Question
About 2 months ago while weightlifting, (chest workout, bench press and machine chest press) I felt a slight pop in my left shoulder. I finished the workout, and that night I went home and iced my shoulder. The next day I had another workout (arm) and it felt fine, so I shook it off and decided to continue working out that week. I had a slight pain that week, but the strength stayed the same and I was able to move the same amount of weight. Weeks went by and I assumed that it would go away but still the pain lingers. The pain is more prominent when reaching behind me while keeping my arm straight, and the pain is right at the tip of the clavicle. Pressing down on the bone makes it feel like it's the bone itself that hurts. I went to the hospital and had xrays taken and the bone was fine according to them, as well as a physical exam for range of motion. It was rules a AC joint sprain, and I was told to take some time off. It's been 3 weeks of not working out and the pain still remains the same. Ive been taking Anti-inflammatory meds as well as icing and heating it (Ive tried it all). Nothing has changed, the pain has improved slightly but then Ill sleep on it wrong and it starts all over again. Is this actually an AC sprain or can it be more serious? How long will the healing time take. I'm running out of options short of just going back to the Dr and demanding an MRI. It's been 2 months and this pain still bothers me. As someone in the fitness field, I cant show clients how to work out if I'm currently unable to do so myself.

Answer
This Chicago Podiatrist, Elmhurst Podiatrist & South Loop Podiatrist says.......

Dear Tiago,

Regarding your shoulder pain.
PRICE
Protect-Find a position with pillows that the shoulder does not bother you.
Rest--1-3 weeks ( all workout activity ) ( this is the most important!) Gentle range of motion is OK
Ice- 20-30 minutes at a time if you can when it hurts
Compress-maybe wrap it if it hurts a lot. Try wwwAnkleNFoot.com-there are some shoulder products there.
Elevate-Not necessary in this case
Try some NSAIDS for a few days again-and then stop them when the pain subsides and you give it rest for 1-3 weeks.
Then train slow-stretch-maybe get massages, continue to ice as long as it is improving.
Possibly try physical therapy.
You have a strain of the shoulder joint that needs rest & rehab-not an MRI.

Hope This Helps

Dr George Tsatsos--Red Belt Shidokan Karate, Black Belt Tae Kwon Do, Advanced Skier & Open Water Diver
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com
LaserforToenails.com

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.