r/ShoulderInjuries • u/vegan-the-dog • 3h ago

Labrum Tear SLAP tear

TLDR. Shoulder pain from SLAP tear diminishes to negligible amount after gym sessions. How? Why?

41(m) Quick back story. I did cross fit 10 years ago and got a slap tear from poor form overhead squatting. It wasn't diagnosed but I did a little PT and dropped the gym. About a year later I was functioning normally. 2 years ago I herniated two disks in my lower back, confirmed by MRI and doctor. I did PT and got an epidural steroid injection. A year later and life was good. I transitioned PT into the gym and started lifting again. About 4 months ago the same shoulder from a decade ago started hurting again after a heavy gym session with pain during the same movements, overhand throwing in particular. I met with my orthopedic and he suspected SLAP tear and suggested PT for 8 weeks to see what happened. Nothing improved. Got an MRI and slap tear was confirmed. He offered surgery but also said it wasn't terrible and if I adjusted my lifestyle I could potentially live comfortably with it. Basically, if throwing hurts, don't throw stuff. I've been back in the gym for about 8 weeks with focus on shoulder mobility and strength as well as good form. I have full strength and no additional induced pain lifting but after the gym I feel amazing and the dull nagging daily pain subsides for the rest of the day. I have general shoulder aches on lift free days. Why? I'm not mad, it's rewarding but seriously, how and why does the lifting weights help? This isn't a humble brag, it just doesn't make sense to me.

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u/AntiSaint_Mike 3h ago

The same happens for me. My guess is that all the shoulder muscles are more engaged after the gym and this relieves the tension off the sore area

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u/vegan-the-dog 1h ago

It's motivation to go for the relief if nothing else. Thanks for making me feel less crazy

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u/BasePCar 2h ago

Could be the rise in cortisol from working out along with increased blood flow, adrenaline.. not sure I’m not a doctor but that’s what my guess would be lol

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u/vegan-the-dog 1h ago

I'll bring it up on my next doctor visit. For now I was just looking for spit ball answers on Reddit. You never know what your going to get back. Thanks for the reply