Need some help with my dad and his shoulder

[amyg]

My dad is an AVID golfer and regular boot camper (73 consecutive 5 week sessions and 73 100% attendance tee shirts to his credit).

He has had substantial trouble with his shoulder in the past 4-6 months and his doctor has told him not to do pushups and not to raise his arms above his shoulders. To see him do a jumping jack, you'd know something is wrong!!

He is TERRIFIED of surgery, because he would have to stop golfing. The doc has told him surgery is a ways off, but my dad is still suffering with himself and his fear of surgery. My mom just told me he has hurt his shoulder someplace else, likely from a modification he had made during boot camp.

Any ideas what I can do to help him out? I've tried suggesting yoga, but he doesn't seem too responsive. I would like him to do something like this:
http://www.krtotalfitness.com/cgi-local/store/cart/List.cgi?F=l&C=DVD

Do you have any suggestions for me, to help him out with this?? I ask him what it is in his shoulder (thinking I could suggest some rotator cuff work, etc), but he's been a little vague. It's bumming me out to see him so sad!!! TIA.

 

[Mckmain]

Would Physical Therapy be an option for your Dad? They can see what is wrong and help him thru the injury....

 

[Aquajock]

I think your father needs to get a referral from his primary care physician to a medical doctor specializing in sports medicine, or to an orthopedist. Without diagnosis and/or treatment, he could cripple himself for life and lose out on a lot more than his golf game. As well meaning as family and friends might be, including family who exercises regularly, he needs specialized, professional diagnosis.

A-Jock

 

[amyg]

Sorry; he's seen an orthopedic doctor and had a few injections and an MRI. That's the doc who told him not to do pushups (because pushups were hurting when my dad did them). My dad is being vague with me and I can't tell if it's because he's afraid, or if it's because he doesn't want to tell me. Either way, I won't be offended- I just want him to be able to keep up his golf game!!

The thing is, he's not listening to those of us who are trying to tell him to ease up a bit, and that he doesn't need to give his typical 150% when his shoulder isn't up to snuff. That's what I'm really going for- I want him to slow down temporarily so that he can keep going for as long as he wants to!!

I learned that lesson the hard way, so it's difficult for me to watch him going along the same exact path. I was thinking to substitute in some somewhat easier workouts, like yoga, so that he wasn't pushing himself doing the cardio and weight circuits he's used to.

 

[LauraMax]

Amy, has he gotten a second opinion from another orthopedist? I was just talking to someone today who was told he absolutely had to have the surgery, he refused & w/PT he was back at 100% within 3 months.