Motorcycling and Rotator Cuff Tendonopathy

[wildbears]

Motorcyclists can develop rotator cuff tendinopathy from a mix of overuse, posture, and acute impact.

Prolonged Positioning: Holding your arms up or forward to reach the handlebars—especially on bikes with high or extended bars—keeps the shoulder muscles under sustained tension.

Vibration and Shock: Constant road vibrations and absorbing impacts (particularly in motocross or off-road riding) force the rotator cuff to constantly micro-stabilize the shoulder joint.

Acute Trauma: Falls or sudden jerks during a crash or rough maneuver can acutely strain or tear the tendons, which may lead to chronic inflammation or tendinopathy if not properly rehabilitated.

Common Symptoms

Shoulder Pain: A dull ache or sharp pain at the front or side of the shoulder, often worsening when lifting the arm.

Weakness: Difficulty or pain when raising your arm overhead or reaching behind your back.

Discomfort at Night: Pain that flares up when sleeping on the affected side.

See: https://www.thebikethebody.com/post/...f-tendinopathy

[955i]

Let's talk "tendinopathy." It is ugly. The distinction between tendonitis and tendinopathy is mainly in the degree of injury. But, the degree is huge. Tendonitis is painful and takes rest to recover - usually in less than a month, unless it is something like Achilles tendon that just keeps getting inflamed unavoidably. Tendinopathy is much more serious. Unaddressed, tendons and surrounding tissues can be permanently ruined - usually by hardening into woodeness. They are subject to ripping and breaking entirely.

I am recovering from adductor tendinopathy that was diagnosed the first of March. I had total inactivity for 2 and a half months before gentle short walks were allowed. Also some simple exercises with rubber stretchies were allowed, so long as there was no pain or achieness during or afterwards. During the first months of these walks and exercises, a full rest day between events was ordered. I remember struggling through a 10-mile Koffee Ride with friends and their wives and kids.

Finally, September 1st I started a little more rigorous stuff. I road a pretty hilly route 28 miles to the next town for our Cushing Group Dinner Ride last night (101F !!). 14mph was plenty. I have stretched my slow runs to 2 to 2.5 miles. Looking forward to 5K's soon. Still, I find total rest days difficult to deal with. I end up mowing or the like.

That's all I know.

[wildbears]

Sounds like you are on the mend. Thanks for the input.

[wildbears]

Note that some divide tendinopathy into tendinitis and tendinosis.
Tendinitis is inflammatory, while the term tendinosis can be used for a degenerative breakdown without inflammation.
Tendinitis can be short term and responds to anti-inflammatory treatments.
Tendinosis is usually long term and takes extended treatment to resolve.
It is possible to have both at the same time, further complicating diagnosis and treatment.
Then there is the dreaded "rotator cuff tear" that is often injury induced and is present in most of us after age 70.

[beech]

I'm at the next stage just seperated (ruptured) the large bicep tendon from its attachment in the rotator cuff. Trying to save a bike that was not mine from falling over on my shop lift. A darn tall R1300GT full of gas. I should have syphoned the gas out first! Snapped that little bugger. A jolt but no pain after. Though it seriously lets me know when I'm doing a wrong move. Got the Popeye arm now. The muscle is bunched up in a lump. Ortho doctor who I trust, says the gain from surgery at my age and other deterioration of my shoulder, reattachment would be no better than just getting some PT and moving on with care. I have watched friends recovering from shoulder work and I'm not in. I have stopped changing tires for folks after 30 years of that, and also no more service work on bikes. I'll do my best to just take care of my own bikes in the garage now. Doctor said too many years of hard physical work has it toll. I spent 30 years rebuilding diesel engines and related equipment. Most of it not light. My friends are whining that I won't change their tires now. Just not going to happen anymore. They understand it is not in my best interest these days. Getting older means wearing out, just like a machine. We all face various versions of it.