Rotator cuff?

Question

I somehow injured both rotator cuff at the start of the summer either from lifting too much or not stretching out long enought before swimming. I heard it can take up to a year to fully heal. I feel I am at 75-80% of where I used to be but when I hit the pool I can only free style for a short distance before pain set's in- Any experiences you have had with rotator cuff and what did you do to work it out.

It not torn- more like a severe sprain. I do pull ups and play racquest ball just fine. I must admit I am one of those in the gym who neglect to work shoulders regular

Answer 1

you poor bastard .if you realy tore your cuff you would be insane with pain its got to be the worst thing in the world it happend to me 12 years ago im still not over it good luck

Answer 2

Depends on the extent of the injury. First of all a torn rota tor cuff does not heal on it's on. Now let me rephrase that it will heal but not in the proper manner, meaning the shoulder joint has the widest range of motion than any other joint in the body. Therefore, when moved in a position that is normal for the shoulder, you risk tearing what was torn again for the muscles probably didn't reconnect as it was anatomically suppose to. I have had a toren rotater cuff for approximately 3 years, I can truck along just fine, then make an unusual twist of the shoulder and it hurts me for days to weeks, however I didn't have any surgical intervention either. I preferred to just deal with the pain. Now I'm a Registered Nurse, and if you would rephrase your question to physical therapist only, you will get a much more informative response. Hope this helps some. Thanks for the opportunity to address your question.

Answer 3

I am a Neuromuscular Therapist and Certified Trainer.

Since your are a swimmer and raquetball player you most likely have very strong and well-developed pectoral muscles. When the pectoral muscles become stronger than muscles in your upper back, like the middle trapezius, rhomboids and posterior rotator cuff muscles (infraspinatus, supraspinatus and teres minor), the shoulders tend to roll forward and in as a result. This is also a postural distortion that people who work long hours at a computer experience-the chest muscles adapt to their prolonged shoulder-forward position by becoming short and tight. This often results in strains or tears in the rotator cuff because these muscles are stretched long and at or near their normal operational limit. Since the muscles are stretched long it takes very little muscular force from the muscles in the front, like the anterior head of the deltoid or the pectoralis, to stretch them too far and tear.

Focus on stretching your pecs (chest muscles) and building some strength in your upper/middle back muscles and posterior shoulders. The details for exercises and stretches are too much to go in to here but buy some good stretching and exercise books or do some research on the web to find specific exercises for what I've described. The goal is to achieve muscular balance between your chest and back so that one is not overpowering the other and causing strain.

Take it easy, let your muscles adapt to progressive training, and you should be rid of this problem in a reasonable amount of time.

Answer 4

Have you had it evaled by an MD or therapist? There are lot of things that could be wrong in the shoulder anatomy.. most people assume if it hurts, it is the rotator cuff. That may be, but it could be alot of things. It could be bursitis or an impingement. If it happened on both shoulders and at the same time, it may be worth checking for a pinched nerve in the neck.

Answer 5

I tore....I mean 98% off of the bone before they could get in there bore a hole in my shoulder bone and sew the muscle back. If yours is torn...the pain will tell you.

My surgery was Jan 04 and it still gives me trouble...mainly range of motion and has stopped me from some sports.

Your MD may try cortisone shots at 1st and evaluate. I told mine....if we are going to have to cut...do and get it done. Just a word....it is painful but once corrected the daily pain suffered by simply moving your arm will be gone.

Good luck