Shoulder Labrum tear caused by TRT?

[Movingmetal]

Started TRT properly in September 2012 due to diagnosed hypogonadism. Tried every option before TRT and nothing worked.
TRT changed my life I feel amazing and every day is a blessing.
However, shortly after starting TRT, I tore my labrum (SLAP injury) doing chin ups in the gym.
Just yesterday, my other shoulder suddenly had a splitting pain and now I fear the same thing has happened in my left shoulder.
Could TRT have caused this due to hormonal imbalance weakening the collagen?
Or just completely unrelated events?
I am on 150mg of test c per week as well as .5mg of AI.

[APIs]

How hard are you actually training? Was it confirmed via MRI? The initial injury (surface tearing) was probably already present when the full tear occurred. Perhaps your increased strength due to TRT surpassed what your tendons, ligaments etc. are capable of handling? I doubt it though at only about 4 months. I'd say it was just dumb luck IMO...

[xcraider37]

Started TRT properly in September 2012 due to diagnosed hypogonadism. Tried every option before TRT and nothing worked.
TRT changed my life I feel amazing and every day is a blessing.
However, shortly after starting TRT, I tore my labrum (SLAP injury) doing chin ups in the gym.
Just yesterday, my other shoulder suddenly had a splitting pain and now I fear the same thing has happened in my left shoulder.
Could TRT have caused this due to hormonal imbalance weakening the collagen?
Or just completely unrelated events?
I am on 150mg of test c per week as well as .5mg of AI.

I don't understand why you think trt caused this, unless as one person said because of an increase in strength. I would think trt is helping your hormonal imbalance. Maybe some of the experts will understand your question better.

[tripperdogg]

That stinks. I hate the fact that at 49, I keep having injuries occuring too. Only on trt for 2 weeks , but when you've trained with weights since 15 year old, I guess the body breaks down. I just strained my right bicep for the first time ever and it scared the hell out of me. Thought I tore the muscle. I think some of us just get worn out. Good luck with your recovery.

[boxingfan30]

I don't understand why you think trt caused this, unless as one person said because of an increase in strength. I would think trt is helping your hormonal imbalance. Maybe some of the experts will understand your question better.

TRT causes an increase in strength that a novice, or even intermediate person who trains isn't always ready for and has to build up to. You see the bigger guys on here all the time stressing to make sure that you have a solid 2 years or more of good training experience where your tendons and ligaments are able to handle the added weight.

OP, it's great that you are feeling so much better, sorry to hear about the shoulder... I have to have surgery on mine for another issue, but it just kills your entire training ability which just sucks. For me personally, I do close hand position push-ups which seems to take the stress off my shoulder problem.... then I went and tried to do a plank (almost successfully lol) but with my hands closer to my waist and trying to balance it was to much and hurt it again. It is at least starting to feel better now.

[Movingmetal]

Thanks for the reply. I just want to cover all possibilities. Honestly yes I am addicted to training as many are. I was battering myself when I look back. Lesson learn. I hope they fully recover. I'm going insane without training. Currently training legs every 5 days.

[PetrX]

Exact same thing happen to me 2 weeks ago.. Ive been doing 400 ml/week for 4 weeks now, I was doing the dumbell incline.. Was going back deep and I felt my right shoulder give out or something.. It was a strange feeling, Ive played baseball and been in combat and nothing had ever caused any pain or discomfort like I felt that day.. After going into work and doing an MRI on my lunch break, it was confirmed to be a torn labrum. So for the next 2 weeks I'm just hitting my legs and abs until the shoulder heals.. I have noticed an increase in strength, energy, stamina, and added intensity with my work-outs.. From now on i'll be more careful thats for sure

[human project]

Started TRT properly in September 2012 due to diagnosed hypogonadism. Tried every option before TRT and nothing worked.
TRT changed my life I feel amazing and every day is a blessing.
However, shortly after starting TRT, I tore my labrum (SLAP injury) doing chin ups in the gym.
Just yesterday, my other shoulder suddenly had a splitting pain and now I fear the same thing has happened in my left shoulder.
Could TRT have caused this due to hormonal imbalance weakening the collagen?
Or just completely unrelated events?
I am on 150mg of test c per week as well as .5mg of AI.

I've had three surgerys for my good ole laybeum.... The obly advice I can give and I swear this as being the best advice I've ever given on this blog and its GET THE BEST SURGEN!!!!! I don't care if you have to fly somewhere... My first two surgeons distorted my shoulder and I can't even reach over my head. I was put in a sling 10mos out if a year and a half.... Wow so glad all that is over, "I really don't know if my head could take another major injury like that. Supplementation has made recovery much better then anyone really told me it could and I'm baxk to pushin some decient weight

[human project]

How hard are you actually training? Was it confirmed via MRI? The initial injury (surface tearing) was probably already present when the full tear occurred. Perhaps your increased strength due to TRT surpassed what your tendons, ligaments etc. are capable of handling? I doubt it though at only about 4 months. I'd say it was just dumb luck IMO...

X2 its not like trt dose test is gonna dry out anythin

[lovbyts]

TRT causes an increase in strength that a novice, or even intermediate person who trains isn't always ready for and has to build up to. You see the bigger guys on here all the time stressing to make sure that you have a solid 2 years or more of good training experience where your tendons and ligaments are able to handle the added weight.

OP, it's great that you are feeling so much better, sorry to hear about the shoulder... I have to have surgery on mine for another issue, but it just kills your entire training ability which just sucks. For me personally, I do close hand position push-ups which seems to take the stress off my shoulder problem.... then I went and tried to do a plank (almost successfully lol) but with my hands closer to my waist and trying to balance it was to much and hurt it again. It is at least starting to feel better now.

^^^^ agreed. It's hard to admit when we have done something wrong but 99% of the time it is our fault. I did the same. Felt great. even been training for a couple good hard solid years but do to an unrelated injury I had to lay off for a few months but when I jumped back on I did to much to quick and tore my shoulder up good. I had surgery 7 months ago and will continue to lift light. No reason to rush things and re damage it, right?

[Papa Smurf]

I have had my ortho doc tell me that high levels of test can start to deteriorate bone in the joints ...... but nothing about tendons........

As for your injury.............. Ive had three shoulder and one knee so far............ right elbow coming soon !!

Good Luck

[boxingfan30]

^^^^ agreed. It's hard to admit when we have done something wrong but 99% of the time it is our fault. I did the same. Felt great. even been training for a couple good hard solid years but do to an unrelated injury I had to lay off for a few months but when I jumped back on I did to much to quick and tore my shoulder up good. I had surgery 7 months ago and will continue to lift light. No reason to rush things and re damage it, right?

I don't blame the guy though... to all of a sudden be much stronger and able to do more, hell, you want to do as much as possible. It's in the man's nature IMO, and it's a matter of controlling ourselves to slowly move the weight up.

[Movingmetal]

Just letting you guys know I had my surgery and there was a large SLAP tear in my shoulder. All anchored and fixed now. Nothing to do with TRT said the surgeon. Thanks for the help everyone

[oldnsedentary]

Thanks for the update, Movingmetal. Can you lift weights now?

[boxingfan30]

Just letting you guys know I had my surgery and there was a large SLAP tear in my shoulder. All anchored and fixed now. Nothing to do with TRT said the surgeon. Thanks for the help everyone

Not trying to be a jerk, but how does he know it doesn't have to do with the added test making you stronger resulting in injury. The majority of Dr's, Surgeon's and even Endo's know very little about TRT and how much strength it can actually produce. I'm just saying that I would still be careful.

[lovbyts]

Not trying to be a jerk, but how does he know it doesn't have to do with the added test making you stronger resulting in injury. The majority of Dr's, Surgeon's and even Endo's know very little about TRT and how much strength it can actually produce. I'm just saying that I would still be careful.

That's not what he is saying. Yes it could and probably very well did have to do with the test causing an increase in strength and him tearing it but it did not directly cause the tear or any degeneration. It did not make the shoulder weaker or tear easier.

I had the same thing happen to me but it was 2 1/2 years after starting TRT. Mine was not such a simple repair though. I had one of the best doctors that could be found in my area. He is the head orthopedic surgeon for the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners. After my surgery he told me he was very surprised on how bad it was inside. He had to go in through the front and back to get to everything and it took him 2x as long as he had figured.

It's recoverinig nicely but I think it will still take at least a year + for full recovery.

[boxingfan30]

That's not what he is saying. Yes it could and probably very well did have to do with the test causing an increase in strength and him tearing it but it did not directly cause the tear or any degeneration. It did not make the shoulder weaker or tear easier.

I had the same thing happen to me but it was 2 1/2 years after starting TRT. Mine was not such a simple repair though. I had one of the best doctors that could be found in my area. He is the head orthopedic surgeon for the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners. After my surgery he told me he was very surprised on how bad it was inside. He had to go in through the front and back to get to everything and it took him 2x as long as he had figured.

It's recoverinig nicely but I think it will still take at least a year + for full recovery.

It wasn't my intent to say that the TRT was directly related... just indirectly which i'm sure you get.

On a side note, I wish I had the same surgeon in my area to fix my shoulder. I have gone no further with any appointments because I just don't trust the docs reviews that I have read. I want the absolute best out there.

[oldnsedentary]

Exact same thing happen to me 2 weeks ago.. Ive been doing 400 ml/week for 4 weeks now, I was doing the dumbell incline.. Was going back deep and I felt my right shoulder give out or something.. It was a strange feeling, Ive played baseball and been in combat and nothing had ever caused any pain or discomfort like I felt that day.. After going into work and doing an MRI on my lunch break, it was confirmed to be a torn labrum. So for the next 2 weeks I'm just hitting my legs and abs until the shoulder heals.. I have noticed an increase in strength, energy, stamina, and added intensity with my work-outs.. From now on i'll be more careful thats for sure

So the recommendation for a torn labrum was just to work legs for a couple of weeks and everything will be fine????

[jseek]

Torn labrum = torn cartilage. Same thing.

Tends to not "heal".

Purpose of labrum is to increase the surface area of the very small "socket" of the shoulder joint. When doing things with the shoulder where u may not have 1) adequate strength,2) unfamiliar with technique,3) over stretch or over lift a bad exercise with too much weight/excess range...the shoulder can go pop and .... Well here you are.

Cartilage doesn't heal quickly or well. If it stays bothersome or prevents your function...get it repaired...(dr call)... If its just a minor thing and you can train around it and its not a big deal...the the call is yours to make if you can live with it or not. Many people do. Both mine are shot but still doesn't prevent me from beach volleyball, basketball,? Ice hockey, weights.... Just forget dips, wide bench, or whatever exercise challenges the range that your instability prevents you from exercising.

Mind u if your shoulder pops out and hurts just sitting there requiring 911 and anaesthetic so that three skilled people can hold you down and pop it back in...then lean towards getting it fixed.

Good luck!

[lovbyts]

Mind u if your shoulder pops out and hurts just sitting there requiring 911 and anaesthetic so that three skilled people can hold you down and pop it back in...then lean towards getting it fixed.

Good luck!

Oh come on... Doesnt everyone do like Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon? hahaha

It wasn't my intent to say that the TRT was directly related... just indirectly which i'm sure you get.

On a side note, I wish I had the same surgeon in my area to fix my shoulder. I have gone no further with any appointments because I just don't trust the docs reviews that I have read. I want the absolute best out there.

Do what I did; find out who is the orthopedic surgeon for your local pro sports players (Baseball/football) and see if he is under your medical plan. Mine way.

[Movingmetal]

Thanks for the reply's everyone. I am only 21 years old and being on TRT as well as getting 2 labrum tears just seems like I am not meant to be in the bodybuilding game. I have been training since 16 years old. But no way am i stopping. Its my passion and I will never give up.
In regards to the injury, my thoughts were that maybe the AI could have weakened by labrum. Cutting back the test dose to 100mg/week with no AI. Just to be sure. I guess there is not a great deal of study on 21 year old males on TRT with SLAP tears. Fingers crossed I can go back to training soon.