Unfourtuntly I think I have to join the ranks of the injured shoulders. I have a couple question concerning injuries of shoulders. First, when is a sore shoulder bad enough that you should see a doctor and when is it O.K. just to take a wait and see approach? The other questions is, is there a way to know if it is a rotary cuff problem or maybe just a sore or pulled muscle.
My shoulder started bothering me a few weeks ago. I was laying on my couch with my 22 month old, when she decided it would be fun to throw herself at me. She landed on my left shoulder and I felt a sharp pain. My shoulder has not been well since. The pain can sometimes just be a little sore but if I use it the wrong way such as picking up my daughter it can hurt pretty bad. It seems O.K. when I swim freestlye but I can feel more pain doing the other strokes. I have been doing a lot more freestlye because of that.
I do have to say I am a little reluctant to go to the doctors in fear that he will say stop swimming. I have only one regular meet left this weekend and our championship next month. Then I can take a long break if I need to. Once the weather gets better I can start running more and I don't have to depend on swimming to keep me in shape and to loose wieght.
I guess I am just trying to get through this next month without having to stop swimming and without loosing all that I have worked for this season, right before championships.
Former Member
I suppose I'm biased, but I'd recommend seeing an orthopedist who specializes in sports medicine. If he can't pinpoint the problem by the physical exam, an MRI can diagnose a tear. You need to know if it's a problem that will heal with physical therapy, or if surgery is required. The sports medicine specialists are used to working with athletes and won't (or shouldn't) just tell you to stop swimming.
I didn't originally injure my shoulder with swimming. It was my daughter falling on my shoulder that hurt it. So I don't think it is from bad swimming technique that is causing the pain. Swimming just seems to bother it a little. I am just hoping I can somehow get through the next month so I can swim at championships.
You can injure your shoulder out of the water--quarterbacks tear the rotator cuff falling on their shoulders. If ice and antiinflammatory drugs don't alleviate it, it's worthwhile seeing a specialist. There are specific tests that can be performed as part of the physical exam to determine if there is a tear of the rotator cuff or the labrum.
In college, I was hit by a car when I waS RUNNING. i USED TO GET STEROID SHOTS IN MY RIGHT SHOulder & knee. I was in pain constantly. When I graduated and moved to DC, I told my new docotr. She sent me to Howard Univ. the doctor there got really mad & sent me to a PT. Now this past week the pain has retruned after many years.
Many times, sore shoulders have a lot to do with improper pull. Using more of your arm than chest & back muscles. It is always something to think about!
Talking about sore shoulders when I put in a good week of work-outs back to back, once in a while I end up with sore shoulder muscles, but for some reason my right shoulder is always more sore than the left.Can that have anything to do with the way I rol from left to right vs. right to left.I breathe to the right too..
It's certainly not going to heal itself under the same conditions that caused the injury.
A doctor may convince you to have surgery after a series of tests, but you can still seek treatment whenever you wish. Being informed is better than remaining in the dark, but it doesn't mean the problem will go away once you know and treat it according to instructions either.
It's up to you. In your shoes I would probably do exactly what I'm doing for my injured shoulder. But, the devils advocate in me feels that it'd be nice to know the exact nature of the injury as well.
Whatever you do - it's best that you take control over your own medical condition. Be informed. Acknowledge your condition. See treatment based on how you feel, not on what you want to do.
