Need some advice (shoulder problem)

[skyline04]

So I haven't really had any major shoulder problems until last week when doing DB flat bench. I finished my set, stood up and my body went cold, then pain in my left shoulder like I've never felt before. Its been a week and I can function, but its hard to lift over my head or do anything that requires me to push off. Also, the bone that sits on the top of the shoulder is now higher on my left side than my right, and hurts when I push on it. Any idea what is going on?

I can still do pretty much every bodypart at normal weights besides chest without it hurting. For shrugs, lateral raises, and biceps I have to do lightweight. I know when I go to the doctor its going to be either surgery or rest.

Questions:

Can I continue my workouts without doing chest until it gets better? What are the repercussions if I do?

If I can't continue lifting (or shouldn't) how can I maintain muscle without getting soft? It has taken me years to get where I am, I know if I just stop I will lose weight instantly. If I keep my diet up, I will probably get some fat on me from all the cals I am getting daily. Obviously I can reduce how much I eat, but then I can see myself losing weight... (classic ectomorph)

Any help would be appreciated.

[Doc.Sust]

avoid movements that aggrevate the condition, continue to lift the muscle groups that wont effect the problem. rest your chest 2- 4wks, you will not lose as much as you think, time off is a good thing, ice the injury and be consistent, it will help recovery time(read the sticky i wrote on cryotherapy)you can do chest movements if the movements do not aggrevate the condition, but be careful, i myself would just give the chest a break and give my body the chance to heal

[skyline04]

Doc thanks for the advice. Do you have any idea what this could be? The bone now being higher on one side just makes me worry a little bit.

[barbndr]

May be a slight strain of one of the ligaments causing the migration of the bone. Follow Doc's advice and if you don't see any improvement you need to have the shoulder checked out (orthopedist). AC separation (if its your clavicle which is higher) may be what you are dealing with.

[skyline04]

Yeah, its the very end of the clavicle. Thanks for the help, it is already getting a little better, so I am going to hold out and check out doc's advice before hitting up the orthopedist.

[Doc.Sust]

it may be ab AC sep like bardnr said, but without a proper ortho exam and an xray i cant be sure at all. if in time conservative therapy and rest do not work and it doesnt get any better, go to the ortho