Injury Q & A with Dr. Joe

[quote=DR.BB;1446872][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]I am in my 40s and have been training for 25 years. For the past 5 years I constantly tear muscles. Both biceps are visibly a mess from tears; my quad has a quarter sized hole from a tear; I tore my triceps off the bone, and have an ongoing hamstring tear. [/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]I was treated by a leading pro sports surgeon, who was nonjudgmental and very cool about trt, but he could only suggest that aas as a possible cause. Another doc (works with athletes) guessed high cortisol. My cortisol levels are slightly above the normal range. I took 11oxo (adrenosterone) for awhile and no change. [/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]While I still train hard, I am very careful with form (never bounce weights and have a very controlled range of motion). So, I really don’t think it is form or from trying to lift heavy. I don’t use any crazy weights anymore. I can still do 20 plus reps with 315 on squats, for example, but train regularly with 225 or 275 max, and stop when I do 315 at 8-10. I once pulled my quad squatting 185! I take a week off every six to eight months, and train a body part once per week. [/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Every other month I tear a muscle, sometimes real small, other times enough to avoid training that muscle for a month or more. Sometimes I feel like my quads will tear walking up stairs, no joke. My biceps tighten up from routine activities including brushing my hair, again, no joke, It is fuck'd up. I take a multivitamin, D3, omega 3, 200mg/wk trt dose. [/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]My question: have you ever heard of constant muscle tears?[/FONT][/SIZE][/quote]

Honestly, I have no idea why this would be happening to you. If you are having trouble with ADL's (activities of daily living) such as brushing your hair and walking up stairs, then you should visit your PCP and explain to him your problem. He/she might be able to run some test to try to figure this whole thing out. It certainly doesn't sound like a normal situation and should be further investigated. Sorry I can't be of any further help.

^^^
Thanks for the reply.

ok here goes what will probably be a lame attempt at describing a symptom I have had for probably the past 3+ years and never really asked anyone about it. I basically feel like the left trapezius is always tight and in a spasm. It's worse when I lift back and it feels like it's always there. When I take a break from lifting it eases up but without fail, when I lift again, it's back. It nags me.

I basically don't know what to do about it. I don't know it's a nerve issue of some kind or if it's damage. I don't know if it's my desk job sitting at a computer all day at work. Either way, I'm at a totally loss if there is anything I can do about it. Thoughts?

[quote=DR.BB;1448464]^^^
Thanks for the reply.[/quote]

FWIW. I'm 55 now. I trained for 28 years injury free. I trained hard and heavy and never worried much about form. I went AAS free for about 12 years in my 40's then decided to get back on to do some real shows. About a year back on(age 51) I tore my rotator cuff. Then about 2 years later I tore my groin. On the rotator cuff I was doing singles on flat bench and rationalized that I just overloaded my shoulder. When I tore my groin I was doing sets of 10 at 315 on the free squat. I had about 5 sets behind me when it tore. There was no rhyme or reason for this other than age. Now I train very differently. My focus went from as heavy as possible to as strict as possible and have been relatively injury free.

[quote=EggSuckingLeech;1569650]ok here goes what will probably be a lame attempt at describing a symptom I have had for probably the past 3+ years and never really asked anyone about it. I basically feel like the left trapezius is always tight and in a spasm. It's worse when I lift back and it feels like it's always there. When I take a break from lifting it eases up but without fail, when I lift again, it's back. It nags me.

I basically don't know what to do about it. I don't know it's a nerve issue of some kind or if it's damage. I don't know if it's my desk job sitting at a computer all day at work. Either way, I'm at a totally loss if there is anything I can do about it. Thoughts?[/quote]

Sounds like you have built up some soft tissue adhesions in that area. I would guess that if you look at your posture, that shoulder is probably sitting up higher than the other. Once adhesions are built up for a substantial period of time (which it sounds like in your case), you need to see someone who knows how to release them. Your best bet is finding an ART (active release technique) practitioner in your area. Until the adhesions are released, the pain and tightness is going to continue on an on/off basis. Good luck.

Edit.

[quote=joedemarco;1570231]Sounds like you have built up some soft tissue adhesions in that area. I would guess that if you look at your posture, that shoulder is probably sitting up higher than the other.[/quote]

That is correct actually. If I just stand there relaxed, this shoulder is in fact higher than the other. Do these adhesions cause pain? I might have to turn to Google a bit. Thanks very much for the feedback.

so I looked this up a little bit - thanks again. Do you know if this is something that is actually "diagnosable"? I mean how would a doctor determine if this is what I have and is it worthwhile trying to see a doctor about?