Swimmer’s shoulder, also called shoulder impingement, occurs from overuse of the shoulder joint. Swimmers are constantly using their shoulders, which is why it is likely for them to experience this condition.
What Causes Swimmer’s Shoulder?
When the shoulder is doing repeated motions, it can cause inflammation. This may lead to swelling and friction in the surrounding tissue, and bone spurs.
Who Can Get Swimmer’s Shoulder?
Swimmers are commonly affected by swimmer’s shoulder; however, they are not the only ones. Anyone who uses their shoulders often may be affected such as tennis players, baseball players, warehouse workers, and construction workers.
What are the Symptoms of Swimmer’s Shoulder?
If you have swimmer’s shoulder, you may have one of more of the following symptoms:
- Pain when moving your arm overhead
- Limited range of motion
- Shoulder pain
- Pain when trying to reach behind your back
- Swelling and tenderness in the shoulder
How is Swimmer’s Shoulder Diagnosed?
If you are experiencing the symptoms above, seek help from one of our shoulder specialists. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and any repeated shoulder activity you may be doing. They will also perform a physical examination. Our shoulder doctors may need to use utilize X-ray or MRI imaging to determine the proper diagnosis for your condition.
How is Swimmer’s Shoulder Treated?
Most of the time, especially in the early stages of swimmer’s shoulder, surgery is not needed. Your shoulder doctor may recommend ice, rest, activity modification, medication, injections, and physical therapy.
If conservative treatment does not help, it may mean that surgery is needed. At Elite Sports Medicine, we practice minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to allow for optimal healing.
Swimmer’s Shoulder Prevention Tips
If you have suffered from shoulder injuries in the past, or you are in a sport or a job that involves using your shoulders often, you are at a higher risk of developing swimmer’s shoulder. Try these tips to prevent swimmer’s shoulder and other shoulder injuries:
- Rest after repetitive shoulder use
- Use proper form when swimming, playing tennis, etc.
- Stretch before and after playing sports
- Do not hesitate to seek help if you experience shoulder pain
- Avoid excess stress on the shoulder
When do I Need to See a Doctor for My Shoulder Pain?
If you are experiencing shoulder pain, it could be happening for a variety of reasons. If you experience popping in the shoulder, severe pain that makes it difficult to sleep, or shoulder pain that will not go away after two weeks, seek help from a shoulder specialist near you.
Our Shoulder Specialists in Nashville and Franklin
If you are experiencing shoulder pain, seek help from some of the best shoulder doctors in Tennessee:
Author: AMWN Dev
Related Articles
The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is a vital stabilizer in the elbow, particularly for athletes who perform repetitive overhead motions. Injuries to this ligament are [...]
We tend to assume that the more physically fit you are, the more protected your body is from health problems. While there is certainly a [...]
According to research published by the National Library of Medicine, 1 in 3500 people injure their ACL every year. This makes it the most commonly [...]
Over 544,000 hip replacement surgeries were performed across the United States, according to the American College of Rheumatology? We see numbers like that at Elite [...]
Common Workplace Orthopedic Injuries: Prevention & Treatment Workplace injuries are a major cause of orthopedic issues, affecting workers across industries—from office employees to construction workers. [...]
Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide by Elite Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Back pain can be debilitating, affecting everything from daily activities to athletic performance. [...]
Understanding PCL Tears: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options If you're experiencing knee pain and searching for an orthopedic doctor near me, understanding the nature of [...]
Did you know that each year, around 100,000 to 200,000 people in the United States tear their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), according to data from [...]
Are you finding it hard to sleep due to ankle pain at night? If you haven't sprained your ankle recently, you may wonder why your [...]
A CDC report from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey found that 36.5% of adults had lower limb pain. This includes the hip, knee, and foot. [...]
