So, you added a few more pounds when you were weightlifting to show off and now you think you tore your rotator cuff. Welcome to the side effects of weightlifting (and baseball, bowling and any other repetitive movement)!
Symptoms of a torn rotator cuff
Did you hear a distinct snapping sound when you were weightlifting? Did your upper arm suddenly feel very weak? These symptoms are among many that you may experience if you tear your rotator cuff. Others include:
• pain when lifting your arm
• shoulder pain, even when you’re not moving
• popping sensations when you move your arm
• cracking sensations when you move your shoulder
• feeling like your shoulder is locked in place
• weakness in your hand
In addition to the injury itself causing pain, the inflammation in the bursa sacs that protect the rotator cuff may also become inflamed, causing pain.
Two types of injuries from weightlifting
Like most activities that involve repetitive movements, your torn rotator cuff can be due to one of two types of injuries (or both):
• Acute injury: If you’re weightlifting, this is probably due to lifting something that is too heavy or lifting in a sudden, jerking motion.
Or
• Chronic degeneration: The tendons in your arms—especially your dominant arm—wear down as we get older. This could be due to less blood flow to the tendons, a bone spur pressing on the rotator cuff or repetitive movements from sports or at work.
Diagnosis and treatment
If you think you’ve torn your rotator cuff, head to the doctor for an X-ray and/or MRI.
Depending on the severity of the tear, your doctor will likely recommend:
• A sling to rest and immobilize your shoulder
• Avoiding activities that affect that shoulder
• Ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers
• Physical or occupational therapy
• Corticosteroid injections
Surgery is generally only necessary if the torn rotator cuff fails to heal or if the tear is more than 3 cm. Either way, you won’t be weightlifting for a while.
