Comments on Cartilage Damage?

[DeepCover]

I have cartilage damage in my shoulder and I was wondering how many of you guys here have cartilage damage and what are you doing to treat it after workouts? What has helped and what hasn't? This is without a doubt the most frustrating injury I've ever had, mainly because I know it will never improve and only get worse.

Thanks in advance.

[zop]

What do you think caused the cartilage damage in the shoulder?

Sometimes it could be avoided with proper technique when your lifting...

[DeepCover]

Originally Posted by zop

What do you think caused the cartilage damage in the shoulder?

Sometimes it could be avoided with proper technique when your lifting...

I think it started with me not working my stabilizer muscles out. For some reason, I needed this more than most people (some kind of imbalance/instability probably).

I played a hell of a lot of sports when I was younger, starting organized sports at 4 (baseball). I remember it taking me twice as long to warm up as the other kids, and my shoulder was almost always sore after practice (never iced it). I played baseball through high school and toward the end I had thrown my arm out. It also didn't help that I swam and played water polo in high school.

Improper weight training I'm sure was to blame also. Coaches cared more about strength than injury prevention, and I didn't really feel pain from lifting until years later from the wear and tear (no blunt shoulder trauma).

I've had 2 surgeries on my shoulder. It wasn't until the 2nd one that cartilage damage was determined to be the cause. My first specialist tried to get me back in the weight room too soon, not realizing the real issue.

[JSN]

generally it's not going to get better on it's own man. you either need to see a doctor (the sooner the better) or justlearn what avoids bone on bone.

[JRT6]

It sucks, sucks really fuckin bad. Accept that because just when you think it can't get worse it can and will.

What has helped?

1. Dropping high risk exercises. For me that is OHP, cleans, pullups, etc I mostly floor press for bench and do lots of weighted blast strap pushups.

2. Forget working out to failure, density training, sticking to one workout for weeks on end.

3. Rest. Rest. Did I mention rest? You have to figure out what is the longest rest interval (days off) you can get away with.

4. Make the weight heavier by taking less rest etc not by loading up the bar. High reps and heavy low reps kill my joints so instead I do stuff like 10-15 sets of 2-3 reps with only 20-30 seconds rest.

5. Diversify. I do mma because it isn't too much of any one thing like boxing four days a week.

6. Take the supps.

7. Stretch like a motherfucker. When your range of motion starts to go it's all down hill to a joint replacement.

[DeepCover]

Originally Posted by JRT6

It sucks, sucks really fuckin bad. Accept that because just when you think it can't get worse it can and will.

What has helped?

1. Dropping high risk exercises. For me that is OHP, cleans, pullups, etc I mostly floor press for bench and do lots of weighted blast strap pushups.

2. Forget working out to failure, density training, sticking to one workout for weeks on end.

3. Rest. Rest. Did I mention rest? You have to figure out what is the longest rest interval (days off) you can get away with.

4. Make the weight heavier by taking less rest etc not by loading up the bar. High reps and heavy low reps kill my joints so instead I do stuff like 10-15 sets of 2-3 reps with only 20-30 seconds rest.

5. Diversify. I do mma because it isn't too much of any one thing like boxing four days a week.

6. Take the supps.

7. Stretch like a motherfucker. When your range of motion starts to go it's all down hill to a joint replacement.

Not that I enjoy other people's misery, but this was exactly the type of response I was hoping for. I appreciate the input.

I have a few questions:

* Has cortisone helped you? I know you're limited to 3 a year (as a rule of thumb), but I'm wondering if you're getting injections as often as you can, or if you've given up on cortisone as an option. I'm really on the fence here. I've had 2 and they can control the inflammation okay, but I'm hesitant to get used to cortisone over the longhaul.
* Which supplements have worked for you? I take liquid glucosamine (1,500mg minimum). I suppose it works, but it's hard to tell. I take it mainly to keep things from getting worse, not really improvement.
* Have you had surgery? If so, what did they do?

Thanks in advance.

[cracker518]

I think I might have the same problem in my knee. My knees are sore as hell after working all day or working out. Some days a lot worse than others. Should I avoid squats and heavy lifts?

[JRT6]

Originally Posted by DeepCover

Not that I enjoy other people's misery, but this was exactly the type of response I was hoping for. I appreciate the input.

I have a few questions:

* Has cortisone helped you? I know you're limited to 3 a year (as a rule of thumb), but I'm wondering if you're getting injections as often as you can, or if you've given up on cortisone as an option. I'm really on the fence here. I've had 2 and they can control the inflammation okay, but I'm hesitant to get used to cortisone over the longhaul.
* Which supplements have worked for you? I take liquid glucosamine (1,500mg minimum). I suppose it works, but it's hard to tell. I take it mainly to keep things from getting worse, not really improvement.
* Have you had surgery? If so, what did they do?

Thanks in advance.

These are good questions so here I go:

My arthritis is caused by genetics, 20 years of too heavy lifting and chronic stress (I never had a problem till my wife got cancer and my body simply rebelled). At this point arthritis is a response to wear and tear AND stability issues. My body created bone spurs in joints that were destablized by the deteriation of cartilage. So the cortizone question can be answered by two factors, what is the imflamation caused by and why do I need the shot? Using the joint or joints in movements that create bone on bone for a simple metaphor will cause imflamation because cartilage is deteriating and/or the body is producing extra synoval fluid to lubricate the joint. So if you take my advice in my first post you will find exercises that promotes stabilty in the joint while limiting the range of motion that causes the bone on bone so to speak. Unless one is an advanced arthritis sufferer then treating the cause is much better than ignoring it having to get the shots.

I do not think arthritis can be stopped but it certainly can be slowed down enough to allow medical science to catch up. I've had it in my knees for 15 years now and my most recent x-rays showed minimal arthritic change. I still squat and all that I just follow my rules.
The jury is still out on my elbows, shoulders, hands and feet because I wasn't diagnosed with those until a little over a year ago. I have my fears.


I've had two surgeries because it got to the point the bone spurs were undercutting tendons. But in general surgery should be the last resort.

I take glucosamine, MSN, Hydrocoloric (sp) acid and fish oil.