Hello all, I was wondering if anyone has heard of getting stress fractures from swimming. I have rheumatoid arthritis, but have never had a problem with fractures. About 8 months ago I really started having problems with the muscles in my back/shoulder (in the lat/trap area) and thought it was from increasing my workout yardage and intensity. Then I had a nasty tear in my lat and only did kick workouts for 6 weeks. Now, I'm full steam ahead, have picked up my yardage on one workout a week, and looking forward to meet season in a month. Well, the doc tells me today that I have swelling in my left collarbone area (same shoulder that was injured) and my upper thoraic verterbrae are SUPER SENSITIVE!!! He has ordered X-rays, but I'm worried.
I mainly do IM workouts with all sorts of drills, etc. for all of the strokes. Is it possible to fracture vertebrae between your shoulder blades from too much fly?
I REALLY don't want to miss comp season, as it will be my first one back in 9 years and am super stoked!
:badday:
Former Member
Thanks for the info guys. I just researched avulsion fractures and that really sounds probable. From what I read, it will show on an X-ray (even minimally), so I guess I just have to wait for the radiologist's report.
Guess I have A LOT more kicking workouts in my future! :badday:
I have Spondylosis in my lower back (stress fracture) that reared its head my last year or two of college swimming. It results in a very weak lower back, stiffness that at times can really bother me on flip turns, streamlines, and kicking with a board.....anything where I arch my back. I did all kinds of rehab type exercises, heat treatment, stretching, strength, etc......no luck. If it hurts.....don't do that, is what the doctors tell me. Its actually gotten better since I started back swimming 16 months ago but I still have those days here and there.
Not sure how the condition came about, whether from swimming or I injured it doing something else (basketball, running, weights) while in college. They said is a common injury to offensive lineman in football (which I never played).
And they say swimming is a noncombat sport! Yeah right.
I haven't heard of a stess fracture from swimming, but I can definitely see ANY injury being inflamed!!! I'm so sorry this happened.
Good Luck though. I hope you heal up fast!!
