
Shoulder Pain Comes Back After Over A Year Of Not Swimming?

Question: Shoulder pain comes back after over a year not swimming, what should I do to stop it happening again?
Over a year ago, I started recreational swimming about 3-4 days a week for an hr each time doing front crawl. After about 3 months of this, I got serious pain in my left shoulder, particularly when rotating it.
From reading online, I assumed it was rotator cuff disorder from overuse and decided to rest it. Few weeks after the pain reduced and then finally disappeared, however, even after the pain was gone I did no go back to swimming.
Fast forward about 14 months later without any sign of the pain, I decided to go swimming again. Only did 100m and immediately felt the same type pain coming back on my left shoulder.
Few days after and I can still feel that the shoulder is irritated and this is despite the fact I take ibuprofen every night for a different issue.
I guess the original time I must have done more damage than I anticipated?
Many thanks
Over a year ago, I started recreational swimming about 3-4 days a week for an hr each time doing front crawl. After about 3 months of this, I got serious pain in my left shoulder, particularly when rotating it.
From reading online, I assumed it was rotator cuff disorder from overuse and decided to rest it. Few weeks after the pain reduced and then finally disappeared, however, even after the pain was gone I did no go back to swimming.
Fast forward about 14 months later without any sign of the pain, I decided to go swimming again. Only did 100m and immediately felt the same type pain coming back on my left shoulder.
Few days after and I can still feel that the shoulder is irritated and this is despite the fact I take ibuprofen every night for a different issue.
I guess the original time I must have done more damage than I anticipated?
Many thanks
Brief Answer:
Rotator cuff injury
Detailed Answer:
Hi there
Thanks for the query
I have read your query and understood your problem.
It appears that you may be having a Rotator cuff injury.
I suggest you get an MRI scan and Xray of the affected shoulder.
Avoid overhead activities and swimming in uncomfortable positions.
Do review with the investigation reports.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr.Aashish Raghu
Rotator cuff injury
Detailed Answer:
Hi there
Thanks for the query
I have read your query and understood your problem.
It appears that you may be having a Rotator cuff injury.
I suggest you get an MRI scan and Xray of the affected shoulder.
Avoid overhead activities and swimming in uncomfortable positions.
Do review with the investigation reports.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr.Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad


Hi, thanks for your answer.
Additional question: Are there higher chances of my right shoulder also getting rotator cuff injury if I was to fix my issues with my left shoulder.
I guess what I'm asking is, is it likely I'll be able to swim regularly after any potential fixes or is the issue going to keep reappearing?
Additional question: Are there higher chances of my right shoulder also getting rotator cuff injury if I was to fix my issues with my left shoulder.
I guess what I'm asking is, is it likely I'll be able to swim regularly after any potential fixes or is the issue going to keep reappearing?
Brief Answer:
Needs MRI
Detailed Answer:
If it is a confirmed Rotator cuff year then it may need repair surgically.
If the damage is not too deep then it can be treated with physiotherapy.
Do get an MRI to know what it is.
Needs MRI
Detailed Answer:
If it is a confirmed Rotator cuff year then it may need repair surgically.
If the damage is not too deep then it can be treated with physiotherapy.
Do get an MRI to know what it is.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad

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