A number of athletics put a lot of strain on a person’s shoulder joints, but few require as much repetitive strain on the area as swimming. If poor mechanics are used, or even when a swimmer has good form but overstresses the joint, a condition known as swimmer’s shoulder can develop. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at why swimmer’s shoulder develops and how it can be treated and prevented.
What Is Swimmer’s Shoulder?
In an athlete with swimmer’s shoulder, the tendons that connect muscle to bone in the joint become inflamed and swollen. When this happens, it can compress nearby structures, leading to an impingement. This is why swimmer’s shoulder is also oftentimes classified as a shoulder or subacromial impingement.
Swimmer’s shoulder is a form of tendonitis, but because of the friction that it can put on the shoulder blade, it can also lead to the development of bone spurs, which can lead to even more inflammation and tissue damage in the space. And while the condition is common in swimmers, it can affect any athlete that uses their shoulders frequently, like a baseball or tennis player, or manual laborers like construction workers, carpenters or electricians.
As we mentioned above, swimmer’s shoulder is caused by repetitive strain on the shoulder joint. This leads to tendon and muscle irritation, which can cause microtears to develop. The area becomes inflamed as a result of these tears, and then the whole joint can’t function smoothly. Left untreated, this suboptimal movement can lead to labral or rotator cuff tears.
Symptoms of swimmer’s shoulder include:
- Shoulder pain
- Shoulder weakness
- Muscle fatigue
- A feeling of looseness or instability in the shoulder
Diagnosing and Treating Swimmer’s Shoulder
If you do a lot of swimming, or you use your shoulders frequently and are experiencing some of the symptoms listed above, head to your primary care physician or a shoulder specialist in your area. They’ll begin by asking you about your symptoms, reviewing your medical history and conducting a physical exam of the shoulder area. They’ll also likely refer you to imaging so that they can get a more detailed look at the inner workings of your shoulder. An X-ray will look for broken bones or a dislocation, while a CT scan or MRI can identify tendon tears and inflammation.
In most instances, patients will find success with conservative treatments. Rest is typically the first step in the process, but rest alone won’t put you in the best position to recover and prevent recurrences in the future. Rest is usually paired with other treatments like ice/heat therapy, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and ergonomic adjustments to help take stress off the shoulder when it’s in use.
In the rare instances where conservative techniques fail to provide relief, a minimally invasive shoulder procedure may be recommended. The specific operation will be dependent on the damage to your shoulder joint, but oftentimes a subacromial decompression procedure to remove the inflamed tissue and any offending bone spurs helps to take care of the problem.
If you’re dealing with shoulder pain, especially when you use the joint for repetitive motions, consider connecting with a specialist like Dr. Holloway. He’ll be able to identify if swimmer’s shoulder is to blame or if there is another issue that warrants correction. For more information, or for assistance with your shoulder discomfort, reach out to his office today at (865) 410-7887.
