Shoulder Injury

[ucrctennis]

About 2.5 weeks ago I hurt my shoulder trying to serve full speed without a warmup. My coach gave me some rotator cuff exercises and I did those for about a week with some effect. A week ago my shoulder was almost back to normal (had slight pain when hitting serves). So I decided to take the last week off. I played today and my shoulder was still in pain.

I don't think that it's a rotator cuff injury because when the pain comes it is running the length of my deltoid muscle. It runs down the left side(right hander). Does anyone have any suggestions.

Thanks

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Left side of the right hander? You mean the inside of your upper arm right? If that's the case,

i think you've injured the bicep tendon that attaches to the rotator cuff.

Keep doing those rotator cuff exercises, MAKE SURE YOU DO THEM RIGHT! If you do them wrong it'll progress the injury.

Also, are you in the need to compete? If not, take at least a month off, rotator cuff along with other various tendon injuries take a long time to heal. After 2-3weeks, the pain may have subside enough so that the required movements are no longer painful.

But i'm telling you as my orthopedic surgeon have told me, tendons take a while to heal. Being pain-free doesnt mean the tendon is completely healed, once the pain have subsides enough, you need to start a rigorous strengthening/flexibility program to regain your strength and range of motion. And most importantly, to prevent reinjury. (Injured muscles/tendons are 25% more likely to be injured again)

If you want more help with your shoulder (but i think it's actually your bicep), let me know, i can help you. I've had a shoulder surgery and i have made a successful comeback.

By the way, your sn has "UCRC" in the beginning... do you go to UC Riverside?

 

[ucrctennis]

Thanks alot! I am supposed to play a tournament next weekend but your advice makes me want to withdraw. I will keep doing the shoulder exercises.

By the way UCRC is University City Racquet Club.

Thanks

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Ummm, ok...

Pick up a gallon of milk/water, now keeping your arm straight, and try to raise your arm out in front of you, so that your arm and the rest of your body is making a 90degrees angle. Make sure you're standing too, and make sure your knuckles are facing up.

If you can do that without much problem, then i guess you can keep playing but do proper warm-ups and no wild awkard serves.... HOWEVER

If you can do it BUT it burns or it pains you to, then i advise you withdraw and see an orthopedic surgeon as soon as you can.

If you CANT do it, you have a rotator cuff tear to some degree.

 

[naturalgut]

You should definitely rest it for a few weeks and see a doctor if it gets any worse. I've had two rotator cuff injuries, and both have taken around two months to heal.

 

[MotoMD]

Just rest it, I know a few people that have had issues and the best thing to do is rest.