Shoulder gave out while benching

Island Roots · 07-02-2005, 03:41 PM

The scariest thing happened to me today while at the gym. I was towards the end of one of my more intense upper body workouts. While benching a low weight (had no spotter so I was just repping an easy weight), I was in the 3rd of 4 sets (6 reps each). I brought the bar down to my chest then when I went to push it back up, I felt my left shoulder "pop" or slip and it completely gave out. I couldn't get the weight back up and luckily there was a personal trainer walking by that lifted the bar back up for me. When I tried to sit up I couldn't even prop myself up with my left side.

I stopped my workout after that; it's been about 40 minutes since it happened. My shoulder just feels weird now...not really a stinging sensation and no sharp pains.

Any idea what could have happened? I'm going to go see a physical therapist next week for both my shoulder and my wrist which has been giving me extremely sharp pains after every workout.

Randy · 07-02-2005, 04:53 PM

Sounds like a painful situation.
It sounds like you described your situation pretty well. It sounds like your shoulder popped out of place somehow. Seeing a doctor sounds like your best bet to find out specifically what and why it might have happened. Seems strange it would happen while lifting light weights though. But sometimes it may not be the amount of weight, but the movement. Maybe you had problems brewing from a previous situation...who knows. One thing I might add is you want to make sure you warmup well in all cases. I know that helps.

Wish you the best in getting back on track.

Island Roots · 07-02-2005, 05:26 PM

Now I'm beginning to think I've done something to my shoulder. It's starting to get really sore and its range of motion (without serious pain) is decreasing. And it's giving me a horrible migraine.

Randy · 07-02-2005, 05:31 PM

I would get in to see a doctor before next week with what your describing.

ABLQ2 · 07-02-2005, 06:12 PM

dont mess around with joint pain. go see your doctor asap, man.

and dont work out again untill you do. your shoulders are used in a lot of lifts, dont work out at all untill you see a doctor to play it safe. you dont want to do any more damage.

LAM · 07-02-2005, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Roots

The scariest thing happened to me today while at the gym. I was towards the end of one of my more intense upper body workouts. While benching a low weight (had no spotter so I was just repping an easy weight), I was in the 3rd of 4 sets (6 reps each). I brought the bar down to my chest then when I went to push it back up, I felt my left shoulder "pop" or slip and it completely gave out. I couldn't get the weight back up and luckily there was a personal trainer walking by that lifted the bar back up for me. When I tried to sit up I couldn't even prop myself up with my left side.

I stopped my workout after that; it's been about 40 minutes since it happened. My shoulder just feels weird now...not really a stinging sensation and no sharp pains.

Any idea what could have happened? I'm going to go see a physical therapist next week for both my shoulder and my wrist which has been giving me extremely sharp pains after every workout.

go see a Dr. but in the meantime put ice on it for about 20 minutes. you should do that about 4-5x a day for the first 2 days.

**P-funk** · 07-02-2005, 07:43 PM

defenitly go to the Dr. Are you swollen at all? Like LAM said ice it up! Maybe a pec tear??

Randy · 07-02-2005, 10:17 PM

Here ya go bro...this looks like it could soothe the pain for awhile

Dayammm...they got one of these things for just about every body part

http://www.painreliever.com/elastogel_SW900.html

They even have what they call a cranial cap

Hmmmm I guess that could come in handy when your girlfriend tosses bowl at your head.

Not that I've ever had that happen of course

Island Roots · 07-03-2005, 12:27 AM

Well I got called into work tonight so I didn't have time to go see a doctor - since then the pain is becoming more apparent when I try to rotate my shoulder certain ways. And I can hear a popping sound when I shrug my shoulders.

I just took some tylenol and will see how it feels in the morning. Unfortunately I have to work all of tomorrow so the soonest I can get in to see a doctor would be Monday or Tuesday, unless it is unbearable then I will call in sick and go to a local urgent care center.

keelo1086 · 07-03-2005, 12:38 AM

A similar injury happened to me while playing basketball. I was slammed into a wall and my shoulder slipped out. It didn't fully dislocate but it still slipped enough to cause damage. The pain and problems with range of motion you describe were exactly like mine. It came to the point where i couldnt even raise my arm to put on a shirt.

You most likely have weak rotator cuffs, and when you have you shoulder at a certain angle in your lift it slipped out. You most go to a doctor. They will most likely give you and x-ray and mri to check for torn ligaments, tendons, and/or muscle. Keep icing that baby it will help with the pain. You got to hope all the pain and swelling is just a reaction to the trauma and that their is no serious damage.

As for me I still have problems with my shoulder when i don't work my rotator cuff regularly.

Ddevildownn · 07-03-2005, 04:56 AM

This is definitely something to worry about it, if you have trouble rotating it... well not to state the obvious but it is a rotator cuff injury. I would definitely stay off of anything that puts pressure on the joint in any direction or involves rotation. I sustained a similar injury by benchpressing like a retard (grip was far to close due to the fact I had a bar that was way to small for a 5 year old... much less someone older.) Definitely get this looked at and recovered fully before you do anything with it again.

Newt · 07-03-2005, 09:32 AM

I've got a bad shoulder that this has happened to before and I am telling you that you need to go to the doctor! Hell if nothing else he'll be able to give you something for the pain. If your shoulder really did come out then over the counter meds aren't going to help.

gettnbig · 07-04-2005, 02:37 AM

u "should" go to a dr but it sounds like u dislocated your shoulder. did it pop back in by itself or did someone have to pop it back in. same thing happned to me with football. tho i never went to a dr its fine now but after the 1st time if u dont get it corrected it will keep popping out more frequently and easier

Island Roots · 07-04-2005, 01:37 PM

Well here it is two days after it happened and my shoulder is still pretty sore but the pain hasn't increased (but hasn't decreased) and I never noticed any swelling. I think I'm just going to take it easy over the next week or so; maybe focus on lower body if I go to the gym.

**Mudge** · 07-04-2005, 09:46 PM

When my body does things like that, its time for a break. First a real break, and then light weights coming back into training, which is what I am doing now. Sometimes its also a sign to check your routine itself, maybe you do too much heavy benching, or too much shoulder work, not enough warmups, form could use work - there are a lot of considerations.

BruiseKnee · 07-04-2005, 09:53 PM

that hasnt happened to me before but i'll try and help... go to a pharmacy and get glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin, preferably in a combo tablet. i have a bad knee and a really bad ankle and it really really helps. From what i've read, glucosamine helps repair tendons/ligaments, MSM helps inflammation and chondroitin helps your body rebuild cartilege when taken over a long period of time. its the least you could do right now, while your body is trying to heal.

goodluck, and lay off the weights for a while, work on legs

Randy · 07-05-2005, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudge

When my body does things like that, its time for a break. First a real break, and then light weights coming back into training, which is what I am doing now. Sometimes its also a sign to check your routine itself, maybe you do too much heavy benching, or too much shoulder work, not enough warmups, form could use work - there are a lot of considerations.

Or the problem could just be ....."Not enough Sex!"

MyK · 07-05-2005, 03:04 AM

my right shoulder did that a couple of years ago, when i was doing incline dumbells, damn near dropped the weight on my face.

take a break like mudge said. come back in after a rest, work on proper form, star at a low weight. AND GET SOME OMEGA 369'S!!!!!!!!

Island Roots · 07-05-2005, 07:56 PM

I went to the doctor today and his conclusion was that I tore some ligaments under/around my scapula. So I'm headed to the physical therapist tomorrow for scapula instability; the physical therapy should last 3 to 4 weeks then I have to go back for a checkup.

Hopefully I'll be able to at least do light weights @ the gym; I don't want to go a month with no upper body work.

god hand · 07-05-2005, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyK

AND GET SOME OMEGA 369'S!!!!!!!!

What tha fuck is this?

MyK · 07-05-2005, 09:40 PM

In a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Bruce Caterson, Ph.D., and his colleagues at Cardiff University, Wales, found that omega-3s inhibited the activity of enzymes known as aggrecanases, which break down joint cartilage. This protective effect may help maintain joints in the face of rigorous physical activity.

http://www.stopinflammation.com/supplements.html

drew.haynes · 07-05-2005, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by god hand

What tha fuck is this?

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/search.php?

god hand · 07-05-2005, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew.haynes

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/search.php?

What tha fuck is this?

Randy · 07-05-2005, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by god hand

What tha fuck is this?

There was a pot of gold at the end of that link, but someone got there before you did

rashly · 07-07-2005, 01:55 AM

I hurt both my shoulders snowboarding back in January. It has botherd me since then, but I really hurt it while doing some incline bench presses.

I saw a doctor and got an x-ray. Both negative. My next step would be to get an MRI of the shoulder, but all that would show is a tear or something (which it most likely is). I wouldn't want to get surgery now unless it is really bad, and physical therapy is way too expensive.

I took a week off from working out. My first week back, I didn't do my shoulder/trap day or my tri/chest day.

I am back to my normal routine, but I'm still going very light on chest workouts and shoulder workouts. I make sure to spend at least 15 minutes stretching my shoulders before and after working out.

As for the pain, it was a constant pain when I first hurt it. It would hurt 10x more when I lifted my shoulder in a certain way (basically the motion of lat dumbbell raises. If I do that with any weight, even 5 pounds, my shoulder kills me when it "pops"). It pops every time I raise my arm in that direction. Front dumbbell raises are fine.

Yeah, so I suggest checking it out at the doctor. Icing it when it hurts. Take an anti-inflamatory if you can. Workout with really light weights until you get confident enough to work your way up again.

animalmachine · 07-07-2005, 12:52 PM

Don't waste your time with light reps unless it's part of the PT. Rest, let it heal. One month is nothing. In the future, try just doing dumbell presses instead. Barbell presses have a tendancy to really fuck up your shoulders. I haven't done a barbell bench press in two years, and I've seen good results w/ no pain.

07-02-2005, 03:41 PM	#1
Island Roots I'd rather be in Hawaii Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 154 Photos: 3	Shoulder gave out while benching The scariest thing happened to me today while at the gym. I was towards the end of one of my more intense upper body workouts. While benching a low weight (had no spotter so I was just repping an easy weight), I was in the 3rd of 4 sets (6 reps each). I brought the bar down to my chest then when I went to push it back up, I felt my left shoulder "pop" or slip and it completely gave out. I couldn't get the weight back up and luckily there was a personal trainer walking by that lifted the bar back up for me. When I tried to sit up I couldn't even prop myself up with my left side. I stopped my workout after that; it's been about 40 minutes since it happened. My shoulder just feels weird now...not really a stinging sensation and no sharp pains. Any idea what could have happened? I'm going to go see a physical therapist next week for both my shoulder and my wrist which has been giving me extremely sharp pains after every workout.
	Five fourths of all Americans have trouble with fractions. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." Albert Einstein

07-02-2005, 04:53 PM	#2
Randy Woof! Woof! Woof! Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: California Posts: 7,859 Photos: 4	Sounds like a painful situation. It sounds like you described your situation pretty well. It sounds like your shoulder popped out of place somehow. Seeing a doctor sounds like your best bet to find out specifically what and why it might have happened. Seems strange it would happen while lifting light weights though. But sometimes it may not be the amount of weight, but the movement. Maybe you had problems brewing from a previous situation...who knows. One thing I might add is you want to make sure you warmup well in all cases. I know that helps. Wish you the best in getting back on track.
	- O F F I C I A L . L I N K . M A S T E R - Maintains a Reference to all Gopros P/RR/S Links Gopros latest routines: CLICK HERE Lift like a Chicken Look Like a Chicken

07-02-2005, 05:26 PM	#3
Island Roots I'd rather be in Hawaii Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 154 Photos: 3	Now I'm beginning to think I've done something to my shoulder. It's starting to get really sore and its range of motion (without serious pain) is decreasing. And it's giving me a horrible migraine.
	Five fourths of all Americans have trouble with fractions. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." Albert Einstein

07-02-2005, 05:31 PM	#4
Randy Woof! Woof! Woof! Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: California Posts: 7,859 Photos: 4	I would get in to see a doctor before next week with what your describing.
	- O F F I C I A L . L I N K . M A S T E R - Maintains a Reference to all Gopros P/RR/S Links Gopros latest routines: CLICK HERE Lift like a Chicken Look Like a Chicken

07-02-2005, 07:43 PM	#7
P-funk Patrick Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: AZ Posts: 30,629	defenitly go to the Dr. Are you swollen at all? Like LAM said ice it up! Maybe a pec tear??
	http://pwtraining.blogspot.com/.....come and see what is on my mind! Ivonne's Blog on Health and Wellness! Looking for online training/coaching/consulting? --> Optimum Sports Performance "In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few." -Buddha's Little Instruction Book

07-02-2005, 06:12 PM	#5
ABLQ2 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Frieburg Posts: 437 Photos: 1	dont mess around with joint pain. go see your doctor asap, man. and dont work out again untill you do. your shoulders are used in a lot of lifts, dont work out at all untill you see a doctor to play it safe. you dont want to do any more damage.

07-02-2005, 10:17 PM	#8
Randy Woof! Woof! Woof! Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: California Posts: 7,859 Photos: 4	Here ya go bro...this looks like it could soothe the pain for awhile Dayammm...they got one of these things for just about every body part http://www.painreliever.com/elastogel_SW900.html They even have what they call a cranial cap Hmmmm I guess that could come in handy when your girlfriend tosses bowl at your head. Not that I've ever had that happen of course
	- O F F I C I A L . L I N K . M A S T E R - Maintains a Reference to all Gopros P/RR/S Links Gopros latest routines: CLICK HERE Lift like a Chicken Look Like a Chicken

07-03-2005, 12:27 AM	#9
Island Roots I'd rather be in Hawaii Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 154 Photos: 3	Well I got called into work tonight so I didn't have time to go see a doctor - since then the pain is becoming more apparent when I try to rotate my shoulder certain ways. And I can hear a popping sound when I shrug my shoulders. I just took some tylenol and will see how it feels in the morning. Unfortunately I have to work all of tomorrow so the soonest I can get in to see a doctor would be Monday or Tuesday, unless it is unbearable then I will call in sick and go to a local urgent care center.
	Five fourths of all Americans have trouble with fractions. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." Albert Einstein

07-03-2005, 12:38 AM	#10
keelo1086 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15	A similar injury happened to me while playing basketball. I was slammed into a wall and my shoulder slipped out. It didn't fully dislocate but it still slipped enough to cause damage. The pain and problems with range of motion you describe were exactly like mine. It came to the point where i couldnt even raise my arm to put on a shirt. You most likely have weak rotator cuffs, and when you have you shoulder at a certain angle in your lift it slipped out. You most go to a doctor. They will most likely give you and x-ray and mri to check for torn ligaments, tendons, and/or muscle. Keep icing that baby it will help with the pain. You got to hope all the pain and swelling is just a reaction to the trauma and that their is no serious damage. As for me I still have problems with my shoulder when i don't work my rotator cuff regularly.
keelo1086 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15

07-03-2005, 04:56 AM	#11
Ddevildownn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 27	This is definitely something to worry about it, if you have trouble rotating it... well not to state the obvious but it is a rotator cuff injury. I would definitely stay off of anything that puts pressure on the joint in any direction or involves rotation. I sustained a similar injury by benchpressing like a retard (grip was far to close due to the fact I had a bar that was way to small for a 5 year old... much less someone older.) Definitely get this looked at and recovered fully before you do anything with it again.

07-03-2005, 09:32 AM	#12
Newt Drinking buddy Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 358	I've got a bad shoulder that this has happened to before and I am telling you that you need to go to the doctor! Hell if nothing else he'll be able to give you something for the pain. If your shoulder really did come out then over the counter meds aren't going to help.
	" I know a man who gave up smoking, drinking, sex, and rich food. He was healthy right up to the day he killed himself."-Johnny Carson

07-04-2005, 02:37 AM	#13
gettnbig Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 11	u "should" go to a dr but it sounds like u dislocated your shoulder. did it pop back in by itself or did someone have to pop it back in. same thing happned to me with football. tho i never went to a dr its fine now but after the 1st time if u dont get it corrected it will keep popping out more frequently and easier
gettnbig Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 11

07-04-2005, 01:37 PM	#14
Island Roots I'd rather be in Hawaii Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 154 Photos: 3	Well here it is two days after it happened and my shoulder is still pretty sore but the pain hasn't increased (but hasn't decreased) and I never noticed any swelling. I think I'm just going to take it easy over the next week or so; maybe focus on lower body if I go to the gym.
	Five fourths of all Americans have trouble with fractions. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." Albert Einstein

07-04-2005, 09:46 PM	#15
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 23,071 Photos: 1	When my body does things like that, its time for a break. First a real break, and then light weights coming back into training, which is what I am doing now. Sometimes its also a sign to check your routine itself, maybe you do too much heavy benching, or too much shoulder work, not enough warmups, form could use work - there are a lot of considerations.
	Kinesiology Vote @ Top 25 Deads Comp Bench Motivation Bench form MaxCalc Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu I don't know any sources so don't ask - thanks

07-04-2005, 09:53 PM	#16
BruiseKnee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 121	that hasnt happened to me before but i'll try and help... go to a pharmacy and get glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin, preferably in a combo tablet. i have a bad knee and a really bad ankle and it really really helps. From what i've read, glucosamine helps repair tendons/ligaments, MSM helps inflammation and chondroitin helps your body rebuild cartilege when taken over a long period of time. its the least you could do right now, while your body is trying to heal. goodluck, and lay off the weights for a while, work on legs

07-05-2005, 03:04 AM	#18
MyK Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: consumerville! Posts: 10,201 Photos: 1	my right shoulder did that a couple of years ago, when i was doing incline dumbells, damn near dropped the weight on my face. take a break like mudge said. come back in after a rest, work on proper form, star at a low weight. AND GET SOME OMEGA 369'S!!!!!!!!

07-05-2005, 07:56 PM	#19
Island Roots I'd rather be in Hawaii Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 154 Photos: 3	I went to the doctor today and his conclusion was that I tore some ligaments under/around my scapula. So I'm headed to the physical therapist tomorrow for scapula instability; the physical therapy should last 3 to 4 weeks then I have to go back for a checkup. Hopefully I'll be able to at least do light weights @ the gym; I don't want to go a month with no upper body work.
	Five fourths of all Americans have trouble with fractions. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." Albert Einstein

07-05-2005, 09:40 PM	#21
MyK Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: consumerville! Posts: 10,201 Photos: 1	In a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Bruce Caterson, Ph.D., and his colleagues at Cardiff University, Wales, found that omega-3s inhibited the activity of enzymes known as aggrecanases, which break down joint cartilage. This protective effect may help maintain joints in the face of rigorous physical activity. http://www.stopinflammation.com/supplements.html

07-07-2005, 01:55 AM	#25
rashly Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4	I hurt both my shoulders snowboarding back in January. It has botherd me since then, but I really hurt it while doing some incline bench presses. I saw a doctor and got an x-ray. Both negative. My next step would be to get an MRI of the shoulder, but all that would show is a tear or something (which it most likely is). I wouldn't want to get surgery now unless it is really bad, and physical therapy is way too expensive. I took a week off from working out. My first week back, I didn't do my shoulder/trap day or my tri/chest day. I am back to my normal routine, but I'm still going very light on chest workouts and shoulder workouts. I make sure to spend at least 15 minutes stretching my shoulders before and after working out. As for the pain, it was a constant pain when I first hurt it. It would hurt 10x more when I lifted my shoulder in a certain way (basically the motion of lat dumbbell raises. If I do that with any weight, even 5 pounds, my shoulder kills me when it "pops"). It pops every time I raise my arm in that direction. Front dumbbell raises are fine. Yeah, so I suggest checking it out at the doctor. Icing it when it hurts. Take an anti-inflamatory if you can. Workout with really light weights until you get confident enough to work your way up again.
rashly Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4

07-07-2005, 12:52 PM	#26
animalmachine Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 206 Photos: 4	Don't waste your time with light reps unless it's part of the PT. Rest, let it heal. One month is nothing. In the future, try just doing dumbell presses instead. Barbell presses have a tendancy to really fuck up your shoulders. I haven't done a barbell bench press in two years, and I've seen good results w/ no pain.