Rotator cuff injury

**Big_jimbo** · 07-27-2011, 04:21 PM

Hi all,
I am looking for some previous experiances and some advice on this type of injury. A couple of weeks back i was competing in a boxing fight and felt my shoulder sublax the consequence of this was a rotator cuff tear. I am waiting to be seen by a physio after being refered by GP.
Has anyone ever had this injury and will i ever be able to lift weights to my original strength before the injury occured ??? I am really gutted as i was really getting into a routine & getting some good gains now i can only do legs & abs without straining the shoulder. How long does this type of injury take to heal? All answers are appreciated.

Thanks

**MDR** · 07-27-2011, 04:27 PM

See the specialist and take your time coming back. The MRI should tell you just how serious the injury is. What did your GP say? There is a wide range of rotator cuff tears, from very small to injuries that need to be repaired through surgery immediately.

**Curt James** · 07-27-2011, 04:37 PM

And do not neglect working your good arm. I thought I read somewhere that working the uninjured limb (arm or leg) will actually help the injured arm maintain some strength.

Regardless of whether that's fact or fiction, training your uninjured arm will keep at least a portion of your upper body in the mix.

There are many resources online where fellow lifters offer their experiences on rotator injuries and their recovery process. Get to Googling!

**Gissurjon** · 07-27-2011, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Curt James

And do not neglect working your good arm. I thought I read somewhere that working the uninjured limb (arm or leg) will actually help the injured arm maintain some strength.

Regardless of whether that's fact or fiction, training your uninjured arm will keep at least a portion of your upper body in the mix.

There are many resources online where fellow lifters offer their experiences on rotator injuries and their recovery process. Get to Googling!

.

**Curt James** · 07-27-2011, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Gissurjon

From "Lady in the Water" by M. Night Shyamalan.

Was that CGI or what? lol it's not even as pronounced in that image as it is in other parts of the film, imo.

**manickanuck** · 07-27-2011, 07:18 PM

ive injured my rotator cuff doing bent laterals before... take my advice and slowly get back into it... go light for movements that put stress on it. you will get your strength back but it takes time. if you try to go heavy too soon you will injure it again and most likely worse than what it is now. Also avoid anything behind the neck such as pulldown and military presses do these to the front. not only are these bad for the rotator cuff but also the spine, im sure you already know but just thought id say just incase.

**Big_jimbo** · 07-27-2011, 07:32 PM

Thanks for the replies people it means alot, i have googled it none stop since the injury & all i have read is doom & gloom. Was just wondering if any you guys had personal experiances of recovery to full strength. My GP says i got a rotator cuff tear & reffered me to physio to start strength training on the cuff. Looking forward to actually recieving a time scale of recovery. Also @ curt james you reccomend doing curls etc on healthy arm ? Wont that give me 1 big arm and 1 little weak arm ? One last question is anyone aware of any chest exercises i can do without aggravating this injury as i want to maintain some upper body strength whilst recovering.

Thanks again

**manickanuck** · 07-27-2011, 07:51 PM

i dont know of any chest exercises that wouldnt stress it. but go on youtube dorian yates chest and biceps or maybe his shoulder routine. watch these videos and he will show how to do a couple exercises to warm up the rotator cuff. sorry i dont have the link but this may help you in the future... good luck

**MDR** · 07-27-2011, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by Big_jimbo

Thanks for the replies people it means alot, i have googled it none stop since the injury & all i have read is doom & gloom. Was just wondering if any you guys had personal experiances of recovery to full strength. My GP says i got a rotator cuff tear & reffered me to physio to start strength training on the cuff. Looking forward to actually recieving a time scale of recovery. Also @ curt james you reccomend doing curls etc on healthy arm ? Wont that give me 1 big arm and 1 little weak arm ? One last question is anyone aware of any chest exercises i can do without aggravating this injury as i want to maintain some upper body strength whilst recovering.

Thanks again

Still curious about the MRI. Hopefully you'll get more info from the specialist. You can recover to full strength with time. I played college football and competed as a powerlifter after having mine repaired. Hardest thing is taking the time off needed. I focused on the lower body a great deal while I went through rehab on the shoulder, along with working on my speed and endurance. Once I recovered fully from surgery, my training quickly got back to normal.

**Big_jimbo** · 07-28-2011, 02:25 AM

As for the mri scan MDR i have not yet had a scan, am thinking if my doc didnt send me for scan then surely it cant be that big of a tear. I can move my arm but if i move it to quick or in certain direction i get nasty shooting pain through my arm does this similar to yours @ MDR. Is this genuine about working the other arm ? What advantages will i have working just 1 arm except 1 big arm.

Thanks again your response is much appreciated

**MDR** · 07-28-2011, 04:36 AM

Many exercises are going to be off limits for a bit. While working the opposite arm will not create problems with the injured shoulder, there is a limit to the benefits of isolation work alone. The main fundamental compound exercises for upper body strength such as military press and bench press will be out, at least for a bit. If it is a small tear, then it may heal in a few weeks. The body does bounce back fairly fast in most cases. the main thing is to make sure you do not re-injure the area by pushing things too soon. I wouldn't focus too much on what you can't do, but instead on what you can.

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