I have been diagnosed with a shoulder impingement and it is really hampering my plans to start working out again. I tried exercies and stretching, but it hasen't gotten any better. I was told surgury is an option, and I am seriously thinking about it. Has anyone gone through it and how did it change your swimming if at all?
Parents
Former Member
Get a detailed exam done by an experienced sports focused PT. There may be more exercises you could be doing especially if you have a muscular imbalance that exacerbates the impingement. You need a good physical therapist for this, not an orthopedic surgeon.
I have an impingment in both shoulders and even partially tore both rotator cuffs at one point. I do every possible exercise regularly but my shoulders are still going to hurt when I swim (the left much worse than the right). I just try to make it manageable and avoid hurting them enough to require extended healing. The most important factor for me is icing after every workout.
Regarding surgery, your situation may be different, but I was told that restructuring a shoulder might help an impingement, but it might not. Such a surgery might also create other lasting issues for someone trying to swim. My brother in law is an orthopedic surgeon & he's the one who told me this.
Get a detailed exam done by an experienced sports focused PT. There may be more exercises you could be doing especially if you have a muscular imbalance that exacerbates the impingement. You need a good physical therapist for this, not an orthopedic surgeon.
I have an impingment in both shoulders and even partially tore both rotator cuffs at one point. I do every possible exercise regularly but my shoulders are still going to hurt when I swim (the left much worse than the right). I just try to make it manageable and avoid hurting them enough to require extended healing. The most important factor for me is icing after every workout.
Regarding surgery, your situation may be different, but I was told that restructuring a shoulder might help an impingement, but it might not. Such a surgery might also create other lasting issues for someone trying to swim. My brother in law is an orthopedic surgeon & he's the one who told me this.
