m still doing this months later, even though I can move my left shoulder much better.
I’ve actually forgotten how normal people put on backpacks. I’m trying to figure it out so I can break this new habit, but it’s very tough. I’m not limited by range of motion any more, just by muscle memory.
Dressing
This is similar to the backpack category. Putting on or taking off a long-sleeved shirt, sweater, or sweatshirt is still very unnatural to me. Short-sleeved shirts or tank tops are easier, but I still do it differently. Again, the left arm stays straight at my side while I pull my shirt up and over. Reverse the procedure to take it off.
I’m trying to re-train myself to do this more normally but it’s very tough.
Bathing
For months, bathing was a one-armed operation. Even when I started to incorporate the left arm, I couldn’t raise it high enough to wash my hair or reach the right side of my body. This has gotten much better, but it’s still a challenge. If I don’t make a very conscious effort to do otherwise, I’ll catch myself washing one-handed.
Reaching
It’s probably not too surprising that I reach for most things with my right hand, regardless of what or where it is. Even at drive-throughs I find myself reaching across my body with my right hand to pay. I try to make myself use my left arm more, but it’s very difficult because of how limited my strength and active range of motion are.
Driving
Ironically, I started driving with my left hand on the wheel all the time as a form of physical therapy. It helps develop strength, and is still a good stretch (although not as challenging as it used to be). But it has become a habit. I feel lazy if I let my arm rest on on the armrest.
Shoes
Normal people bend at the waist to tie their shoes. Not me. That would require too much reaching. I typically sit on a low step, or bend both my knees and waist to crouch down. Less shoulder work involved that way. I expect that this habit will take a long time to break.
Not Very Humerus 