I saw my shoulder surgeon for the final time yesterday; final check following my surgery for torn rotator cuff, torn labrum, torn bicep tendon, and bone spurs. It is now exactly 18 weeks since my surgery. I’ve spent many weeks on the physical therapy table below, looking at a great photo of Arnold Palmer. He looks so calm and his grip is very solid. His glove hand is perfectly perpendicular to the shaft, which is interesting.
In today’s report there’s some good news and bad news. Seems like there’s never just good news in these reports. Someday.
Good News
I’ve made some progress in the last 2-3 weeks, following a cortisone shot. In physical therapy my range of motion is increasing quicker now than it was. That’s probably thanks to the shot and simply time to heal. The doc said I can cut down my physical therapy sessions from twice a week to once a week, and he suggested that I only need to go about 4-6 more times. He said I have good strength in my arm.
Bad News
Though I’m only prescribed another 4-6 weeks of PT, that doesn’t mean I’ll be “done” by then. Not even close. Because of my frozen shoulder condition, the doc said it would probably be another year and a half before I have full motion in my right arm. He doesn’t see me playing golf at all in 2019.
What Now?
What am I to do now? I’ve been playing multiple rounds of golf per week for decades (when there’s no snow). I’ve built up a popular, one-man golf blog based on mostly on-course testing and evaluation of golf gear. I could cover golf apparel, travel, and maybe a few accessories here and there without actually playing I suppose. I can’t swing a damn club so there go any club reviews, grip reviews, ball reviews and so on. Where’s the motivation going to come from?
I’m not mad and I’m not sad about the situation. I guess I’m just accepting it. The odd thing is that I haven’t missed playing golf. Not at all. Perhaps knowing I can’t play is why. Honestly, my frustration level and my bank account haven’t missed playing.
Prior to the 2018 season I had struggled with my game the previous two years. I fantasized about quitting. When 2018 hit I made some gear changes which re-sparked my game and enjoyment a bit so I stuck with it. But now it is looking like I won’t play until perhaps late 2020, and I’ve already gone seven months without playing. I’ll be starting over completely. Golf is hard enough as it is, to have to start over. And how much power will I have when I come back?
I don’t have the answers to any of these questions/issues at this point. I’m just taking it one tight-shoulder day at a time.
I’ve officially watched two movies in the last three years now: Avengers End Game and LOOPERS – The Caddie’s Long Walk. I liked LOOPERS – The Caddie’s Long Walk much better. LOOPERS is a documentary on golf caddies. Note the spelling: caddie. Not caddy. Thanks.
LOOPERS tells many different stories of caddies. That story is narrated by one of golf’s most famous caddies, Bill Murray (a.k.a Carl Spackler from Caddyshack). It starts by giving us the history of caddies and how caddies began. It takes us through Irish and Scottish caddies, American caddies, and finally ends by covering many angles of the caddies on the PGA Tour.
My favorite part of the film of course is the Scottish caddies, particularly the cameo by my dear friend John Boyne. John is a caddie on the Old Course in St. Andrews. John has taken me through the Old Course many times and has greatly enhanced the experience for me, and reduced my score!
The PGA Tour caddies’ stories are quite interesting, including the caddie stories of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, Jordan Spieth and more.
Another interesting section of the film tells the story of caddies at Augusta National Golf Club, the home of the Masters Tournament.
Final Thoughts
There is no better way to experience golf than walking the course with a good caddie. LOOPERS tells that story well.
LOOPERS will start showing in theaters tomorrow, June 7th, 2019.
For nearly 15 years the Hooked on Golf Blog image gallery has been serving up golf related photos. About a year ago though, some problems with the gallery started to happen. The software that ran the gallery had been abandoned by the company that wrote it, and as time went on and web technologies advanced, the gallery eventually croaked. At that point the gallery had over 20,000 photos in it.
I looked around for other gallery software to replace the old one with. Every time I found an option, I feared I’d get invested again and go through the same problems later. So I decided to write my own software. This past weekend, I put it up and it is now working! Below is a screen cap of the “Courses” category.
Unfortunately transferring the old gallery images to the new one has to be a manual process. It is tedious to say the least. I’ve got the “Courses” and “Apparel” galleries up now. Over the next days/weeks, I will be adding all the rest of the galleries like “Golf Travel,” “Golf Equipment” and so on.
More To Come
There’s a lot more work to do. There are some bugs and tweaks I’d like to do on the layout and such. But the core is there. Enjoy.
It has now been 15 weeks since I had surgery for a torn rotator cuff, torn labrum, torn bicep tendon, and bone spurs in the right shoulder. It has been a frustrating several weeks as I have developed what is known as “frozen shoulder.” This condition is where there is too much scar tissue and inflammation in the shoulder socket, causing it to literally lock up. I had not been able to move it beyond a certain amount for close to two months. I got a steroid injection about three weeks ago, and finally over the last week and a half I’m seeing some notable progress.
At rehab last week the therapist got my arm lifted (front) to about 160 degrees, a new record over 150 degrees. It had been at 150 for weeks. Last week she was able to get the arm to about 160 degrees in a more side motion, away from the body. That was a record as well. Today, with the therapist’s help, I got the first measurement to 170 degrees and the 2nd to 180. Major improvements.
I’ve also noticed that my pain level over the last week or so has subsided quite a bit. I’m going large portions of the day with no pain. I’m also sleeping in my own bed, and even sleeping on my left side with no pain or waking up due to pain in the night. Major win. I can lay on my bad shoulder side for awhile, but moving after that is painful and stiff.
I can finally see some decent progress, 20 degrees or so, in the last couple of weeks. Major breakthrough. I’m getting more exercises and stretches which I’m religiously doing at home daily.
Not Over Yet
I still have a long way to go. I can’t reach behind my back with my right arm, at all. Not even an inch or two. I can’t get anywhere near a throwing position, nor can I even reach across my body, say to dry my left shoulder off with a towel. It takes effort to shave right handed, or wash my hair right handed, but I can do it now.
Keeping Sane
Fortunately I’ve been able to keep my sanity, somewhat. I’ve taken up backcountry skiing and I’ve gone up into the wonderful mountains here in northern Utah for “skin” sessions. A few days ago I skinned up to over 10,000 feet. Great exercise, and a physical activity I can do, even with a limited right arm.
Golf?
Today I grabbed a golf club out of curiosity. I could take it back gingerly to about 1/3 of a full swing before I felt pain. Worse than that was the followthrough. Once my right hand crossed about the center of my body it was big time no-go zone. So I bet the farthest I could hit a golf ball at this point, with any club, would be maybe 20-30 yards. And I’d have one swing in me before I’d have to bail.
Father’s Day gift alert! Here’s a fantastic gadget not just for golfers, but for anyone. I’ve been gaming the KeySmart Pro for awhile now. KeySmart Pro is “the world’s smartest key holder.” Check it out:
KeySmart Pro Features
- Retractable key organizer
- Tile Smart Location – Find missing keys on map with smartphone via free Tile App
- Ring keys via smartphone to find them nearby
- Use keychain to ring and find missing smartphone
- Holds up to 10 keys
- Bottle opener
- LED flashlight
- Rechargeable via included USB cable
- Compact and easy to carry
I’ve really benefitted from my KeySmart Pro. To date I’ve quickly found my keys in the house by ringing the keychain. I haven’t lost my phone (yet), but I have tested out the phone ringer and know I can confidently find my smartphone with KeySmart Pro. I’ve even used the built-in LED flashlight.
Final Thoughts
KeySmart Pro, available for $49 at getkeysmart.com, is a fantastic gift idea for Father’s Day, Christmas, or any gift giving occasion, and not just for men.
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