Jogging with Shoulder Pain: What You Need to Know

Question
Hi Charles,

I have calcified tendonitis in my right shoulder and have had it for
years. It flares up now and then. I'm a walker/jogger. In your opinion,
is it adviseable to continue jogging when the tendonitis flares up?  
Reason I'm asking is I knew someone who had a "frozen shoulder" who was an
AVID runner (10k's, etc.) who contiued training with this condition. He
claimed it "helped" loosen it up. So I was wondering your opinion-thank
you."


Answer
Hi Dan,
This is a "good news-bad news" type of answer. Calcific tendonitis doesn't go away by itself. It can in some cases render the shoulder immobile and ultimately "frozen". The good news is that activity helps keep it mobile but (the bad news)can also keep it flared up. Personally, I would have an Orthopaedic consultation regarding this only because the tendon is probably weakend by this chronic condition and I would hate to see you rupture the tendon trying to be too aggressive with activity.