A 2010 article in "The New York Times" reported that more people are lifting weights than ever before, which is causing more injuries and visits to the emergency room. A study from 1990 to 2007 reveals that nearly 1 million Americans had a weight-training injury. While 82 percent of those injured were men, the amount of injuries accrued by females increased more quickly. Common arm injuries caused by weight training include sprains, strains and fractures.
Latissimus Dorsi
The latissimus dorsi -- the lats -- are the largest, strongest muscles of the back. They're responsible for extending the body outward and inward, flexing and rotating. The lats are connected to several vertebrae and spinal nerves. Exercises that increase lat muscle mass and strength include chinups, pullups, pulldowns and dumbbell rows. Injuries to these muscles can case pain in the lower back, upper back, shoulders and arms.
Sprains and Strains
A sprain occurs when you cause an injury to a ligament, which is the tough tissue that links bones. A strain is an injury to the muscles and tendons. When weight training, it's not uncommon to overdo it by stressing your lats too hard, lifting weights that are too heavy or not giving your muscles enough time to recover. Symptoms of strains and sprains include a chronic dull, achy feeling, especially when lifting anything heavy or raising the affected arm over your head, which is a common move in many weight-training exercises.
Repetitive Injury
Because lats control a variety of movements, a repetitive injury to these muscles can cause pain in the upper arm near your shoulder. A repetitive stress injury occurs after performing sustained tasks repeatedly and over long periods of time. Symptoms of a repetitive stress injury, including pain, weakness, numbness and loss of function, are not caused by a trauma. Medical disability guidelines indicate that the one common factor with all injuries of this sort is the overuse of muscle tendon units.
Treatment
Sprains and strains are ranked by degree. First-degree and second-degree ligament tears or muscle strains should be treated with rest, ice, compression and elevation. Immobilization of the arm depends on the location and severity of your injury. Your doctor can prescribe over-the-counter or prescription pain killers on an as-needed basis. The most severe type of injury, classified as third degree, may require surgery.
Member Comments