Question about shoulder injury - rotator cuff

[alex200274]

Hello about six months at the gym I injured my left shoulder doing some pull-ups. The injury was not severe but for the first few weeks I had limited range of motion with my left arm. I never saw my GP but did not do any further training for 4 weeks, plus with rest. After about a month the pain eased and I could my arm again without any limitations.

I have since returned to training but have noticed my left shoulder is still always slightly sore, and the pain more noticeable when I take my arm and stretch it around my back so the back of my hand is resting against my waist/hip. The pain is not severe but the top outer edge of my shoulder feels tight and sore, and if I hold my arm in the position when returning that spot of will have a slight resonation of a heat type pain for a say 30 seconds then is fine again (until I repeat that stretch or motion).

I have now seen my GP and she said it was a rotator cuff strain and based on my range of motion she did not think there was anything serious and could not suggest any further actions other than to continue with training but not to be to excessive.

I have done some research and I’m assuming it’s my supraspinatus that is injured and perhaps its inflamed that could be causing the problem?

It’s now six months on, and I always try and do proper stretching before and after going to the gym but how long do these injuries last for?

Will I always have that slight strain or ache?

By carrying on with training (being cautious and not excessive), if I’m still feeling pain or more like an ache every session would this not suggest that the injury has not healed and could it turn the injury into something more serious?

Anyone with a similar injury and advice on what they did would be appreciated.

[Heidi]

Hi
A rotator cuff tear sounds very likely.
If this is the case, the problems that you are currently experiencing are possibly down to excess tightness and scar tissue in the muscle.
I think you will find that some sports massage would be really helpful in improving the condition of the muscle.
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sports_massage/index.php
If you continue to train through the discomfort and with the musle in poor condition, this can lead to compensations from other muscles and eventual muscle imbalances.

[alex200274]

Thanks for the advice - I will see if my gym offers this service (assume they will).

[billychooi]

if the injury occurred whist you were doing pull-ups, there is a possibility that you may have strained your biceps brachii muscle/tendon. although not a rotator cuff muscle, it is very closely related. the treatment modality will probably be very similar. the difference may lie only in the course of rehabilitation.

i also agree with heidi that there may be build up of scar tissue around the muscle/tendon and very likely the shoulder capsule. that is why you feel the stretch and symptoms when you put the back of your hand on your waist: the front of the shoulder capsule gets stretched when you internally rotate your arm.

try to get a health practitioner (physio, osteo, sports massage therapist/rehab etc) to examine it. a good practitioner will also be able to provide you with a good rehab plan to improve the function of that joint.