Working Around Shoulder Injury

Cape1 · 09-03-2009, 10:15 AM

I think I may have a problem with my right Shoulder (both actually but the right is bad). Pain while doing any direct overhead movement or even steep inclines is unbearbable and my shoulder just gives out completely at times. I think I worked up too fast strength wise over the past 6 months and my connective tissue may not have kept pace.

I plan to discuss this with the Doc in October when I see him and possible get an MRI. Shockingly, bench pressing and inclines at around 10 degrees don't hurt so much. I will likely end up getting surgury but I would like to compete again before hand (if that is possible).

Have any of you guys suffered such problems and, if so, and assuming you worked around them, what did you do for shoulder work?

FATHER FLEX · 09-03-2009, 10:36 AM

Something similar, and what I did, is press in the planes I could function in without pain. Its better than nothing, and trust me your shoulders, and triceps are still getting stimulated, even with a 10 degree incline.

aguy fish · 09-03-2009, 12:44 PM

I currently suffer from a severe shoulder injury due to athrosis. My shoulder can be dislocated at any moment and sleeping has become so difficult.I need surgery badly in fact. But Irve an important contest coming and I did not want to sign up for surgey even if my doc says I'm crazy!
I still manage to train, I do physio 2-3 times a week, I'm equiped for medical electrostimulation at home so I do this as well and unfortunately I'm forced to take a LOT of painkillers ( I know this is not good but I ain't got the choice). Incline is hard to do. Weirdly, I find flyes easier than presses, since the strain on my shoulder has created tendonities on the pec, bicep and triceps too: very nice! I'm prepping for Mister universe so i'm forcing myself into training in pain. It's been 6 months now ( my injury started on my prep for the National in april) and I'm looking forward to a break after my contest: only hoping my body will allow me to do it! I don't think i'll go into surgery though because my doc has said rehab would be hard and that after this lifting heavy would be hardly possible.

zenzone · 09-03-2009, 11:23 PM

get it checked asap. possibility torn rotator cuff. My best friend is goin thru that, he has a rough time with it at times, its constantly bothering him. Get it checked asap

Cape1 · 09-04-2009, 07:18 AM

Thanks everyone.

I'll be discussing it with the Doc at my next appointment. I plan to start prepping for a Spring show soon so I don't want surgery yet. I'll just have to work around it for now.

Aqua - That sucks man. Try to take it easy on the pain killers bro. Good luck with the mr. U!

Flex - I'll be doing what you suggest by working within the plane. It's funny. I can handle moderate incline benching and definitely flat benching and all back movements. I just cannot handle direct over the head press movements. I can use very light weight for side laterals too. I'll just have to work with it.

ygbodybuilder10 · 09-04-2009, 06:58 PM

i have a problem with my left shoulder at this very moment, it bothers me more when i do flat rather incline.

if u want to know if its your rotator cuff. do some rotator cuff. and if u feel some time of pain or discomfort than i'm pretty sure its the rotator cuff.

did u try using ICE pack

Cape1 · 09-05-2009, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ygbodybuilder10

i have a problem with my left shoulder at this very moment, it bothers me more when i do flat rather incline.

if u want to know if its your rotator cuff. do some rotator cuff. and if u feel some time of pain or discomfort than i'm pretty sure its the rotator cuff.

did u try using ICE pack

Thanks. Yeah, I've tried ICE, Anti-inflamatory drugs, even Whiskey - LOL. It just freaking hurts. Time to see the Doc.

ygbodybuilder10 · 09-05-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cape1

Thanks. Yeah, I've tried ICE, Anti-inflamatory drugs, even Whiskey - LOL. It just freaking hurts. Time to see the Doc.

was the Anti-inflamatory drugs over the counter if so which was it?

Cape1 · 09-05-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ygbodybuilder10

was the Anti-inflamatory drugs over the counter if so which was it?

I just used Advil - 800 mg. My wife and my father both have some left over script based stuff so I may see if that works.

Richard24 · 09-07-2009, 08:53 PM

Similar problem I went to doctor asap, cuff was good, but had two small tears in the muscle. It was my left shoulder.

MattB4686 · 09-07-2009, 08:57 PM

I'm in the same boat as everybody else. Had shoulder pain for 4 months. Finished the last 8 weeks of my prep with it. MRI showed nothing. I guess I might have to get a second opinion.

Barn01 · 09-07-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattB4686

I'm in the same boat as everybody else. Had shoulder pain for 4 months. Finished the last 8 weeks of my prep with it. MRI showed nothing. I guess I might have to get a second opinion.

If your pain is right at the top of your shoulder when you touch it (where your clavical joins your shoulder) then you could have a damaged AC joint. This happened to me once from doing heavy bench, and dips. I had to take it easy for a couple months and a few people tried to tell me that I'd never lift heavy again.

Well a month or two ago I wanted to try 3 plates on the bench ... did it and it was just fine, but I haven't had any pain in about 6 months.

Cape1 · 09-08-2009, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barn01

If your pain is right at the top of your shoulder when you touch it (where your clavical joins your shoulder) then you could have a damaged AC joint. This happened to me once from doing heavy bench, and dips. I had to take it easy for a couple months and a few people tried to tell me that I'd never lift heavy again.

Well a month or two ago I wanted to try 3 plates on the bench ... did it and it was just fine, but I haven't had any pain in about 6 months.

OT but that's a hell of a lift at your weight BArn!!! Nice work

MattB4686 · 09-08-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barn01

If your pain is right at the top of your shoulder when you touch it (where your clavical joins your shoulder) then you could have a damaged AC joint. This happened to me once from doing heavy bench, and dips. I had to take it easy for a couple months and a few people tried to tell me that I'd never lift heavy again.

Well a month or two ago I wanted to try 3 plates on the bench ... did it and it was just fine, but I haven't had any pain in about 6 months.

Thats some good numbers man! But no my pain is at the side of my shoulder. I'm getting a second opinion on thursday.

Barn01 · 09-08-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cape1

OT but that's a hell of a lift at your weight BArn!!! Nice work

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattB4686

Thats some good numbers man! But no my pain is at the side of my shoulder. I'm getting a second opinion on thursday.

Thanks but I was 174lbs at that point in my cut! At this weight I wouldn't even bother trying it.

Cape1 · 09-09-2009, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barn01

Thanks but I was 174lbs at that point in my cut! At this weight I wouldn't even bother trying it.

I got 345 recently for a couple of decent reps and 315 for a set of 6 but I"m a damn Moose right now. NOt sure I could come close even at 174. That's damn impressive considering your main goal is not power!

I could probably do it at a leaner weight but I get incredibly sore as I loose body fat. I'm starting to think I was not meant to be lean...I think my ancestors must of lived in the north pole or something.

stayfit2008 · 09-09-2009, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenzone

get it checked asap. possibility torn rotator cuff. My best friend is goin thru that, he has a rough time with it at times, its constantly bothering him. Get it checked asap

^^^^ This,..the longer you wait,..the longer the recovery

Cape1 · 09-12-2009, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stayfit2008

^^^^ This,..the longer you wait,..the longer the recovery

Well, you're right I suppose. I'll be getting it checked out soon. I'm wondering if it's even the cuff. I wouldn't think I would be able to do what I do in the gym with a torn rotator cuff but I could be wrong.

thrasherfan1718 · 09-18-2009, 07:18 PM

I actually just had an MRI done on my left shoulder because I was suffering from pain on some overhead lifts and incline presses like you. At times it would feel like my shoulder was gonna 'let go' and I never really attempted big weight because of the fear of further injury.

Well, the MRI showed a tear in the labrum. I'm thinking this is what you might have, too. If it was the rotator cuff you wouldn't being doing very much shoulder work at all. The doc said they could do arthroscopic surgery to repair the tear followed by a recovery period of 8-12 weeks with therapy. I haven't made the decision yet on what I'm going to do yet, though.

My advice would be to get the MRI as soon as possible to take away the guess work.