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Sprained Rotator Cuff
Hi. I just joined up but I've been doing pole and lyra for a while now. I just sprained my rotator cuff (again) and wondered if anyone had any tips on how to speed up the healing process? I'm attending a sports physio but I'm so frustrated that I can't train the way I want to. I guess I'll try to focus on my split stretches and lower body conditioning for a week.
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13 Replies
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My suggestion is to not push it and let it rest/heal properly. Take a look at these photos. My husband tore his several years back and just finally had surgery. He will be out of heavy lifting for minimum 4 months. What is better, a few weeks of rest or a $22000 surgery and 4 months+?
https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_album/50feeca8-1b88-4d7a-bbc0-618a0ac37250
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Thanks for the reality check! God those photos are grahic! I know that I should rest it but I am addicted to the gym and to pole/lyra – even a week away from training is torture for me. Those pics will definitely help to remind mef that, if I don't let it heal, I could end up being out of action for months on end.
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Yeah, the bills are just starting to come in. The surgery alone was almost $22000, that does not include the MRI's he had done prior at $2000 a piece nor any of his follow up or physical therapy. Luckily we have double insurance coverage. I am guessing that the grand total will be closer to $40000. Out of pocket alone right now is over $3000 before my insurance has thrown in monies. I cannot imagine anyone who does not have good coverage coughing up the funds. As they say, most households are one major injury away from bankruptcy.
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I’m sorry, but base medical costs are simply way too much. It’s ridiculous. They charge an unfairly obscene amount, so after insurance companies get their “discount” and pay their share, you still pay as much out of pocket as what it should’ve originally cost. /end rant.
But seriously, take care of that rotator cuff! Those little muscles do so much for us. A serious injury would suck way more than a sprain!
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Well not to get off topic but yes, some medical care is overinflated but think of it like this… an average MRI machine costs $3 million dollars and you must provide a special suite for the machine. That can cost up to half a million. That doesn't include the technicians that must operate the machinery, the cost of the dye (if the exam is ordered with dye), etc. At $2,000 a pop, you have to do a minimum of 1500 MRIs to recoup the cost. Most MRIs take about an hour and the techs, unless you are at a trauma center, are only on site for about eight-ten hrs per day. That means the hospital could probably pay for an MRI machine in a year's time but you have to factor in the cost of repairs and maintenance too, which I'm sure cost a pretty penny.
Sure, the American health care system needs a serious overhaul, mostly because physicians are pressured into providing futile end of life care or ordering needless labwork and diagnostic imaging because patients saw this or that on the internet.
But back to the topic- there is no way to speed up the recovery process. You can use ice or heat for comfort. Motrin or Aleve will help with pain and inflammation if taken reguarly for a few days. Rotator cuffs are not something you want to mess with as it is a very fragile thing. Please rest and allow time for healing. Speedy recovery!
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Hey Megan! What does a rotator sprain feel like?
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I'm not sure, I've never had one. I'd assume it would be pain with rotation of the shoulder of the affected extremity. However, I had a friend with a partial tear of his rotator cuff and he had no pain, only weakness with lifting in that arm. I suppose it's variable depending on the injury sustained and if there is other muscular involvement. But if you're concerned, go see your doctor 🙂
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Thanks Megan, I'm sorry that question was for pawsandheels. I just wanted to know from the originator of this thread what it felt like to her. I got confused and used the last post and not the first post….my bad.
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I ahve had issues with my rotator cuff for quite a few years. Generally with me not only do I get a nice knot right under my shoulder blade but I will also have issues right between my biceps and triceps on my outer arm and when it gets really bad it will shoot all the way down into my elbow and sometimes affect my wrist.
My husbands tear did nto cause any loss of strength or motion but he was just in constant pain, mainly when he was at rest. If he used it it felt fine. Sleeping for him was horrible. I am similar where when mine is acting up it gove me no problems when I am active but once I settle down or do not exercise for a day or so it just has a dull ache.
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If you have access to resistance equipment, wide grip pull down, wide grip row. With perfect form. If you do not know what perfect form is ask a trainer, PT or chiropractor your trust, someone who not only knows anatomy and physiology but biomechancis as well. My shoulder bothered me for a year and a half before I started on the Wide Grip pull down and row. Important because as polers we close grip pull our bodies up all the time.
Hope this helps. Oh damn, almost forget the most important thing! *** Listen to your body*** if it hurts, don't do it. So you may need to rest before starting up resistance training. If it's not too far gone (read: about to need surgery) that should help.
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Thanks for all the replies. In answer to what it feels like – hell!!! I injured it in a car crash three years ago. Over the past two weeks the pain has been getting worse and now I literally can't move the arm more than a few inches, my hand on that side is numb most of the time and I haven't sleep in about a week despite being on anti-inflammatories and pain killers.
One of my best friends is an amazing personal trainer and I work out with him so I know my form is correct, etc. but I do lift very heavy and I tend to overdo things even when he tells me to stop. Looking back over the last six months, I ignored all the signs and kept training hard – so I guess I've no one to blame but myself!
I saw a consultant last night and he is sending me for an MRI as he thinks that the rotator cuff is already torn and said that there is a possbility my lat and my bicep insertion are also torn. It's really not looking good.
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If you have lost movement and are in that amount of pain you probably have torn it. My husband was even taking vicodin when the pain got really bad and even that did not help (prior to surgery). An MRI is a smart move. Most of all, REST.
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I am so sorry that you are experiencing this type of pain. I certainly hope that you get the help needed and are repaired and healed quickly. Thank you for the discussion and the response…..does sound awful.
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