C-Forum

Right shoulder, persistant pain on the front, seems especially agravated by cross stroking. Started a few weeks ago when I did 4 days paddling in succession. No playboating, the water was warm so I did a lot of practice rolls that weedend (I don't think it was the roll, as that went to well to hurt me). Bothers me at night, but the worst is when I'm paddling and reach across for the cross stroke, can't do those any more. I'm hoping it's only tedonitis, and can be helped by rest, massage, and ice. I don't like to think it could be rotator cuff trouble, but maybe. Anyone else had this problem related to the cross-stroke? Any ideas on this will be welcome.
Thanks,
Dennis

Never had this problem myself, but make sure that when you do cross forward strokes you really rotate your torso rather than just reaching your arm across. Makes a big difference in terms of stress on that shoulder.

Right shoulder, persistant pain on the front, seems especially agravated by cross stroking. Started a few weeks ago when I did 4 days paddling in succession. No playboating, the water was warm so I did a lot of practice rolls that weedend (I don't think it was the roll, as that went to well to hurt me). Bothers me at night, but the worst is when I'm paddling and reach across for the cross stroke, can't do those any more. I'm hoping it's only tedonitis, and can be helped by rest, massage, and ice. I don't like to think it could be rotator cuff trouble, but maybe.

Where exactly in the shoulder is your pain? A little more description would be helpful. Is it over the acromioclavicular (AC) joint or more lateral? Is it deep or superficial? Is your strength otherwise pretty normal? Do you have a history of shoulder problems? HOw old are you?

Cross body movements that cause pain are characteristic of AC joint problems. The AC joint can be irritated and/or arthritic. It may have nothing to do with your rotator cuff, but with limited information, I can only make an educated guess.

jc

"Where exactly in the shoulder is your pain? A little more description would be helpful."

As stated, "Right shoulder, persistant pain on the front"

"Is it over the acromioclavicular (AC) joint or more lateral?"

As stated, it is on the front.

"Cross body movements that cause pain are characteristic of AC joint problems. The AC joint can be irritated and/or arthritic. It may have nothing to do with your rotator cuff, but with limited information, I can only make an educated guess."

AC joint is on the *top* of shoulder. I was hoping to hear from someone who may have had a similar problem related to cross-stroke.

Right shoulder, persistant pain on the front, seems especially agravated by cross stroking.

CDawg, what you're describing sounds like the suprascapular tendon got pinched in the AC joint. The suprascapular muscle goes through the acromioclavicular arch and inserts on the front of your shoulder. It can easily get pinched. I can go a little further to help you pinpoint the location of the pain and the proximal tendon attachment, but that is outside my scope of work (just an exercise specialist). If you grip the shaft with your right hand (no jokes, guys, just leave it alone! ), then you probably tweaked the tendon while cross stroking (lawdy, that sounds bad! ).

That'll be $0.02 cents please--and my reply is well worth that price too!

Now rest it, ice it, and go see a sports med doc who has working knowledge of your sport (or at least a willingness to listen to your descriptions). It may seem inconvenient to you in seeking out real medical advice, but when dealing with the rotator cuff, take care of it now because if left unchecked, it may hurt you later in your cboating career.

KNeal

I'm sure you don't recall but I asked, and you gave me shoulder advice about seven years ago. At that time I had major repair, rotator cuff, AC joint, and the biceps tedon was relocated to anchor in the upper arm bone. Shoulder's been great till now. The good news is the ice seems to be working and it's improving. I'm starting to be believe I might get through this without major intervention.

As far as "later in your cboating career", I'm not sure there is a later as I'm 60 now. Seriously though, I do plan on many more years of happy c1ing. I've reset my goals to keep paddling whitewater at least till I'm 70.

"It may seem inconvenient to you in seeking out real medical advice, but when dealing with the rotator cuff, take care of it now because if left unchecked, it may hurt you later in your cboating career."

Once you've knocked back the inflamation and given the shoulder enough rest, you might consider the rotator cuff exercises that Davey Hearn has posted on his web site for strengthening that muscle group with an eye toward avoiding a recurrence.

The regimen can be found at the following URL:

http://www.daveyhearn.com/Coaching/Tech ... outine.htm

John

CDawg wrote:As far as "later in your cboating career", I'm not sure there is a later as I'm 60 now. Seriously though, I do plan on many more years of happy c1ing. I've reset my goals to keep paddling whitewater at least till I'm 70.

PW3ND!!! (Owned!) ....uh, i think that's the right context to use it anyway.

Nice!! Good on ya! Keep on truckin, inspiration for all us kids out here..
________
MERCEDES-BENZ 220 SPECIFICATIONS

As far as "later in your cboating career", I'm not sure there is a later as I'm 60 now. Seriously though, I do plan on many more years of happy c1ing. I've reset my goals to keep paddling whitewater at least till I'm 70.

Hey, that's great, CDawg. Just remember Carter Hearn. He kinda serves as a benchmark on age and cboating.

BTW, did I charge you, the same price for my "high quality" advice? If so, I'm due that plus interest.

KNeal

For what it's worth, the exercises Davey Hearn has posted on his site are really good for all of us to do (or pay a trainer to make you do it). Those of us who have unstable shoulder joints, problems with range-of-motion, or current shoulder injury will need to heed the advice near the top of the page in green text.

KNeal