shoulder injury but still want to lift

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scjessup88
scjessup88 Posts: 6
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, I am going through a bit of a dilemma. I suffered a shoulder injury about a month and a half ago. I've been told by my doctor not to lift until its better. Last week, it felt better so I lifted some lighter weights than usual to get back into it. But now my shoulder hurts again. Just wondering if anyone else has had this issue and if they were ever able to lift their 'normal' weights again??

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  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,369 Member
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    I imagine the answers to this are going to vary depending on the type of injury.

    In my case, I'm starting to suspect the answer is "no". I injured my right rotator cuff (specifically, the supraspinatous muscle) several years ago and it felt better after a couple of months but the slightest bit of overuse caused it to flare up again. Eventually I got fed up and went to physiotherapy for about 12 weeks and it improved greatly as far as normal activities are concerned, but any half-assed amount of weight on an OHP aggravates it.

    Three weeks ago I injured the left rotator cuff shovelling snow above shoulder level for a couple of hours -- attempted some puny 30 lb bench presses earlier tonight and right now I want to rip my arm off, it hurts worse than the original injury did. :mad: So I'm going to dig out the Theraband and start doing my physio exercises again.

    I think both shoulders would heal completely if I could immobilize them for a decent period of time -- but life doesn't work that way.
  • scjessup88
    scjessup88 Posts: 6
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    Man, both RCs! That really stinks..

    Yea its my rotator cuff as well...im quite discouraged about it. My arms are a problem area I really want to work on and cant...it sucks. I'm still doing other things but I just know how effective weights can be and feel like Im missing out a bit.

    Thanks for the suggestion though, I will try a Theraband .
  • RaggedyPond
    RaggedyPond Posts: 1,487 Member
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    Mine acts up once in a while too and a week off usually helps.
  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
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    I would listen to your doctor or find an orthopedist who will work with you. Rotator cuff injuries are no joke.
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
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    Definitely listen to your doc and don't use it until he says so, it's not worth the risk of making the injury worse and increasing your downtime or making the disability permanent. Think about it like stopping antibiotics and not finishing the course because you're feeling better. It's very likely the limited dose didn't kill all the bad stuff and it'll come back and be harder to kick the next time.

    PS I'm writing this with a broken (dominant) hand.
  • Galatea_Stone
    Galatea_Stone Posts: 2,037 Member
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    I would listen to your doctor or find an orthopedist who will work with you. Rotator cuff injuries are no joke.

    Very true. I have a friend who injured her RC. She had surgery a couple months ago and has started lifting heavy weights again. She couldn't handle it at all until she had surgery. She says it was the best decision she ever made.

    OP, do what your doctor says. If he is an orthopedist, great. If he isn't please see one and get an MRI.
  • Sharkington
    Sharkington Posts: 485
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    I have not had that type of injury before, but I have had injuries to my lower body from weights and even running. It hurt a lot and drove me crazy, not being able to do my normal activities for a month or two, but when I tried to get back to it, despite letting it heal completely, it just aggravated it all over again. So, like others have mentioned, I would listen to your doctor. It is better to be out a short time (which is relative, I know), than to re-injure yourself because you haven't given yourself sufficient time to heal - in which case, you'll be out a lot longer than you would have been. Try doing some other activities that don't strain that part of your body. Maybe pilates - it isn't the same as lifting heavy, but it can be good resistance training (while working different parts of your body) in the mean time.
  • madena1974
    madena1974 Posts: 1
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    I would suggest being easy on both because over time I tried to off set the weight to my good arm and by doing so I have injured my good arm. I was told I had only 5 pounds limitation to lift on my injured shoulder. Years later I ha carpal tunnel an nerve damage, so do not stress your arm with too much over time it can worsen.
  • MiloBloom83
    MiloBloom83 Posts: 2,724 Member
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    Do not *kitten* with this! Listen to the doctor! I no too many people who didn't listen and ended up having some fun surgery.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,708 Member
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    The shoulder is very complex when it comes to injury. It could be as minor as a sprain, as moderate as tendinitis to as serious as a torn labrum.
    Get an assessment done by an orthopedist. They will also be able to tell which exercises you can/cannot do based on assessment of injury.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • scjessup88
    scjessup88 Posts: 6
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    I really appreciate everyone's advice. I sort of felt a bit guilty for not using my arms when working out. But now that I know its not something to take lightly. I've just been to my normal GP. Will definitely seek a specialist on this.

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