Shoulderitis?

[Spud]

I've had some shoulder problems in the past. I was diagnosed with a slight tear of my cuff about ten years ago but surgery wasn't required. What's bothering me now really isn't my shoulder but I'm thinking it might be related to it. The problem is not in the shoulder but below it. The pain exists on both the inside and outside of the upper section of the tricep muscle. I was thinking a tendon or ligament was strained but it's hasn't been improving.

I don't have near the range of motion in that shoulder as I do the other. The shoulder has also been abused somewhat as I used to pitch in baseball and QB'd in football.

Any ideas would be appreciated of what it might be or exercises I might try. Thanks - Keith

[Bill Hartman]

How far behind your back can you reach with the painful shoulder compared to the other?

Bill

[Spud]

With my left (non-injured arm) my fingertips reach slightly above my shoulder blades. With my right, I'm probably a good six to eight inches lower. It doesn't really hurt the shoulder to do that but it's definately tight.

[Bill Hartman]

Throwers often develop a lack of internal rotation due to a couple of different reasons such as shortening of the external rotators and calcification of the posterior ligamentous capsule from all the traction force developed during deceleration of the arm.

This usually results in some form of impingement syndrome or even some wear and tear on the rotator cuff from rubbing over the calcified section of the capsule.

Your triceps attaches in close proximity to the same area which may be why you're feeling it as such (although via forum it's hard to diagnose).

The best advice is to get it looked at by a qualified health professional as waiting could cause damage that you don't need or want. I would also try to regain that lost internal rotation. Pitchers who were identified with decreased internal rotation and posterior shoulder pain have an excellent outcome by restoring the internal rotation.

Do you have pain with isolated triceps exercises?

Bill

[NoMoYoYo]

Another post in this forum with stretches for internal rotation:
http://forums.jpfitness.com/cgi-bin/...;f=10;t=000098

I've been doing the stretches and I THINK my shoulder feels better. It hasn't been long enough to decide for sure, and my internal rotation of my right shoulder is still horribly lacking.

[Spud]

Thank you for the replies. I appreciate the help you're offering. Bill: Tricep extensions don't bother it too much. I do them on my back using a curl bar. I've had to drop doing pull ups and dips altogether. The bench bothers it some and is more noticeable the farther my elbows are out. If I keep them at my sides I don't feel anything at all. On shoulder raises, lifting the weight to shoulder level in front doesn't affect it a bit. However, the same amount of weight to the side does.

[Bill Hartman]

It sounds more rotator cuff than triceps. Get it looked at.

Bill