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 JULY 28, 2011 Tips for Serious Swimmers Who Develop Shoulder Pain Swimming is probably the most nearly perfect form of exercise. And you don't have to put in thousands of hours in the pool like Olympic champion Michael Phelps to get a good workout. Although swimming isn't considered a sport that leads to injuries, serious swimmers often have problems with their shoulders. The most common injury is referred to as "swimmer's shoulder" and can affect up to 70% of competitive swimmers, says Dr. Scott Rodeo, co-chief of the Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and chairman of the USA Swimming Sports Medicine Committee. The main causes of shoulder pain in swimmers are muscle fatigue from overdoing it; degenerative changes in the rotator cuff tendon, a condition called tendonosis; impingement of the rotator cuff during the swimming stroke, which results from pressure on the rotator cuff from part of the shoulder blade (scapula) as the arm is lifted; and shoulder laxity - various muscles and ligaments play a role in shoulder stability, and looseness in the shoulder may lead to injury. If you develop shoulder pain, here is Dr. Rodeo's advice: o Rest the injured shoulder. Take a break from swimming. o If you continue to swim, avoid strokes and exercises that exacerbate the pain. Change your swimming stroke - try the breaststroke - or do more kicking sets. o Use ice and anti-inflammatory medication. o If shoulder pain does not get better with rest, see a physician. o Enlist the help of an experienced physical therapist. o Return to swimming gradually after your pain improves. |
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