rotator cuff injury

[birdieman]

Saw the physio yesterday in light of some niggling left shoulder pain. I'm told I have a torn rotator cuff muscle after getting me to move my arm around and push and pull in various directions.

Is it possible this has come from golf? I am unaware of feeling anything go wrong, this injury had crept up on me over the last 2 or 3 months,

Anyone had this and how did it affect your golf? How long to sort out with the right exercises? Physio said it could take a while to sort.
Should I not touch a club at all for a few months (that was probably going to happen anyway).

Thanks

 

[Dodger]

Should have worn short sleeves...

 

[birdieman]

Should have worn short sleeves...

Why, I often do

 

[golfcitydweller]

my mates waiting to go in for surgery on his and he said he never did anything other than hit lots of balls on the range and his crept up on him and he`s gonna be out for most of 2010

 

[didsbury_duffer]

I'm sure Birdieman will be well happy when he reads your post!! Make sure you see a proper sports physio, and not just a general physio. It may cost you £35 to £40 per half hour session, and it may take 2 or 3 sessions, but well worth it IMO.

 

[EaseNgrace]

I dont know much about it but im currently suffering with something similar. It feels like a torn muscle/ligament in my right shoulder. I don't think golf caused mine, it was probably repetitive strain from lifting concrete blocks at work. I doubt I could swing a club at the minute if I tried, I could barely get my t-shirt on this morning but I still had to lift more bloody blocks again today

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I hope it gets sorted soon and isn't as bad as it sounds. I know I often get painful elbows from hitting lots of balls off range mats but never seem to feel any pain at the time.

 

[HCFC]

HI Birdieman, i had a similar injury around 10 years ago whilst at University. Whilst playing football for the Uni team i went up for a header and landed on my left shoulder causing it to pop out of its socket. In the process it tore and damaged my ligaments and muscles that hold the shoulder into the socket. I had a camera inserted into my shoulder to assess the damage and an ink like substance inserted for a scan to assess the damage. I had physio at the general hospital which was pointless and did little to stop the shoulder from frequently slipping out from its socket which was very painful. In the end i was told that i needed the muscle stretched and folded by stapling it together to make it strong enough to hold the shoulder in place. This would have resulted in no sports for a year and avoiding driving for 6 months. In the end i rejected the op and was told that i would need to learn what my boundaries were in terms of movement of the shoulder to avoid undue stress on the muscle.

10 years later and whilst now and again my shoulder does slip it doesn`t effect from golf in anyway. The only time i rest it from golf is if it has slipped during the week. My advice would be to get it looked at to be on the safe side but other than that avoid playing whilst it settles down. Sorry for the long rant.

 

[Yerman]

HCFC -Not the same thing.
Most rotator cuff problems will settle with a steroid injection and physio but the extent of the injury is best assessed with an MRI scan though this is not usually done unless the phyio and injection aren't working. Bottom line -see a Dr -they're free on the NHS!

 

[sfby]

Hi birdieman...

I had this a few years ago & was told (by chiropractor) that the golf swing shouldn't affect the rotator cuff, but the act of lifting & setting down a golf bag could do it. Once recovered (3/4 weeks) I bought a trolley & no problems since.

Hope yours is as easy!

Paul

 

[birdieman]

Thanks for the advice.

It had been bothering me on the 1st and 2nd holes if I hadn't warmed up (can't really be bothered warming up but look pretty stupid now!) but only right at the top of the backswing. My positive spin on it at the time was if it helped stop me going back too far on the backswing that could actually be a good thing! Talk about being in denial!

It's doesn't give me much bother at all with everyday lifting and carrying, it's only the odd twinge when I put my arm and shoulder in certain spots. Doc said try ibuprofen and physio. He also offered a steroid injection which I may yet try.

 

[cbetofop]

I've had this Birdieman..but NOT from golf, it was gardening trimming hedges.

I saw a physio who did 4 sessions of acupuncture and ultrasound and cured it in 4 weeks with about another 4 of exercise and rehab.

 

[thecraw]

I've had this Birdieman..but NOT from golf, it was gardening trimming hedges.

I saw a physio who did 4 sessions of acupuncture and ultrasound and cured it in 4 weeks with about another 4 of exercise and rehab.

Acupuncture, you either believe in it or you dont. I had it done on a wrist injury and I swear by it. It took the pain away and increased mobility after one session, its an incredible sensation. The heat build up and relief for me was amazing.

I'm seriously considering it again for my arthritis.

Birdieman, depending on what your doctor or physio say I would consider acupuncture. Hope it clears up soon though.