Any experience with calcification within rotator cuff tendons and cycling?

[RPS]

Yesterday the weather went from 31 to 72 F in the afternoon, so I couldn’t resist going out for a near-three-hour ride prior to the Super Bowl. It felt great getting out in spring-like sunny weather (anything is better than stationary bike) except for my shoulder acting up a little. So I’m curious if anyone here has any experience cycling through calcification in the rotator cuff tendons.

I’m not asking for medical advice, just how you dealt with it, did you make changes to your cycling position to help unload the shoulders, how long did it take to get over the condition, etc…..

Thanks in advance for any information.

[thwart]

Having suffered through 2 + years of chronic rotator cuff tendinitis (finally getting better), I would take it easy on that shoulder for a week, do frequent good stretching (pulling the bent elbow over to the opposite shoulder is a good one), and also take 600 mg of ibuprofen 3 times a day for a week or so.

If it persists, get the bars higher and maybe a touch closer... and go see a doc/PT!

[Ray]

I've got something going on with my shoulders, primarily left, but also right. It started bugging me toward the end of last riding season, in late October and early November. I'd have pain anytime I'd get out of the saddle for any period of time. It seemed to get worse over the few weeks I rode with it like that. Didn't keep me from riding, but was a real incentive to climb seated, which isn't my preference - I like to mix sitting and standing. I've been more or less off the bike since mid-November and nothing I do in my normal life causes that kind of pain, but I feel a lot of stiffness and occasional pain in that shoulder when I put it in certain positions. And the same thing seems to be happening to a lesser degree with the right shoulder. I was sort of hoping that some time off the bike would help, but I'm pretty worried about what awaits me when we start getting some nicer days within the next few-several weeks. I can do stuff like kettlebell swings and military presses without any problems, but benche presses and push-ups are completely out of the question, and that's more like the position I'm in (although with a lot less weight bearing and stress obviously) when I'm out of the saddle.

I haven't had anything diagnosed, hoping it would heal with time. But it seems not to be, so I'm afraid it may be early signs of typical age related arthritis or something. Will be interesting to see how it goes when I start riding again...

-Ray

[RPS]

Having suffered through 2 + years of chronic rotator cuff tendinitis (finally getting better), I would take it easy on that shoulder for a week, do frequent good stretching (pulling the bent elbow over to the opposite shoulder is a good one), and also take 600 mg of ibuprofen 3 times a day for a week or so.

If it persists, get the bars higher and maybe a touch closer... and go see a doc/PT!

Thanks. I’ve already seen a shoulder specialist, and he told me it could take years for the calcification to break up without surgery – which I’ve already decided not to pursue unless the discomfort gets a lot worse. Long term my recovery should have higher success without surgery (i.e. – less risk of doing long-term damage to the shoulder) and is recommended as long as I’m willing to put up with the discomfort.

Stretching as you describe isn’t an option either – at least not for now. I also have a frozen shoulder which limits my range of motion and has made me favor not using the muscles on that side – hence my strength has decreased significantly (I know lower strength doesn’t help with cycling either – fortunately it’s only a temporary problem). The frozen shoulder should thaw out in about six months or so and then I can start exercising the muscles provided the calcification allows it.

The fact that I have two seemingly unrelated conditions is why I wanted to hear what others have gone through, particularly in association with cycling. I know what to expect from a frozen shoulder (I rode through my other “frozen” shoulder about 10 years ago), but know very little on the calcification problem. I also know that acute pain from overextending my range of motion is due to the frozen shoulder, but don’t know what to expect after the next six months or so when it’s all thawed and only the calcification remains for a longer period. The idea that it could affect cycling for up to 5 years sucks. :crap:

[thwart]

Ray-

I'd see someone about your shoulders and consider getting some therapy going now. Those are very similar to my initial symptoms---which I ignored for too long, until things were quite advanced and recovery was measured in years instead of weeks. Along that road were several months of sleep disrupted by dull, aching pain, which thankfully is now completely gone.

RPS-

Hopefully things work out in less than a 5 year timeframe! I did find that shifting some weight off the shoulders with the adjustments outlined above was helpful. I've become very fond of longer head tubes. BTW, my PT person suggested these changes.

[RPS]

I did find that shifting some weight off the shoulders with the adjustments outlined above was helpful. I've become very fond of longer head tubes.
Thanks again. I think you are right and it’s probably the only thing that makes sense. I hate screwing around with my position on the bike for fear that it will cause “other” unanticipated problems, but if that’s what it takes to keep riding I’ll try it. The stationary bike I’ve been using this winter is much more upright and it felt OK (although I haven’t been riding it three hours at a time) so maybe raising the bars is enough.

Before raising the bars I’m going to try a few shorter rides to see if I can adjust slowly. If that doesn’t work I’ll look for a high-rise stem or other means to raise the bars. I’m not quite ready to buy a new frame yet due to a temporary problem that should start improving in months.

[jaykosta]

I (age 62 with minor old shoulder injury) suggest doing whatever easy/painfree stretching you can do.
For me, 'shoulder rolls' (c-w & c-c-w) & various arm stretches work well.

Palms-up, arms out to the side, and raise arms & shoulders.
Then, palms-up, fingers pointed inward overhead, elbows pulled back, and press palms upward - don't strain, just stretch.

If you can manage low weight strength exercises at some point that would be good. Again, easy & painless.

Don't force any stretches, and start with a low number of reps & work up slowly. Start with only a few minutes a day, and don't increase until several days at a 'level' is easy & doesn't cause soreness.

I also regularly do 'wrist stretches/bends' and that is a big help on the bike.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

[RPS]

I (age 62 with minor old shoulder injury) suggest doing whatever easy/painfree stretching you can do.
For me, 'shoulder rolls' (c-w & c-c-w) & various arm stretches work well.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA
Thanks Jay. I'm trying to stretch but I'm very limited for now.

I’m curious; did you have it diagnosed as calcification in the tendons?

I have to admit that I didn’t even know that tendons got “calcified” prior to seeing the specialist, and thus don’t know what to expect. Searching on Internet didn’t come up with much related to cycling. That’s why I was trying to find out more about it here. I’m familiar with tendon inflammation, tears, etc… but never heard of calcification before. This is all very new to me.

BTW, I think my problem started due to injury also. It was only after a car accident last May that I started having problems where the seatbelt harness stressed my left shoulder. On the X-Rays the affected area looks a lot like a small jelly bean in shape – it’s well defined and fortunately limited in size for now.

[jaykosta]

Thanks Jay. I'm trying to stretch but I'm very limited for now.

I’m curious; did you have it diagnosed as calcification in the tendons?
......

-------------------------------------------------------
I did not have my shoulder treated or diagnosed....
The injury was caused by doing 'bouncing push-ups' many years ago.

It has been a 'mild bother' ever since, but in the last 2 years I've regulary been doing careful exercises & stretching (after a long lay-off). I can still 'feel' the shoulder .... especially after several hours of snow shoveling, but it has improved greatly, and is no longer a restriction.

Your situation is probably different, and I don't have any medical training - just my limited experience.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA