Shoulder popping

[tebowharvin]

Afternoon Gator fans and/or Pub posters!

I'm a 22-year old male with a naturally high metabolism and small frame. I have been trying to gain muscular definition for about 3 years now, about 1.5 somewhat seriously, and, with a recent attempt at reinvention in the arenas of self discipline and general physical and mental health, about 2 months seriously. I have a 3 day rotation of arms, chest/abdomen, and shoulders/back with random day rests caused by either a lack of self discipline/motivation or busy schedule that day.

My concern is a somewhat muted yet still audible "pop" sound/sensation in my right shoulder when I raise it high doing everyday tasks or when I do particular exercises including bench pressing, pushups, military presses, and side lateral raises among others. It feels as if tendons are sliding over a bone or tight muscle, but this is only based on my small knowledge of anatomy and light research. NO PAIN accompanies the sensation, but it is a little unsettling.

I looked all over online, and there is no consensus other than, if one is really that bothered, to get it checked out by a physical therapist, but I do not want to be tricked into pouring money physical therapy visits if this is a non-issue. Some builders say they have had it their whole lives, others say it is a predecessor of a more serous rotator cuff problem, and still others think it is a muscle imbalance (back shoulder muscles underdeveloped relative to front ones/chest) that can be alleviated by tweaking routine and doing trap stretches.

I'm looking for advice and feedback, and, while any advice is always appreciated, I am asking more specifically about the shoulder thing and less about my noob-ish routine.

I also apologize for what some here have judged as poor writing skills.

THANK YOU in advance and GO GATORS!

[g8orbill]

tebow- I am having an MRI on my right shoulder this Wednesday as it not only pops loudly but hurts like hell when I lift anything- I think it would be in your best interest to see an ortho

[LeafUF]

I wouldnt go to a Physical therapist but I might go to an ortho to get an MRI or at the very least Xray if it is truly that unsettling to you. I have all sorts of pops going on at all times, so long as nothing hurts I dont worry about it too much. And I have had three dislocated shoulders and a torn labrum. I can tell the difference between just some benign popping and a real issue. But that is me and you should know your body better than someone on a message board.

[grayg8rstevo]

Had it off and on for a long time. If I work out properly, not going for the super heavy stuff, it goes away. I had a partial tear of the rotator cuff and THAT hurt like hell and they wouldnt bother to operate. All I read is that IF THERE IS PAIN, get it checked.
My only experience with orthopaedic surgeons etc was 17 years ago. I banged my knee. Some soreness..it went away. But I could make a sound like a branch of a tree being slowly cracked. Audible...very. Anyway, my family doctor said GO GET AN MRI AND AN XRAY so you will be ready when you see the Ortho.

I did. So I Make an appt. with the orthopedic . He walks in and tells me everything is fine. I said what about the MRI AND XRAY? He said no big deal. They dont really show much anyway. REALLY? We are 90 seconds into the discussion after all that I went through and he is heading for the freaking door. I said WAIT. He turned. I did the knee flex complete with broken branch sounds..his eyes got big and he scheduled surgery for 48 hours later. He removed a torn floating piece of cartilage. Arthoscopic surgery. It hurt.
Moral of the story...there are no guarantees. Surgery may or may not be advised. Your wallet will be tested as will your patience. Doctors , orthopedics, are car mechanics. Have your expectations in order. Demand to be treated like your brain is working.

Good luck

[GolphinGator]

I have no idea what is causing the problem with your shoulder. I can tell you it will get worse. Give it another 30 plus years and I promise it will hurt along with places that you didn't know you had. When I was your age I went to Dr. Fletcher for a physical. After the physical I ask him how my health was. He looked at me, smiled and then said. "You are as healthy as your ever gonna be." He was correct.

[tec68]

I have a popping in my right shoulder with bad pain but I can also have very bad pain if I move it in the wrong direction or lay on it in a certain way. I went and had an MRI and I have something they called a "Slap tear" no bueno.

[LeafUF]

That is definitely no bueno tec. They say what procedure they recommend to fix it? Hopefully something arthroscopic.

[myamiG8R]

you'll learn about gain when that "naturally high metabolism" ain't so much...

[tec68]

Originally Posted by LeafUF

That is definitely no bueno tec. They say what procedure they recommend to fix it? Hopefully something arthroscopic.

It would be an arthroscopic procedure but I am putting it on hold for a short time.

[vangator1]

Bill. yours sounds like a rotator cuff.

tec68. what is a "slap tear" and what did you do for it?

[Gator515151]

From my understanding there is 3 main types of rotator cuf problems. A full tear, a partial tear and impengement. An MRI is the only way to tell for sure what the problem is. I believe impengement can lead to the other two. If your shoulder doesn't ache at night I would guess impengment would be the problem but that is just a guess from someone who has had both shoulders repaired.

[gatorbronco]

I just had my shoulder looked by the UF orthopaedic oncologist yesterday. My shoulder has been hurting for the past 8 months. I went to an orthopaedist. X-rays indicated a cyst on my shoulder and he thought I might have a torn rotator cuff. MRI indicated no tear, but he was worried about the cyst. He thought it was benign but wanted to be sure. Ordered a bone scan, then an appointment with oncologist at UF. The oncologist said the cyst was the size of a pea, does not cause any pain and that 30-40% of people have cysts on their shoulder or arm. They did want me to have it X-rayed again in 6 months to see if there are any changes. He said the pain in my shoulder is bursitis and to take it easy for a while and to keep doing the stretches and physical therapy exercises that I have been doing. These are available on line.

[LittleBlueLW]

My solution since having Dr. Pete operate on both of mine back in 86 and 87 is dont lift overhead ever. Light weight bench or just push ups and swim regularly.

[antny]

SLAP tear is superior labrum anterior to posterior and there are different grades or types as well. Its basically a tear where the short head of the biceps tendon pulls or tears from the attachment point in your shoulder socket.

You will have growing instability if you are active and don't treat it. Many walk around with it unrepaired but if you are young or athletic it will degenerate. You can strengthen the muscles around but if it gets real bad you can start to incorporate rotator tears.

I could do 25 pull ups with a slap tear but as a fireman, crawling and pulling on my shoulders eventually led to subluxation and eventually full dislocation.

I had arthroscopic surgery without an MRI because I was so symptomatic it wasn't necessary. MRIs without contrast aren't very useful with diagnosing shoulder tears especially if you are muscular because the joint is so complex

[nflgator]

About 6 or 7 months ago i tweaked my left shoulder. I am 76 yrs old and usually do a simple workout using shoulders and legs with movements that will decrease belly fat.
After the tweak i reduced the number of reps on left shoulder and all seemed well. Since that time my shoulder (left) hurts when pressure is applied to the joint .. it is like a rotary cuff problem. My Doc has not done anything or made any suggestions. Do any of you have suggestions? I am thinking about therapy .. hoping i never get that operation.

[tec68]

Originally Posted by vangator1

Bill. yours sounds like a rotator cuff.

tec68. what is a "slap tear" and what did you do for it?

It is an injury to my Labrum.

Since I did not want surgery they suggested physical therapy so that I could strengthen everything around it. That worked pretty well until I went back to my normal life and did not keep doing those shoulder workouts.

I will probably have surgery sometime this year.

[antny]

Additional point here. You can tear your labarum in a few ways but a common problem apparently with young guys is the bench. If you don't balance chest and back your pecs pull your shoulders forward. Your shoulder is an already cramped joint and when your shoulders pull forward you lose even more space. Tendons start to rub or fray on other structures and eventually tear.

I tore both shoulders. One over time. The other from a specific traumatic event where I was in an awkward position and the joint clamped down on the tendon and severed it while playing basketball. It hurt right away then wasn't a major problem for ten years till I had to have surgery on it.

[gatorbronco]

Little Blue is right. My shoulder problem came from kettle bell workouts, when I would do a squat/overhead press. My doctor said at 60, I was too old for kettle bells. It was a great workout. Now my main workout is a dead lift.

[LeafUF]

To follow up on antnys great info. My torn labarum did not show up at all until they opened me up for surgery. Went in to have the ligaments tightened and ended up getting a bankhart repair where they cut off the portion that is torn. That was in 09. Took about a year from surgery to be back to where I was before and now my shoulder feels great. I bench and press pretty regularly with no shoulder issues.

[bposs]

Originally Posted by tebowharvin

Afternoon Gator fans and/or Pub posters!

I'm a 22-year old male with a naturally high metabolism and small frame. I have been trying to gain muscular definition for about 3 years now, about 1.5 somewhat seriously, and, with a recent attempt at reinvention in the arenas of self discipline and general physical and mental health, about 2 months seriously. I have a 3 day rotation of arms, chest/abdomen, and shoulders/back with random day rests caused by either a lack of self discipline/motivation or busy schedule that day.

My concern is a somewhat muted yet still audible "pop" sound/sensation in my right shoulder when I raise it high doing everyday tasks or when I do particular exercises including bench pressing, pushups, military presses, and side lateral raises among others. It feels as if tendons are sliding over a bone or tight muscle, but this is only based on my small knowledge of anatomy and light research. NO PAIN accompanies the sensation, but it is a little unsettling.

I looked all over online, and there is no consensus other than, if one is really that bothered, to get it checked out by a physical therapist, but I do not want to be tricked into pouring money physical therapy visits if this is a non-issue. Some builders say they have had it their whole lives, others say it is a predecessor of a more serous rotator cuff problem, and still others think it is a muscle imbalance (back shoulder muscles underdeveloped relative to front ones/chest) that can be alleviated by tweaking routine and doing trap stretches.

I'm looking for advice and feedback, and, while any advice is always appreciated, I am asking more specifically about the shoulder thing and less about my noob-ish routine.

I also apologize for what some here have judged as poor writing skills.

THANK YOU in advance and GO GATORS!

First, try to get with a very educated and good trainer. He/she might be able to adjust your technique and form to help. I never thought a trainer could help me, but I have been working with one for about 3 months now. Used to have shoulder pain while lifting, but not anymore since he showed me a few different lifting positions and other exercises.

If that doesn't work, than go see a doc.