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Bad Climber
climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 27, 2015 - 06:19pm PT
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TACOids:
I'm finally recovered from the intercostal rib tear (Yaaah!), and somehow I've pulled something in my left deltoid (Booooo!). Call me Mr. Injury. Hey, it's what I do, okay? We all need hobbies. Chronic, low-level BS is mine.
So, here's the deal: When I lift my left arm directly to the side, virtually no symptoms. When I raise it more towards the front a-la Hitler-salute stylee, I get some mild pain from the horizontal through the next 20 degrees or so of lift, with a little pain in the straight up, don't-shoot-me style. If my arm is by my side, I can dig into the deltoid right about the middle-front and find the hot spot.
I've done some climbing, which doesn't seem to make it much worse. On the other hand, it's not really going away right now either.
Experiences? Advice? Hugs?
BAd
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c wilmot
climber
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Oct 27, 2015 - 06:32pm PT
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talk to your doctor.
personally when I messed up my right shoulder it only led to the other one becoming damaged as I was not able to give it rest or time to heal
Unless you are forced to use it, take it easy until it feels better.
Once you mess up your shoulders, you really dont get full use back
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Oct 27, 2015 - 06:36pm PT
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hey there say, bad climber...
say, please do not climb until it is well... we don't want
any accident from this... oh my...
you know, a shooting pain, etc, could distract you...
we all care about you...
hope it get it well soon as you can...
or, can check out what it is, etc...
hang in there... let time work for you... :)
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Jon Clark
climber
philadelphia
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Oct 28, 2015 - 04:05pm PT
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What you're describing sounds a lot like a rotator cuff impingement (best case) to a possible rc tear (worst case) of. You really should go get evaluated by an orthopedic doc or a physical therapist.
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Oct 28, 2015 - 05:18pm PT
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Bad.... go see a DOC. A really good one who knows Shoulders.
If the DOC says "your to old to do that hiking stuff"... run away. And keep running till you do find a DOC who knows what the F*&K is up....
or start here.... Neal S. ElAttrache, M.D. - Kerlan-Jobe
He knows
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Oct 28, 2015 - 06:29pm PT
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From what I can gather, this pain is in the front of your shoulder, rather than lateral or outside? What brought it on, did you do something that brought it on? How long has it bothered you...sharp stabbing or dull ache? Wake you at night? Can you touch the top of yer head, opposite arm, reach behind pocket? Bpai or no pain with these movements?
Could be as simple as bicep tendon inflammation.
PM me via ST if you want to talk
Peace
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couchmaster
climber
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Oct 28, 2015 - 08:01pm PT
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BAd Climber noted, quote: "When I raise it more towards the front a-la Hitler-salute stylee, I get some mild pain from the horizontal through the next 20 degrees or so of lift..............Experiences? Advice? Hugs? "
You bet. Stop saluting Hitler, you'll feel better. That will be $500.
Thank you Thank you, I'll be here all week folks.
Seriously Bad, here's some excellent advice. See a Dr. You'll need an MRI to confirm a tear, and surgery to repair it, but if that is what it is, delaying the inevitable will only make it worse and harder for you to return to 100%. Don't delay (like I did * cough * cough *, 3 years), if the pain is lasting for a while and you have loss of strength, get it checked. An anecdotal follow up question: by any chance are you taking Glucosamine for your knees?
Good luck!
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Bad Climber
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 28, 2015 - 09:10pm PT
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Thanks, Couchmaster, I needed that! :)
Ron: I'll PM you.
I really think any kind of surgery is WAY premature. I'm steeling my resolve for some layoff time--not easy after coming off a layoff for the rib, dang it! Grrrr.....
BAd
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
Technically...the spawning grounds of Yosemite
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Oct 29, 2015 - 05:52pm PT
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I went around for four months last year after hurting my shoulder thinking I was getting old and just needed to tough it out. Turns out I had a ruptured rotator cuff -- my shoulder was a mess once the ortho surgeon got inside. (I have full range of motion back, for which I'm grateful.)
If it's bothering you enough that you need to ask, have a doctor look at it, if for no other reason than to rule out anything serious. (I was fortunate that my waiting four months didn't permanently wreck my shoulder -- I'll never take another body part for granted ever again!!!)
Good luck and good healing!
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Bad Climber
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 17, 2015 - 08:17pm PT
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Well, things are looking up. Had a sesh with Dr. Julian in Oz (a climbing DO/PT guy), and his diagnosis is--broadly speaking--a shoulder impingement. I think having trouble saluting Hitler was the giveaway. Part of my therapy--heh--includes climbing. I don't know HOW I can handle this. Dr. J seemed to know immediately what was going on, which was reassuring. I suppose he's seen it countless times in climber folk. Of course, got a good set of stretches and eccentric exercises for the shoulder, too. VERY optimistic. And stoked! Looks like the wheelchair and Depends will have to wait.
Climb safely, one and all. Train smart!
BAd
(Who has a very happy BAd Wife because we get to do a little of the ol' vertical....)
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Bad Climber
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 17, 2015 - 08:46pm PT
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Wow, Ryan, that is freakin' cool! I will definitely keep that in mind if the need ever arises, and may that day never come.
BAd
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crusher
climber
Santa Monica, CA
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Nov 17, 2015 - 10:54pm PT
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Bad, I've got the same thing going on right now. Thought it would resolve (started at end of June) and it hasn't. Just started PT today. Ortho said it wasn't rotator cuff tear, PT says impingement. So...I guess we've got to work through the pain. Can you get some good PT where you are? I'm usually pretty mobile but the lay off has made my shoulder pretty stiff...I have homework exercises too, to work on regaining flexibility. Good luck to us both! PS I chose not to have an MRI at this point. Will see if diligent PT does the trick before going through that.
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Bad Climber
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 18, 2015 - 05:59am PT
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Hey, Crusher:
Yeah, no MRI on this end either. I've got good mobility just some moderate pain, which is a little "interesting" after my first round of exercises last night. The pain--as long as it isn't too extreme--I can deal with. My fear up until this point was making things worse, by my PT says workout and climb, so I'm going to do it, although not to some crazy level.
Let's both report back on progress. It always helps me to see what other folks are doing, how they're coping. I'll be on the rock this weekend, so we'll see how it goes.
BAd
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crusher
climber
Santa Monica, CA
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BAd,
I'm better, how are you?
Haven't climbed yet but will tomorrow night. Had a hard PT session this morning so was a bit achy during the day. But all in all I've regained some flexibility and it doesn't hurt nearly as much as in the beginning. I've been pretty diligent with the home exercises. Do you have a "lacrosse" ball to lean on against the wall (top of lats by armpit in back and top of pecs by armpit in the front)? That has really helped - I didn't realized how tied up and frozen those areas had become.
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Bad Climber
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 8, 2015 - 06:30am PT
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Boy, hope I can avoid the knife.
@Crusher:
Don't seem to be improving much. What is that exercise/massage routine with the ball? Just push up and around the scap? I climbed yesterday--5.8's and 9's, face stuff. Had some definite Ouch! moments but never felt like I was going to lose it. Overall, I'm a little discouraged. My wife and I have plans for Cochise this winter--leaving on Dec. 21st--and I fear it will be a more hiking/camping trip than climbing. Haven't been there in a couple of years.
Overall, this year has sucked injury-wise. In April I pulled some intercostal tissue between ribs--painful and slow to heal, took about four months. Then, getting back into climbing, I developed this shoulder issue. Gaaaaa. Last year I climbed as well as I ever have, which for me means on-sighting up to 10d/11a on sport. This year, fizzle. I've had some good days, but not hard climbing. Gotta get yer jones where you can.
Anyone out there got stories/info. on dealing with shoulder impingement?
Be well, climb safe, one and all.
BAd
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LOWERme
Trad climber
NM
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Don't seem to be improving much.
Anyone out there got stories/info. on dealing with shoulder impingement?
Been dealing with chronic pain and mobility issues in my left shoulder since I started lifting heavy a couple of years ago. Finally had it MRI'd in September (Regardless of what you may hear about VA medical care, the VA hospital in Albuquerque is top drawer).
Diagnosed with arthritis, subacromial impingement syndrome (supraspinatus), subacromial bursitis, and infraspinatus tendinitis. In other words, the usual laundry list of rotator cuff issues typically associated with older athletes. The good news is no tears.
I've been working with a PT 3x a week for the past 2 months. We place a lot of emphasis on improving scapular stability. In terms of pain and mobility, I only began to experience a noticeable improvement over the past week.
Be patient. Years of overuse related trauma won't be reversed in a few PT sessions.
I've become mindful of the way I use this arm to perform habituated movements like reaching back to brace my upper body when sitting on the floor and so on. I now make a conscious effort to use the other arm to perform these everyday tasks. It helps.
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Bad Climber
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 8, 2015 - 12:21pm PT
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Thanks, Lowerme. It's good to hear about time frames. It's much better to hear that the VA in NM is treating you well. That scandal has me screamin' mad.
Any climbing yet?
BAd
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crusher
climber
Santa Monica, CA
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Hi,
The lacrosse ball exercises can be found online. I'm using it to massage the areas right next to the armpits on front and back (so on back between armpit and outside of shoulder blade)...plus doing assorted exercises for release and range of motion as prescribed by the PT. For lacrosse ball, I stand up and do this against the wall. For the front side I use the door jamb so my left arm (left shoulder affected) is free in the doorway - I raise the arm and lower it as I lean on the ball.
Are you still going to the PT? I'm going twice a week and doing the exercises (other stuff besides the lacrosse ball) on my own twice daily. I don't think this is something that necessarily goes away quickly, so don't give up. And going to the PT I think is imperative, if you can swing it.
We'll see how I feel trying to climb tonight.
See photo: http://www.airrosti.com/the-lacrosse-ball/ (not a recommendaton for this place, I just pulled the picture to show you how I do the back side massage)
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