How to avoid bursitis with rowing?

[aegis]

The MRI showed that the issue is Adhesive Capsulitis (frozen shoulder), which is a huge relief as I won't need an operation and apparently the best rehab is to keep the shoulder moving, so rowing is good for it! It's also good to know that both my doctor and physiotherapist concluded that this injury had nothing to do with rowing, it's just one of those unlucky afflictions that people get sometimes when they get older.

It's amazing how much fitness I've lost in just 3 weeks, before I stopped rowing I was able to easily pull 2:05s at UT2 for 30 - 40 minutes, when I started back I was more like 2:15 - 2:20.

I've been working on technique, mainly focussing on:

1. a more relaxed upper body, with straighter arms for longer
2. looser grip on the handle, trying to keep it away from the palms and in between the first 2 joints of the fingers

https://youtu.be/SzxbOKmnuGs

One of the things that happened with the different grip was that I got a blister on my finger, which is the first time that's ever happened. It does feel strange using the fingers more like 'hooks' and not fully gripping the handle.

I do think I need to be bending the hips forward a bit more, but my lower back flexibility isn't great, which is a limiting factor. I can get further forward, but it feel like I'm hunching too much and lunging at the catch.

Anyway, it feels great to be back on the erg and knowing that rowing is good for rehab and definitely not causing damage.

I rowed with a shoulder that was in the freezing phase when it was undiagnosed and throughout the frozen phase, my physio actually thinks that because I never stopped using my shoulders due to rowing it may have helped sped up the recovery which took about 6-7 months. I am now about 95% just need a little more work with internal rotation.

Good luck with the recovery, I'm sure you will be able to get back your fitness quickly.

[robhely]

I rowed with a shoulder that was in the freezing phase when it was undiagnosed and throughout the frozen phase, my physio actually thinks that because I never stopped using my shoulders due to rowing it may have helped sped up the recovery which took about 6-7 months. I am now about 95% just need a little more work with internal rotation.

Good luck with the recovery, I'm sure you will be able to get back your fitness quickly.

Good to know, over the last few months as the condition has been worsening, rowing has been the one thing that has always made it feel better. I've heard that one of the worst things you can do with frozen shoulder is too much rest.

[robhely]

That's good news.

Your hands will toughen up over time, but be careful when you go on holiday as I find that suncream is terrible for softening the callouses and giving you blisters all over again. I'm currently having that issue.

I'm actually on holiday at the moment, but I'm riding the MTB every day, which helps toughen up the hands. I don't think there will be much of a need for sunscreen as the weather here in Whistler Canada isn't overly warm/sunny and most of the riding is in dense forest. It must be frustrating to be held back by something as seemingly innocuous as softened callouses.

[Dangerscouse]

I'm actually on holiday at the moment, but I'm riding the MTB every day, which helps toughen up the hands. I don't think there will be much of a need for sunscreen as the weather here in Whistler Canada isn't overly warm/sunny and most of the riding is in dense forest. It must be frustrating to be held back by something as seemingly innocuous as softened callouses.

That's good news then. It is annoying, as I do try to wash my hands straight away but they, especially my right hand, always seem to be a bit of an issue after a holiday abroad.

[aegis]

I rowed with a shoulder that was in the freezing phase when it was undiagnosed and throughout the frozen phase, my physio actually thinks that because I never stopped using my shoulders due to rowing it may have helped sped up the recovery which took about 6-7 months. I am now about 95% just need a little more work with internal rotation.

Good luck with the recovery, I'm sure you will be able to get back your fitness quickly.

Good to know, over the last few months as the condition has been worsening, rowing has been the one thing that has always made it feel better. I've heard that one of the worst things you can do with frozen shoulder is too much rest.

I know it can be frustrating but it will get better, I wasn't able to do pulls up during the whole time only hang for short periods. I think that helped with the frozen shoulder, also just hanging can help with toughening your hands. I almost never had blisters except for the one time I rowed 32km.