So what did I do to my shoulder? Skydiving injury!

[Skyflier]

Firstly I would like to say hello guys and girls and thanks for any input you can offer.

I took up skydiving a couple of years ago and have recently been training in an indoor wind tunnel sometimes as its cheaper and safer than the real deal

The wind tunnel involves 150mph windspeed and basically, is a large (17ft dia) tube.
it is very stressful on the body in general and beginners tire quickly after 5 x 2 minute sessions but I had built up to being able to do 40 minutes with no real issues apart from the odd ache.

So I was doing some training and this ***** instructor who worked at the windtunnel decided to grab me arm and wrench me upwards as he wanted me to try something he was doing.. I was in what is known as a boxman position which leaves the shoulder vulnerable.

This involved Upper arms out parrellel to the side of the body and the forearms vertical...back is arched and legs are bent at the knee. the instructor should NOT have grabbed me as he did as dislocations and injuries are common from such methods..but he did//not deliberately to injure but something 'went'.

I 'felt' a tear sort of noise (even with airplugs and the loudest wind imaginable the body can still tell you its hurt!) and was cautious for the remaining 10 minutes I had left but had no ill effects really at the time.

Since that time my shoulder has not been exactly painful but was a tiny bit stiff the day after my ROM wasnt as free as it was before with the odd 'click' or pop with extreme stretches.

So this was a week ago and I have rested the shoulder and just done ROm exercises. The aggravation seems to be on the top of my shoulder but not surface level, if that makes sense!

Since this happened I am really paranoid (I get paranoid real easy ) that my shoulder may dislocate or something nasty (never ever had a problem like that with any joints) and I have just bought some bungee bands and started some exercises to build up the muscle around my shoulder. I have no issue with all the exercises and it is starting to feel a bit more like it was before last friday..

Any ideas what I might have done? and what I should now do to get back to 100%?

THANKS

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[CenteredHealth]

Hi Skyflier,

Thanks for the post. Unfortunately it is very hard, if not impossible, to properly diagnosis a musculoskeletal dysfunction without performing a true assessment. However, I will offer some advice.

It sounds like you have started on the right track, performing ROM exercises and now beginning to strengthen the shoulder itself. And I would recommend to continue this regime as it has thus far proven itself beneficial. In the not too distant future I would recommend seeing a Physio and possibly an Ortho in order to rule out something more serious such as a rotator cuff tear.

Staying on top of injuries when they occur is so important in healing and recovery. Taking the steps you are taking now will avoid a potentially serious or chronic condition down the road.

Good Luck, keep us updated.

[Skyflier]

Hi Skyflier,

Thanks for the post. Unfortunately it is very hard, if not impossible, to properly diagnosis a musculoskeletal dysfunction without performing a true assessment. However, I will offer some advice.

It sounds like you have started on the right track, performing ROM exercises and now beginning to strengthen the shoulder itself. And I would recommend to continue this regime as it has thus far proven itself beneficial. In the not too distant future I would recommend seeing a Physio and possibly an Ortho in order to rule out something more serious such as a rotator cuff tear.

Staying on top of injuries when they occur is so important in healing and recovery. Taking the steps you are taking now will avoid a potentially serious or chronic condition down the road.

Good Luck, keep us updated.

Hi Centered Health

Thanks very much for your response.

I realise it is very difficult to make an internet diagnosis...(even for specialists in the relevant field) but having been through the Consultant -> physio route for a variety of sporting injuries in the recent and distant past!!! (nothing too serious) I am just trying to get an idea of what I may have done


The only bit I am lacking for a rotator cuff tear going on the textbooks is pain?!
I have a pretty good pain tolerance but still, I dont really feel any pain at all from it.

Or weakness that I have noticed?
However I have noticed when I do the movement that is required for a parachute flare/putting the brakes on (pretending to do this on the ground as a test), when I tense my muscles I get a slight catching feeling at a specific point on the downstroke of my arm. (Not a click but more like a notch!)

For this exercise arms are raised fully above your head about parallel with your shoulders..

This has got me a little worried! It doesnt do it when I relax my muscles and just do the movement, with no imaginary pressure or tensed muscles...Indeed it doesnt do it 'every' single time.

So Im not sure if its related to having tensed muscles due to injury or something worse

I will make an appointment to see the physio tomorrow and see where I go from there (eg/ consultant or just physio on its own)

As an example only, if this was a minor rotator cuff tear (Im guessing minor due to full ROM, strength and little pain?) what are the rehab protocols and also what is the long term prognosis please folks?
thanks