Layne Norton, I Can't Use My Right Arm/Shoulder (Surgery): What Should I Do?

aren · 03-28-2007, 01:43 PM

I posted this in the training section and I was directd to you by Sparky_dustin. I'll copy and paste what I posted:

Quote:

I posted once before explaining my situation, but I'd like to hear new suggestions and recommendations. I don't want to hear I can't.

Age: 18
Weight: 160-165 lbs.
Height: 5'11/6 ft.
Diet: Fairly good, but I know what it takes to bulk up (egg whites, fish, oatmeal, chicken, steak, etc.)
Problems: I'm limited in that I can't use my right arm/shoulder while working out. There is basically no muscle in there and none can develope. Some of my chest near my right shoulder won't develope muscle either. I might be able to use to guide it along with my other arm, but I can't put any heavy pressure on it. Maybe 5 pounds at most. However, my left arm/shoulder, most of my chest, abs, legs and everything else are available.
Goals: A nice body; good abs, a fairly big arm (left arm obviously), and a good overall health.
Concerns:
- Is it possible to achieve my goals with my problems?
- What exercises are recommended over others?
- I'm worried if I'm only work out my left arm/shoulder, it will get disproportionate and cause problems. Is this true? I'm assuming it is, so with this in mind, what should I do? I want my left arm/shoulder to get big since it can.

Right now, my left arm/shoulder are normal size. My right arm/shoulder is very thin, weak, and fragile. I must avoid using it when it comes to heavy lifting. I'm skinny but I do have some ads (my abs are bairly visible, but if I work them out, I'm positive they will show).

I signed up for the gym a few hours ago and I need to know what to do. I plan on gaining around 15-20 pounds and during that time I want to find a good workout routine.

I can't develope muscle in my right arm/shoulder area and my range of motion is very limited, basically gone. I'm not looking to become a bodybuilder such as yourself, I just want to have a nice, built body. Any help much be much appreciated.

**AlteredBeast** · 03-28-2007, 04:50 PM

Dang man...Sometimes others put your own problems in perspective...Can you do any back exersizes? If not, what about legs? Can you balance the bar on your back and be able to hinge your right are and hold on the bar from that side? If squats are a no no, then you can probably do leg extensions, and lunges w/ a dumbell, you could probably squat with the smith machine, you could probably do some limited hamstring work. i'm thinking along the lines of the seated leg curl. As far as upperbody goes...i'll let Layne give you his insight.

**AlteredBeast** · 03-28-2007, 04:51 PM

arm**

aren · 03-28-2007, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlteredBeast

Dang man...Sometimes others put your own problems in perspective...Can you do any back exersizes? If not, what about legs? Can you balance the bar on your back and be able to hinge your right are and hold on the bar from that side? If squats are a no no, then you can probably do leg extensions, and lunges w/ a dumbell, you could probably squat with the smith machine, you could probably do some limited hamstring work. i'm thinking along the lines of the seated leg curl. As far as upperbody goes...i'll let Layne give you his insight.

Back exercises - depends on what is it. I can use my back fairly well.
Legs - I can use both my legs perfectly.
Squats - I don't think I can do this. I can't have any pressure on my right arm/shoulder area.

My right arm/shoulder can't have any pressure on it. I might be able to use it if I'm lifting very light weights with the help of my right arm in a very limited motion, but I don't know if that'll help anything.

The thing is, I can't develope any muscle in my right arm. Lots of muscle were removed from that area and some from my shoulder. I basically don't have a shoulder joint (I do, but like I said the range of motion is limited).

**str8flexed** · 03-28-2007, 08:42 PM

what exactly is wrong with it?

aren · 03-29-2007, 02:10 AM

I really didn't want to mention it, but since you asked. I posted this last year this month.

Quote:

I'm in a real difficult situation. A couple years ago, I had a tumor in my right arm. I had surgery and got the treatment and everything is fine now. However, I am really out of shape. I went to the gym for a month this past summer, but I gave up since I couldn't do much.

Before I had cancer, I played basketball 24/7. I was in perfect shape, and if I started to workout back then, I'd be perfectly fine now. However, that's not the case. Right now I'm 17 and all I do is lift weights with my left arm. With my right arm, the max I can lift is 5 lbs, max maybe being 7 lbs.

I really want to get back into shape. I can do anything and everything as long as I don't put pressure on my right arm. I can't have anything happen to it. However, I still have many other places I can work on, but this is where I need help. What should I do? I currently weight lift with my left arm and that's about it. My chest had also completely been ruined through this past few years. What can I do to get back my 6 pack back?

I've also lost 20-30 lbs these past few months. I'm 5'11/6'0 and I weighed around 180 lbs a few months ago. Now I'm around 150 lbs. I've been going through a very difficult time that isn't necessarily related to my cancer, but let's just say that I've been thinking a lot and I barely get any sleep anymore.

So, what I need is a good workout routine that doesn't invole my arm right. I can use it, but if I do, I can't surpass lifting or putting more than 5 lbs on it. Any help would be much appreciated.

I also realize there is sub-form about sports injuries, but I really want this to be in the main traning forum so people can see the topic.

**bbdude** · 03-29-2007, 08:27 AM

that sounds terrible... hope u get better...

aren · 03-30-2007, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbdude

that sounds terrible... hope u get better...

I am better, just not in shape.

Norton, can you please help me when you get the chance? I've begun to try and bulk and today was the second day in a row I went to the gym. I'm very limited on most of the machines and stuff. I can't do a squat.

angelo212 · 03-30-2007, 09:20 PM

I feel for you bro. Do you have insurance? Your best bet is to go to a physical therapist for a while. They can help you the best with a routine.

**str8flexed** · 03-30-2007, 10:57 PM

i am very sorry to hear this, i mean the left arm will be disproportionate but I would still recommend working it out as it will improve your quality of life by making you be able to handle heavier objects. Look at it this way though... you can still develop a killer set of abs and wheels! I know a few guys that even competed in bodybuilding shows missing an arm! So yes it's possible to still do awsome in the gym even if you aren't 100%

**bbdude** · 03-31-2007, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by str8flexed

i am very sorry to hear this, i mean the left arm will be disproportionate but I would still recommend working it out as it will improve your quality of life by making you be able to handle heavier objects. Look at it this way though... you can still develop a killer set of abs and wheels! I know a few guys that even competed in bodybuilding shows missing an arm! So yes it's possible to still do awsome in the gym even if you aren't 100%

wow! without arms!! :O thats heavy man!

and i agree with Layne, u can still get the best, the big wheels!!

aren · 03-31-2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelo212

I feel for you bro. Do you have insurance? Your best bet is to go to a physical therapist for a while. They can help you the best with a routine.

I had physical therapy for many months after my surgery. It helped out, but I don't know if my insurance will let me go through it again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by str8flexed

i am very sorry to hear this, i mean the left arm will be disproportionate but I would still recommend working it out as it will improve your quality of life by making you be able to handle heavier objects. Look at it this way though... you can still develop a killer set of abs and wheels! I know a few guys that even competed in bodybuilding shows missing an arm! So yes it's possible to still do awsome in the gym even if you aren't 100%

Wow, that's very inspiring. Are there any articles or pictures about those shows?

Can you recomment any routines and/or diets to help improve the current situation I'm in? I've read and researched a lot, but I'm not patient enough to do trail and error