For the past couple of months, my shoulder has been feeling "loose" or instable. I have some moderate pain and mostly the very odd feeling that it just is about to fall out of its socket. It usually feels okay while swimming but very bad afterwards. I've taken the past week off from swimming in the hopes that things would feel better, but no dice. I do have a call in to my doctor, but I've done some Googling around and it seems like it might be multi-directional instability of the shoulder. Does anyone have any experience with this? I am physically unable to participate in most other cardio (running, step aerobics, anything with any level of impact) so the idea of not being able to swim is very depressing.
Parents
Former Member
Evaluation by a physical therapist and diagnostic imaging (MRI) sound indicated in this scenario. For instability, improving the stability of the scapular stabilizing muscles (lower and middle trapezius) is likely more important than the rotator cuff muscle. Also, band exercises as indicated in one response treat the rotator cuff muscles are primary movers, which is not their main role! This is a common rehabilitative mistake, don't fall into the trap! Instead exercises of requiring the rotator cuff muscles to stabilize the humerus into the glenohumeral joint are needed to complement the exercises targeting the shoulder as the primary move (ie band exercises).
Here is a link to a piece I presented at the NorCal Coaches clinic:
www.swimshop.com/.../SwimmersShoulderNorCal.pdf
For more examples, check out www.swimmingscience.net or you can purchase the swimmer's shoulder system www.corswimmershoulder.com, however an in-person evaluation by a licensed also sounds indicated in your scenario.
Evaluation by a physical therapist and diagnostic imaging (MRI) sound indicated in this scenario. For instability, improving the stability of the scapular stabilizing muscles (lower and middle trapezius) is likely more important than the rotator cuff muscle. Also, band exercises as indicated in one response treat the rotator cuff muscles are primary movers, which is not their main role! This is a common rehabilitative mistake, don't fall into the trap! Instead exercises of requiring the rotator cuff muscles to stabilize the humerus into the glenohumeral joint are needed to complement the exercises targeting the shoulder as the primary move (ie band exercises).
Here is a link to a piece I presented at the NorCal Coaches clinic:
www.swimshop.com/.../SwimmersShoulderNorCal.pdf
For more examples, check out www.swimmingscience.net or you can purchase the swimmer's shoulder system www.corswimmershoulder.com, however an in-person evaluation by a licensed also sounds indicated in your scenario.
