Chest development with shoulder injury

[largerthannormal]

I have a sticky situation. As some of you know I compete weight lifting/ my forte is flat bench.

I developed a shoulder injury as to what it is we are still unaware ( also as some of you may know), I went to see a specialist and took Xrays ( no bone issues) At this time he shot me up with some cortisone in hopes it was inflammation.

3 weeks later Im still in sharp pain when I try to release my grip during racking the weight. Even as light as 155lbs can send this stabbing pain thru my shoulder.

At this point i know my next step is an MRI.

Two things that hold me back is (my deductible/insurance is weird cause it applys to the family and I do not want to steal anything away from my kids if they have a serious problems) but also what worries me is I have a wedding coming up in mexico and i dont want to shrink up ( very stupid I know)

here is what is odd, I can do push ups all day long, I can do incline all day long no pain / I can do flat dumbells with tolerable pain.

My questions is what would be the best exercise to maintain the chest I already have until I opt for the MRI/surgery if needed? stick to incline and flys?

last question, I am no doctor but is there a chance this could be something that could be taken care with no surgery? Maybe I should just go get the MRI and fork over the money and then worry from there?

[bass]

I would do the MRI if i were you, your kids needs a healthy dad so your not robing them of anything. if its a torn tendon then only solution is surgery, they poke three holes around your shoulder and when they heal you won't even notice them. if I were you I'd stick with what doesn't give you pain, and try smith machines to take some of the load off your shoulders.

[largerthannormal]

That sounds good Buddy, Im going to do just that! MRI it is.. I dont wanna get hurt worse or further damage...

[gearbox]

Simple. Stick to any chest movement that does not cause pain if there is any.
Flies
Cable flies
Machine incline decline wide
Push ups (try adding weight on you back)
Dips (weighted)
Seated chest press

Go through them all and see what works.

[largerthannormal]

Thanks GB!! Ill test a few of those i havent tried yet through the next few weeks.

DIPS would rip my arm straight off i know that , steering clear of that and flat forsure

Simple. Stick to any chest movement that does not cause pain if there is any.
Flies
Cable flies
Machine incline decline wide
Push ups (try adding weight on you back)
Dips (weighted)
Seated chest press

Go through them all and see what works.

[bartman314]

decline bench (probably bad given flat bench and dip point)?
close grip (see below)
reverse grip (see below)

i also have horrible shoulders and stay away from any motion that causes 'joint' pain - you should know what i mean... turns out wrist orientation and exactly where the load is with respect to my shoulder joint play important roles for me. to help strengthen the muscles under the delts and stabilize my shoulder i do physical therapy exercises as a part of my shoulder workouts:

top most left and top middle in: http://www.disease-picture.com/wp-co...-therapymr.jpg

upper left and middle left in (but with bands at 3' + my height): http://www.everettclinic.com/CRS/pa/xshlddi3.jpg

i'd also go for (and have gone for!) the mri - gives docs the best ability to diagnose and recommend treatments. hope you like needles as they will inject ALOT of fluid into the joint to image the free space in the joint.