Is Swimmer's Shoulder the cause of shoulder pain? Let's talk about it simply! (Swimmer's Shoulder)

You may also feel a little pain in your shoulder sometimes, right? Maybe you feel this pain when you raise your arm, lift a weight, or even just stand still. Especially if you are a swimmer, play a sport like cricket or volleyball, or have a job that requires you to lift your arms, this shoulder pain may be a bit familiar to you. Today we are talking about a common cause of this kind of shoulder pain called 'Swimmer's Shoulder'. Although the name may seem like it is a disease that only affects swimmers, it is not. It can develop in anyone who puts a lot of strain on their shoulders.

What exactly is Swimmer's Shoulder?

Simply put, Swimmer's Shoulder is a general term for a collection of symptoms, such as pain and weakness, in your shoulder joint. It's not a single disease, but rather a collection of several smaller problems that cause similar symptoms.

Think of your shoulder as a very complex machine. It has bones, muscles, and many parts, such as tendons and ligaments, that connect them together. All of these things work together to help you lift your arm, rotate it, and do everything you want. So when you swim, play sports, or do a job that requires you to lift your arm, the delicate tissues in this shoulder are constantly under pressure. When you work hard like this for a long time, those tissues start to get damaged and swell. That's when the pain starts.

This name comes from the fact that this condition is most common among swimmers. However, it can occur in any sport or occupation that requires overhead lifting. If you have shoulder pain for more than a week, it is important to see a doctor for advice.

What are the main conditions that fall under Swimmer's Shoulder?

There are several specific medical conditions that go under the common name of Swimmer's Shoulder. When you go to the doctor, he may tell you that you have one of these. Let's take a look at what they are.

How common is this condition?

Because there are so many conditions that fall under the umbrella term "Swimmer's Shoulder," it's hard to say exactly how common it is. However, studies have found that at least one-third of competitive swimmers have experienced this shoulder injury at some point in their lives.

But the actual number could be much higher. This does not include amateur athletes, those who play other sports (for example, bowlers in cricket, volleyball players), and those who work with their shoulders (carpenters, masons). Therefore, this is a common problem that affects many people.

What are the main symptoms of Swimmer's Shoulder?

If you have this condition, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms.

• Shoulder pain: This is the main symptom. The pain can occur when raising the arm, lifting a weight, and sometimes even while sleeping.
• Muscle weakness: The shoulder feels lifeless. It becomes difficult to lift weights or use the arm in the old way.
• Limited movement: The ability to lift and rotate the arm decreases. Raising the arm beyond a certain limit can cause severe pain.
• Feeling of instability in the shoulder: The shoulder joint may feel loose, as if it is about to come loose.

Why does this situation arise?

The main reason for this is repeated stress on the shoulder joint. When this pressure is applied over a period of time, the delicate tissues inside the shoulder are damaged and small tears form. This damage causes those areas to swell. This swelling is what causes the shoulder joint to lose its smooth function and causes pain.

Imagine that you are peeling coconuts every day, or a carpenter is sawing wood every day. When you use your hands in the same way, your joints feel tired after a while, right? That's how it is with this.

Swimming is the main reason for this. Also,

• Bowling (cricket)
• Sports like baseball and volleyball
• Jobs that use heavy equipment such as a hammer

Things like this can also cause this.

Doctor, how do you diagnose this?

When you go to see a doctor, the first thing he or she will do is give you a physical exam. He or she will ask you about your symptoms.

• When did the pain first start?
• What kinds of things make the pain worse?
• What sport or job do you play?

It is very important to clearly state everything you know for questions like this.

The doctor will then check your shoulder's range of motion. This means how far you can lift and rotate your arm without pain. He will also check the strength of your shoulder and compare it to your other shoulder, which is pain-free.

What tests may be needed?

This condition can usually be diagnosed with a physical exam, but sometimes you may be asked to do some tests and take pictures to see exactly what's going on inside the shoulder.

• X-rays: This can mainly be used to check for bone damage.
• MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): This can very clearly see damage to delicate tissues such as muscles and tendons in the shoulder.

What are the treatments for this?

There are two main goals in treating swimmer's shoulder. One is to reduce pain. The other is to stop further damage to the shoulder and restore normal function. These are the most commonly used treatments for this.

1. Rest is the first medicine.

This is very important. The activity that caused your shoulder pain, whether it's sports or work, should be temporarily stopped. Your doctor will tell you exactly how long you need to rest.

2. Physical therapy

A physical therapist will teach you specific exercises and stretches to strengthen your shoulder and increase its range of motion. As your shoulder heals, they will also give you exercises to strengthen the muscles around your shoulder.

3. Ice application

Applying an ice pack to the area of ​​pain and swelling can help. But don't put the ice directly on your skin. Wrap it in a thin towel. Ask your doctor how many times a day and for how long.

4. Painkillers

Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used for short periods of time, but do not take them continuously for more than 10 days without medical advice.

5. Corticosteroid injections

If the pain and swelling are very severe, your doctor may decide to inject a type of medication called a corticosteroid directly into the shoulder joint. These are powerful anti-inflammatory medications.

6. Make small changes to the way you work.

You may be able to reduce the stress on your shoulders by making small changes to your posture or the way you work. If you are an athlete, you can talk to a coach and make small changes to your technique.

7. Surgery

Surgery is considered as a last resort only if no other treatment has worked. If you need surgery, your doctor will explain what type of surgery it is and how long it will take to recover.

How long will it take for this condition to heal?

There is no exact day or time for this. It varies from person to person. This time will depend on the extent of the damage to your shoulder and the speed at which your body heals.

Typically, most people start to feel better within a few weeks of starting treatment. However, it can take a month or more to fully recover and resume normal exercise. Do not start exercising again until your doctor says the pain has subsided. Doing so can increase the risk of the injury reoccurring and progressing to a more serious condition (such as a torn rotator cuff).

How can you prevent swimmer's shoulder?

"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So if you can prevent this condition before it occurs, that's the best thing to do.

• Stop the activity as soon as you feel pain: Play through the pain, don't work. It's your body's warning.
• Warm-up and Cool-down Properly: Warm up well before any physical activity. Cool down afterward.
• Keep your shoulder and back muscles strong: Do exercises that strengthen the rotator cuff and back muscles that support your shoulder.
• Maintain proper posture: Maintain proper body mechanics while exercising and working.
• Rest is essential: Rest when your shoulders feel tired or fatigued. Don't keep straining yourself.

When should you see a doctor?

When to see a general practitioner:

See a doctor as soon as you first notice symptoms like shoulder pain, swelling, or difficulty moving your arm. Treating the problem early can help prevent it from getting worse.

When to go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU):

In the following cases, immediately go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

• If you have suffered a shoulder injury due to some accident (trauma).
• If you can't shrug your shoulders at all.
• If you think you have a dislocated shoulder, never try to realign the joint yourself.

Swimmer's Shoulder, shoulder pain, shoulder pain, sports injury, rotator cuff