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:
I can see how that might destabilize the joint at the sternum.
www.rci.rutgers.edu/.../image011.jpg
Maybe the lower chest and some of the neck muscles that attach adjacent to the joint can provide added support if worked. The upper chest muscles however, attach directly to the bone and can pull it out again.
I am totally lay medically, but have someone else apply lotion to your back for awhile. Once something moves out of place it takes time for it to heal so it doesn't happen again.
good luck
Thanks, Steve. I have recruited my husband for that task, as well as buckling up my figure-eight brace I am wearing, since it buckles in back.
I think what happened is that the ligaments that surround the sternoclavicular joint became too stretched and lengthened, due to so many extended arm (and shoulder) open turns. I also think in my quest to stay flexible and keep my shoulders healthy, I did too much stretching and became too flexible, causing instability and the subluxation I experienced. :badday: Live and learn- again. :doh:
I can see how that might destabilize the joint at the sternum.
www.rci.rutgers.edu/.../image011.jpg
Maybe the lower chest and some of the neck muscles that attach adjacent to the joint can provide added support if worked. The upper chest muscles however, attach directly to the bone and can pull it out again.
I am totally lay medically, but have someone else apply lotion to your back for awhile. Once something moves out of place it takes time for it to heal so it doesn't happen again.
good luck
Thanks, Steve. I have recruited my husband for that task, as well as buckling up my figure-eight brace I am wearing, since it buckles in back.
I think what happened is that the ligaments that surround the sternoclavicular joint became too stretched and lengthened, due to so many extended arm (and shoulder) open turns. I also think in my quest to stay flexible and keep my shoulders healthy, I did too much stretching and became too flexible, causing instability and the subluxation I experienced. :badday: Live and learn- again. :doh:
