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Torn rotator cuff?

fallenangelloves
fallenangelloves Posts: 601 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I believe that about 5 years ago I tore or partially tore my rotator cuff (my dad had surgery for this and said my symptoms were the same) my question is, although I can not afford to have surgery at the moment, is there anything I can do to help this? I have read up on sites some but I was wondering if anyone else has this problem and has had any success with specific exercises. I just added strength training to my routine and I've noticed my shoulder hurting more than normal. I want to be able to lift some weights but wonder should I be modifying my exercises?

HELP! I don't want to not be able to work out my upper body!

Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,108 Member
    I believe that about 5 years ago I tore or partially tore my rotator cuff (my dad had surgery for this and said my symptoms were the same) my question is, although I can not afford to have surgery at the moment, is there anything I can do to help this? I have read up on sites some but I was wondering if anyone else has this problem and has had any success with specific exercises. I just added strength training to my routine and I've noticed my shoulder hurting more than normal. I want to be able to lift some weights but wonder should I be modifying my exercises?

    HELP! I don't want to not be able to work out my upper body!
    Don't lift and get it fixed. You'll only damage it more if it's really torn. Plus since the body likes to compensate for injury, it will shift work away from it and you could end up injury your back, arm or even neck.
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    Please see a doctor to confirm your suspicions first.
  • wickedcricket
    wickedcricket Posts: 1,246 Member
    with a rotator cuff, you should really consult a dr or physical therapist. Ice & anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) can help with the pain but well ... once it's torn, it seldom heals 100%, even in young athletes. Torn RC have halted many careers.
    Take care
  • abeachlady
    abeachlady Posts: 88
    I tore both my rotator cuffs and didn't have surgery. One really good exercise, the one that really helped me repair it, is to swim breast stroke. Another one is to put your arm down to your side and make a loose fist and move your straight arm in little circles, widening the circles as far as comfortable. It took a very long time to mend, but no surgery. Don't do anything that hurts your shoulder.
  • Becky1971
    Becky1971 Posts: 979 Member
    Do these! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYk06TuTslg Someone who had the same injury suggested to me to help with mine.
  • LeanerBeef
    LeanerBeef Posts: 1,432 Member
    I had a surgery for a torn labrum about 7 years ago and recently have experienced pain in the same shoulder. I went to a sports doc and he believes that I may have torn it again. I started Physical Therapy and it has helped tremendously. The therapists thinks it could be a shoulder or bicep impingement and not a tear. Pretty great news to me.

    My advice is get to a good doc see what he says.You don't necessarily have to stop lifting weights. I was advised to not to any over head movements and nothing out wide (flies). I also noticed that the elliptical bothers it even more than lifting. It kinda makes sense if you think about how your moving.

    Good luck, I hope it works out for you.
  • ItsMeLori
    ItsMeLori Posts: 346
    Rotator cuff is a muscle and you may have overused it. Doesn't mean it has been torn. You can heal without surgery. My husband has what we think is a rotator cuff injury but he can't afford to go to the doctors. He is taking anti-inflammatory meds. This site will explain it and also gives treatment.

    http://www.emedicinehealth.com/rotator_cuff_injury/article_em.htm
  • fallenangelloves
    fallenangelloves Posts: 601 Member
    Thank you so much for the info! I hope one day to see a dr about it. But until then I will try these exercises!

    For some reason it's the cold that hurts the most!
  • bluebird321
    bluebird321 Posts: 733 Member
    I believe that about 5 years ago I tore or partially tore my rotator cuff (my dad had surgery for this and said my symptoms were the same) my question is, although I can not afford to have surgery at the moment, is there anything I can do to help this? I have read up on sites some but I was wondering if anyone else has this problem and has had any success with specific exercises. I just added strength training to my routine and I've noticed my shoulder hurting more than normal. I want to be able to lift some weights but wonder should I be modifying my exercises?

    HELP! I don't want to not be able to work out my upper body!
    Don't lift and get it fixed. You'll only damage it more if it's really torn. Plus since the body likes to compensate for injury, it will shift work away from it and you could end up injury your back, arm or even neck.

    This absolutely. I have bad shoulders and surgery -- don't lift and be very careful with any type of resistance exercise.

    Look into swimming for upper body exercise, but only after you are healed -- you will build up your shoulders and lats quite nicely.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    Rotator cuff is a muscle and you may have overused it. Doesn't mean it has been torn. You can heal without surgery. My husband has what we think is a rotator cuff injury but he can't afford to go to the doctors. He is taking anti-inflammatory meds. This site will explain it and also gives treatment.

    http://www.emedicinehealth.com/rotator_cuff_injury/article_em.htm

    Small point, but the rotator cuff is more than just muscles--it also includes tendons and ligaments. It certainly is possible to have a shoulder injury that involves only muscle. Normally, when the term "torn rotator cuff" is used, it refers to a more acute structural injury. Rehabbing the muscles can sometimes help "work around" the problem and restore symptom-free functioning, even though the original injury still exists.

    Again, not a big deal, but I didn't want people getting the impression that you can "heal" a rotator cuff tear yourself.
  • fallenangelloves
    fallenangelloves Posts: 601 Member
    Well I don't know for sure if it's torn. All I know is I hurt it bad 5 years ago and it has always kind of been a dull pain (except in the cold) but on occasion is feels like my shoulder is being ripped off... I was so hoping to not have to have surgery. And with a 22 month old I most certainly can't have it now!
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    Well I don't know for sure if it's torn. All I know is I hurt it bad 5 years ago and it has always kind of been a dull pain (except in the cold) but on occasion is feels like my shoulder is being ripped off... I was so hoping to not have to have surgery. And with a 22 month old I most certainly can't have it now!

    None of the rehab type exercises you would do work on a rotator cuff injury is going to make it any worse, so you give them a try. They aren't very complicated and don't require fancy equipment. A simple google search will turn up all you need.
  • mariabee
    mariabee Posts: 212 Member
    Please forgive my ignorance, but I live in a country where going to the doctor is free... but isn't this an injury where a simple x-ray or at minimum a visit to the doctor to determine exactly what the problem is?

    I also have a lot of shoulder pain that comes and goes, summer is worst because of tennis, and just when I get around to making the doctor's appointment, the pain or injury goes away - typical.

    I'm not trying to start anything... I really am curious... would an x-ray help figure the problem?

    @ fallenangelloves - I feel your pain, literally! Good luck to you :)
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