I am an athelete, I recently got into kayaking and I am having severe shoulder pain. My left shoulder only?
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at
7:49 pm
I have a popping sensation and by the end of a short journey (3 or so miles) the pain is so severe in my left shoulder than my arm is rendered almost useless. Any ideas about what it could be? It stays sore about a day or two but then I go back to normal..
Filed under: Shoulder Blade Pain
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See an ortho – preferably one who specializes in shoulders. It could be a sprain, strain, tear, impingement, bursitis, tendonitis… of any of the 4 muscles surrounding the rotator cuff. You may need an X-ray and/or a MRI to determine the cause of pain.
Is it severe enough to have it x rayed? Is there any numbness/tingling in your hands? Could it be you are dislocating your shoulder–if so–what in those, few days, do you do that indicates having fixed it. For example, some people have someone pull their arm until the popping sensation happens again. If any numbness/tingling, see a doctor. If dislocated, without any other symptoms, decide if you want to see a doctor. Many people have this problem and are able to relieve it. The downside, you may not be able to kayak until it is fixed. It will continue to dislocate.
It may simply be a strain and the popping sensation is the evidence of local swollen tissue that improves after a day or two.
You probably overestimated your ability to row for 3+ miles. Maybe you should back down on the distance initially, and slowly work up. If the symptoms persist, even after markedly shorter distances, see your doctor.