SLAP Tear Rt Shoulder...continue to race?

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » SLAP Tear Rt Shoulder...continue to race? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-08-04 9:41 AM

User image

Regular
57
2525
Austin, TX
Subject: SLAP Tear Rt Shoulder...continue to race?
Been having some sharp pain in my right shoulder for a couple of weeks.  The chiro thought it was bursitis but to be safe I went to a Ortho Sports Doc who seems to think it's a SLAP tear.  Had a MRI last week and should get the results today.
Strangely, it doesn't hurt when I swim.  It tends to hurt in odd positions like shaving the right side of my face or putting deodorant under my left arm.  I asked the doc what my chances of still doing my HIM in October are and his response, while non committal was "If it needs surgery, it will still need surgery if you go ahead and do your race.  We can do some PT and injections until then."  I take that to mean, if the pain isn't keeping me from racing I can go ahead and do it with continued PT and injections and worry about it later?  He mentioned he sees a lot of baseball players with this injury finish out their seasons before having surgery, if that means anything.
I just hate to think I spent all year training for this one race only to pull out 12 weeks before it starts.  Anyone had experience training or racing with this kind of injury?

2009-08-04 10:56 AM
in reply to: #2326551

User image

Elite
3687
20001000500100252525
Subject: RE: SLAP Tear Rt Shoulder...continue to race?

Do the race.  I've been nursing a damaged shoulder for all of IM training.  Will take care of it after the season is over.  Like the Doc said, if it's torn we'll fix it later.  My Doc will allow me one more cortizone injection so I'm holding out until 10 days before the race.

2009-08-04 2:29 PM
in reply to: #2326551

Illinois
Subject: RE: SLAP Tear Rt Shoulder...continue to race?
Wait and see what the MRI results are.  There are different grades of SLAP lesions, and not all SLAP lesions are surgical.  A grade 1 SLAP may be just some degenerative fraying.  Some SLAP lesions are incidental findings on MRI and cause no symptoms.  Yours obviously is symptomatic, and if your ortho suspected it after the exam, then you have to educate yourself about your treatment options - injections, physical therapy, or possibly surgery.  Let us know what the MRI showed (I hope it was an MR arthrogram).

If Socks is lurking this thread, she can probably add more.

Edited by BBDope 2009-08-04 2:39 PM
2009-08-04 4:37 PM
in reply to: #2327609

User image

Regular
57
2525
Austin, TX
Subject: RE: SLAP Tear Rt Shoulder...continue to race?
Got the results and it is a tear.  I should have written down the specifics and will call the doc back for them but he said it will require surgery as nothing else will actually repair the tear, but it's also not urgent provided I can live with the pain.  He gave me a bunch of PT and strengthening exercises to do that he said will help but since there's no swelling or inflammation I probably don't need any shots...otc pain killers should be enough.  Given that, I'm going to keep training and race my HIM and then explore the surgery.  In fact on the way home from the doc I stopped at the Y and did 1000m in the pool just to show myself that I can, and hardly any pain at all.  Will post the specifics on the tear asap
2009-08-05 10:07 AM
in reply to: #2326551

User image

Master
1790
1000500100100252525
Tyler, TX
Subject: RE: SLAP Tear Rt Shoulder...continue to race?

I had a labral tear last year.  It hurt while I swam and when my arm was in certain other positions.  I took two months off from swimming and it didn't seem to be better, so I went to the doctor (I did a couple of races but with no swim training).  Did an MRI wasn't definitive.  The doctor said surgery would be necessary if physical therapy didn't work.

I did physical therapy for 2 or 3 months and I improved my range of motion and flexibility in my shoulder, but there was still pain in certain positions.  I decided to go back into the pool after about 6 months off.  I could swim without pain, only if I rotated well and with a high elbow recovery (the way I should have been swimming all along).  I still have light pain in certain positions but it doesn't affect my swimming (I avoid swimming butterfly now, though) nor many daily life activities.  The doctor would still have operated if I had wanted, but it didn't seem necessary.

Moral of the story, if it doesn't bother you while swimming you should be able race no problem.  I'd dedicate yourself to physical therapy for a few months to strengthen your shoulder muscles.  Labral tears never heal, but PT can strengthen your muscles such that the tear isn't bothersome.  The recovery from surgery is terrible (something like 30 days in a sling, 60 months before you can do much with your arm) so you should avoid it unless absolutely necessary.

The cynic in me believes that some doctors want do this surgery before really giving PT a chance.

Brian 

2009-08-13 3:38 PM
in reply to: #2326551

User image

Master
1324
1000100100100
Rochester, NY
Subject: RE: SLAP Tear Rt Shoulder...continue to race?

I had a SLAP tear in my left shoulder.  It was fixed by surgery.  And I swam on it for about a year before I had it fixed.  It got sore.  From swimming and other things.  But I lived with it. 

Actually, having a strong/fit shoulder other than the tear before the surgery I feel did help my recovery post-op.

So keep swimming.  Do you race.  Have the surgery.  You don't want to spend the rest of your life with a bad shoulder.  Just expect that its going to be a good 6-12 months before you're close to thinking about racing again though.  You'll be cleared after 3.  But you'll be fully atrophied and have to start from scratch.

Good luck.

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » SLAP Tear Rt Shoulder...continue to race? Rss Feed