A plea for help from a dad

Former Member
Former Member
I apologize for posting this non Masters topic here but I honestly could not think of a better place to post. My just turned 13 rear old daughter was diagnosed with bursitis/impingement in her right shoulder in early August. She was experiencing popping/pain during all strokes at various phases. Seems she is paying the price for years of swimming Freestyle with an internally rotated right arm during recovery and catch. Her orthopedist prescribed 6 weeks of PT and no swimming for 6 weeks. Unfortunately, we chose a PT based pretty much on logistics. The initial visit consisted of a brief conversation about Ellen's swimming but nothing really specific. Then a quick range of motion exam followed by a two minute massage. The PT left for a few minutes and returned with a red Theraband and a generic rotator cuff rehab printout. We then proceeded to go through the exercises on the sheet. Twice a week for the next six weeks the visits involved a quick massage followed by Ellen going through the exercises that she had been doing religiously at home in front of the PT aid. I should also mention that there was very little emphasis put on stretching and no re-evaluation by a PT at any point in the process. After six weeks we returned to her Orthopedist. He was quickly able to recreate the dull thud that can be heard in Ellen's shoulder when she lifts her elbow from her side then brings it forward passing above her shoulder. He quickly prescribed six more weeks of PT which Ellen did at home. He also said she could begin swimming Breaststroke provided there was no pain. So here we are twelve weeks later. Ellen started swimming Freestyle last week. Three pain free practices, the fourth brought back the popping/pain. I am hoping there is somebody in the Westchester/Putnam area in New York who can recommend a good PT who works with swimmers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    A few thoughts-- --On stretching: be careful here, the shoulder joint capsule does not need and should not be stretched especially with teenage girls who are generally crazy flexible. See the US swimming website for some articles on good and bad stretching. My advice is just forget about stretching and just make sure to warm-up. --Great idea to focus on technique. When I had shoulder programs I did a bunch of google searches and found some articles that discuss how to lessen impingement in freestyle and backstroke. It mainly has to do with the angle of your hand and making sure you do not cross over on entry. --Give PT lots and lots of time. Shoulders take a long time to heal. Six weeks is nothing. This can take months. If she wants to keep swimming I suggest doing kick workouts WITHOUT A KICKBOARD. She can also work on transitions. She might try fistgolves too which take a lot of strain off the shoulder and will teach her to engage her back muscles. --If her shoulder in addition to popping is also slipping, she might have a labrum tear. The only way to know for sure is with an MRI. --But PT and time can make a huge difference. Good luck
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    A few thoughts-- --On stretching: be careful here, the shoulder joint capsule does not need and should not be stretched especially with teenage girls who are generally crazy flexible. See the US swimming website for some articles on good and bad stretching. My advice is just forget about stretching and just make sure to warm-up. --Great idea to focus on technique. When I had shoulder programs I did a bunch of google searches and found some articles that discuss how to lessen impingement in freestyle and backstroke. It mainly has to do with the angle of your hand and making sure you do not cross over on entry. --Give PT lots and lots of time. Shoulders take a long time to heal. Six weeks is nothing. This can take months. If she wants to keep swimming I suggest doing kick workouts WITHOUT A KICKBOARD. She can also work on transitions. She might try fistgolves too which take a lot of strain off the shoulder and will teach her to engage her back muscles. --If her shoulder in addition to popping is also slipping, she might have a labrum tear. The only way to know for sure is with an MRI. --But PT and time can make a huge difference. Good luck
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