I read an interesting article in The Physician and Sports Medicine which is relevant to those of us with swimmer's shoulder. Apparently the term chronic tendinitis is a misnomer in that there is very little inflammation in this condition; the preferred term is tendinosis (or tendinopathy). The cause is thought to be repetitive activity and microtrauma (as well as age related tendon degeneration).
Why is this distinction important? If it is not an inflammatory condition, antiinflammatory drugs are not necessary and may be detrimental by interfering with the healing process. Tylenol may be preferable as an analgesic (and has fewer side effects). Also recommended: (relative) rest, since tendons require more time to heal and the repair process needs to keep pace with the microinjuries, and strengthening exercises (added later) as these seem to accelerate and optimize the repair process.
Parents
Former Member
Thanks Susan and Craig for the excellent articles.
Shoulder pain has been an ongoing problem for me since April with the worst pain occurring about three weeks ago. At that time I decided to give the shoulder a complete rest from swimming and it is somewhat better but not completely pain free. I am trying everything I can think of before I resort to a trip to the doctor.
I am bummed out because I miss swimming SO much. Even though I had been doing all of the rotator cuff strengthening exercises that were in the TI book I was not immune to this injury.
Tomorrow I think that I will go to practice and do some kick sets just to get in the water again. Is there any other kind of drills I could do that would not aggravate a shoulder injury?
Thanks Susan and Craig for the excellent articles.
Shoulder pain has been an ongoing problem for me since April with the worst pain occurring about three weeks ago. At that time I decided to give the shoulder a complete rest from swimming and it is somewhat better but not completely pain free. I am trying everything I can think of before I resort to a trip to the doctor.
I am bummed out because I miss swimming SO much. Even though I had been doing all of the rotator cuff strengthening exercises that were in the TI book I was not immune to this injury.
Tomorrow I think that I will go to practice and do some kick sets just to get in the water again. Is there any other kind of drills I could do that would not aggravate a shoulder injury?
