I think I busted my rotator cuff

[BigGameJames]

I've been doing chest and shoulder workouts with dumbbells, but I've recently switched to the barbell to switch things up. It might be a coincidence, but I have some discomfort in my shoulder region.

I'm going to skip a shoulder workout or 2 and see if things get better. The thing is, I don't know if it is my rotator cuff or if I damaged it a lot.

I can do chest and shoulder workouts no problem with no discomfort. There's only discomfort when I rotate my arm in a circle. And the discomfort only happens sometimes.

Anyone with a rotator cuff injury....please share your experience. Also, what does my injury sound like. (I'm not going to see a doctor unless things start hurting)

[ad$]

i injured my shoulder a while back. Before it got any worse i took off a whole week from upper body work, then a further week of any pressing moevements. It healed pretty quick because i rested it straight away without further aggravating the injury. Also i heated and iced it regulary and tried not to do many everyday movements that hurt it

[KopyKat]

Does it click and make pain going in a downward motion?

It sounds to me like impingment to be honest.

I would check these links out and see what you can do about it:


http://www.forum.bodybuilding.com/sh...d.php?t=917925


http://www.exrx.net/ExInfo/Posture.html

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/issa12.htm

http://www.t-nation.com/findArticle....6-033-training

http://www.indoindians.com/health/posture.htm

http://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/patient...sp?article=444

http://www.causeof.org/posture.htm

http://www.nismat.org/orthocor/progr...eckex.html#Ex9

http://www.eorthopod.com/eorthopodV2...ab9a955/area/6

[reet_jeet]

I'm having a hard time understanding the last two conditions in this link: http://www.exrx.net/ExInfo/Posture.html

What exactly is a winged scapula? According to the site, it says "Inferior angle of scapula protrude slightly from body." Does this mean the shoulder blade is tilting backwards like what happens when people are in benchpress form? If so, how does that diagram help understand the condition?

For the protracted shoulder girdle condition, the diagram on the right is normal, and the one on the left is the one with the condition right?

[chickeneater]

I'm very experienced when it comes to shoulder injury. Be patient. I would continue to work around it w/ caution. Just keep in mind, It will heal and feel better, but the shoulder region takes a long time to heal. Depending on extent of injury, don't be discouraged if it takes 6-8mos to be pain free. Until that time, this is not the time to adopt the "no pain, no gain attitude" when pushing the iron.

[KopyKat]

Originally Posted by reet_jeet

I'm having a hard time understanding the last two conditions in this link: http://www.exrx.net/ExInfo/Posture.html

What exactly is a winged scapula? According to the site, it says "Inferior angle of scapula protrude slightly from body." Does this mean the shoulder blade is tilting backwards like what happens when people are in benchpress form? If so, how does that diagram help understand the condition?

For the protracted shoulder girdle condition, the diagram on the right is normal, and the one on the left is the one with the condition right?

Well protracted shoulder girdle is when the shoulders are pulled foward, the rhomboids are stretched and the chest is tight. The shoulder joints/muscles are taking too much stress in almost every movement.

As for winged scapula, thats the one i have the hardest time understanding as well to tell you the truth.

I don't think its the shoulder blades back position because that is proper shoulder posture (back and down), but i have a hunch its the "show off your traps" position, like when you do a most muscular pose and you flare your traps and your shoulders kinda go foward but also your scapula sticks out the most in that position in the back. I notice it said that it can also be compounded with protracted shoulder girdle, and i can see why since you can also have your shoulder foward in that position.

Protracted shoulder girdle: Shoulders forward with traps down, like a lat spread position, lats are being stretched along with rhomboids.

Winged scapula: Shoulders foward with traps flared.

Keep in mind that im not 100% on that either so i would love if someone can chime in and see what they make of it as well.

[Sloandy73]

Originally Posted by KopyKat

Well protracted shoulder girdle is when the shoulders are pulled foward, the rhomboids are stretched and the chest is tight. The shoulder joints/muscles are taking too much stress in almost every movement.

As for winged scapula, thats the one i have the hardest time understanding as well to tell you the truth.

I don't think its the shoulder blades back position because that is proper shoulder posture (back and down), but i have a hunch its the "show off your traps" position, like when you do a most muscular pose and you flare your traps and your shoulders kinda go foward but also your scapula sticks out the most in that position in the back. I notice it said that it can also be compounded with protracted shoulder girdle, and i can see why since you can also have your shoulder foward in that position.

Protracted shoulder girdle: Shoulders forward with traps down, like a lat spread position, lats are being stretched along with rhomboids.

Winged scapula: Shoulders foward with traps flared.

Keep in mind that im not 100% on that either so i would love if someone can chime in and see what they make of it as well.

This is a pathological posterior displacement of the vertebral border of the scapula. This is a common clinical finding related to misalignments or assymetries of the scapulothoracic region. Winging of the vertebral border of the scapula secondary to either excessive scapula internal rotation or serratus anterior weakness. This weakness is of the serratus anterior is often associated with flattening and restricted flexion in the midthoracic region.

[reet_jeet]

Originally Posted by Sloandy73

This is a pathological posterior displacement of the vertebral border of the scapula. This is a common clinical finding related to misalignments or assymetries of the scapulothoracic region. Winging of the vertebral border of the scapula secondary to either excessive scapula internal rotation or serratus anterior weakness. This weakness is of the serratus anterior is often associated with flattening and restricted flexion in the midthoracic region.

in non-medical terms please

[dangoody27]

Originally Posted by BigGameJames

I've been doing chest and shoulder workouts with dumbbells, but I've recently switched to the barbell to switch things up. It might be a coincidence, but I have some discomfort in my shoulder region.

I'm going to skip a shoulder workout or 2 and see if things get better. The thing is, I don't know if it is my rotator cuff or if I damaged it a lot.

I can do chest and shoulder workouts no problem with no discomfort. There's only discomfort when I rotate my arm in a circle. And the discomfort only happens sometimes.

Anyone with a rotator cuff injury....please share your experience. Also, what does my injury sound like. (I'm not going to see a doctor unless things start hurting)

When I played baseball, we were forbidden from doing anything with a barbell because it eventually builds up the muscles near the rotator cuff, which would limit velocity, etc.

Now that I am no longer playing, those areas a little weaker for me when I do barbells, but they are getting stronger. Since you stated that you just recently switched from dumbbells to barbells, you may be experiencing the same thing.

Just give your muscles/stablizers to get used to the bars.

[reet_jeet]

Originally Posted by dangoody27

When I played baseball, we were forbidden from doing anything with a barbell because it eventually builds up the muscles near the rotator cuff, which would limit velocity, etc.

Now that I am no longer playing, those areas a little weaker for me when I do barbells, but they are getting stronger. Since you stated that you just recently switched from dumbbells to barbells, you may be experiencing the same thing.

Just give your muscles/stablizers to get used to the bars.

How does building up muscles for anywhere limit velocity? Doesn't it make you stronger, hence, throw faster?

[Sloandy73]

Originally Posted by reet_jeet

in non-medical terms please

Essentially a person with a winged scapula need to work on strengthening the scapula stabilizers and forcus on developing a level of postural awareness.

[cougarfootball2]

i injuried my rotator cuff in college, the orthopedic doc i went to did test on my shoulder one was... holding your arm straight out infront of you (balled fist) let someone try to push your arm down, if you cant keep them from pushing down without serious pain thats a plus... then place your arm out straight (thumbs down) then bring it to 45 degree's let someone push down, no pain and good strength thats a plus... imflamation can feel alot like a tear, their degree's of tears, more serious you couldnt lift your arm at all, ibuprofen will help with inflamation... add some heat, also some internal and external rotations before you lift will help.. IMO.

[magicdad]

It's no coincidence - the barbell bench press is harder on the shoulders for a lot of people, and it sounds like that's the case with you. Like me, your shoulders might simply be more vulnerable to injury. So in addition to the above suggestions for looking up links on how to relieve your shoulder pain, I would suggest using dumbbells exclusively for presses, at least for now. I hammer grip the DBs on all presses, and my former shoulder impingement has almost completely gone away. You wouldn't think it would make a big difference, but the simple turning of the palms in to face each other is the only reason I'm able to press at all. Palms in pronated position (like a barbell) really strains my shoulders. And I don't feel I'm losing anything by using DBs. In fact, many will tell you that DB presses are better than BB presses even if you have no shoulder problems.

Of course it depends on what your specific goals and issues are, but the point is to be able to exercise effectively and safely even if it means switching to an exercise or apparatus that isn't your first choice.

Good luck.

[chickeneater]

Originally Posted by Sloandy73

This is a pathological posterior displacement of the vertebral border of the scapula. This is a common clinical finding related to misalignments or assymetries of the scapulothoracic region. Winging of the vertebral border of the scapula secondary to either excessive scapula internal rotation or serratus anterior weakness. This weakness is of the serratus anterior is often associated with flattening and restricted flexion in the midthoracic region.

I reccomend not getting into the biology of it. Knowing all the terms and science of it will not make your shoulder feel better, actually only worse as a placebo effect because the "terms" will make you feel the joint is fragile and weak, when it really is a strong self healing machine. IMO ignorance is bliss when it comes to shoulder injuries. The less you get into it the better. Nurse it for a bit, then baby it for a while, and slowly build it back up. It will get better.

[KopyKat]

Originally Posted by chickeneater

I reccomend not getting into the biology of it. Knowing all the terms and science of it will not make your shoulder feel better, actually only worse as a placebo effect because the "terms" will make you feel the joint is fragile and weak, when it really is a strong self healing machine. IMO ignorance is bliss when it comes to shoulder injuries. The less you get into it the better. Nurse it for a bit, then baby it for a while, and slowly build it back up. It will get better.

Its so funny you say that because i know ive made weird feelings for myself in some joints just thinking of the shoulder tendons ripping or something sliding and tearing, like when i really think of it i imagine exactly what goes on when something is ripping even though im fine and there is no injury to be had :S

[chickeneater]

Originally Posted by KopyKat

Its so funny you say that because i know ive made weird feelings for myself in some joints just thinking of the shoulder tendons ripping or something sliding and tearing, like when i really think of it i imagine exactly what goes on when something is ripping even though im fine and there is no injury to be had :S

exactly