Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint

[RavageX]

Any weight-lifters here diagnosed with osteo in their shoulder joint?

9 years ago I was hit by a car while riding my motorcycle and was relatively uninjured despite a few forward flips onto my left side. My hand (fractured), bicep (strained), and shoulder(undiagnosed) took the brunt of the impact.

Did a few months physio, kept at the gym albeit at a far more reduced intensity/weight.... Eventually was "cleared" by doctors despite nagging pain in my left shoulder with over head lifts... fast forward through years and years of more lifting through pain, the odd visit / complaint to doctor, thousands upon thousands spent in chiro, massage, physio.... eventually after multiple ultrasounds, xrays, 2 MRIs... they discover - hey you've got severe degenerative changes in the glenhumeral head of your shoulder joint!

Say what doc?

Basically, theres no cartilage anymore. Grinding, crunching, cracking. My shoulder feels like broken glass and sand when I move it in most motions.

Ortho surgeon says never touch another weight again. Seen tons of athletes, elderly, pros, amateurs, etc etc etc and never seen a shoulder as bad as mine in a patient as young (31).

I've had 2 neovisc injections with little to no relief. Next up is a cortisone shot. Anyone have experience? I'm well aware this is just a band aid but at this point I'd be happy with a little bit of pain relief that isn't coming from narcotic pills (I've got a lifetime prescription that just gets steadily ramped up in terms of strength).

The surgeon seemed real hesitant to scope and clean out any loose bodies as he reiteriated, there is no cure. I've already assured him (and I really have) adjusted a LOT of my exercises around this shoulder... There really is almost nothing that doesn't hurt me, its basically come down to what I can tolerate. Even free weight squats, holding the bar in a traditional "crucifix" position is pretty bad.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if there is anyone else out there in my position? Being this age, and being told to basically give up the passion you've had for 10 years and furthermore avoid just about any type of activity that puts ANY type of strain through your left shoulder (thank god I'm right handed).. is upsetting, to put it mildly.

I've done a bit of research and there is a clinic in the US (I'm in Canada) that does IAGH injections for arthritis and they claim high success rates in all joints. I'm not willing to drop a whole whack of cash to on treatments like that just yet, but it does give me SOME glimmer of hope that perhaps one day we WILL be able to regenerate cartilage.

[Pluto1998]

Any weight-lifters here diagnosed with osteo in their shoulder joint?

9 years ago I was hit by a car while riding my motorcycle and was relatively uninjured despite a few forward flips onto my left side. My hand (fractured), bicep (strained), and shoulder(undiagnosed) took the brunt of the impact.

Did a few months physio, kept at the gym albeit at a far more reduced intensity/weight.... Eventually was "cleared" by doctors despite nagging pain in my left shoulder with over head lifts... fast forward through years and years of more lifting through pain, the odd visit / complaint to doctor, thousands upon thousands spent in chiro, massage, physio.... eventually after multiple ultrasounds, xrays, 2 MRIs... they discover - hey you've got severe degenerative changes in the glenhumeral head of your shoulder joint!

Say what doc?

Basically, theres no cartilage anymore. Grinding, crunching, cracking. My shoulder feels like broken glass and sand when I move it in most motions.

Ortho surgeon says never touch another weight again. Seen tons of athletes, elderly, pros, amateurs, etc etc etc and never seen a shoulder as bad as mine in a patient as young (31).

I've had 2 neovisc injections with little to no relief. Next up is a cortisone shot. Anyone have experience? I'm well aware this is just a band aid but at this point I'd be happy with a little bit of pain relief that isn't coming from narcotic pills (I've got a lifetime prescription that just gets steadily ramped up in terms of strength).

The surgeon seemed real hesitant to scope and clean out any loose bodies as he reiteriated, there is no cure. I've already assured him (and I really have) adjusted a LOT of my exercises around this shoulder... There really is almost nothing that doesn't hurt me, its basically come down to what I can tolerate. Even free weight squats, holding the bar in a traditional "crucifix" position is pretty bad.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if there is anyone else out there in my position? Being this age, and being told to basically give up the passion you've had for 10 years and furthermore avoid just about any type of activity that puts ANY type of strain through your left shoulder (thank god I'm right handed).. is upsetting, to put it mildly.

I've done a bit of research and there is a clinic in the US (I'm in Canada) that does IAGH injections for arthritis and they claim high success rates in all joints. I'm not willing to drop a whole whack of cash to on treatments like that just yet, but it does give me SOME glimmer of hope that perhaps one day we WILL be able to regenerate cartilage.

On the news recently, they showed this doctor who injects adult stem cells into peoples joints, who have arthritic conditions and similar degeneration. Supposedly, the people who had this treatment don't have any pain and seem to have been cured. This treatment kind of makes sense, as in theory injecting your own adult stem cells into your joint, would help regenerate cartilage. Although, I don't know how this happen as cartilage has almost no blood supply. They also said this form of treatment has been used by vets for animals for ages. Don't know why human doctors have not been doing this.

Probably, its worth looking into this.

Some people with worn cartilage in the joints, can also get artificial replacements. You will have a practically new shoulder joint after this.

[Castle179]

I have osteoarthritis in both shoulders, and both knees (lifetime of abuse from training). I am currently 32, and been this way since I was 28.
My shoulders were brought on by a car accident (some idiot hit me from behind).
I have had the surgery, and countless injections. And sorry to say, it just gets worse.
I am currently saving for the stem cell therapy, as I too, have heard it works.
Lets face it, being in this position, and knowing it will NEVER get better, what can we lose? (Other than the cash?)
But, if it works, I'll be working back at the standard I was, and not whimpering along like an old dog.
I have had to drop my weights, lose some exercises, and seen a massive decrease in muscle definition.
All I can say, is if you have a means to get the cash, try it. I am through with being told "stop the weightlifting" and "stay out of the gym". Oh yeah! I'm 33 this year, and you think I am going to stop training?! Get real!
Seriously. Get looking into this therapy. It may be your only hope.
Sorry for the downer, but reality sucks!

[Velodog2]

Same here. I'm 52 and been dealing w oa in right shoulder for some years now. It has only gotten worse and is now classified as moderately severe, whatever that means, except that I can barely lift anymore. It is not necessarily easier to accept just because I'm older. I don't think stem cells are going to work for long as the disease is really about the inflamed bone growing through the cartilage and destroying the mechanics of the joint. All drs have said joint replacement is the only answer. But full joint replacement is for pain reduction and will not allow weight lifting. The plastic components wear away in a couple of years if you try it making a mess of your shoulder area. Hemi arthroplasty is the best option I've found where they replace the humeral ball but just ream out the glenoid to make it spherical. The bone heals with a thin layer of cartilage. Recovery is long (1-2 years to maximum pain reduction), but apparently allows unrestricted use for I think it was 5-10 years until the new glenoid socket erodes. Then they can cut that off and convert it to a fully artificial joint.

It's really a non-returnable serve I'm afraid.

[jblinks]

im on the way to recovery now. Doctor told me the same thing never to lift again. I told him i would anyway. He said within ten years he expects ill have to get a shoulder replacement. I had a 360 degree labrum tear, a debribement of labrum tissue that had frayed over the years, bicep and pectoral repairs, bone spur removed and a shaving of the humeral head. Im 25 years old and had the injury for 9 years. I simply hurt it boxing and my father didnt believe the injury so i went on for nine years after have learning to live with the dislocations every week for years. With the tear i was bench pressing 425lbs and deadlifting over 700. Military pressing over 300 lbs. I know my powerlifting will maybe never be the same, but i dont see how i could do all that with an injury before surgery and then be told i cant afterwords. The osteoarthritis i developed is obviously the problem. I plan on fighting through the pain as long as possible and returning to body building until the day comes i need a should replacement. Hopefully by then they will have better treatment. I have heard of prp injections for shoulder problems but its a new treatment i havent had personally. I have gotten negative feedback from most doctors i have asked about the prp injections. Cortisone injections are temporary relief (never really helped me) but have deteriorating properties and i wouldnt recommend it. I get a lot of juice heads and broscience on here telling me to run steroids like deca, test, and equipoise to help the joint but i talked to my doctor and anabolics actually hinder the healing process. Another alternative i have heard for bodybuilders is growth hormone if you can afford or find it. Ive been naturally recovering pretty good im 10 weeks out of surgery i have been working legs as much as possible not upper body yet. Trying hard to get back though.

[Bards1986]

Hey mate, just been reading your posts, ive got a very similar story, i also hurt my shoulder from boxing and kept training after for years, ive worn out my glenoid cartilage and i live in pain 24 / 7
Im 30 years old. Would be good to chat more if your interested we can give eachother some feed back thanks

[Bigphilis]

Hi I've was diagnosed with arthritis in my right shoulder when I was 32 I'm now 34 the specialist thought I was a wrestler or rugby player because of the state it was in , he gave me all the roads to go down but advised me to put them all off for as long as I could because of my age , the condition is from 16 years of body building an steroids I always jab my shoulders it's now got to the point where It disrupting my everyday lifestyle and activities I can't take my own tshirt off without my gf doing it sometimes is anybody else in this situation and what would do you advise ?

[Mandalorian222]

Hey guys, I was wondering if any of you had any updates, I am really interested in knowing what happened to everyone with your shoulder problem since you had the problem in 2012 and its 2020, and sadly medicine hasnt advanced much.
My name is Carlos and I am 28 and yep I am suffering from the same thing, I have OA in my neck due to a fall and it expanded to my shoulders, I didnt want to give up on lifting since I have been lifting from a young age, so I lifted through the pain and now today, the pain in my shoulders has worsen, I havent checked a doctor, because to me all they do is surgery for everything lol, but I went to a chiro that helped me with my back problem but has helped me little to none with my shoulder. I am thinking of finally going to the doc so I can get some therapy for it and try to control the pain and avoid surgery replacement, I have given up weights, everyone there now laughs at me because I only work my legs out and with barely any weight, and train my friends and stuff. Also I would like to ask you guys if any of you tried the stem cells therapy, I heard that in some cases even made cartilage to regrow in before and after xrays. To be honest I pray everyday for a miracle that they will finally find the cure or effective treatment of OA, and well stop till it hurts more intensly, mine hurts but mostly when I move it or lift, I can sleep fine and the pain aslong as I dont move it to much its ok. Much love guys and if you have any tips for this cronic disease please hit me up or if you want to talk, to be honest finding this post cheered me up a bit, because its hard living as the only young person with this ****.

[nitefeatherz]

Hey guys, I was wondering if any of you had any updates, I am really interested in knowing what happened to everyone with your shoulder problem since you had the problem in 2012 and its 2020, and sadly medicine hasnt advanced much.
My name is Carlos and I am 28 and yep I am suffering from the same thing, I have OA in my neck due to a fall and it expanded to my shoulders, I didnt want to give up on lifting since I have been lifting from a young age, so I lifted through the pain and now today, the pain in my shoulders has worsen, I havent checked a doctor, because to me all they do is surgery for everything lol, but I went to a chiro that helped me with my back problem but has helped me little to none with my shoulder. I am thinking of finally going to the doc so I can get some therapy for it and try to control the pain and avoid surgery replacement, I have given up weights, everyone there now laughs at me because I only work my legs out and with barely any weight, and train my friends and stuff. Also I would like to ask you guys if any of you tried the stem cells therapy, I heard that in some cases even made cartilage to regrow in before and after xrays. To be honest I pray everyday for a miracle that they will finally find the cure or effective treatment of OA, and well stop till it hurts more intensly, mine hurts but mostly when I move it or lift, I can sleep fine and the pain aslong as I dont move it to much its ok. Much love guys and if you have any tips for this cronic disease please hit me up or if you want to talk, to be honest finding this post cheered me up a bit, because its hard living as the only young person with this ****.

Try looking into a sports medicine specialist...they can sometimes transplant cartilage from either yourself or a cadaver.

[Mandalorian222]

Try looking into a sports medicine specialist...they can sometimes transplant cartilage from either yourself or a cadaver.

Thank you so much, that is a great idea and is something I will keep in mind, I was waiting to go to the doc so I can get the exams paid by my insurance lol but soon after I get them, ill go and find one.

[Lugwrench04]

I’m 50. Had torn rotator cuff/labrum surgery 5 years ago. Dr had to remove 80% of my cartilage in right shoulder. Three anchors for three complete tears. Shaved down the heads of the bones in the shoulder joint to hive more space for movement. I returned to lifting, quasi heavy and about 5/6 days a week training. Back in february 2021 i had severe pain in shoulder. MRI showed partial tear in rotator cuff. Dr said to stop lifting. Degenerative condition. I had further worn down the heads of the bones. He also said that with no cartilage in the shoulder it was basically bone on bone when lifting, which would just shred up soft tissue.

I have been doing PRP and running HGH. Phys therapy and have now started lifting, albeit i have modified my regimen. Only 4 days a week. Nonoverhead lifting or shoulder flys. Cant doe free weight squats. Cant put shoulder in “crucifix” position. So leg press/machine press. Body weight for chest. Pushups. Close grip. Been doing hammer strength machines, but do not bring elbows past the shoulder. Keeping weight ls relatively light. No more than 70lbs total on each side. 3 sets max. No chest flys. No wide grip lat pull downs or wide grip chin ups. No full extension when doing pull ups rows or pull downs. We’ll see how it goes.

Afraid that lighter weights and fewer sets/reps is only option. The next step is a partial or total replacement, which means no kore lifting period.

[BiGx5MurF]

Has anyone here tried Crossover Symmetry?

I get shoulder discomfort and stiffness every time I do pressing movements, even when using a swiss bar (it's greatly reduced, but still there). The particular shoulder that it happens to was dislocated in my teens due to a skateboard accident, which I popped back myself with a loud popping sound. Went to ER, got x-rayed, and given a sling. Wore it for a month, and it supposedly healed. But lived with the discomfort, and stiffness every time I did chest presses ever since.

With crossover symmetry, by the time I get to the 3rd exercise, it's like my shoulder issues are instantly alleviated. It's very expensive for what it is, but shouldn't be hard to find the exercise chart online, and just use whatever bands you have laying around.