AC Joint Pain

[jfel1982]

I am a 25 year old amateur bodybuilder recently I have encountered a lot of pain on the top of my right shoulder, seemingly where the acromion process and the clavicle meet.  The site is tender to touch and there is an elevated bump there as well.  The pain is most prominent when I attempt to do a barbell bench press, even with a fraction of the weight that I usually use.  I also notice that I have a more difficult time keeping my scapula under control while performing the movement in recent weeks, coinciding with the shoulder pain.  I have had rotator cuff injuries in the past, and my range of motion on that side is limited compared to the other.  This pain has persisted for longer than any of the other "tweaks" have lasted, and the painful bump has me both worried and frustrated, because it is affecting my training.  I have decreased my working weight, ice after every workout, and am taking NSAIDs.  Does it sound like this is a problem that could be remedied by taking time off, which I have tried (about 2 weeks), or could there be some more complex issues involved that may require surgical intervention or a cortisone shot at the very least?  Your advice is much appreciated!

[phyllis45]

have you completely recovered from your ac injury?  I too injured my ac joint lifting, primarliy using a flat bench at 85 lbs.  i am 45 year old femail and i am pretty active.  i got a short of cortisone and it helped for short while.  i am back to high levels of pain and take daily nsaid's, (love lodine).  no more weight lifting for me, or any kind of push ups. i started bootcamp and can't do many of the activities.  thankfully i can still run!!! it is my left shoulder and i can't even toss my tennis ball in the air to serve as i am right handed.  major bummer about chronic pain and no more weight lifting!

[stick8280]

I had the same injury but due to stupidity involving arm wrestling someone left handed...my weaker shoulder.... I have always worked out with weights and had no problem before this.. my soreness included this area and the back of the deltoid where the tendons connect the scapula... anyway.. long story short.... I found the best remedy... Work around the injury... don't do bench press, flys and limit the military press..  I rested for 2 weeks..took Ibuprophen/Advil every couple of hours...Then after...started stretching more for this area....and before each workout...I did lightweight rotor cuff exercises to force blood into that area and warm it up... then after a while did lightweights and did push ups using my knees instead of on my toes...then did machines..light weight high reps....and now i have better motion...less pain and can do more weight on bench machine... Key was rest...advils and especially those rotor cuff exercises with a 5 lb weight...sets of 3 with reps of 15 or so... let me know how this works for you..   Don