My shoulders hurt all day. Should I tough out side planks?

I had to extremely modify my weight/resistance training for 4 months, until my PMR was diagnosed and I started prednisone. I am attaching a screenshot of the AI response on Google regarding your question. Maybe modifying your planks by supporting weight on your elbows rather than hands would help. As a retired P.T., I understand the importance of your post op exercises. A therapist may help you find alternative exercises that will accomplish your goals without increasing the inflammation.
God speed as you navigate this life altering disease.

@kayept

I’m also a retired PT. I personally would only “work thru” muscle discomfort and never joint pain, especially shoulder pain. The shoulder joint is a compIex and unforgiving joint. I would definitely talk to your trainer or PT to help you target your exercise program.
Reub

What Rx are you on for PMR and does it alleviate your PMR shoulder pain? PMR itself doesn't cause joint damage, but pain is the body's warning that something is wrong and your exercise might be causing damage that you assume is PMR pain. I would check with both your spinal surgeon and PMR doctor and let them know what is going on. You might be able to modify your exercise program.

yuck. Thanks to everyone for your comments. My shoulder too hurts quite a bit and goes away when I skip exercises for 1-2 days. I thought PMR, but will go even slower now with exercise. Thank you.

I directed this very question to my Dr, who immediately said to me: grace and space moving forward. There is no back to where I used to be, because the point is not to push through but find more meaning and satisfaction in joyful gentle movements. I was diagnosed two years ago, and the less I force my body to exercise, the longer I seem to go with other things like meaningful interactions, daily life etc This is a tough disease with no option but to go right through, because there really isn’t much except steroids and pain pills if the flares appear. So far, when I do not stress my body out in any way shape or form, the flares seem controlled or manageable. It really has helped me removing personal expectations on what my body can or should be doing, other than the basics of living. I know it’s depressing, but if you can push your perspective into another space, perhaps grace will follow. Hugs

@kjoed53 — I am on Prednisone 5. I was relatively pain free until I dropped from 7.5 to 5. Had to go back up to 6mg for a month and am two days in to a second try at a reduction to 5. I also take 400 hydrochloriquine daily.

I reduced the plank and side planks by 1/3 during my exercise yesterday and I don’t seem to be as sore as I usually am one day after a PT session. (I do my PT every other day - about 30 minutes to complete.)

@kayept
Thank you for the screenshot. I think I have been exacerbating the issue by struggling through - thinking I was doing good by strengthening. I seem to have hit a wall with regard to becoming less and less painful. My shoulder pain simply isn’t subsiding.

@clendenin, this disease causes us to rethink how we approach our daily activities. Gentleness with myself did not come easily for me, but now has become a welcome way of life.
mimiacaglr6, Once my symptoms were controlled by 10mg of pred, I was able to resume my usual weight training and yoga routines. My medication journey was: Oct.'25 10mg. GCA dx.Feb.'26. Pred increased to 40mg. Temporal biopsy 3/3; 1st rheumy visit 3/12; Actemra infusion 3/17; 4/2 pred decreased to 30mg, then 20mg 4/9.
Weekly Tyenne self injections began 4/14 (to avoid driving 2hrs for infusions). Pred down to 10 mg 5/1 , and 5mg 6/1.
I have and will con't decreasing 1mg per month until off the pred, hopefully by end of October, provided I have no flares. My rheumy is really knowledgeable abd responsive- a godsend for me. I pray for everyone on this forum that they can find the best interventions for them.
As for exercise, I continue as I have for 20 years, but am open if I have to modify again if need be. 😊