Shoulder Question

Impingement is when the acromion (arch) keeps getting banged by the tendons (?ligaments?) in the upper part of the shoulder. Causes inflammation. The usual surgical procedure is to go in arthroscopically and shave down the UNDERSIDE of the acromion to allow more room for the tendons. There is a recent thread (the past week or so) about another person with the same problem and his surgery. Surgery generally isn't too bad. Had it done twice--once on each shoulder.

I had a left shoulder scope 2 yrs ago, I had more pain pre op. I am having the Right shoulder done in 2 weeks. I am just so glad to see other swimmers with both sides done. I tend to overdo and not let my shoulders heal when tender. It is hard to get older. Thanks, and to all the swimmers with sore shoulder GOODLUCK.

Thanks, I am hoping for the elusive non-surgical solution, but I appreciate your sharing of experiences. Will look up the other threads. DV

I suppose you are still waiting on an appointment. Be sure to let us know how it goes. I am always interested to hear how various physicians treat shoulder injuries. I had some impingement along with a few other issues and I took the non surgical route. Not sure if I made the right decision or not, but I am back in the pool and I have no scars on my shoulders.

Over Thanksgiving weekend I hurt my rt shoulder. I ws taking norflex and a pain pill. the tight pain went away but I ws having other weird pains throughout my shoulder. My doc suggested I go to the orht to see what he thought. He said shots & then if not okay by yesterday, surgery. Yesterday, I went to a chiropractor for the first time in my life. I was really amazed at how good I felt when I went swimming yeaterday afternoon. I also feel like I'm standing much taller.

Bruce, You will be so so happy with your results once everything is healed. I thought my MD was crazy when he told me it would take 6 to 9 mon. to be totally rehab. Well he was right, take your time listen to MD /pt don't rush it. I was back in the pool in about 6weeks doing laps, very slowly. I had to learn not to OVERDO. Today my shoulder is great. Goodluck. It does seem like swimmers have very strong ideas regarding shoulder injuries, cause many of us have them. Take care Sandy

David, it certainly could be acute tendinitis (supraspinatus) in the setting of chronic impingement. In the short term, ice and antiinflammatory agents (I prefer Aleve) reduce the inflammation. Long term, I believe (as did my orthopedist) that a trial of physical therapy may be warranted before opting for surgery (he recommended a minimum of six months). However, I had an MRI which did not show any tears. I think the key is being evaluated and treated by an orthopedist and a physical therapist who specialize in sports medicine. I had tried rest alone, staying out of the pool for several weeks, but the problem resurfaced (pardon the pun) as soon as I got back in the water.

Finally met with the orthopedist. Verdict is 4 weeks of rehab (stretching plus rubber band) with Aleve twice a day then another checkout. At that point it could be something like cortisone or closer examination to search for a tear. Many warnings to go slow and not overdo things. Not too bad but a shame to have to "start over" after so long out of the water. This summer is now about recovery and not advancement. Be careful out there, gang. Watch out for the perfect roll-on-your-side-to-make-yourself-10-feet-long-reach-for-the-wall trick, in my case it backfired on impact with an immovable touchpad. The pressure transmitted up my outstreached arm into an internal hammering of the shoulder joint. The 12.03 25yd time isn't quite worth it, maybe that's why I prefer open water, although I did swim headfirst into a boat hull in the choppy, murky water of the Bay Swim - yet another embarassing story for the humor thread! Happy laps to you, DV

Best of luck with your recovery. I hated the time I spent in physical therapy because I was afraid I would wind up needing surgery anyhow, making all of the PT time a waste. The PT along with a few months of taking it easy worked for me though.

I have been told based on an MRI that my sprispinatus is torn and has pulled away from the bone. I am 78 years of age. The combination of major tear and age has led two orthopedists to suggest that I not get surgery. Both say that I will get limited function back but that freesyle is out of the question. I am now in physical therapy and have noticed good improvement in strength and range of motion. Finally, to my question. Has anyone returned to swimming freestyle with a permanent not fixable tear?