Advice: Shoulder problem affecting my Squat

[Ryan Rhodes]

Ever since my shoulder surgery, it's been impossible for me to back squat because I can't kick my left arm back enough to grab onto the bar. I'm getting wicked frustrated and going a little nuts. I can swing a front squat, but it's just not the same. I love back squats and couldn't live without them. I'd really appreciate any advice anyone has to offer.

[tackle78]

I've had the exact same problem. I tore my ANterior, Superior, and Posterior Labrum. My supraspinatus anterior and I had a low lying acromium.
ANyway when they did the repair they removed a substantial portion of my joint space reduceing my external rotation by roughly 30%. I am also in the same boat as you right now not being able to back squat.

They told me eventually through continual rehab I will be able to back squat and clean and jerk again. But until then it sucks not back squatting.

I purchased the squat belt from ironmind. It basically allows you to squat but with the bar between your legs. I find it works well. I also do fronts of course, and really heavy (for me) DB step-ups. I also do all the other leg lifts I can but in the mean time I'm hoping increasing the volume on the mentioned lifts will help replace the back squat.

That's my two cents but I'm hoping someone on here has some better advice then me.
What was your injury?

[Carl Johnson]

I had the same problem (labral tear surgery) I did a bunch of front squatting until i could back squat again.

[DaneGarreau]

I would get a cambered bar or a SSB.

Other than that I don't know what to tell you.

What kind of surgery did you have? What was wrong?

[Ryan Rhodes]

I had a Bankhart repair of my left shoulder. Apparently, I had completely tore most of the heads of my rotator cuff away from their corresponding locations (as well as other injuries) during a violent car accident I was involved in earlier this year. I've got 6 pins in my shoulder now. Fun stuff.

I've tried the cambered bar but that didn't work well. Locking out on overheads is really difficult as well. This is just eating me up.

[Grant Buhr]

Sounds like Dave Draper's Top Squat (http://www.davedraper.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=DDI&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TTS) might work for you.

http://davedraper.com/dave-under-top-squat-store.jpg

[Craig Smith]

Zercher squats.

-C

[tackle78]

Part of my repair was a bankart as well, and a slap. I also have six screws but mine was from football. Kinda interesting same type of thing from football and a car accident, but anyway on the over head presses thing, I supinate my palms when doing all my overhead pressing right now and its working great. In military pressing I've improved back to almost where I was before. My PT says once I feel comfortable to go ahead and pronate the palms.

Also can u clean? I am not able to right now.

[Alan Benninga]

I've had shoulder problems in the past, so I build a contraption that allowed me to keep my hands to my sides. I do have to start from the bottom to use it though. If you would want one, I would build it cheap but the shipping may cost. It also works good for training conan's wheel and some pressing. I'd post pics if you want, you can have it build locally.

[patrick w.]

Ever since my shoulder surgery, it's been impossible for me to back squat because I can't kick my left arm back enough to grab onto the bar. I'm getting wicked frustrated and going a little nuts. I can swing a front squat, but it's just not the same. I love back squats and couldn't live without them. I'd really appreciate any advice anyone has to offer.


I would defenitly get a safety squat bar from either elitefts.com or nybarbells.com.

Other then that keep on working that flexability. How many weeks post-op are you?

Any possibility of having the orthopedic surgeon take another look at it? Maybe he can go in real quick and clean it out a bit....break up scar tissue and shave down some bone to give you a little room to move and rotate.

[MarkSikora]

Ryan,

The only other thing (besides belt squats, ssb, step ups) that I can think of is maybe some trap bar deads. Similar position to back squats.....

By the way...looking very THICK dude. Nice.

good luck

Mark

(I won't even throw in a crack about your body getting as thick as your head!!! ooops, I just did.) :p

[Alan Benninga]

Here's what I made/use. The handles are at the bottom on the far side. You face the side where the picture was taken. It works well for training conans wheel. I put it over a bench for some max effort pressing

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4288361087&idx=5

[Ryan Rhodes]

Thanks Mark. I'm 300 right now. I'd like to drop some more bodyfat, but it's slow going trying to get big and drop BF at the same time, and now I've got these shoulder issues that screw with all my major movements. Power doesn't mean crap if you can't move, and lifting heavy is tough without training partners.

Patrick- I had the surgery almost 5 months ago.
It looks lke I'm just going to have to get innovative.


Hey Mark, I'm probably coming down for Christmas on Friday and leaving on Tuesday. Are you guys going to be training any time between then?

[MarkSikora]

Ryan,

I am not sure when/if we will be training around Christmas. I will check out Mick's schedule and let you know. I will be traveling from home, to the inlaws for Eve and then to my parents for Christmans so...it might be tough. I will keep you posted.

Have a great holdiay

see ya

Mark

[Nicolette L.]

Hey Ryan,
I am suppose to get surgery on both of my shoulders. I have been able to put it off for a year now. I have talked to alot of people who wish they never had the surgery. I am in constant pain...but I can handle it. I would rather deal with this then be restricted from a surgery that may not help. How do you feel about yours? Have you seen improvment? Would you do it again? Hit me up! Thanks

[Ryan Rhodes]

I had some issues with my shoulders before the accident , but after I really had no choice but to have the work done. If the possibility of rehabbing to correct the condition was not posssible (and it rarely is with the rotator cuff), I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'll tell you this though; my recovery and rehab has been long and intensive. I'd expect heavy painkillers putting totally out of commission for the first week, rehab 3-4x a week for the first few months after and between six months and a year for a full(ish) strength recovery from open surgery, and less for arthroscopic. If your shoulders are that bad, I'd get them fixed while your young. Your condition will undoubtedly get worse and more painful as you get older and you'll recover quicker and more completely while you're young. How much better you actually recover is up to you. You have to be agressive, committed and work hard; just the same as training for anything else.

[Nicolette L.]

I have spent alot of time recovering from previous surgery. I have been avoiding the shoulder surgery because the people i have talked to say it didn't help them. I guess that has alot to do with the surgeon. I do not really want to be down again. I am kinda finding my groove. I don't really want to start over. I hear you though. I am sure it would be better to do it now then to continue to put it off. I have to ice them and treat them real good after I workout. They cause me alot of pain. I use a T.E.N.S. unit on them every night. That seems to help them out. I hope your treat you good. Thanks for the advice.