Is Walking My Dog Safe While Recovering From A Labral Tear?

Posted on Sat, 14 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 14 Jan 2017 Answered on

Wed, 8 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, I had a small labrum tear that was repaired approximately three weeks ago. I am no longer in the slingand my surgeon said I can resume normal activities but no heavy lifting. I have had a few circumstances in the sling and out where I think I overused it. One was when I was walking my dogs and I was in my sling and had to grab my dogs leash. She didn't pull hard as she is trained not to but I had some pain after the fact. I never had an immense amount of pain. I was just wondering how much force t takes to retest the labrum or the sutures that are holding it together and the anchor that was placed to repair it?

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
8-12 weeks required

Detailed Answer:
Hi there

Thanks for the query

Usually labral tears once fixed to the bone by suture anchors, take typically 8-12 weeks to heal completely.

Your Doctor has advised you to remove the sling so as to prevent shoulder stiffness due to disuse.

Avoid such strenuous activity as you described because the labrum is still in the healing stage and should not be disturbed.

Overhead heavy activity, weight lifting, pulling or pushing force can further damage the labral cartilage and should be avoided.

Less than normal force of daily activities can damage a healing labrum. So do wait till 12 weeks before resuming any such activity, only after consulting with your Doctor.

If you feel any kind of pain or swelling or restriction of movement, do consult your Doctor immediately.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (27 minutes later)

Is it possible I could have damaged it? I'm concerned as I do not want to have to go through this surgery again. I'm just not sure what you mean by pain because I have pain but it's more soreness and from using it.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Only if there is sudden giving away or increase in pain

Detailed Answer:
If you felt a sudden increase in pain from that time, then the could be damage. Otherwise not to worry. Perform your exercises prescribed to you. You can try an MRI to confirm the healing after 8 weeks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T