I started swimming Master's 6 weeks ago (after not swimming for 15 years) as part of a weight loss program. I've lost 75 pounds in the last 15 weeks on Jenny Craig and currently weigh 250lbs. I swam DIV I in college 15 years ago and am trying to learn the, "New Style" of swimming.
I started doing double practices 10 days ago (7,500 yds/day) and have developed tendonitis in both shoulders (it's worse in my right). I have gotten much faster and feel great and don't want to stop swimming cold turkey.
Are there any suggestions for what I should do? Does anyone know of a good sports Dr. or PT in the Fort Worth, TX area I could go see? I'm currently strectching and icing 3 times a day and have cut down to 1 hr of swimming a day (as of 6/11/03). I don't want to give up this passion I have regainned. Are there new therapies or rehab exercises someone could suggest?
Thank you!
Parents
Former Member
You have likely increased the yardage too quickly. More importantly, over the past 15 years the muscles that support your shoulder(s) have weakened (including but not limited to the rotator cuff). I'd suggest a sports medicine orthopedist who will work with you so that you can continue to swim. He (or she) will evaluate the stability of the shoulders, rule out the possibility of a tear in the rotator cuff, and prescribe exercises to strengthen and stabilize the shoulders. Usually (but not always) tendonitis results from instability of the shoulder joint allowing the head of the humerus to trap or impinge one of the tendons within the joint. Ice and antiinflammatory meds help also. Finally, poor stroke mechanics contribute and need to be corrected. You probably should avoid butterfly for awhile. My understanding is that surgery can be avoided in most cases.
You have likely increased the yardage too quickly. More importantly, over the past 15 years the muscles that support your shoulder(s) have weakened (including but not limited to the rotator cuff). I'd suggest a sports medicine orthopedist who will work with you so that you can continue to swim. He (or she) will evaluate the stability of the shoulders, rule out the possibility of a tear in the rotator cuff, and prescribe exercises to strengthen and stabilize the shoulders. Usually (but not always) tendonitis results from instability of the shoulder joint allowing the head of the humerus to trap or impinge one of the tendons within the joint. Ice and antiinflammatory meds help also. Finally, poor stroke mechanics contribute and need to be corrected. You probably should avoid butterfly for awhile. My understanding is that surgery can be avoided in most cases.
