Protecting an injured shoulder

[genomachino]

If they never had surgery......

Before my first surgery in 2009, I had a NCGA handicap of 10.3 and I was hopeful of becoming a single digit golfer.
Ha, what a silly notion.........Now I'd settle just to be able to hit balls on the driving range.
My golf activities are finished........I'm just hoping to salvage and recover my pool stroke.

Matt B,

They don't have a clue. When it's done sometimes it's done.............

Whatever you get back sometimes seems like a miracle.............

 

[FastManners]

Shoulders are a monster to rehab... Take time off and rehab it as tolerated.



Best recovery.

Rob.M

Thank you Rob, I appreciate the kind words and advice.
I am taking time off before the Nationals and going to nurse it through. As soon as they are over, I am going to take an extended pool leave to try and get it back in order.

 

[FastManners]

Shoulder pain sucks for playing pool. When I injured mine, I found that using a more upright stance was a bit more comfortable, but I guess it all depends on where and how you got injured. I also changed to a softer cut break to take some impact off the shoulder as well.

In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have played as it was very frustrating and probably ended taking longer to heal than it should have. But you know how poolplayers are.

Anyway, good luck and take it easy out there.

Vic

Thank you Vic, I appreciate it.

I had not actually thought of having an upright stance or a softer/cut break, but that makes sense to me. I will definitely give it a go.
As soon as I get back, I am going to take some time off pool.

Thanks again,
Trevor

 

[FastManners]

Fast Manners...The truth is that the shoulder doesn't have to be a part of the stroke process at all...even on the break. A pendulum stroke eliminates any involvement of the shoulder in the swing, and consequential potential injury from using the shoulder. Come see us at the Masters Pool School, at the Rio, to learn more about this, for free, when you're out in Vegas for the BCA tournament.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

A pendulum swing is not something I had not thought of Scott. I will pop by when I am out there and at least introduce myself.
Thank you,
Trevor

 

[FastManners]

I was just told by my surgeon I need to have another rotator cuff surgery. My 1st surgery was on my left shoulder in September 2009
and then my right shoulder had rotator cuff surgery in September 2011 which failed. The big head tendon had to be reattached and
two big full thickness tears re-sown and that surgery failed. So in October 2013 the repair was done again and now that surgery has
failed and so now I'm awaiting word when my next surgery will be. This will be my 3rd one in 3 yrs....rotator cuff surgery sucks and it
doesn't work very reliably like knee surgeries........so it will be a total of 4 rotator cuff surgeries shoulder since September 2009.

I have become an expert on shoulder injuries......right now I have a degenerative tear of the superior labrum extending into both the
anterior and posterior labrum, the long head tendon has pulled away from the medical bolts used to attach it to my right arm's humerus
bone and I also have a new full thickness tear in the supraspinatus measuring 2.5cm. There's also muscle attenuation of the short head
tendon as well and glenohumeral joint effusion with fluid accumulation in the subdeltoid bursa......sound like I have some problems yet?

Shit after 3 shoulder surgeries, 7 MRI's, and over 135 hours of physical therapy......I should know something about shoulder injuries but I
can't diagnose a condition which only a qualified physician can do......But I sure tell you what's in store with shoulder surgery and what can
go wrong too......this will be my 2nd repair attempt on the original surgery.......this is just stupid.

A pendulum swing even with a stationary shoulder clavicle position still involves enormous internal movement of the muscles & tendons
that attach your arm to your shoulder joint. I've become an expert on the construction of the shoulder and movement of the various muscles
and tendons that attach your arm and shoulder. Your shoulder may not sway during the pool stroke but all those muscles still move internally.

If you badly tear your labrum or supraspinatus or infraspinatus, you won't be swinging a pool cue that's for sure....pendulum swing or otherwise.
You "cannot" move your arm forward or backward, up or down, to and fro or reach for something let alone perform a pendulum swing of a pool
cue without the internal shoulder & arm muscles moving.....that's the physical anatomy of the human shoulder and it's just an undeniable medical fact.
Scott can teach you tremendous things in pool but he can't change the functionality and interrelationship of the various moving parts of a shoulder joint.

Matt B.

Wow Matt you have my sympathy.

My injury is that I have a muscle strain of the Trapezius and also slight arthritis in one of the joints of my shoulder (which caused the strain). The doctor and physical therapist have not told me not to play and are doing all they can to help.
I will nurse it through the tournament and then take a break until it feels in better shape to play regularly again.

Thank you for sharing your experiences and good luck with your injuries, our bodies can be cruel!
Trevor

 

[FastManners]

I certainly feel your pain, my friend. For the past 3 yrs. I have been experiencing unbearable
pain in my right shoulder, and right arm (all the way to my fingers) when I play Pool for more
than an hour. I shoot left-handed so is mainly on my bridge hand side.
I've been through every available test, including x-rays and MRI's (full body) and the Doctors
say I have advanced Osteo-arthristis everywhere, fractured vertebraes in my Neck, compressed
discs in my Spine resulting in lots of Nerve Damage.
Of course, they are anxious to get out the knife and start hacking away at the problems but I
am reluctant due to the "No Guarantee of Improvement" disclaimer they are throwing out there.

Bottom Line: I take a Vicodin 1000mg every 8hrs. with a 600mg Ibuprophin in between each Vic.
They actually don't control the Pain, but mask it enough to get me through longer sessions on the
table (I ain't quittin' Pool for no stinkin' Pain). I will have to go under the knife some-day, but not to-day.

A friend told me about Tart Cherry Juice (not from concentrate) and that has been helping with the
Arthritis Pain. You can find it at Natural Food Stores, Trader Joe's, and some High-end Markets.
You only need to ingest about 2-4 ozs. a couple times daily to notice relief from the Arthritis.

If you are not an old has-been like me, you may want to go ahead and get the Surgery done now
and enjoy your life as actively as possible. I am a recreational player for the most part, but still
love the game as much as I did in my younger days.

Best of Luck to you, Howard

Thank you Howard. I like your attitude!
I am going to get to the health food store today, as I do have mild arthritis in the shoulder, so hopefully Tart cherry juice will assist.
Once I am out there, it will most likely be Ibuprofen and beer that gets me through. Obviously not ideal, but it will certainly make me a jollier if not a better player.

Trevor

 

[FastManners]

You are lucky it isn't the opposite shoulder, that's my problem, I have torn muscles in my left shoulder and I shoot right handed.

When I lay my left hand down on the table so I can bridge with it, I used to be able to put my chin on the stick, not even close anymore, the lower I go the worst the pain!

Surgery time for me Brothers!

Ouch Richie, I am sorry to hear that.

Although I have my fair share of health problems, I actually always feel lucky with my lot in life (although I do like a good whine at times!). I am fortunate that I should be able to get myself through the tournament and then take an extended leave.
Trevor

 

[FastManners]

This is a pretty good brief overview and should be a kick in the pants for readers to go out and research all of the muscles groups that go into the stroke as either motors, resistance or stabilizers... I actually feel my stroke speed more in my supraspnatus and intraspinatus than I do in my arm or hand and use those and those feeling in my stroke as the power source for position play.... Most pool instructors don't know or care to know about anatomy and physiology they just look at moving parts with the idea less is better... But when you restrict motions consciously you are also hindering some muscles from playing supportive roles and causing greater stress on other groups...

My recommendation is wall crawls before and after shooting sessions and liberal amounts of ice, using your normal stroke. IF you try and change things you likely won't be able to even come close in short order to performing at your skill level...

I personally have used DMSO to rehab shoulder injuries but you would need to do the reading on it for yourself.. IF you can beat the swelling lots of times you can beat the surgery and will heal on your own.....

Thank you. I have been really disciplined about doing all of the exercises to strengthen my shoulder muscles and will continue to do things such as wall crawls throughout the tournament in order to nurse it through.
My main adjustment I think will be to cut out those big draw strokes and breaks (although in truth both have been pretty shoddy recently anyway).

The one plus I take out of this is that it is a helpful excuse behind why certain strokes have been escaping me recently and why my action has been far from smooth.

Thanks again, I hope your own shoulder injuries stay under control,
Trevor

 

[FastManners]

I have had extensive surgery (Bristow ) procedure. I regret it everyday of my life. Always use ice after any activity. Anti inflamatory drugs like Celebrex help. You could also try Kinesio tape for support, but nothing seems to work very well and constant pain and swelling are a problem. A friend recently had a shoulder replacement and he no longer plays at all. I'm not a big believer in surgery.

I am sorry to hear that. I shall definitely be using ice in between matches and some anti inflammatories.
Good luck with your own shoulder struggles,
Trevor

 

[FastManners]

More like 2 to 3 O'clock on the break. Move the left foot one foot further towards the head ball. An open stance puts to much pressure on the shoulder.

Start the weight out mostly on the right foot and shift your weight as you stroke.

This will take allot of stress off the shoulder and still allow you to hit the balls fairly hard and with more accuracy.

try this and if you have any trouble understanding just give me a call.

715-563-8712 gene....

I teach little girls to break like KING KONG by using their leverage.

Chances are that your hurting your shoulder to some extent when you break.

I had shoulder surgery and this prompted me to find a solution and I did...

Thank you Gene, I will give that a try.
At the moment I break like a baby bird, so the tip is gratefully accepted.
Thanks again,

Trevor

 

[FastManners]

Don't play for a few months. Keep doing the physio therapy and do some rotator cuff exercises to strengthen the supporting muscles and joints.
Shoulders are delicate, you must listen to your body and be patient.

Thank you Kim.
I am going to get through this tournament, as I have commitments to my team and partner, but as soon as it is over I am going to hang up my cue until it is better.
I am doing a regime of exercises and treating it with an external prescribed ointment, which is supposed to help the strain. Fingers crossed!
Thanks again,
Trevor

 

[FastManners]

I sympathize. I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder 18 months ago, and it took me several months before I could comfortably stroke (I am right handed). I have a home table and a jointed bridge so I used half the bridge and learned to stroke left handed and as consequence I am much more comfortable left handed than I used to be.

your hopes of ever excelling at frisby golf are gone.

bert

The frisby golf revelation is a choker that is going to take me some time to get over.
Good for you learning left handed, I am pretty awful left handed and wish i was a little more ambidextrous.

 

[FastManners]

Great post - never even though to ask! I tore my labrum and have to have surgery and rehab which I keep putting off:wink:

Thanks.
The AZBilliards community have been exceptionally kind sharing their advice and experiences.
Sorry to hear about your injury and good luck with your surgery.

 

[pampi]

First what's your dx, how is your ROM? What motion hurts is it flexion, ER/IR, or abduction??? Does it hurt with resisted motion? Do you have inflammation, is it torn? Be specific with the muscle that's affected.... rotator cuff muscles are supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor. First phase of treatment is the protective phase which is to decrease pain and inflammation, by taking nsaid mesication, avoid over shoulder motion and no straining of the affected arm.....too much to write.... but a lot of things can affect the kinesiology on the shoulder joint.....get the proper education from your physical therapist coz surgeons don't have time....peace....