Shoulder injury

Shoulder injury (Full Version)

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Iamsemisweet -> Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 2:36:48 PM)
I have always been really healthy, and have never been seriously injured either, despite a pretty active life. A month or so ago, though, I tripped and fell in my barn. I thought I was OK at first, but my shoulder has become progressively more painful, and I have lost a lot of range of motion. I went to my HMO doctor, who predictably wanted to treat with muscle relaxants and pain killers. She did order an Xray that showed "prominent calcifications" in my shoulder, whatever that means. Maybe I am misinterpreting what that means, but I am thinking I must have had a problem for a while, since I have a hard time believing anything "prominent" would have occurred over the last month since my injury. Then, last night my horse bucked me off, and slammed me into the wall on that shoulder. So, now, I am really screwed up and my shoulder hurts in more places. It is still important to me to treat the cause, not the symptoms though. My doctor takes the position that at my age, I have to expect some physical problems. I don't accept that. I want to go back to her with a plan of action for how to treat this that will return me to the condition I was in before. Anyone have a similar issue? The Xray did not show a break or dislocation (altho who knows now, after my spill last night). Any suggestions I can run past my HMO doctor? I have found in the past that if I am pretty assertive about what I want, she will usually do it.

slvemike4u -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 2:41:04 PM)
"plan of action" ? If there is calcification the only "plan of action" I know of is to have that shoulder scraped.The rough edges on that "calcification" need to be smoothed out....least ways that is how I understand it. Had my left shoulder done back in '06,as sort of a sidebar to my neck/back injury....my shoulder is no longer one of my issues. The neck/back yeah.... but the shoulder is cool.

Hillwilliam -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 2:43:01 PM)
Move your arm like you are trying to take your wallet out of your hip pocket on that side. If it is excruciatingly painful, I'd suspect a rotator cuff tear. Ive had one on each side. One had to be operated on the other is waiting for enough cash for the copay. Get thee to an orthopedist who specializes in shoulders and he(or she) will probably request an MRI. That is the only way to get a definitive diagnosis. Shoulders are more difficult to work on than knees or hips or elbows so make sure you get someone who knows his way around in there. The good news is that most of the time they can fix it arthroscopically. the bad news is that a rotator cuff 'scope' can take a year to fully heal. Good luck.

ShaharThorne -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 2:47:57 PM)
After last night fall, I recommend getting more x-rays to make sure that it is not broken. With the loss of your range of motion, I would suggest that your doctor get you into some physical therapy for a few weeks. I had to do it after I took a fall trying to reach the phone months ago. Your HMO may not want to work with you, but getting back to healthy is paramount to you, not their bottom line. If there is bone fragments floating about in your shoulder, I definitely get a referral for a neurosurgeon. I don't trust orthosurgeons(?). They want to really cut you wide up to get a few pieces out (which is why I see a neurologist for my legs).

Iamsemisweet -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 2:51:46 PM)
Do you know if an x ray would detect bone fragments? quote: ORIGINAL: ShaharThorne After last night fall, I recommend getting more x-rays to make sure that it is not broken. With the loss of your range of motion, I would suggest that your doctor get you into some physical therapy for a few weeks. I had to do it after I took a fall trying to reach the phone months ago. Your HMO may not want to work with you, but getting back to healthy is paramount to you, not their bottom line. If there is bone fragments floating about in your shoulder, I definitely get a referral for a neurosurgeon. I don't trust orthosurgeons(?). They want to really cut you wide up to get a few pieces out (which is why I see a neurologist for my legs).

Rule -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 3:15:15 PM)
I wish you had told me that a month ago. My brother fell from a roof and injured his shoulder. None of us, including the physicians suspected anything and assumed the injury would recover on itself. It did not. Much later it was established that the shoulder was not simply bruised, but that a tendon had been severed. Because of disuse the muscle attached to the tendon and the tendon itself had deteriorated beyond recovery. If the same happened to you, and your symptoms appear to be identical, it may already be too late for surgery to reattach the tendon. I urge you to discuss this scenario as soon as possible with your physician.

mnottertail -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 3:17:55 PM)
It can. I suspect that prominent calcifications is telling you 'arthritis setting in' without telling you that. You certainly bruised it, and possibly have torn muscles and ligaments, well at some point you may ask or be told 'impingment syndrome'. It is gonna be inflamed and it is gonna take a long fuckin time to get over, you can do ice, tylenol, get an arm sling (for resting it when you are at home, or if you don't mind, out doing your legendary thing.... after a week or two(and you better giive up the horse and other shit you are doing that could damage it further, by these foibles) for a month or more and easily, not like you are exercising (easily slowly and with concentration.....) slowly work it thru the range of motion and in different planes if you follow that, like peeling an apple........ (and it will hurt like a motherfucker, and you can quote me) also grab a standard like a poledancer whenever you can and lean so that you can stretch it a bit. slowly and not much lean for weight. Gonna be over a year getting it back in shape. But the good news eqsuiress, is that as a throat, you are undamaged in the areas that you make a living in.

needlesandpins -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 3:30:41 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Hillwilliam Move your arm like you are trying to take your wallet out of your hip pocket on that side. If it is excruciatingly painful, I'd suspect a rotator cuff tear. Ive had one on each side. One had to be operated on the other is waiting for enough cash for the copay. Get thee to an orthopedist who specializes in shoulders and he(or she) will probably request an MRI. That is the only way to get a definitive diagnosis. Shoulders are more difficult to work on than knees or hips or elbows so make sure you get someone who knows his way around in there. The good news is that most of the time they can fix it arthroscopically. the bad news is that a rotator cuff 'scope' can take a year to fully heal. Good luck. yep, i've been there too and still don't have full range of that shoulder (left) and did that when i was 17. i had to have electric shock treatment (not sure of the official name) on the shoulder to help build back the muscles. op, get an mri scan done asap. mine showed nerve damage in my right shoulder. the dr said there was nothing else they could do so i should keep popping the pills. i did have physio on it and she also gave me accupuncture which was amazing in results and pain relief. good luck with it! needles

kalikshama -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 3:41:44 PM)
quote: My doctor takes the position that at my age, I have to expect some physical problems. I don't accept that. Bah, I got that crap when I was 30. Turned out I was working in a building with toxic mold. Anyway, try acupuncture as a compliment to whatever else you do. Minimally, it should give temporary relief. I've always had good luck with acupuncture for various things over the years, but have always had to pay for it out of pocket.

Iamsemisweet -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 3:46:35 PM)
LOL, true enough Ron, but how am I supposed to carry my brief case? I called my Dr., and at least she has now referred me to physical therapy. I have made an appointment, but they are now suggesting another Xray first, because of my mishap last night. By the way, a helmet when riding a horse or a bike can save your life. This could have been a lot worse. quote: ORIGINAL: mnottertail But the good news eqsuiress, is that as a throat, you are undamaged in the areas that you make a living in.

tazzygirl -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 3:51:11 PM)
Yep, went through the PT, the cortisone shot, the xrays... finally an MRI showed a partial tear in my rotator cuff. And, yes, bone fragments can cause tears in the cuff as well. Mine gets worse when I either carry something low thats heavy, like a shopping bag... or when I sleep, it actually wakes me up and aches. PT helped alot... I would still push for the MRI...depending on how bad it is, you may or may not improve from surgery. But at least you would know.

LadyHibiscus -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 4:08:39 PM)
Find someone who will do the MRI and based on the experience of a colleague do NOT start the PT until you have seen the MRI results. If you have actually torn something, the PT will make it worse. This kind of injury has a LONG healing time, so it will just be a lot of aggravation and carrying your briefcase on the other side. Good luck!

tazzygirl -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 4:11:43 PM)
True, while mine wasnt due to a bone fragment, my sons was. the chip ended up tearing the cuff more. Get the MRI

LadyHibiscus -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 4:13:31 PM)
My colleague's tendon was literallly shredded by the action of the PT. Treat the cause not the symptom.

AttitudyJudy -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 4:57:02 PM)
There is a way you can test yourself to see if it's a rotator cuff tear. Stand right up next to the wall, facing it. Put the palm of the hand of the injured arm flat against the wall at shoulder level, like you're about to solemnly swear something, elbow bent, hand, forearm and elbow touching the wall. Then push your hand straight up the wall, like you're raising your hang in class, wiping a swath toward the ceiling. If the rotator cuff is torn, you won't be able to do that and it will hurt like hell. Of course, I'm not a doctor. But that's a tentative diagnostic test physical-therapy style, for entertainment purposes only. :)

slvemike4u -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 5:00:04 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Hillwilliam Move your arm like you are trying to take your wallet out of your hip pocket on that side. If it is excruciatingly painful, I'd suspect a rotator cuff tear. Ive had one on each side. One had to be operated on the other is waiting for enough cash for the copay. Get thee to an orthopedist who specializes in shoulders and he(or she) will probably request an MRI. That is the only way to get a definitive diagnosis. Shoulders are more difficult to work on than knees or hips or elbows so make sure you get someone who knows his way around in there. The good news is that most of the time they can fix it arthroscopically. the bad news is that a rotator cuff 'scope' can take a year to fully heal. Good luck. Funny story Hill,when my shoulder was done a release form was put in front of me for the artho option,all good.Than my surgeon put another form in front of me for the traditional cut ....I asked why,he said "well if we go in there and see that it needs it...we will go in" I looked at him while signing and said "so I guess I will have a scar on the shoulder eh?" Of course I have a scar on the shoulder....lol.

LookieNoNookie -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 6:44:56 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Iamsemisweet I have always been really healthy, and have never been seriously injured either, despite a pretty active life. A month or so ago, though, I tripped and fell in my barn. I thought I was OK at first, but my shoulder has become progressively more painful, and I have lost a lot of range of motion. I went to my HMO doctor, who predictably wanted to treat with muscle relaxants and pain killers. She did order an Xray that showed "prominent calcifications" in my shoulder, whatever that means. Maybe I am misinterpreting what that means, but I am thinking I must have had a problem for a while, since I have a hard time believing anything "prominent" would have occurred over the last month since my injury. Then, last night my horse bucked me off, and slammed me into the wall on that shoulder. So, now, I am really screwed up and my shoulder hurts in more places. It is still important to me to treat the cause, not the symptoms though. My doctor takes the position that at my age, I have to expect some physical problems. I don't accept that. I want to go back to her with a plan of action for how to treat this that will return me to the condition I was in before. Anyone have a similar issue? The Xray did not show a break or dislocation (altho who knows now, after my spill last night). Any suggestions I can run past my HMO doctor? I have found in the past that if I am pretty assertive about what I want, she will usually do it. Hon, you had some pre-existing conditions....the doc told you that your pain is being caused both by the throw/impact, as well as the fact that you had "calcifications".....those are calcium growths around your socket or some such. You ain't 22 anymore. Learn about "prominent calcifications" and do things that either make those go away, minimize same....or stop doing things that when you get thrown from a horse....due to "prominent calcifications"..........are going to fucking hurt! (Clue store....open M-F, standard business hours....occasional holidays).

Hillwilliam -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 8:14:38 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: slvemike4u quote: ORIGINAL: Hillwilliam Move your arm like you are trying to take your wallet out of your hip pocket on that side. If it is excruciatingly painful, I'd suspect a rotator cuff tear. Ive had one on each side. One had to be operated on the other is waiting for enough cash for the copay. Get thee to an orthopedist who specializes in shoulders and he(or she) will probably request an MRI. That is the only way to get a definitive diagnosis. Shoulders are more difficult to work on than knees or hips or elbows so make sure you get someone who knows his way around in there. The good news is that most of the time they can fix it arthroscopically. the bad news is that a rotator cuff 'scope' can take a year to fully heal. Good luck. Funny story Hill,when my shoulder was done a release form was put in front of me for the artho option,all good.Than my surgeon put another form in front of me for the traditional cut ....I asked why,he said "well if we go in there and see that it needs it...we will go in" I looked at him while signing and said "so I guess I will have a scar on the shoulder eh?" Of course I have a scar on the shoulder....lol. Mine was fixed with a scope but I have really large shoulders so he had room to work.

slvemike4u -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 8:33:06 PM)
Yanno how you just know someone is full of shit,he was a really good ortho guy,but I just knew he would cut...sure enough when I cam out of that anesthesia he's there telling me about the sizes of the spikes he found in my shoulder. I am telling you there is no way in hell I could have been less surprised....lol.

Hillwilliam -> RE: Shoulder injury (2/22/2012 8:36:54 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: slvemike4u Yanno how you just know someone is full of shit,he was a really good ortho guy,but I just knew he would cut...sure enough when I cam out of that anesthesia he's there telling me about the sizes of the spikes he found in my shoulder. I am telling you there is no way in hell I could have been less surprised....lol. They had to screw my bicep tendon back into my shoulder because it had basically been severed by a bone spur among other damage. I was looking at the bill and the damn screw was over $600. I said "Doc, next time I get a $600 screw I wanna be awake for it." He just kinda gave me a blank stare like huh? Good surgeon, no sense of humor.

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