Hey Josh,

I have rotator-cuff injuries to both shoulders that have actually affected my swing over the past 2 years - external rotation of my right arm was limited due to pain which makes me cast the club down and across. Would this be in the same arena as your problem?

Anyway, tubing pulls with my elbow tucked in to my side have helped as well as exercises from this guy:

http://www.mobilitywod.com/

Thanks for sharing.  I'm not really sure what's wrong with it.  I'll find out more on Monday when I see the specialist.  I'm hoping it's a strain or something, but it could be a tear.  I'm 99% it's rotator-cuff related.

Hope it's just a strain!

Just as an FYI... I'm still not giving you any shots next time we tee it up.

Keep us posted.

- MD

Nice Mike!  Work on your ready putting. 

Wow Josh.  That really sucks.  Considering how bad our winter has been, you've put a lot of time into getting ready for this season.  I've had a lot of shoulder issues.  Three separate dislocations of my left shoulder and destroyed my right collarbone.  Only the collarbone required surgery.  Two of the dislocations actually happened while hitting golf balls.  I don't remember how long I rested after those injuries, but luckily it wasn't too long.  My broken collarbone was the worst, but it happened in February.  So that gave me a couple of months of winter to heal.  Unfortunately I'm feeling a good bit of pain in that shoulder from carrying my son around.  I'm trying to take it easy hoping it gets better quickly.  My advice, rest until and treat it until it doesn't hurt anymore.  Then rest another week or two.  After that, slowly get back into it.  I know I never rest long enough and pay the price in the long run.  Good luck!

Josh,

Having had rotator cuff injury in the past I can feel your pain. Hopefully you will be back in action soon since it sounds like a strain.  Mine was a full blown tear and very painful. Take it easy until you can see your doctor. I can tell you from experience to not try and push your PT in hopes of getting back to the course sooner, like I did. Following your doctors advice, PT and rest is your best bet. 

Hopefully you'll be back sooner than later. 

 Chris S

I had an impinged shoulder due to over-straining by a repetitive action (hauling firewood up an icy hill in a cart).  The surgeon offered to tear the shoulder apart or to try PT first.  The former would have been a 6-9 month recovery with no guarantee it would improve the situation. PT started badly when the 25 year old asked me if my expectations were realistic at age 44 to be able to raise my arm above my shoulder for a BB jump shot.  Grrrrr.

Ended up that a therapeutic massage broke up the calcium deposits, and 20 years later, it is still not a range of motion issue that I can't hit a jumper.  Moral of story, unless you have an MRI of the shoulder that definitively shows surgery is the answer - don't do it.  Even a partial tear of the rotator cuff won't require surgery - unless you have a notion that you need to bulk up like the last 2 world #1 golfers.  But you will need to carefully listen to your body before increasing weight in your fitness program or jump your exercise time more than 10% at a time.

Fortunately, about 5 weeks ago, I only did mild damage to my shoulder with weights (did I heed my own advice - of course not) by trying to ramp up too fast.  I only got back to that weight this week.  Guys like Scott Stallings that you see working out with instructors - ....work out with an instructor.  If we try to be our own, let's face it - we're guys and we all want to bench press a car.  I was reminded last night with the Legend of Bagger Vance that you can't beat golf, you can only play it.

Hopefully you can bypass surgery - that will ruin the summer.  Be sure to inspect all modalities from surgery to PT to Chiropractor to acupuncture to masseuse.  The least invasive treatment that works will be the best one.

Just as information, I had rotator cuff issues and ended up with surgery. Repaired the rotator cuff tendon and both bicep tendons. Was out of golf for six months. Was able to putt and chip after three months and stated hitting balls on the range after four months although I did not swing full speed. Took my first full swing at 5.5 months. Went active at the club after six months and have been playing 4 -5 time a week. Shoulder feels good. No pain at all. I followed the doctors orders and it seems as though he was right when he said my shoulder would be better than new. Hopefully you will not need surgery and therapy will be able to cure your ills.

Terry

Which shoulder? A right handed golfer usually will hurt the lead/left shoulder if doing it by swinging. In any case, I had two bad rotator cuffs. One required surgery (the left), the other, so far has benefited from PT, though still gives me trouble from time to time if I over do it playing or use it on the job too much.

If you reach out forward and up in front of you, is that when it hurts? If so, to test to see if it's your rotator cuff, pull your shoulders back, sort of by sticking your chest out. Now reach out and up in front of you with your shoulders back. If the pain is less it may well be a rotator cuff impingement or slight tear. ( I couldn't reach for the radio dial in my car while I was driving without sharp pain. However if I pulled my shoulders back and reached, I was able to do so with much less pain. Almost none.)

I played an entire season---over 100 rounds---with a pretty bad rotator cuff impingement and possible slight tear in my right shoulder. My left shoulder also had a pretty bad tear, but for some reason, I was able to play with it. All season the right one got worse and worse. I was sure it had a pretty bad tear in it. It was difficult to play, but I couldn't stop myself. After about nine hole I was usually in very bad pain. I was taking 3 Advil before the round and another 3 at the turn. Couldn't spend any time on the range, because that only made it worse. As a result, I spent most of my practice time working around the green on my short game. Dropped 3-4 strokes from my handicap that year. But, I digress.

In any case, as the season was coming to a close, I was ready to give in and have surgery when all of a sudden my other shoulder---the left one---got worse. I couldn't move it in the morning without excruciatingly sharp pain. I went back to the ortho doc. MRI showed I had a full tear in it. I had to put the right shouder on hold, and instead, had the surgery on the left one. Almost 6 months to recover enough that I could play 18. However, while in PT for the left one, I also did PT for the right one. Because the right one got a rest from golf, and good therapy, I was able to save it from getting worse and in fact have now played two full seasons on it without it getting worse. It's actually much better now. Fingers crossed.

My suggestion to you is to ice that shoulder immediately after you play or practice. I was religious about that. i still ice the instant I feel any discomfort. It truly does help as long as it isn't completely torn. With a rotator cuff, any swelling prevents the tendon from moving easily through the bones in your shoulder. As you age the area between the bones lessens and puts pressure on the tendon as it moves. Swelling makes the space for the tendon even smaller and starts to pinch it and eventually chafe it, making it weaker and susceptible to tearing. Ice is your friend. Trust me.

Hopefully it is not a rotator cuff injury. But if it is, all is not lost provided it is only an impingement (or even a minor tear). PT and ice can really help, but also learning how to use it my keeping better posture, will be needed to keep it working properly. Highly recommend a good sports physical therapist to help you save it.

All the best.

I had a similar injury resulting in a Rotator Cuff Procedure...which made a huge positive difference!  While this is not something you wish to consider going into the golf season you may wish to see a physician to determine if you have injured any part of your shoulder since the more you use it or work it the worse it may get even without symptoms as my doctor informed me. 

Good Luck!

Well TT, 

Today was my first full 18 after the shoulder injury.  The wing is holding up just fine, and my swing doesn't feel too bad either.  It just felt awesome to lace up my Icons and knock the V around for a couple of hours.  Thanks again for all the support and well wishes.  If anyone want's to come up to the North Shore, we're always looking for a 4th

That's Awesome news Josh! Glad to hear you're doing well and back out on the course! 

Hopefully some day I'll be able to take you up on that offer!

 Chris S

Thanks for all the advise and support everyone.  I'm also guilty of pushing too hard, which is probably how I got myself in this situation in the first place.  I'm hoping it's just a strain or something.  I see the specialist on Monday... finger's crossed.

When I read your blog I thought I had written it. Last April my right shoulder became sore but it was a gradual onset and I cannot pinpoint the exact time I hurt it. I drive a standard shift and noticed that it was very hard to put my car in reverse (over left and forward). I play or practice 4 to 5 days a week and also work out at a gym. I read an article on throwing a weighted ball up against a wall to help your golf swing and I may have used a heavier ball than I should have. I also was increasing weight for bench pressing. Bottom line I was using ice and taking ibuprofen after playing golf. My shoulder pain was where the bicep and deltoid muscles  come together. When I was in junior high kids liked to punch other kids right in the arm to give them a "frog". That is the closest I can describe my shoulder discomfort. Reaching up at about a 45 degree angle holding a water bottle I could feel strain. I also had a full range of motion without any discomfort if nothing was in my hand. I kept playing golf but quit all upper body exercises involving weight. I started using bungee cords and a wooden stick to exercise my upper body. Slowly I went back to the upper body weight machines using very little weight and took it easy only doing one set of 10 reps. It has almost been a year since my injury and I am almost back using the same weight on the upper body machines that I was using before my initial injury. We have had an unusual cold winter and I played very little golf Dec. - Feb. I think I have a slight tear or a severe muscle starin but I would say now I am about 95 % . I cannot have an MRI as I have a pace maker and I want to avoid any surgery if I can still play golf without any pain on the course. I massage my right arm/shoulder with my left hand in the evening watching TV and that is all it takes to relieve any soreness after a round of golf. Hopefully you just have a muscle strain and with time your issue will resolve it's self. Please let us know what the specialist finds as this is an issue that many golfers face as they get older.

Hello TT,

Looks like there will be a golf season for this guy!  I might need to go under the knife after the season ends, but as of now it's just a strain that will need some rest and PT.  The Doc wants to do an MRI now and then one after the golf season to see if it's any worse.  Time to start stretching those bands all over again.  Thanks again to everyone who commented.  It helps to know what others have faced. Thank you for all the well wishes.   

Here's to warm weather and good health! 

Great news buddy!

Put that TPI training into practice and take care of it during the season!

Good to hear! Look forward to teeing it up soon... although it was snowing (yet again) on the drive in.

Great news Josh!  I guess this is the only time you don't mind such a late start to the golf season.

Great news!  Glad to hear you will be playing soon!

That's great to hear Josh! Take your time and take care!

 Chris S

Best of Luck Josh.  I was off quite a while after my shoulder repair. 

And I think you could take Mike without the strokes.

3 points

TT

Hi Josh,

I live in Brookline and I am a TPI specialist and specialize in corrective and performance enhancement exercise. If you would like some help, let me know.

Jed

My left shoulder started hurting last year during the season and by the end of the season it was really bad.  I went to see my orthopedic and he diagnosed it as posterior impingement.  Had to get a shot in the shoulder (first time ever for that) and then rehab for it.  I had a set of 3 excercises I had to do every night with a theraband and 2 seperate stretches.  Then 3 times a week I did another set of excercises that my TPI trainer gave me to work on.  I can tell you that the last swing I took was October 16.  Shot on Dec. 9 and rehab started and still is ongoing.......  I took my first half swings with wedges on Feb 14.  Have been swinging once a week since then and have worked up through my bag with full swings.  Golf trip to Pinehurst is in 2 weeks.... hopefully it is ready for all that!  Also my ortho told me that shoulders take a long time to heal and to be patient.  I was very frustrated after putting in all the work and excercises and not seeing any progress.  I really began to worry about a tear for quite a while but it seems to have worked out and been on the schedule he told me. 

Good luck an hope it gets better soon!!