Shoulder injury at gym today

[Andromeda]

I was doing incline bench press. I had reached the last rep, and struggling to get the bar back on its support - I couldnt quite reach it with my right side and then the weight got the better of me... My arm stayed straight but my shoulder kinda twisted somehow and I heard this awful ripping noise (sounded like 2 distinct rips) before I weakened and luckily it landed on the bolt below. It was very painful at the time and continues to be achey.

I notice its most painful when I extend my arms above my head outstretched and then try move the arms backwards (like backstroke) Which muscle have I damaged?

Whats the best treatment to get this recovered and back to the gym asap?

Cheers

[chewiechomp]

Uh-oh man. Sounds like some probable rotator cuff damage. You probably stressed or (more likely) tore something in there.

My suggestion is to go see an Orthopedic doctor. And try to find one who doesn't automatically recommend surgery. Many R.C. problems can be helped without cutting you up. Have them diagnose exactly which of those little pieces in your shoulder crapped out. They diagnose by taking x-rays, possible MRI and by moving it around.

Some anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like ketoprofin, naproxen, ibuprofen, etc. are a good idea. The doc will recommend this, and will certainly tell you to take it easy for a while (i.e. no lifting over the head, etc.) That's the shittiest part - but the most important. Trust me. Rest is what helps here. They may also recommend some physical therapy exercises to strengthen the little muscles inside the shoulder.

Good luck man, and let us know what's up.

[ForemanRules]

Originally Posted by Andromeda

I was doing incline bench press. I had reached the last rep, and struggling to get the bar back on its support - I couldnt quite reach it with my right side and then the weight got the better of me... My arm stayed straight but my shoulder kinda twisted somehow and I heard this awful ripping noise (sounded like 2 distinct rips) before I weakened and luckily it landed on the bolt below. It was very painful at the time and continues to be achey.

I notice its most painful when I extend my arms above my head outstretched and then try move the arms backwards (like backstroke) Which muscle have I damaged?

Whats the best treatment to get this recovered and back to the gym asap?

Cheers

Go see a sports Doctor right away, do not train with weights until you do.

[role model]

Sounds like you tore your front delt. Ice it and a Dr.

[Andromeda]

Thx for the tips... I bought an ice pack and have used it a couple times already today - amazing how much relief it gives.... wish I'd started the damn thing yesterday.
As for treatment - I'm gonna book in to see a Dr early tomorrow morning (monday) hopefully get an ultrasound or MRI, and review it again the next day. My goal here is to surgically repair it (if required) before scar tissue has the chance to grow and permanently leave the rotator cuff weakened...

I just want to get it recovered as quickly as possible and in a way that will leave the shoulder least impaired for the rest of my life....

If you have any advice regarding treatment - I'm all ears..

Regards

[dennis]

Originally Posted by Andromeda

Thx for the tips... I bought an ice pack and have used it a couple times already today - amazing how much relief it gives.... wish I'd started the damn thing yesterday.
As for treatment - I'm gonna book in to see a Dr early tomorrow morning (monday) hopefully get an ultrasound or MRI, and review it again the next day. My goal here is to surgically repair it (if required) before scar tissue has the chance to grow and permanently leave the rotator cuff weakened...

I just want to get it recovered as quickly as possible and in a way that will leave the shoulder least impaired for the rest of my life....

If you have any advice regarding treatment - I'm all ears..

Regards

All I have to say is : WHERE WAS YOUR SPOTTER ????

[xtriple000]

i would think rotator cuff as thats the most common injury and as dennis said.. where was the spotter. post back with the diagnosis interested to know

[Andromeda]

Ok,

Had the ultrasound and was told by the two people that were doing it at the time that my tendons show no signs of damage, and they could'nt even find a muscle tear... They suspect it was a minor grade muscle tear

However what concerns me is why I've got this remaining ache (particularly at certain ranges of motion) that is not going away. The Dr advised it might be some kind of minor bursitis - Is this something they wouldnt have noticed on the ultrasound?

Regards,

[Andromeda]

Ok, well here I am 2 weeks on to the day, and I've been back to the gym twice - purely for leg sessions, and I still have quite bad pain in the right shoulder and inability to stretch it in certain angles like arms up and behind the head.

Ironically I can do Front Raise Bar's quite strongly and with no problem. However I noticed that even putting the squat bar behind my head/on the neck stretches my shoulder to the absolute limit of its motion. It was so painful that like the previous week I'm only able to do one set of squats and then have to go to the Inclined Leg Press to continue my workout

I also notice that when I try to do a chinup - I simply cant. there is great pain and weakness in whatever muscles are required for this exercise. I'm going to go look them up now, but if anyone knows what I've damaged then by all means speak up

Regards,

[chipmunk]

Answer these questions for me, and I'll help you as much I can.

1. Why did they do an ultrasound? Did they do any manual muscle testing, special tests (such as Jobes/OBrien's/Hawkin Kennendy's, etc)

2. How is your CURRENT range of motion? Flexion/Abduction etc Any clicking/catching with movement?

3. Can you touch the back of your neck?

4. Can you reach your back pocket without an increase in pain in the anterior shoulder?

5. Does the bicep curl increase anterior shoulder pain?

6. Put your arm directly outward, turn your thumbs downwards That hurt? Where?

7. Bend elbow, keep it to your side, move your hand out as far as you can while keeping your elbow to your side. That hurt? Where?

Is your current pain as aching, sharp with movement, constant dull..... ?


chipmunk