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'll be following this thread with keen interest. I am in the process of being treated for a possible labral tear, which seems so incredibly unfair, as I just learned to swim at 37. Right now I am all kinesiotaped up and pouting. My PT said I can do kick sets with my arms at my sides and *** only, no weights for now but very conservative Pilates ball work is okay.
I am so bored and I have a border collie staring at me 24 hours a day with his frisbee in his mouth glaring "J'accuse, Maman!"
I'll be following this thread with keen interest. I am in the process of being treated for a possible labral tear, which seems so incredibly unfair, as I just learned to swim at 37. Right now I am all kinesiotaped up and pouting. My PT said I can do kick sets with my arms at my sides and *** only, no weights for now but very conservative Pilates ball work is okay.
I am so bored and I have a border collie staring at me 24 hours a day with his frisbee in his mouth glaring "J'accuse, Maman!"
