Shoulder Arthritus

Pain & Rehab Forum [Moderated]
1

I am a 63 year old male, 6 ft, 193 lbs. I have osteoarthritis in my right shoulder.

I have been “consistently” strength training for over ten years. These days I concentrate on the basic lifts (i.e. squat, dead lift, bench press, overhead press and pullups). I workout 2-3 times per week.

When I do overhead press, bench press and/or pullups…my shoulder is somewhat uncomfortable and/or hurts during the warm ups sets but feels “better” (not perfect) the more sets I do. By the fime I am through with my work sets it is feeling pretty good. Some days are better than others.

Later in the day after my workout, my shoulder feels a little sore/tight and I sometimes take a couple of Ibuprofen before bed to help me get to sleep.

The next day, it feels pretty good. Some stiffness. But I have come to live with it for now.

I have a couple of friends that have had shoulder replacement surgery. I may need that some day but would prefer to delay as long as possible.

My thought process is that as long as my shoulder feels “better” as I warm up and work out, I am doing more good than harm.

Based on the above, would you recommend I do anything different?

Thanks,

Tony

PS. If you guys ever do a seminar in the Seattle/Portland area I am planning on attending.

2

Based on what you’ve described here, I would not recommend radical changes to your training.

You may find our resource on osteoarthritis helpful: Osteoarthritis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

If you find that the post-training discomfort is worsening, I would adjust your training loads (and likely introduce more movement variety to the area) as described in this article: Pain in Training: What To Do?
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3

FWIW, your symptoms are not unique to osteoarthritis. I’m a similar age, I don’t have osteoarthritis (so far as I know) and experience what seem to be similar symptoms. Sometimes my shoulder will be somewhat uncomfortable or will hurt (either in or out of the gym) but will feel better as I warm-up and do sets. So long as the discomfort is not worsening I figure the issue is more random aches and pains than anything serious. In addition to the exercises you mentioned, my shoulder-related work includes a variety of DB and machine exercises.