I'm a 35 year old former collegiate swimmer who has been back at it for the past two years. About 5 months ago I started experiencing pain in my left shoulder. It has been diagnosed (exams plus MRI) as an arthritic AC joint. A cortisone shot lasted about 2 weeks before the pain returned.
At this point I believe my only real option is undergoing surgery to eliminate interference between the two bones in the joint.
I believe I've read about Dara Torres having this done after Beijing. Has anyone here gone through this procedure? I would like to hear about recovery time and what to expect long term.
Thanks,
Micah
I've been swimming for four months. Diagnosis is osteoarthritis with two possible tears (supraspinius and infraspinius). I'm waiting for the results of my arthroscopic MRI now.
I'm swimming but backing off when the shoulder barks at me. I'm considering surgery and all that entails, but am leaning toward PT and shoulder strengthening first.
It's bumming me out. I've dropped 25lbs (with at least 30 more to go) and recently posted SCY times between 110 and 120% of national qualifiers. Swimming is literally saving my life, but my shoulder isn't cooperating.
If anyone has gone down this road, deferred surgery, and was able to swim with minimal pain I would be interested to hear your story.
Jeff
I'll chime in about my experience, because it's been positive so far. I too was a collegiate swimmer, took 20 or more years off (I'm now about to turn 53), dropped 50 pounds and started back swimming about 18 months ago, only to have issues with both shoulders. My left had a SLAP II tear, and partial tears of the subscapularis (a large one), supraspinatus, and infraspinatus. My right had a SLAP II tear, partial tears of supraspinatus and infraspinatus, and bad AC joint arthropathy (which was killing me).
Last June I tried PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections of the left shoulder in all the affected regions (in one session under ultrasound guidance), did PT and kicked for a month. My left shoulder felt so good at that point, that I realized how bad my right shoulder hurt, so I had PRP injections of the areas (in one session) for that shoulder in July. I was able to resume training (maybe 4000 yards a day) in September. My right shoulder has had no problems at all. My left shoulder still gets sore if I do too much fly, but it's definitely manageable.
Two weeks ago, I swam in 10 events in a 2 day SCM meet and both shoulders held up fine. I assume my good outcome was the combination of the PRP injections, rest, and rehab, but I'm certain in my own mind I wouldn't be swimming regularly now if it weren't for the PRP. Time will tell how long it holds up, but I've avoided surgery, get to train and compete regularly, and had some of the worst looking shoulder MRIs around. There's no great clinical trial evidence that PRP works, I haven't had repeat MRI's to show definitive healing, and it's generally not covered by insurance (I sank about $2000 into it), but I'm very glad I did it.
I've been swimming for four months. Diagnosis is osteoarthritis with two possible tears (supraspinius and infraspinius). I'm waiting for the results of my arthroscopic MRI now.
I'm swimming but backing off when the shoulder barks at me. I'm considering surgery and all that entails, but am leaning toward PT and shoulder strengthening first.
It's bumming me out. I've dropped 25lbs (with at least 30 more to go) and recently posted SCY times between 110 and 120% of national qualifiers. Swimming is literally saving my life, but my shoulder isn't cooperating.
If anyone has gone down this road, deferred surgery, and was able to swim with minimal pain I would be interested to hear your story.
Jeff
I'll chime in about my experience, because it's been positive so far. I too was a collegiate swimmer, took 20 or more years off (I'm now about to turn 53), dropped 50 pounds and started back swimming about 18 months ago, only to have issues with both shoulders. My left had a SLAP II tear, and partial tears of the subscapularis (a large one), supraspinatus, and infraspinatus. My right had a SLAP II tear, partial tears of supraspinatus and infraspinatus, and bad AC joint arthropathy (which was killing me).
Last June I tried PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections of the left shoulder in all the affected regions (in one session under ultrasound guidance), did PT and kicked for a month. My left shoulder felt so good at that point, that I realized how bad my right shoulder hurt, so I had PRP injections of the areas (in one session) for that shoulder in July. I was able to resume training (maybe 4000 yards a day) in September. My right shoulder has had no problems at all. My left shoulder still gets sore if I do too much fly, but it's definitely manageable.
Two weeks ago, I swam in 10 events in a 2 day SCM meet and both shoulders held up fine. I assume my good outcome was the combination of the PRP injections, rest, and rehab, but I'm certain in my own mind I wouldn't be swimming regularly now if it weren't for the PRP. Time will tell how long it holds up, but I've avoided surgery, get to train and compete regularly, and had some of the worst looking shoulder MRIs around. There's no great clinical trial evidence that PRP works, I haven't had repeat MRI's to show definitive healing, and it's generally not covered by insurance (I sank about $2000 into it), but I'm very glad I did it.
