Shoulder Pain

[billtx]

Entered my first race since 1981 on 11/16. Cross country race which was a lot of fun until a guy cleaned me out at high speed, flew into a gully. Was able to get up and finish the race with no pain in my shoulder.

Next day it hurt really bad, could not lift it above my head. Have treated it with Advil/Icy Hot/Hot Soak/Glucoasamine Chondroiten. Has improved quite a lot but still have sharp pain - seems to be the worst when I pick my arm up and rest on the door while driving. I do have strength in it.

Just wondering if anyone had a similar experience and how long it took to get better. Hoping it is not torn, would not go over with the wife - have been avoiding the doctor for that reason. Web sites on this appear to indicate I have inflammed some of the tendons.

Anyone have any advice or comments? Thanks!

 

[nitropimp]

Did you land on the shoulder or did you put your hands out?
Hard to say how long before it gets better, but you need to try and keep it stretched out. I have shoulder problems also and excercise/ stretching seems to help the healing process in my case. It has taken a much as 3 weeks for mine to get back to what I consider normal. I know some folks don't believe in chiropractic care, but my chiropractor has helped me a bunch.
Patrick

 

[billtx]

Hey thanks for the info.

I can't remember really what happened..locked bars and went down on my left side. Must have landed with my arm stretched out. My left shoulder is the one that hurts. I think my pinkie fnger got broke also, but not bad - that doesn't bother me much though.

 

[billtx]

By the way..what stretching excercises do you do? I have tried a few. Also did a light weight workout Saturday, really hurt on Sunday but is way better today.

 

[rairden]

About 2 months ago I went down going down a short, steep hill right before a sharp turn(at a track). I gave it too much brake and it washed out. I was going slow only in 1st gear and landed on my right side. I landed on my shoulder. I got up right away, but as soon as I did I thought I dislocated my shoulder.

It wasn't bad. I could whirl it around and back n' forth, but it'd only hurt(very minor) at a certain spot. Now 2 months have gone by and it's still there, but barely. The only way I can feel it is when I point my arm straight up as hard as I can. The pain is very minor(1 or 2 outta 10). This is the first injury, ever, that I think will never go away. I've always recovered very fast and I should since I'm 19.

 

[jboomer]

I took a header once when the front end washed upon landing from a double. Basically landed on my left shoulder. It would only hurt when I raised my arm (bicep) above parallel to the floor (like raising your hand in class at school). I sleep on my stomach and for months I wasn't able to put my left arm under my pillow to support my big head! I swear it took over a year to get back to normal (i.e. no more pain), and even now, 3 years later sometimes I'll raise my arm and get a twinge of that pain! It was just a short stab of pain (not too serious but VERY noticeable....similar to a strained muscle...more of an irritant than anything else).

 

[Redrodent]

Tore mine from a shoulder dislocation. My understanding is that if it's not a complete tear, it will heal. If you continually agitate it, could take 6 months to a year to heal, if ever. MRI is aways a good idea if your covered. Try everything to avoid surgery. It's a much bigger ordeal than people let on. Even if you have to sit around and not ride for a couple of months.

 

[treerider]

I hurt mine doing handstands with my son on the lawn ( over 40 now ). It's been about a year and it aches at times, I think it's here to stay. Streatching, different exercises with rubber bands have helped. I am trying to build up the area around it to support it.

 

[billtx]

Interesting to hear everyone's stories.

I'm going to call a shoulder specialist at a sports medicine clinic on Monday. Hopefully no surgery, just rest and rehab. I'll let you know what he says.

 

[jsirvine]

I seem to be developing a shoulder injuring habit. I went down on a dual sport at about 60, slick pavement. Apparently jammed my elbow up enough to hurt the shoulder. Few months of ant-inflamatories, rest, got better. Then I fell off the KDX at slow speed and irritated it. Now a month ago I crashed at over 70 on my zrx, that really sucked. Right hand injured and suspected rotator cuff tear as it hurt like big time hell. Large doses of Vicodin helped. Had the MRI and thankfully no tear, bursitis, inflammed and fluid in there. I've had physical therapy for the last month almost and have much of the range of motion back, still some pain, vicodin use down to 5% of what it was! Surgery results in 4-5 weeks in a nasty cast and then more rehab from immobilizing everything. I haven't ridden since,drain the gas, but hope in a few weeks I can play a little but that is probably optimistic )-:

 

[billtx]

js..you went through a lot more than me.

I had my MRI today - if you never had one get the drugs beforehand. Ask no questions, close your eyes and don't open them 'til you come out and you'll be OK!!

I see the doc on Tuesday for the course of action. After initial exam, he told me he is not big on surgery but strengthening and rehab. The MRI tech saw the cuff tear and said surgery but it is not her call. I really don't want the knife, the recovery sounds awful.

Amazingly, it feels mostly OK. I rode this past weekend For about 3 hours with no pain. It hurt some at night but felt great the next day.

I hope you have no more problems..

 

[jsirvine]

Souinds like you're doing pretty well. being 55 may be slowing my repair time )-: but I'm getting eager. I was also surprised by the MRI, I decided that closing the eyes and pretending I was elsewhere was the way to go. What is painful in therapy on the hand. Bends the fingers where they don't want to go. Hands aparently take a longer time to heal. After 6 weeks I'm still swolen and can't make a fist. Just remember to wear all the protection you can!

 

[billtx]

Good to know you are still doing this at 55. Hope I am too..