I was wondering if any of you have ever had bicept tendonitis to the point where shoulder surgery or cortizone were your options.
The doc said the injury was probably caused from too much butterfly (seeing how I'm a distance flyer). The PT didn't really help all that much. I've had a history of shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome in the shoulder but haven't had any problems until last year. I'm down to about 450 yards of freestyle before I know I need to stop swimming.
I've been a competitive swimmer for most of my life and am looking for alternatives to going under the knife or taking the long needle. Any advice?:confused:
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Former Member
Been there, done that. Have gone the pt route, the drug route and the surgery route. Most successful with the surgery route although sometimes need a "tune-up" with drugs and have had 1 steroid injection.
I have had some success when the tendonitis flairs up with a biceps strap from Cho-Pat which goes around the upper arm and prevents the bicep from "rocking" back and forth. Does leave an odd tan line however in outdoor swimming!
Technique can be part of the problem. Get that checked out and get some PT instruction in rehab exercises.
I did the surgery after X-rays, MRIs and PT. Had surgery on both shoulders for impingement syndrome. Right shoulder has had 2 surgeries and left has had 4. The impingement syndrome is the most troubling of all (except for a stretched shoulder capsule) and after having one injection (not as bad as I thought it would be--had an orthopod with heavy sports background who gives quite a few injections to the biggest babies--the pro athletes!) and taking off a number of weeks from swimming--it did clear up.
I've given this non-medical suggestion before on this forum--one cause of impingement syndrome can be your sleeping position. Having the forearm wrapped around a pillow and placing your elbow ABOVE your shoulder = impingement syndrome. Try to learn to sleep with an elbow BELOW the level of your shoulder--will help prevent/heal some impingement syndrome problems.
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Former Member
Been there, done that. Have gone the pt route, the drug route and the surgery route. Most successful with the surgery route although sometimes need a "tune-up" with drugs and have had 1 steroid injection.
I have had some success when the tendonitis flairs up with a biceps strap from Cho-Pat which goes around the upper arm and prevents the bicep from "rocking" back and forth. Does leave an odd tan line however in outdoor swimming!
Technique can be part of the problem. Get that checked out and get some PT instruction in rehab exercises.
I did the surgery after X-rays, MRIs and PT. Had surgery on both shoulders for impingement syndrome. Right shoulder has had 2 surgeries and left has had 4. The impingement syndrome is the most troubling of all (except for a stretched shoulder capsule) and after having one injection (not as bad as I thought it would be--had an orthopod with heavy sports background who gives quite a few injections to the biggest babies--the pro athletes!) and taking off a number of weeks from swimming--it did clear up.
I've given this non-medical suggestion before on this forum--one cause of impingement syndrome can be your sleeping position. Having the forearm wrapped around a pillow and placing your elbow ABOVE your shoulder = impingement syndrome. Try to learn to sleep with an elbow BELOW the level of your shoulder--will help prevent/heal some impingement syndrome problems.
