Weightlifter’s shoulder is a painful deflection of the distal end of the clavicle that results from repeated overloading on the top of the shoulder near the AC joint. This overload causes the bone at the end of the collarbone (clavicle) to break down, leading to swelling and pain.
Repetitive trauma or stress from training and lifting can cause small fractures at the distal end of the clavicle.
When the elbows fall under or behind the body during the bench press, excessive traction on the AC (acromioclavicular) joint occurs. As a result, the shoulders are in a position of excessive extension. As a result, the bone does not have a chance to heal before the next workout, and the shoulder can become sore and ache with reduced strength and range of motion. If the shoulders are not stretched, the shoulder muscles will be stiff and cause increased rubbing of the acromioclavicular joint to the point that the bones in this joint will wear away (osteolysis) and arthritis will develop.
Causes
- Repetitive injuries to the AC joint or distal clavicle
- Repetitive movements with heavy weights
- A combination of long-term wear and tear of the shoulder joint and a predisposing joint condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Other underlying chronic illnesses or conditions that may affect the AC joint, such as infections
Symptoms
- Pain worse during and after gym.
- Usually, bench press and chest press are the activities that generate the most pain.
- Tenderness at the end of the clavicle.
- Often, people feel pain when they move their arm along their body.
X-ray
Therapeutic approach
Standard conservative treatment includes:
- Repos
- Compresse froide
- AINS (anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens).
- It is also recommended that smoking patients stop smoking to promote the process of bone remineralization (i.e. the restoration of calcium in the bone). It sometimes takes several months for the bone to rebuild.
