Many of you, at one time or another, have had persistent shoulder pain in a very specific spot – usually the back of the shoulder. You might have received a diagnosis of rotator cuff syndrome, been advised to rest and take anti-inflammatory medication. This time it’s more acute, and it happens during what appears to be an insignificant or everyday action.
In all probability, you have torn your labrum, which is the cartilage rim of the saucer-like surface that accepts your upper arm bone. The rim works to make the saucer deeper in an attempt to make the shoulder more secure; this action works under most conditions, of course. But the strain of lifting heavy weights repetitively, in the same action, over time, will continue to wear on the same area of this rim and will ultimately create a tear. The tear will be in a specific place, and symptoms will be nearly identical to those of a rotator cuff injury.
The pain will be reduced with rest, however, cartilage will not heal and the tear will remain. The area waits for that one specific indeterminate action, then the pain returns (usually with additional tearing). If you continue, you can tear it to the point of needing surgery. While I have seen patients have great outcomes with surgery, I would advise using early conservative care to prevent a full tear, and thus avoid an operation. Our in office treatment has a "homework" component that will keep you busy but allows for the greatest chance of avoiding surgery. This strategy can only be successful if you get examined again after the initial pain resolves to determine if an underlying labrum tear is the cause, and then commit to a strict course of conservative care.
150 Purchase St #5
Rye, New York 10580, USA
(212) 696-5733
Teaching @ Manhattanville College
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Rye Office
8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Rye Office
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Teaching @ Manhattanville College
NYC Office
10:00 am - 7:00 pm
NYC Office
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