_Ortho Doc Shares Some Shoulder Secrets for Swimmers
_Triathletes know how strenuous swimming can be on the shoulders and as an orthopedic surgeon I've seen its effect on many a rotator cuff. Without question, few forms of exercise are better for you than swimming. The benefits are obvious when it comes to strengthening muscles and improving aerobic capacity while minimising effect on the joints. But that doesn't suggest swimmers are injury-free.
Up to 70% of competitive swimmers are hindered by a common condition called"swimmer's shoulder". This is an illness that may involve the rotator cuff and sometimes arises from over-exertion. Believe it or not, collegiate level swimmers can log upwards of five-hundred thousand strokes in a single year.
Swimmer's shoulder involves muscular fatigue, rotator cuff degradation, and uneasiness in raising the arm above the joint. Since the shoulder is by nature an unsound joint, even tiny changes to its mechanics can bring problems. Tired shoulders will recruit other muscles for compensation which frequently produces a state of imbalance.
There are several factors behind swimmer's shoulder:
Simply overdoing it in the pool, sea, and/or weight room.
Tendonosis in which any of the 4 rotator cuff tendons begin to degenerate.
Incorrect stroke technique that may impinge the rotator cuff.
Excessive looseness in the shoulder that would cause instability resulting in injury.
Luckily there are some steps you can take to avoid swimmer's shoulder:
If you're sick or unusually exhausted, stay out of the water.
Don't dive in till you've stretched out and warmed up.
Be cognizant of your stroke form.
Blend swimming with weight lifting and other exercises to develop strength, endurance and flexibility.
If you start feeling pain in your rotator cuff, stop swimming before you cause more damage.
Apply ice to the shoulder and take anti inflammatory medication as necessary.
Once the uneasiness has started to diminish, take a gentle approach to getting back into the water. If the pain from swimmer's shoulder does not relent inside fourteen days of rest, call my office for a consultation. Swimmers should know that rotator cuff surgery is not the single option!
Dr"O" has been a Castro Valley orthopedic surgeon for over thirty years. He continually shares his knowledge on procedures like rotator cuff surgery on the internet.
Orthopedic surgeon
Up to 70% of competitive swimmers are hindered by a common condition called"swimmer's shoulder". This is an illness that may involve the rotator cuff and sometimes arises from over-exertion. Believe it or not, collegiate level swimmers can log upwards of five-hundred thousand strokes in a single year.
Swimmer's shoulder involves muscular fatigue, rotator cuff degradation, and uneasiness in raising the arm above the joint. Since the shoulder is by nature an unsound joint, even tiny changes to its mechanics can bring problems. Tired shoulders will recruit other muscles for compensation which frequently produces a state of imbalance.
There are several factors behind swimmer's shoulder:
Simply overdoing it in the pool, sea, and/or weight room.
Tendonosis in which any of the 4 rotator cuff tendons begin to degenerate.
Incorrect stroke technique that may impinge the rotator cuff.
Excessive looseness in the shoulder that would cause instability resulting in injury.
Luckily there are some steps you can take to avoid swimmer's shoulder:
If you're sick or unusually exhausted, stay out of the water.
Don't dive in till you've stretched out and warmed up.
Be cognizant of your stroke form.
Blend swimming with weight lifting and other exercises to develop strength, endurance and flexibility.
If you start feeling pain in your rotator cuff, stop swimming before you cause more damage.
Apply ice to the shoulder and take anti inflammatory medication as necessary.
Once the uneasiness has started to diminish, take a gentle approach to getting back into the water. If the pain from swimmer's shoulder does not relent inside fourteen days of rest, call my office for a consultation. Swimmers should know that rotator cuff surgery is not the single option!
Dr"O" has been a Castro Valley orthopedic surgeon for over thirty years. He continually shares his knowledge on procedures like rotator cuff surgery on the internet.
Orthopedic surgeon