The Anatomy of Washington Husky Quarterback Jake Browning

Minor Shoulder Surgery

In summary, there are three types of soft tissues that could be mended with a minor surgical procedure: cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

While cartilage is the plastic-like tissue that covers the ends of bones, acting like lubricant and shock absorbers, ligaments are the soft connective tissue that holds the joint together. Secondly, tendons are the soft connective tissues that anchor muscles to bones and joints. In the case of a minor shoulder injury, any of the three tissues could be injured.

Healing any of these types of injuries are similar in arthroscopic surgery.   So let’s discuss the process:

Phases

Phase I : Post Operative recovery – This is the period of time immediately following surgery. Browning will need to keep the shoulder as immobile as possible and to keep his arm in a sling. The use of the sling keeps the weight of his arm off of the soft tissues which assists in the healing process. (through Feb 2017)

Phase II: Passive Physical Therapy – For the next six to eight weeks, Browning enters passive physical therapy.  Now he will work with a physical therapist to perform gentle, assisted exercises to help regain movement and range of motion in his shoulder. Because damaged tissues are still actively healing, his shoulder joint needs to be supported during movement. (Mid April 2017)

Phase III: Active Physical Therapy – Now the therapy changes from motion to strength. Browning will be tasked with building his shoulder strength gradually to avoid reinjury, but at an intensive pace to meet the demands of the 2017 football season.  While this period will progress quickly, the minimum is likely to be three months time.  (End July 2017)