My doctor thinks I have a labral tear. It may not be torn too badly since apparently it wasn't obvious on the MRI. I took three months off of swimming before seeing the doctor - I figured it would get better on its own, but it didn't.
I've done about 4 weeks of physical therapy and will do another two before seeing the doctor again. My range of motion and rotator cuff muscle strength have definitely improved, but the impingement pain and shoulder clicking during freestyle recovery motion is still there. My doctor suggested that after 6 weeks of physical therapy he'd have a better idea if surgery would be necessary. Two weeks to go...
In searching this and other forums, it seems that physical therapy doesn't do the trick for most swimmers with labral tears, and they end up in surgery. Or maybe those that choose surgery just like to post more about it?
If you've recovered from a labral tear without surgery, let me know! I'm willing to do many more months of physical therapy if I think I can avoid surgery!
Brian
Parents
Former Member
I had (still have) a SLAP tear and did not have surgery. Shoulder surgery is a nightmare and there is no guarantee that you get back to a 100%. The thing about PT on a shoulder is that it TAKES LOTS OF TIME to get better. Give your PT several months before making a decision. At least six months. It only takes a couple sessions with a therapist to learn the exercises; once you do, do them every day. You also need to focus on posture, core, sitting position, sleeping position, all those little things make a huge difference. And when you get back to swimming, take it easy at first and learn to swim with your back muscles rather than your rotator. Again, give your shoulder and PT a lot of time before making a decision. I seriously thought about surgery, but am really glad I waited.
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Former Member
I had (still have) a SLAP tear and did not have surgery. Shoulder surgery is a nightmare and there is no guarantee that you get back to a 100%. The thing about PT on a shoulder is that it TAKES LOTS OF TIME to get better. Give your PT several months before making a decision. At least six months. It only takes a couple sessions with a therapist to learn the exercises; once you do, do them every day. You also need to focus on posture, core, sitting position, sleeping position, all those little things make a huge difference. And when you get back to swimming, take it easy at first and learn to swim with your back muscles rather than your rotator. Again, give your shoulder and PT a lot of time before making a decision. I seriously thought about surgery, but am really glad I waited.
