torn rotator cuff

[tryme]

Hi guys I've got a torn rotator cuff in my left shoulder. I had to quit boxing it got that bad. I can't sleep on my left side as I relax my shoulder slides out the socket due to my body weight being on it and it hurts more and more as time goes on.

Will the speed bag make it better or worse?

[Speedbag]

Originally Posted by tryme

Hi guys I've got a torn rotator cuff in my left shoulder. I had to quit boxing it got that bad. I can't sleep on my left side as I relax my shoulder slides out the socket due to my body weight being on it and it hurts more and more as time goes on.

Sounds like you have a shoulder instability that allows the joint to dislocate. That may be happening either because of the rotator cuff tear, or independently from it. Shoulder dislocation, especially anterior (front direction) can happen with or without associated rotator cuff injuries.

I would suggest you see a qualified orthopedic physician immediately (if you haven't already) to get an exactly diagnosis and begin conservative treatment and physical therapy. I hate to say it, but Repetitive shoulder dislocations may require surgical consideration.

Originally Posted by tryme

Will the speed bag make it better or worse?

At the moment most speed bag punching will probably make it worse. By your description your shoulder is acutely injured right now and medical treatment with any movement rehab done under the advice of treatment specialists would be my recommendation. If the interior tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments etc) are damaged and swollen inside then raising the arm up to hit the speed bag can also create associated impingement problems, squashing or abrasing the tissues on the acromion, fraying them even more,.. and I guarentee you want to avoid that one.

Please get medical treament. Hope this helps.

[Tim]

Originally Posted by tryme

Hi guys I've got a torn rotator cuff in my left shoulder. I had to quit boxing it got that bad. I can't sleep on my left side as I relax my shoulder slides out the socket due to my body weight being on it and it hurts more and more as time goes on.

Will the speed bag make it better or worse?

WORSE. I can tell you this for a fact. I had shoulder surgery in 2007 to repair a torn labrum. Focus on getting it fixed first, then you can bag.

[tryme]

this sucks big time. i done it during sparring (boxing) threw a dodgey left hook and my hand went towards the ground and with the force of the blow has torn it. this really does suck im so dissapointed.

i have got a physio appointment tomorrow to be assesed etc so we will see how it goes.

[Tim]

Originally Posted by tryme

this sucks big time. i done it during sparring (boxing) threw a dodgey left hook and my hand went towards the ground and with the force of the blow has torn it. this really does suck im so dissapointed.

i have got a physio appointment tomorrow to be assesed etc so we will see how it goes.

I hear you man... been there done that. Plagued by thoughts of "if only I hadn't done that". The thought of weeks or months of hard earned progress out the window due to an extended rehab...

...but stay positive. My shoulder came back better than ever and within a few months (you've gotta be patient) it was as good as new. Looking back 4 years later, I'm glad I got it fixed when I did and didn't let it get worse. It was painful to walk away from the bag, and the weights, and just about everything else (They'll tell you not to even jog or run or walk any large dogs!) for 6-9 months, but in the end it was the smart thing to do. Mine had hurt for quite some time and when the pain got too bad I finally decided to go for the fix.

[tryme]

I hope they can fix me that's all I'm asking for right now. I vant even sleep on my left side

[Hannibal]

Originally Posted by tryme

I hope they can fix me that's all I'm asking for right now. I vant even sleep on my left side

I walked around with a torn shoulder muscle for almost six years. My doctors sucked, and the injury eventually grew scar tissue and began to atrophy. Finally I got my surgery and it has taken three years but I am on the road to recovery now. I had to give up my power lifting, my boxing gym, and judo. Then one day it got well enough to start bagging. From bagging it lead to the heavy bag again, from there to the double end to work on speed, and now back to sparring. It is like someone pulls the rug out from under neath you, but eventually you will get back. Hang in there. Don't push yourself and make it worse like I did. Get yourself a pair of hand grips and work on that if you can. I can pretty much pop a tennis ball now. It was the only thing I could do when I was unable to lift or punch.

[Markus]

Hey tryme,

I had a very similar issue that started about 2 1/2 years ago. Took me about a year and a half of walking around in pain that would only get worse before I did anything. I ended up getting a few opinions and went with an orthopedic surgeon in Philly to go in and fix it. Turns out I didn't have a tear but severe arthritis and bone spurs inside of my AC joint. Crazy part is I thought arthritis like that was only for people over 70... I am only 36

Recovery from shoulder surgery takes some time but if you stick with the physical therapy and let yourself heal, you will come out like new. A little over a year later and I am back in the gym and started learning how to hit the speed bag. It still gets sore but it is nothing compared to the pain prior to surgery.

I hope your appointment goes well tomorrow.

All the best,
Markus

[tryme]

Hi guys little update.

I've got a list of about 5 exercises to do 3x a day with this rubber band thing. Physio said I wont be bagging for at least 4 weeks and that's only if I stick to my routine.
I won't be hitting anything properly for over 4 months but hey I will do what I've got to do to get my health back!thanks for reading

[Speedbag]

Originally Posted by tryme

Hi guys little update.

I've got a list of about 5 exercises to do 3x a day with this rubber band thing. Physio said I wont be bagging for at least 4 weeks and that's only if I stick to my routine.
I won't be hitting anything properly for over 4 months but hey I will do what I've got to do to get my health back!thanks for reading

I've had many of these "4 months of rehab periods" in my life, and some 6 months or longer, So I know how you feel. If this is your first, then I can suggest a few things.

Realize that four months is NOT a long time in the totality of your life, and it will pass just as fast if you get treatment and follow the rehab, or not. If you do, then four months from now perhaps you'll be better, and closer to pain free. One thing is for sure, if you do not follow it and keep re-injuring your shoulder than you will be no better off and still owe a four month or longer debt to a find a healthy shoulder. And this is just "conservative therapy". If this issue gets worse, it could lead to surgery and that can add another 2 or 3 months on to your rehab time.

I don't know how old you are, but if you have ever found yourself saying "I'll do this or that when I can find the time..." Well, perhaps you just found some. Read those books your really wanted to, watch those back TV series you missed, write that poem or perhaps begin that novel kicking around in your head. If you're in school, study more. If you play and instrument, practice more, If you don't play music but wanted to, now is the time to start. You can always exercise your mind.

All is not lost physically either. You can still do some leg work. You can still ride cycles. There was a time when I "rehabed" through 12 surgeries in 10 years. ( don't ask..) and when it didn't include a knee (3 did include knees) I worked on martial art kicking. When it did include a shoulder (that would be 5) I found other outlets. It helps to cultivate interests outside of "working out" or playing sports, and I learned to use the rehab time for short "day trips" to things I probably wouldn't have done because I was a slave to endless quest of physical activity.

Look at it as life giving you personal vacation or change of schedule. It's probably just the first of many unplanned events. As far as the speed bag goes, you can still hit it with your mind. I called it "air punching", moving my hands or fingers a bit in the normal directions and reproducing the sound in my head. You'd be surprised how much you can learn about the bag doing this.

The last thing I learned was to sit down and talk to your speed bag(s) once in a while. Like loyal pets, they will sit quietly by you for hours if you let them. Espcially your older ones. They will sometimes tell you a few secrets if you'll listen.

Hope it helps and have see ya back under the board about march.