PM and Swimming Techniques

I checked the older posts but didn't find anything specific about: Does having a PM prohibits improving on techniques, such as stretching far ahead with arm while doing free, fly, or back? 　I was working on that before having PM fitted more than a week ago.

Has anyone been really reaching far out ahead with the PM side arm in swimming after having PM?

5 Comments

Swimming

by Smart Redd - 2009-08-30 06:08:45

I do remember someone posting that - after a discussion with their surgeon about their competition in swimming - the surgeon left an extra loop in the lead for just such arm extension.

Other than that, I don't have anything related to swimming other than the fact that many 'bionic' folks still do enjoy their morning swim.

Certainly, there was a good waiting period after implant before swim training could be taken up again. Time for the leads to become fully imbedded.

As always, it's best to ask your cardio-doctor about your exercise plans.

Red

6 weeks

by Tracey_E - 2009-08-31 06:08:34

Run it by your doctor, but by six weeks you should be able to get back to what you were doing before. Did the surgeon know you're a swimmer so they could leave a little extra room in the leads? Some surgeons do it anyway, a few do not and restrict some stretching indefinitely.

yes to 6 weeks

by lamoureternelle - 2009-09-01 08:09:01

thanks for all the responses. i did run by my doctor today and yes but only after 6 weeks. he showed me through x-ray i brought to him that he had left enough slack which is good for the kind of exercise.

2 months in fact

by lamoureternelle - 2009-09-01 08:09:33

now i remember that he said before he released me from the hospital and it'd be safe to wait for 2 months. his 6 weeks rules for me are not to lift anything greater than 5 lb and lift elbow above shoulder till that time.

well that's not too bad to deal with.

no problem 2 years post implant

by gevans - 2009-09-01 12:09:28

I still use a full extention with my arms (an add a few more inches with body rotation) and have had no problems whatsoever. I also golf, lift weights, run, bike, and backpack. In other words, I don't let the device hinder me one iota. Life is too much fun to worry about "what if's" (of course this is from the viewpoint of a reckless,carefree retiree).

Gary

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