OHP workaround with bum shoulder

[Mark Rippetoe]

Does all this strike you as reasonable?

Not at all. You have been doing something to irritate the shoulder, and you don't know what it is. Or you have an osteophyte on your distal clavicle that needs to be removed. PT for scapula stability and RC strength works exactly how, and somehow better than barbell training?

[Al Copersino]

Thanks, Rip.

Re an osteophyte, they took several x-rays today - would a bone spur have shown up? The doc didn’t mention seeing one.

As for how I got the impingement: correct, I don’t know. I *suspect* a combination of 1) curved acromia (this is my 4th impingement in either arm since the 80s), 2) adding unnecessary crap this winter that irritated the shoulder over a couple of weeks (lateral delt raise and chest flyes; never again), and 3) being 56.

But you’re right - I don’t have a definitive cause and he didn’t offer one. Would you recommend calling him back?

As to why he prescribed PT, I didn’t quite understand his explanation. To paraphrase, something like: “barbell lifts are important for adding strength but in addition the RC are ‘finesse’ muscles that require lighter, specialized exercises”.

Do you call bullshit or does that sound like a reasonable description of what a bum RC needs?

[Mark Rippetoe]

An MRI is diagnostic for a bone spur, not a plain-film x-ray. It is amusing that he thinks "finesse" muscles are not recruited in heavy exercises. You need a better surgeon.

[Al Copersino]

Ok, thanks. I’ll see about getting an mri to rule out bone spurs. Re the suggestion I need a new orthopod, that’s disappointing but understood.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Ok, thanks. I’ll see about getting an mri to rule out bone spurs. Re the suggestion I need a new orthopod, that’s disappointing but understood.

Better now than later.

[Will Morris]

Your Orthopaedic surgeon referred you to PT because there is nothing he can operate on, therefore, you were punted to a lower service for it to be their problem. You don’t need another ortho surgeon, as there is very little chance the assessment is going to be different between surgeons. Instead of doctor shopping, maybe find an experienced coach who knows how to work around injuries.