I've always had right shoulder stability and soreness issues. But I could usually control it with ice, Aleve, and rest. This year, probably due to too much too soon over-training once my pool reopened in May, my shoulder pain became unmanageable. My ortho ordered an MRI arthrogram that revealed labral tears from 4 to 12 o'clock. She described the tears as wear-and-tear, as opposed to acute. I recently started PT for the same.
In terms of swimming, I can handle my daily work outs of 2700-3600 yards with little to no pain. But my weekly long distance swims of 5+ miles are killing me. By the end my entire right shoulder aches and it seems like every muscle is sore and tight.
For those long distance swimmers out there with this injury, do you have any coping mechanisms, whether it be stroke changes or dry-land exercises?
Thanks!
I am a 62-year old competitive swimmer who has trained very hard for a long time. I would say that it is a very encouraging sign that you can handle daily workouts of 3k. if you can do that with no pain you have to ask yourself if the long swim is necessary or if it even helps you.
the summer before last after mission Viejo nationals my shoulder starting hurting and I got an mri that revealed two laberal terms.
interestingly, it started hurting after the meet and only when I was swimming much less. the pt exercises actually simulated swimming strokes in many ways. obviously my shoulder had tears when I was competing and it wasn't hurting at that time. I think it is quite possible that the 3k you are doing a day somehow keeps the shoulder in place.
I think everyone is different. I would not even think about surgery if you can train 6 days a week at 3k. stop the part that is hurting you.
I even considered getting a MRI of my other shoulder to prove the point that shoulders of swimmers who train hard for a long time are never going to look pretty.
