Just got back from the Ortho Doc who looked at my shoulder!

[BIG ACH]

So I've been having a lot of shoulder pain recently while training, specifically during bench press, and military press.  Its been getting worse in the last two weeks, so I went to the doctor today.  They did some X-rays - turned out ok there, asked a few questions, and now I'm scheduled for an Arthrogram / MRI to check for a Labrum tear or problems with the rotator cuff! 

Blah!


Anyone ever have an arthrogram?  What should I expect?


Thanks boys and girls!

[Big Worm]

So I've been having a lot of shoulder pain recently while training, specifically during bench press, and military press.  Its been getting worse in the last two weeks, so I went to the doctor today.  They did some X-rays - turned out ok there, asked a few questions, and now I'm scheduled for an Arthrogram / MRI to check for a Labrum tear or problems with the rotator cuff! 

Blah!


Anyone ever have an arthrogram?  What should I expect?


Thanks boys and girls!

Same thing happened to me. Turns out I had stiff shoulder... Physical therapy ..Muscle pulsing thingy?Heat,massage,then he stretched my arm every which way possible! Eventually the flexibility came back.. Now it's perfect!

[BIG ACH]

Same thing happened to me. Turns out I had stiff shoulder... Physical therapy ..Muscle pulsing thingy?Heat,massage,then he stretched my arm every which way possible! Eventually the flexibility came back.. Now it's perfect!

What was your situation before going to the doc?

[Captain Equipoise]

So I've been having a lot of shoulder pain recently while training, specifically during bench press, and military press.  Its been getting worse in the last two weeks, so I went to the doctor today.  They did some X-rays - turned out ok there, asked a few questions, and now I'm scheduled for an Arthrogram / MRI to check for a Labrum tear or problems with the rotator cuff! 

Blah!


Anyone ever have an arthrogram?  What should I expect?


Thanks boys and girls!

I have the same problem, but probably worse.. watch your rotator cuff, that's where things can go from ok to no lifting for 6 months. Happened to a friend of mine he couldn't lift for 6 months after he screwed up his rotator, had to start back up with baby weights.

[BIG ACH]

This is my situation... tell me what you guys think.


It ONLY hurts with certain exercises like:  Bench Press, Military Press, Incline press, Machine Military press.  Other than that it doesn't hurt.

When it hurts during those exercises, its not UNBEARABLE, but its pretty bad.  Although the other day I did 275 on the bench for 7 reps without really much discomfort!


Could this really be a tear?  I thought if its torn it would be hurting me like ALL the time?

[Howard]

This is my situation... tell me what you guys think.


It ONLY hurts with certain exercises like:  Bench Press, Military Press, Incline press, Machine Military press.  Other than that it doesn't hurt.

When it hurts during those exercises, its not UNBEARABLE, but its pretty bad.  Although the other day I did 275 on the bench for 7 reps without really much discomfort!


Could this really be a tear?  I thought if its torn it would be hurting me like ALL the time?

I am no doctor or expert but it sounds like the typical rotator cuff, overuse syndrome.
Most docs will just put you on rest an some form of meds. Here is what works for me  when mine flares up.
Avoid those painful moves for a week and work around the area with pain free movements for higher reps and use a slow rep speed.
Return to the movements but only with DB's or Hammer type machines for a good month and keep the rep over 10 per set.
Unless you want to powerlift AVOID reg barbell benches or overhead barbell press movements for good.
Stick with DB presses for overhead moves and inclunes and DB presses for the chest.
good luck.
Ironman magazine had a great article called the 10 min rotator cuff solution.

[benchmstr]

sounds like AIDS to me...

bench

[Big Worm]

What was your situation before going to the doc?

I had an annoying pain,limited flexibility..It felt like I had that next day brutal shoulder workout pain ,that didn't go away.. I swore it was a tear,but thank god no..

[Coach is Back!]

Depends if its rotator cuff or labrum.

[BIG ACH]

I am no doctor or expert but it sounds like the typical rotator cuff, overuse syndrome.
Most docs will just put you on rest an some form of meds. Here is what works for me  when mine flares up.
Avoid those painful moves for a week and work around the area with pain free movements for higher reps and use a slow rep speed.
Return to the movements but only with DB's or Hammer type machines for a good month and keep the rep over 10 per set.
Unless you want to powerlift AVOID reg barbell benches or overhead barbell press movements for good.
Stick with DB presses for overhead moves and inclunes and DB presses for the chest.
good luck.
Ironman magazine had a great article called the 10 min rotator cuff solution.

Thanks for your notes Howard.

After today's visit obviously nothing was conclusive until I get the Arthrogram and the MRI on Friday, but the doc moved my arm around asking what hurt and what didn't.  He gave me a prescription pain killer, Naproxen, and told me I don't have to stop lifting, just need to take it a bit easier!

The doctor said if it's inflammation then I will just get a cortizone shot... but if it's a tear I'll need to get surgery.

The Arthrogram and MRI is supposed to idenfify if its a Labrum tear or a problem with the rotator cuff!

Maybe I'm freaking myself out by reading about people's different Labrum tears.  I'm a bit nervous, and reaaally just don't want to get surgery! ugh

Guess I'll just starting being a little more careful in the gym and hope for the best!

[Howard]

Depends if its rotator cuff or labrum.

labrum? wtf? don't you mean "labia" 

[benchmstr]

Thanks for your notes Howard.

After today's visit obviously nothing was conclusive until I get the Arthrogram and the MRI on Friday, but the doc moved my arm around asking what hurt and what didn't.  He gave me a prescription pain killer, Naproxen, and told me I don't have to stop lifting, just need to take it a bit easier!

The doctor said if it's inflammation then I will just get a cortizone shot... but if it's a tear I'll need to get surgery.

The Arthrogram and MRI is supposed to idenfify if its a Labrum tear or a problem with the rotator cuff!

Maybe I'm freaking myself out by reading about people's different Labrum tears.  I'm a bit nervous, and reaaally just don't want to get surgery! ugh

Guess I'll just starting being a little more careful in the gym and hope for the best!

just prepare yourself incase its AIDS....

bench

[BIG ACH]

I had an annoying pain,limited flexibility..It felt like I had that next day brutal shoulder workout pain ,that didn't go away.. I swore it was a tear,but thank god no..

Seems a bit different than my pain.  My issue is only pertaining to certain exercises and only as I'm doing them, just kind of a piecing pain, doesn't hurt any other time, not after, not the next day.


I'm no powerlifter, and the heaviest I go on the bench and military press (both of which I only do on the smith machine) is no less than 4 reps!

[Howard]

Thanks for your notes Howard.

After today's visit obviously nothing was conclusive until I get the Arthrogram and the MRI on Friday, but the doc moved my arm around asking what hurt and what didn't.  He gave me a prescription pain killer, Naproxen, and told me I don't have to stop lifting, just need to take it a bit easier!

The doctor said if it's inflammation then I will just get a cortizone shot... but if it's a tear I'll need to get surgery.

The Arthrogram and MRI is supposed to idenfify if its a Labrum tear or a problem with the rotator cuff!

Maybe I'm freaking myself out by reading about people's different Labrum tears.  I'm a bit nervous, and reaaally just don't want to get surgery! ugh

Guess I'll just starting being a little more careful in the gym and hope for the best!

You were smart going to full medcial check from a legit doc. REST until you get the results back, if it is real tear, yikes  . If not try some of the stuff I suggested and deal with it.

[BIG ACH]

just prepare yourself incase its AIDS....

bench

I'm mentally preparing myself for the news that it will be THE AIDS... will  start doing yoga and pilates, and meditation at night so my mind is relaxed, hope they break it to me slowly and calmly!

[BIG ACH]

You were smart going to full medcial check from a legit doc. REST until you get the results back, if it is real tear, yikes  . If not try some of the stuff I suggested and deal with it.

Yes - this is VERY unlike me...  I NEVER go to the doc unless a body part falls off.. but the pain has been getting pretty severe so I just wanted to check!!  I HOPE it will be something as basic as what you said!!!  We'll see.  Thanks for your help man!

[benchmstr]

I'm mentally preparing myself for the news that it will be THE AIDS... will  start doing yoga and pilates, and meditation at night so my mind is relaxed, hope they break it to me slowly and calmly!

just remember...if the doctor closes the door behind him/her to give you the prognosis.....AIDS...

bench

[BIG ACH]

just remember...if the doctor closes the door behind him/her to give you the prognosis.....AIDS...

bench

Lets hope the door stays open then.  The AIDS can be a scary thing!

[Howard]

Yes - this is VERY unlike me...  I NEVER go to the doc unless a body part falls off.. but the pain has been getting pretty severe so I just wanted to check!!  I HOPE it will be something as basic as what you said!!!  We'll see.  Thanks for your help man!

The few weeks of high , strict reps with DB's or Hammer machines for presses is a real, effective way to give it some bodybuilding "physical therapy" that will work the area that is hurting.
Most regular medical docs are GREAT for the servere stuff like cancer or a broken bone, but there is little to be done for the typical muschead aches and dings we get.
Once again AVOID the few BARBELL  moves that cause the worst pain for GOOD and use alternates like DB's.

[BIG ACH]

On the plus side, the gown they gave me for the X-ray didn't fit me at all and they just made me go without it!....  I'm too jacked for hospitals!

[BIG ACH]

The few weeks of high , strict reps with DB's or Hammer machines for presses is a real, effective way to give it some bodybuilding "physical therapy" that will work the area that is hurting.
Most regular medical docs are GREAT for the servere stuff like cancer or a broken bone, but there is little to be done for the typical muschead aches and dings we get.
Once again AVOID the few BARBELL  moves that cause the worst pain for GOOD and use alternates like DB's.

The annoying thing is I don't use any free weight barbell - I do this all on the smith machine!!!! GRRRR  I'm gonna take your advice for sure and just avoid doing things that hurt my shoulder!

[Howard]

The annoying thing is I don't use any free weight barbell - I do this all on the smith machine!!!! GRRRR  I'm gonna take your advice for sure and just avoid doing things that hurt my shoulder!

Pretty simple solution: If it causes consistant pain, scrap it and find a movement that doesn't.
This is bodybuilding and you can pick one of hundreds of movements.
I don't care how great a lift is for gains, if it causes pain , it sucks

[BIG ACH]

Pretty simple solution: If it causes consistant pain, scrap it and find a movement that doesn't.
This is bodybuilding and you can pick one of hundreds of movements.
I don't care how great a lift is for gains, if it causes pain , it sucks

No I agree 100%, there isn't ONE single lift that you have to do to be a bodybuilder!  Just annoying because I always thought I was being careful, I warm up quite well do a ton of sets, I don't go overly/ungodly heavy, and I use decent form --- not great, but decent!

[Howard]

No I agree 100%, there isn't ONE single lift that you have to do to be a bodybuilder!  Just annoying because I always thought I was being careful, I warm up quite well do a ton of sets, I don't go overly/ungodly heavy, and I use decent form --- not great, but decent!

I am dealing withthe same thing. Found that super sets of cable crossovers with DB inclines worked well and no pain after warm up

[BIG ACH]

I am dealing withthe same thing. Found that super sets of cable crossovers with DB inclines worked well and no pain after warm up

Thanks Howard for your tips.  I'll keep them in mind.

Gonna  go train legs now lol!  At least something still works