Flying with my Arm in a Sling...ViDEO

[Shug Emery]

Been about 3 and a half weeks since I had my rotator cuff surgery and finally felt OK to get out and fly. Surgery on right shoulder and I fly with my left hand. Piston Poppers club members helped me pit and get the plane ready. Felt very different flying with my free arm strapped down and not in it's usual position.
It gave me a new perspective.
Balance felt different.
Was able to fly and not more my shoulder around as that is the main thing in a rotator cuff surgery.....keeping it still.  Though...three weeks in I feel the tear knitting together.
Start my physical therapy and feel ready!
Shug

[Jim Svitko]

Hey, Shug, in September of '17 I had surgery to repair the left shoulder rotator cuff.  I am right handed but I did not attempt flying until about 6 weeks after surgery.  I also had to keep the left arm immobilized for a month in a special sling to hold it in a certain position.

Do not neglect the physical therapy.  The physical therapy is a must.  It helped me tremendously.  If not for that therapy, I would not have known what to do and how to do it without causing more damage.  Four months after surgery the doc gave the OK to resume more vigorous exercises but cautioned me to take it easy.  Less weight, more repetitions.  A year after, I am doing well.  A bit of "clicking" noise in the shoulder at times due to scar tissue when I move the left arm around but I am pretty much back to normal.

Do what the therapists recommend.   After you get that sling off, your arm will most likely feel very weak, almost useless, but strength will return.  It will take time but you will recover.

[Shug Emery]

I am starting my PT today. They are starting me earlier as I had a good post op and have kept my shoulder very still. I got the OK to move from elbow down. I pin my elbow to my side and feel not pain or pull.
Flying did not bother it at all. In fact it raised my spirits!
As a circus performer I have gone through a lot of PT and am very diligent about it. Enjoy it as a matter of fact. It always helps.
My surgeon told me I have good muscle tone in my shoulder so I should get going faster than some.
Glad I work out!

Hey, Shug, in September of '17 I had surgery to repair the left shoulder rotator cuff.  I am right handed but I did not attempt flying until about 6 weeks after surgery.  I also had to keep the left arm immobilized for a month in a special sling to hold it in a certain position.

Do not neglect the physical therapy.  The physical therapy is a must.  It helped me tremendously.  If not for that therapy, I would not have known what to do and how to do it without causing more damage.  Four months after surgery the doc gave the OK to resume more vigorous exercises but cautioned me to take it easy.  Less weight, more repetitions.  A year after, I am doing well.  A bit of "clicking" noise in the shoulder at times due to scar tissue when I move the left arm around but I am pretty much back to normal.

Do what the therapists recommend.   After you get that sling off, your arm will most likely feel very weak, almost useless, but strength will return.  It will take time but you will recover.

[mike waldron]

Hey Shug!   Been missing you in Huntersville..  Now your healing and in a sling guess you wont be coming this year..  But ya know..  A lot of the top flyers fly with their spare hand up by their chest.. And that sling would get you pretty close..  Me personally.. I fly with my left hand out so I can brace myself when I fall over easier.. Especially on those overhead 8s..

Mike

[Shug Emery]

Hey Shug!   Been missing you in Huntersville..  Now your healing and in a sling guess you wont be coming this year..  But ya know..  A lot of the top flyers fly with their spare hand up by their chest.. And that sling would get you pretty close..  Me personally.. I fly with my left hand out so I can brace myself when I fall over easier.. Especially on those overhead 8s..

Mike

Hey Mike...looks like you have been tearing it up out there on the contest circuit.
I do hope to get down to Huntersville again and feel like I am practiced up.
My show schedule has been getting in the way of my flying for sure.
But I know I will get some time again to really work at it as we just found out we got a full time flying site. Pretty pumped about that.
I have a lot of work to do!
Shug

[Bill Ervin]

Get well Shug, of all the body parts to have in a sling the arm is probably the best one.

[Shug Emery]

Get well Shug, of all the body parts to have in a sling the arm is probably the best one.

Yessir....had my arse in a sling many a time!

[john e. holliday]

As the guys have said do what the therapist says.   In fact watching your video, I think you are flying better.   May have to keep the sling on for contests.

[Shug Emery]

Too true. Something feels different putting the free arm different~~

Had my first PT today....they told me I am way ahead of the game and were very pleased with my mobility! I'm happy!
Shug

[Larry Renger]

When you get your arm back working right, a challenge!

Bart Klapinski used to regularly fly three Cox P-40 models at Disneyland! One in each hand and one in his teeth. And he would land them stacked piggyback style!

Of course just to make a real challenge you could do it on a Pogo Stick. 

My wife and I love your videos. Keep them coming!

[Shug Emery]

When you get your arm back working right, a challenge!

Bart Klapinski used to regularly fly three Cox P-40 models at Disneyland! One in each hand and one in his teeth. And he would land them stacked piggyback style!

Of course just to make a real challenge you could do it on a Pogo Stick. 

My wife and I love your videos. Keep them coming!

No pogo stick but maybe on a unicycle!
Shug

[Perry Rose]

I've been waiting for this but still, YGTBSM.

[Shug Emery]

I've been waiting for this but still, YGTBSM.

I poo you not.......

[john e. holliday]

With the past activity of your career and model planes.   I am wondering why the doctors are surprised at how quick you are back in action.