If so, I am curious how long it took to heal.
After doing research, I am sure what I am experiencing is a first degree sternoclavicular joint injury; a sprain. And, in retrospect, I know exactly what caused it: repetitive open turns, pushing hard off the wall and extending my arm before removing it from the wall. And, since I no longer have a first rib after my thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, there are less ligaments supporting that joint, so it was more vulnerable. In addition, as I have increased my yardage for distance free training, I have had to do more turns. And, soreness has recently become an issue. So, I revamped my turn, eliminating the extended arm, but it was too little, too late. After Tuesday's 4,100 yard workout (that felt just ok at the time), my joint popped as I reached behind to spread lotion on the middle of my back; something that has never happened- until Tuesday. It popped out of place then back, again, which hurt, but seemed fine enough to swim on Wednesday. But, after my swim, I really got sore around my clavicle (collar bone), sternum (chest bone), and the front of my neck. So, I stayed out of the pool today and hit the recumbent bike, instead.
So, now, I wonder... How long will it take to heal? Everybody is different, I know, but I am already :waiting: .
As for my return to the pool, I will have to figure out a Plan B for my freestyle turns. Flip turns have been out of the picture, due to having Meniere's and getting seasick from them. I could try to plan my stroke count so I always turn with my right arm coming into the wall, instead of my left, but that could cause repetitive stress problems on my right side. I suppose I could also try to mix in some flip turns with open turns and see how many I can do before I get seasick.:eek: That may be my best choice...
Anyway, thanks in advance for any words of wisdom you can share on this! :agree:
People who sublux their shoulders spontaneously have a lot of pain in their future - and should be very careful not to do anything that might accidentally cause it to recur - my mother-in-law had this issue for years, and one time on the freeway with several kids in the backseat of her stationwagon, her shoulder subluxed on her - she nearly wrecked the car it hurt so bad - and she was just driving the stupid car!! Take care - there is probably some PT you can do that will strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint (rotator cuffs etc) to help prevent subluxation in the future.
This happened to me quite regularly after I dislocated my shoulder - for about 3 years. Doesn't happen any more.
People who sublux their shoulders spontaneously have a lot of pain in their future - and should be very careful not to do anything that might accidentally cause it to recur - my mother-in-law had this issue for years, and one time on the freeway with several kids in the backseat of her stationwagon, her shoulder subluxed on her - she nearly wrecked the car it hurt so bad - and she was just driving the stupid car!! Take care - there is probably some PT you can do that will strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint (rotator cuffs etc) to help prevent subluxation in the future.
This happened to me quite regularly after I dislocated my shoulder - for about 3 years. Doesn't happen any more.
