I have been lifitng weights for 20 years or so, not a gym rat, just weights to keep in tone. Basically a plan to keep the “tri” mucsels strong. While lifting weights the other day, inclined bench press, there was a “pop” in my shoulder. sharp pain. I stopped of course. came home ice rest … 2 days later I do have dull pain, not enough for pain killer though and I have full range of motion but it does hurt. I could not swim, right now unless the dog paddle counts!
sdo here is my question, how long would you wait til you went to the doc to have it checked out, I am hoping that I just strained it and did not tear anything. I am, never had a shoulder injury and in fact rarely do get injured. Any exereienced advice out there , btw I am 55, male and pretty good shape for 30 years or so
If you’ve been lifting 20 yr you must be at least in your late 30s. So you probably have some fraying of the labrum from normal wear & tear, and you could have some separation of the biceps tendon as well - what’s known as a SLAP tear (you might google that term). Tenosynovitis of the biceps tendon can cause the exact same symptoms, so diagnosis is a bit tricky. As long as it isn’t unstable or feeling like it might separate you’re probably OK to ice and take antiinflammatories and relative rest and so on.
If it’s a mild strain it’ll be better within 3-6 wk. If not it’ll get worse or stay the same long enough that you’ll get sick of it bothering you & find your way to the orthopedist.
Based on your edit (adding your age), a rotator cuff injury is also a possibility.
Basically, if it’s not better in 6 wk there’s an orthopedist and and MRI in your future. That doesn’t mean surgery, necessarily. Lots of mild to moderate shoulder problems do very well with exercises to improve muscular balance (internal / external rotation) and maybe an injection to control inflammation / tenosynovitis.