3rd degree shoulder seperation - Triathlon Week

abbie237 · 09-02-2004, 04:01 PM

I severly seperated my shoulder about a year ago in a snowboarding accident. I am trying to increase my swimming b/c it is by far my weakest leg. Needless to say after about 1000 yds, it gets pretty sore and so far I am only able to swim about 2x a week. I have been doing lots of rehab with weight training since my accident, but I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem? How long did it take to fully recover. Do you also have problems with the crawl stroke? Can you compensate for a weak shoulder by changing your technique and still be efficent in the water?
Thanks!

wannatri · 09-14-2004, 09:02 PM

I've seen lots of people trying to work around shoulder problems. Changes in technique can definitely help. Ideally, your stroke is powered mostly through your core, and not through your shoulders. However, no matter what your technique is like, you can't avoid putting stress on your shoulders. These techniques are not something you can easily figure out on your own. I would recommend finding a good swim coach, and working one-on-one to figure out a technique that can accomodate your injury.

Spike10 · 02-04-2005, 01:44 PM

Hi Abbie, I too shreaded my shoulder in our glorious high country on a snowboard, (seperated, torn rotator cuff, dislocated bicep tendon, and detatched the muscle off of the scapula all in about a half second) thanks to a great surgeon and a will to get back to my former physical self I am fully recovered after about a year. The water is one of the best places to rehab a shoulder, but if it hurts after about 1000 yds. you should be using more leg in your stroke. I also take Glucosimine/Condrotin complex with a handfull of other vitamins and supplements for stamina. It may seem rudimentary but "ice is nice" for the swelling and a good linament will do wonders, my personal favorite is Tiger Balm Ultra. Good luck with the training.
Spike.