Shoulder Injury

[sarasota]

I injured my shoulder last february lifting weights. It was about the third time in as many years and I was unaware of the seriouness of the problem. After it did not clear up, in May I went to see a physical therapist. He said it was my bicep tendon. I did not like the service so in July I went to a second PT. He seemed more knowlegable and did a more extensive physical testing. He said it was the roter cuff. In August I was done, but I could still feel a pull in my shoulder near the bicep tendon and it seemingly extending to the armpit. They said it would clear up but I started doing some reading on my own. While doing some stretching I noticed that my whole left side was tight; the side I was having problems with. I called the PT and he gave me some new stretches. I added some and things seem to have stretched out. But I still have the shoulder problem. There is additional tighness in the shoulder which I am stretching out doing 'doorway strectches; however, when I lift my elbow to the side as I do to type, click a mouse, or carry books, the shoulder becomes aggrevated. Most times for a few days; it is very tender. They now want me to see an orthopedic doctor.

Any ideas what is going on.

BTW - my physician origianlly said it was not the rotor cuff because I could lift my arm without pain. Sometimes I have not been able to sleep on my side but right now I am able to.

Thanks in advance!

 

[racemedic]

I had the same problem, I went to see my Doctor and he advised that i should try a cortisone shot , i did it last week and i have no pain and a full range of motion. So go see your DR and ask about getting a referral to a othropedic DR .

 

[Detenebrator]

Before you take any shots, pills, or undergo surgery, just make sure you have been diagnosed accurately. I would reccomend you take the time to surf some legitimate medical and physical fitness sites, and even look for an online sports injury forum.

We are all responsible for our own health, doctors tend to be overworked or rushed and are quick to prescribe. You may exhibit similar symptoms to racemedic but from a different cause.
Cortizone is very hard on your system. Internal organs, skin, immune system all suffer. It should be your last resort

If you can manage a referral to a sports injury specialist you'd be more likely to get a good diagnosis.

 

[sarasota]

...I would reccomend you take the time to surf some legitimate medical and physical fitness sites, and even look for an online sports injury forum...We are all responsible for our own health...if you can manage a referral to a sports injury specialist you'd be more likely to get a good diagnosis.

I'll check the web. So true about the responsibility part. Sports injury specialist would be better than a Orthopedic doctor?

Sheik - That is my impression with the PTs. They seemed kind of McDonalds-ish. sports specialist too?

racemedic - I had read about the cortisone shot but I was not comfortable with it. But thanks anyway.



Thanks guys.

 

[Remo]

Seek out an Osteopathic Manual Practices praticioner.

 

[Hotdog]

I've had a similar problem two or three times (at least) over the last several years, also from lifting weights - sometimes they (the doctor, chiropractor, or physiotherapist) said it was the biceps tendon, and other times they said there was impingement. I had some success with a physiotherapist who specialized in sports-related injuries, and it did take considerable time to heal - it can still flare up if I'm not careful, but at least I am able to work out regularly. Are you still doing weights, or are you trying to rest your shoulder? Before you stretch, try to warm up the area first. When I was recovering, I also used ice many times after workouts to try to keep the swelling down. If you start back on weights, you need to take it slow, and build up the muscles around the problem area first.

 

[BigBlack]

I have had the exact same problem. First thing, when you do presses use dumbells to give you more of an unlocked motion. The bench press is out. Secondly, don't lower all the way to the chest and passed it when using dumbell, the stretch at the bottom is the most dangerous part. When you are doing rows, again watch out, stop a few inch before. When curling keep the form tight, don't swing voilently using the shoulder.

Rehab wise, do an active rehab. Go to bodybuilding.com...there is an excellent artile on the exercises you should do to strengthen the rotator cuff, and correct imbalances. Use light as shit weights, and get some bllod into the area (see exercises). If an exercise hurts, stop!

BBLACK

 

[Chivas Regal]

See if you can find an ART (advanced release technique) guy. It's pretty hot in the powerlifting community. Not sure if that's what you need be it might be something to look into. It's a pretty aggressive sometimes painful therapy.

Sounds like this should be in the Massage review section, an ART, hey Micron any working for you yet???

Chivas

PS- Just a warped hungover sense of humour...

 

[HowardHughes]

I partially tore my right rotator cuff two years ago - I declined getting shots, and have undergone two years of rehab for it.

Just go out there and get all the info you can before acting on it - just a suggestion.

But, best of luck with it though - I can't wait to lift again!

 

[t8rs]

I had a sore shoulder for months before seeing a physiatrist who sent me for a diagnostic ultrasound. I wasn't aware of this procedure so I asked the technician how long this has been available. He told me it's been around for over a decade but very few doctors know about it. Apparently it's as good as an MRI. It showed that I had a torn muscle.

Also, a good physiotherapist makes a big difference.

 

[sarasota]

I partially tore my right rotator cuff two years ago - I declined getting shots, and have undergone two years of rehab for it.

Thanks again all.

So the cortisone shots would have helped it heal faster? I thought they just covered up the pain?

 

[Kassidy]

Just my two cents worth here:

I had a rotator cuff injury....treated with cortisone injections, and now i have no cartiledge in my joint, and it is very ouchie at times. PLEASE make sure they do not exceed the number of injections per year that is safe (and i think it is only one every 6 months) otherwise it will plague you for the rest of your life.

Kisses
Emma

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Active Release Therapy

ART is what athletes like Gary Roberts and Jamie Sale get.

I had an injury that hadn't heeled a bit in over six months. After six weeks of ART, I was 100%!!

This guy does the Mississauga Ice Dogs, Argos, and some others, and he's a decent guy as well.

http://www.cityview.on.ca/

 

[Snake Pliskin]

ART-(Active Release Technique) Great technique to help correct muscle imbalances that may be contributing to poor shoulder biomechanics. You need to do some digging to find a practioner in your area.

I'll post it again:

Dr. Hardie at Cityview. Just south of Square One in Mississauga. Did I mention that one of his assistants is an Argo cheerleader?

www.cityview.on.ca

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Hey Flo, what advice can you give for a groin injury? Caused by running hard and changing direction during baseball. I'd see the chiro, but they're gonna wanna put those electrode things in a place that's far too personal! I don't need to have my nuts nuked!

 

[t8rs]

anti-inflammatories

Since I am highly susceptible to GI problems due to other medications, oral anti-inflammatories were out of the question. My GP offered cortisone shots if I felt it warranted. I declined. My physiatrist prescribed a topical anti-inflammatory (ketoprofen). Had to have it dispensed at a compounding pharmacy (any regular pharmacy can point you in the right direction). Set me back $75 but it helped with the pain and I had fewer worries about the more common complications with other medications.