Shoulder Impingement in a 12 Year Old

[Pauly]

I'm looking for some advice, my son has developed shoulder impingement syndrom in his left shoulder (he is right handed). He swims, does archery, karate and tennis so the cause is likely to be from any or all of his activities. I'll be discussing it with his swimming coach as I know swimming is also a possible cause.

All sports are being stopped until the pain goes away and we can get an appointment with the GP however when he start up his archery again is there any advice on what we should be looking out for in his form which could be contributing to this.

Thanks

[clickerati]

I had quite a bad impingement last May/June and it was from lifting heavy boxes and suitcases (I moved from Maine to Michigan, Michigan back to the UK, so lots of repetitive lifting). I was off all activities for six weeks, although it took much longer to completely heal. I wasn't allowed to lift anything or raise my arm above shoulder height.

The best thing I did was see a physiotherapist. She said that even sleeping with my arm above should height on a regular basis is bad. She had me doing lots of strengthening exercises, such as using a stretchy band. The bursa took so long to go down, that I was given an intermuscular cortisone injection to help it along.

You must must MUST see a GP and a physio. Don't try to solve the problem on your own.

[dino1300]

Originally Posted by clickerati

The best thing I did was see a physiotherapist. She said that even sleeping with my arm above should height on a regular basis is bad. She had me doing lots of strengthening exercises, such as using a stretchy band. The bursa took so long to go down, that I was given an intermuscular cortisone injection to help it along.

You must must MUST see a GP and a physio. Don't try to solve the problem on your own.

I second the Physio. I had a shoulder problem last year that just would not go away. I needed a combination of physio and cortizone.

[Erika]

Originally Posted by Pauly

however when he start up his archery again is there any advice on what we should be looking out for in his form which could be contributing to this.

Common problem would be moving the shoulder after it is under load. With recurve get the shoulder in line early in the draw. With compound get in line before drawing or after the let off kicks in.

Another one would be a high bow shoulder. Use the Trapezius muscles to pull the shoulder down level with or below the height of the arrow.

And make sure the shoulder doesn't move when pulling through the shot. THe bow shoulder is a platform that the rest of you moves around.

I'm sure you already know, but heat pack twice a day in combination with Voltaren gel (assuming no sensitivities). And stretch the neck and shoulder area (and everything else) before and after shooting.

[Pauly]

Thanks for the advice, his shoulder appears to be back to normal he has no pain and has full mobility back, but we are still resting it for a few days more. He does tend to sleep with his left arm above his head so that is not going to help him.

Erika, thanks for the advice regarding his form, there are a couple of faults you mentioned which I think he is in the habit of doing. We will watch out for this.