Latissmus Dorsi

the lawman

Any experts out there that have come back from an injury to this muscle?

I'm currently out of golf for some time with a diagnosis of a damaged Latissmus muscle. Taking a long time and have had some setbacks. Not a fan of chasing horror stories on google so would love to hear about genuine rehabs, experience etc.

My current Physio is excellent but it would nice to hear other info.

Will Heffernan

the lawman wrote: »

Any experts out there that have come back from an injury to this muscle?

I'm currently out of golf for some time with a diagnosis of a damaged Latissmus muscle. Taking a long time and have had some setbacks. Not a fan of chasing horror stories on google so would love to hear about genuine rehabs, experience etc.

My current Physio is excellent but it would nice to hear other info.

There is no medical advice and or rehab advice allowed in this forum....which by the way I agree with because there is enough questionable advice as it is.

For my own interest I'd like to know if this was a golf injury? Whether it was chronic or acute onset? Is it an issue at the insertion i.e up toward your shoulder or the origin i.e around your back or is it a muscle belly issue i.e in the muscle itself? Is it single sided or on both sides?

The best thing you can do and the best advice you can get here or on the interwebz is to look at taking care or everything else around the problem area. So with a latissimi dorsi injury for example I would be looking to do as much mobility, stability, flexibility and careful strengthening work everywhere else. In this case I would look at your shoulders and hips. The reason being is that the more 'pressure' you can relieve around the injured area the faster it will heal. If you can make sure that your shoulders have full range of motion and have to proper functional control and stability...this will take some pressure off the insertion end of your injury. If you can get some more mobility and control around your lower back and hips....this will take some pressure off the origin end of your injured area.

So just to be clear. I am offering you the same advice I would offer to someone that wasn't injured at all. Everyone should look to ensure they have proper shoulder and hip mobility and stability anyway. It is just even more pertinent if you happen to have an injury between your shoulders and hips.

Personally what I would do is say to your physio that you want to do some more shoulder and hip work and ask them to give you some 'homework'. I've never met a physio that didn't want to give people extra work to do at home.

the lawman

Thanks for reply Will.

Yeah it's a golf injury brought on from about 18 months of playing golf. It's just on my left side.

Got an MRI scan on my shoulder joint and showed the rotator cuff muscles/tendons intact. Unfortunately the scan wasn't low enough to see from halfway down the scapula to the Latissmus muscle. The pain is sourced right at bottom of scapula and also some referral down my arm. Not sure if that answers your question on exact location of the source. Can you take a guess (not in any official way) based on my symptoms?

Your time and thoughts are most welcome.

Will Heffernan

the lawman wrote: »

Thanks for reply Will.

Yeah it's a golf injury brought on from about 18 months of playing golf. It's just on my left side.

Got an MRI scan on my shoulder joint and showed the rotator cuff muscles/tendons intact. Unfortunately the scan wasn't low enough to see from halfway down the scapula to the Latissmus muscle. The pain is sourced right at bottom of scapula and also some referral down my arm. Not sure if that answers your question on exact location of the source. Can you take a guess (not in any official way) based on my symptoms?

Your time and thoughts are most welcome.

Same answer....just moving my locations

Forget the injury. Forget it as far as getting 'advice' here on boards. You have a physio and I confident they are looking after the injury. What you can do is to make sure you are doing whatever you can to help them out as much as you can by ensuring you are doing what you can to take as much 'pressure' off the injured area. Now what I'd do is to do is all of the things I listed earlier...because as I said everyone should do that anyway PLUS knowing what I know now I would also add some lateral and linear neck mobilisation exercises...these will make you feel better anyway....some simple chin tucks and pokes in the mirror. Some lateral work...you will be able to look so much cooler when dancing to 'Walk Like an Egyptian' in future should you get good at it...these are just some examples.

Again, as I stated before...speak to your physio...get them to give you some more homework...this time ask for some neck mobility work.

the lawman

Thanks Will I'll have a look at what you're saying.

Will Heffernan

the lawman wrote: »

Thanks Will I'll have a look at what you're saying.

I'm trying to help without actually helping with your problem....if you know what I mean.

atilladehun

I've had a chronic Trap/skelton problem my whole adult life which has lead over and under compensation in all the adjoining muscles. Once I learned how to manage my recovery with my osteo the benefits I got from proper exercise is huge. If I get lazy the pain comes back but once I started with my personal trainer and subsequently on my own as well as yoga I feel so much stronger and healthier.

I love playing football but it'll never keep me properly fit and strong. I say the same to my dad who loves golf. All that jerking in one direction in the cold needs proper training. I'm sure your physio will do a great job but I'll keep telling my dad to even get a little bit of professional strength and flexibility training.

I know it's not the same injury but thought you might be interested in what I've learned.