I'm not a doctor or a PT, but I tore my rotator cuff (playing volleyball) about 4 months ago, which was 2 months before my first HIM.

Went to my doctor, who told me it would take 8-12 months to heal. Doing prescribed exercises/stretching would help the process 'somewhat', but 'rotator cuff injuries simply take a long time to heal'. He said he would refer me to a sports injury specialist, but they would tell me the same thing.

My other option was a steroid shot in the arm, which he said 'may' fix the problem in a couple of weeks, depending on the exact nature of the injury.

I took the shot and was able to complete the 1.2 mile swim. However, I'm now easing back into swim workouts (twice per week, ~2500 meters each), and my should gets noticeably irritated the longer I swim. There is obviously something still wrong.

I've decided to alter my training plan to remove any intense swim training. I'll stick to drills and distance swimming only. Hopefully the pain will go away in about 6 months.

That's my 2 cents. I'm sure you'll get better-informed feedback from others...

No idea. Swimming is the one sport I haven't managed to ever injure myself in. I would, however, like to send you "get well soon" wishes :)

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maybe she's born with it, maybe it's chlorine
If you're injured and need some sympathy, PM me and I'm very happy to write back.
disclaimer: PhD not MD

First thing is find out if it is torn. I have had 2 operations, they are no fun. Simple test at home, do need help. standing position elbow next to body, have some put there hand next to your hand, the back. now try to move without moving the elbow away from the body.( right, left keep arm bent 90 degre) Hope this makes sinse. rather easy when you know how. As long as it is not torn you can fix it. Had one, one time could hardly move, could not lift anything. But when i finished was doing dips with a 35 lb plate. It took a while but sur beats operations..

The cartilage is probably torn, but it was probably torn 2 years ago when you were swimming regularly. If the shoulder did not hurt 2 years ago, then you might try to train through a 'reasonable' amount of pain until you get back in shape.

I'm a longtime swimmer/water polo player that has also shoulder injuries from college lacrosse years ago. Last winter I took 4 months off from swimming and had pain in right shoulder when returning. I believe the pain is from scar tissue on the cartilage - the scarred part does not flex as well as the non-scarred part and causes pain (my own intuitive theory after years 'managing' shoulder problems).

Reality - most competitive athletes, especially those that play/played contact sports, have torn tissue in various parts of their bodies. In my case, after the four month hiatus I swam through the pain. I knew the damage was done years ago and figured I could train through it and get my old form back - and I was right. The pain lasted on and off for about three weeks, then went away completely.

Use your intuition on how hard you can push to loosen old scar tissue versus doing further damage. Have someone knowledgeable look at your stroke to identify mechanical deficiencies that might be causing pain.

[reply]
Anyone have experience? I was told that if it were actually torn it would be much worse, etc. etc. so just rehab by 1. RICE 2. Light massage/myopulse thingy treatment 3. Wait 4. Light rotator cuff exercise once pain subsides.

Any idea of when it is appropriate to return to swimming?

Mahalo,[/reply]

You were told by who?
I am a PT. Here is my advice:
GO TO YOUR DOCTOR. GET A PRESCRIPTION FOR PT. GO GET EVALUATED, IN PERSON, BY A PT WHO SPECIALIZES IN SPORTS REHAB. DON'T SWIM IF IT HURTS- basically - if something causes pain DON"T DO IT.

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I'd not get overly dramatic, yet. It's more likely that you simply have some tendinitis - you haven't, after all, been swimming for years. Seems like tearing a rotator cuff would involve a bit more vigorous activity than very easy, short, open water swims.

[reply]I'd not get overly dramatic, yet. It's more likely that you simply have some tendinitis - you haven't, after all, been swimming for years. Seems like tearing a rotator cuff would involve a bit more vigorous activity than very easy, short, open water swims.[/reply]

Not if you are impinging and and making micro tears in your rotator cuff with each and every stroke. How many strokes do you take in an easy 30 min swim...?

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____________________________________________________
Check out my IMLP Janus Charity Challenge Page
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Raising Funds for Myeloma Research in Honor of my Mom

I had similar symptoms last winter when I was swimming and doing extra weight training... couldn't sleep on that side and had a heck of a time putting on my shirt and doing typical activities with that shoulder/arm. Went to the doctor and he diagnosed tendonitis. Basically, I was doing "too much too soon." I am not a doctor -- nor do I play one on TV, but it could be that all you would need to do is rest for a week or so and then start up a more gradual approach to your training.

Without a doctor's diagnosis, it's all speculation. That said, I'd still be surprised at someone tearing their rotator cuff during an easy 15-25 minute swim. Easy swimming is not exactly an aggressive or explosive activity, and it's far more likely to cause an overuse injury such as tendinitis when starting from scratch than it is an acute tear of the connective tissue.

Slowtwitch is not the place for injury evaluation.

GO SEE A DOCTOR!

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

 i agree, get with the doc & not a bunch of S/T hacks ... had my left shoulder done Monday morning (typing rt handed really sucks, I'm left handed). They did an x-ray and a MRI. Torn. Based on my experience with my rt shoulder eight years ago, gitterdone, and then aggressively do you rehab once they give you the green light!!!

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Jay