a wicked pain ! ! ! ! ! !
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 17
From: Millbury MA
a wicked pain ! ! ! ! ! !
Just wondering how others are managing pain....
I got a shoulder that hurts bad sometimes. Gave me hell at bike week
last year. I was eating Aleve's and using pain rub. Neither touched it.
The pain made me give up bowhunting, but
I ain't givin' up my bike
Any suggestions other than surgery?
Just mentioning it cause it's starting to act up a bit....
I got a shoulder that hurts bad sometimes. Gave me hell at bike week
last year. I was eating Aleve's and using pain rub. Neither touched it.
The pain made me give up bowhunting, but
I ain't givin' up my bike
Any suggestions other than surgery?
Just mentioning it cause it's starting to act up a bit....
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 4
From: Sunny South Florida
It's all about position. That is assuming you are in decent physical condition.
I am not. When I first started riding again after 25 years, I couldn't manage more than 100 miles before I felt like my shoulder blades were on fire. I mentioned it to a buddy who rides cross country and he first suggested the backrest, then a better seat, then he asked when the last time I worked out my shoulders was. I couldn't remember when. He suggested I take a couple of dumbells and do 50-100 shrugs per day for a couple of days, then take a break for a couple and do it again until I didn't get the pain in between the workout and no workout days, then go for another ride and see how it felt. I ride 500 miles now with no need to stop other than food and fuel.
I did change the seat to a mustang touring and rolled the handlebars forward to a more upright position for me, but we are all different, you just need to be sure your not hanging all of the weight of your arms on your shoulders. You either need taller bars, shorter seat, or pull back your bars so there is a good bend in your arm. So I am told.
I am not. When I first started riding again after 25 years, I couldn't manage more than 100 miles before I felt like my shoulder blades were on fire. I mentioned it to a buddy who rides cross country and he first suggested the backrest, then a better seat, then he asked when the last time I worked out my shoulders was. I couldn't remember when. He suggested I take a couple of dumbells and do 50-100 shrugs per day for a couple of days, then take a break for a couple and do it again until I didn't get the pain in between the workout and no workout days, then go for another ride and see how it felt. I ride 500 miles now with no need to stop other than food and fuel.
I did change the seat to a mustang touring and rolled the handlebars forward to a more upright position for me, but we are all different, you just need to be sure your not hanging all of the weight of your arms on your shoulders. You either need taller bars, shorter seat, or pull back your bars so there is a good bend in your arm. So I am told.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,040
Likes: 12,960
From: Texas, USA
When you saw the Orthopedic surgeon:
1. Were xrays taken ?
2. Was an MRI required/ordered ?
3. What was the EXACT diagnosis ?
4. What non-surgical treatment options did you receive ? If so, were any implemented ? Did they help ?
5. Have you returned to the doctor ? If not, why not ?
If you haven't gone to the doctor, why not ? You mentioned your shoulder "hurts BAD" sometimes and it is interfering with your lifestyle (you had to give up bow hunting). Without going to the doctor your options are limited. FrozenInTime gave you a very good alternative. Change your riding position. Other alternatives are the things you mentioned; over-the-counter medications, supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM), joint rubs/patches, ice/heat. Just don't expect significant benefits from them.
Obviously something is going on in your shoulder. I know my response will surprise you: If you haven't seen a doctor, see one. That way, you can get a diagnosis, a prognosis and treatment options. Not all shoulder problems require surgery. Even if it does, it doesn't mean you have to have surgery. It's your shoulder.
1. Were xrays taken ?
2. Was an MRI required/ordered ?
3. What was the EXACT diagnosis ?
4. What non-surgical treatment options did you receive ? If so, were any implemented ? Did they help ?
5. Have you returned to the doctor ? If not, why not ?
If you haven't gone to the doctor, why not ? You mentioned your shoulder "hurts BAD" sometimes and it is interfering with your lifestyle (you had to give up bow hunting). Without going to the doctor your options are limited. FrozenInTime gave you a very good alternative. Change your riding position. Other alternatives are the things you mentioned; over-the-counter medications, supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM), joint rubs/patches, ice/heat. Just don't expect significant benefits from them.
Obviously something is going on in your shoulder. I know my response will surprise you: If you haven't seen a doctor, see one. That way, you can get a diagnosis, a prognosis and treatment options. Not all shoulder problems require surgery. Even if it does, it doesn't mean you have to have surgery. It's your shoulder.
I have a bad back, 2 torn up knees (one from a motorcycle crash), and from that same crash, impacted my left shoulder. The mini apes that came stock on bike either killed my back or my shoulder, it was a coin flip. I got the beach bars which gave me a more upright riding stance on the bike and now the only time I don't hurt is when I'm riding. 800 mile days and little discomfort.
I'll have to second, it's all about riding position.
I'll have to second, it's all about riding position.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, Arizona
One of my shoulders was killing me for about two years and the other one was aggravating the hell out of me. My MD told me live with it and give up a lot a things I liked or have surgery and be really disappointed. I found a chiropractor in an office with three doctorate level physical therapists and a masseuse. The chiropractor didn't do any back adjustments, but had the masseuse do some deep tissue massage, conspired with the pt's on a regimen of exercises and I'm cured as long as I do the exercises. Had to do them for a couple of months though. Just really have to hunt for a chiropractor who takes that approach to his/her practice though.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 2
From: Walnut Creek, CA
I, too.. have a blown knee and shoulder... all in all 5 surgeries between the two. Shoulder - torn rotator cuff and labrum. Though I no longer play professional sports, I'm still an athlete so I opted for the surgery on the shoulder. Still have pain though... Anyways.. See a doctor and get it fixed via PT or surgery.
In terms of comfort on the bike.. I run 16" apes and no pain at all while I'm riding..
In terms of comfort on the bike.. I run 16" apes and no pain at all while I'm riding..
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 198
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From: Millbury MA
I'm a machine service tech, and have been since I was 16 1/2. I've got a lot of old war wounds, some from stupidity. When I was 17, I was 145 pounds benchpressing 300. I dropped that weight on my chest when someone whipped me in the nuts with a jump rope. Broke the cartilage in my sternum. I used to carry 200 pound electric motors over my shoulder. Now, I'm being haunted by those pains at 39. I suppose I'll have to get looked at for surgery, but put it off till winter. Now at 192 pounds, i lift heavy machinery and ache for 2 days after...
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
I got apes and told that would help. I shall soon find out. I already know I need surgery, again, I'm waiting until next winter if at all possible. It also just keeps getting better with age too.