Rotator cuff shoulder injuries....

[Rhondasway]

I'm with Gary on the MSM- Methylsulfonylmethane. It's a mineral, natural way of doing it, and works well for me. You can get a good price on it if you shop some of the animal sites (we've used it and its liquid form, DMSO on horses and dogs for decades). It's a natural anti-inflammatory and helps rebuild tissue too, so it's great even if you go for the surgery.

Cod liver oil (you can get it in pill form) in high doses is excellent and healthy for your body, as is Glocosamine/ Chondroitin. Try them all and see what works for you.

Keep in mind that cortisone will deteriorate your cartilage, so even if it relieves some at first, you will pay later. Also if you mask the pain too well, and there's a real injury, you're likely to make it worse...

Good luck!

 

[jandtjil]

Not warming up before hitting the free weights has been my downfall. The most recent about 2 years ago, I pulled/tore something bad enough I could lift my left arm. Therapy sent me home with some surgical rubber material and a list of exercise to perform twice a day. Five weeks later the shoulder was "like new".

For me the secret was "Not Overtraining", follow the prescribed regimine to the letter, no matter how strong it feels. Stop at the number of reps/sets instructed.

Good luck!



JJ

 

[willyslover]

I had major repair sugery on the right on in '99 where they cut and removed bone in three areas along rotator cuff repair and am about to have another as the first didn't fix all the issues. . not looking foward to it again. .

also needed the left done at the same time, however I figured if they couldn't fix the right why give'em the left to play with. . the Dr is a major sport injury guy in the area that takes the bad cases.

surgery isn't always a "cure" sometimes ya just have to grin and bear it... it did relieve it but did not get anywhere near 100%



the real buggar is sleeping as I'm a side sleeper. . there are nights that there is little or no sleep

 

[The patriot]

Originally posted by thejeepdude

I used to chest press 110lb dumbells, but now anything over 85lb just hurts too much on that side.

When mine was really bad, I couldnt extend my arm fully with a large empty glass mug in it.



Ken, I'm in pain just seeing that. You must be popular at airports and courthouses

Eric

 

[klenger]

Ken, I'm in pain just seeing that. You must be popular at airports and courthouses

It does tend to set off the alarms, but they still are more interested in my shoes.



I'm feeling much better now.

 

[Rman]

I play hockey too and have the same "injury", I think it can be attributed to the repetive motion of shooting. Like tennis elbow I guess. I used to go shoot for 2 hours out back a lot too shoot around. I strained my rotator cuff really bad in highschool, pretty much ended my college attempt (baseball). I still play rec hockey and notice it everyday.



When it's cold I have a discomfort to open doors or pick up stuff. Let me know how it goes, sounds like we have similar injuries.



I went to an orthropedist a while back and he said mine wasn't bad enough to do surgery, or atleast he said I wouldn't be gaining anything from it. At the time I wanted to be able to throw 90mph again. I can't break 80mph anymore. I haven't pitched in about 3 years now. I play shortstop and lately don't have the armt o get it across the diamond to get the fast guys.



As far as hockey goes it's just a nagging injury that I play through. I wear some nice koho shoulder pads, they have a nice deep shoulder in them that protects it well. Bulky and cumbersome though. I used to wear my little ones that are about as big as two magazines stuck together.



Good luck

 

[fkovalski]

I hear ya', Rman. I am taking some heavy duty inflamatory pils (750 mg relafin 2X and 3 glucomines 3X/ day) Seems to help some, but the day after a game me bones remind me I'm not 20 anymore. (Aint gonna' admit I'm 40 though ) Still using my original equipment from 20 years ago. I like the loose feel of the shouder pads unlike the body armor of today. I think your right about the repetative twisting motion of the wrist shots being similar to tennis elbow. I normally use my BowFlex for a workout/ rehab routine, but its getting to the point where I can't even do the motion of scratching my ear as a certain point in the movement causes a severe "jolt" that drops my arm. It is at this particular angle of rotation/ lifting that triggers something deep inside and towards the front of the shoulder.

Thanks for everyone's feedback and I'll have to see what the doc says about "deez bones. " -frank

 

[fkovalski]

Got the news...

Well, I had the MRI procedure completed, as well as the follow- up consult with the ortho doc. Results follow (as deciphered from the medical mumbo- jumbo of the report):



-R- shoulder…. Type II “SLAP” lesion of the suprascapular notch and a tear of the superior labrum (the bicep tendon as related to me)

-L- shoulder…. 10x10 mm full thickness tear of the rotator cuff.



The doc is recommending surgery as (as he states) “it will only get worst- it’s not a matter of ‘if’ but a matter of ‘when. ’”

I seriously thought that he would suggest a prescribed PT work- up and regular session routines. I did not expect this news.

I will be getting a second opinion on this matter. I know that a lot of you have chimed in on this, but if what I described is similar to what any have had done, any more input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you. –frank.

 

[Rman]

wow frank... you must be a tough SOB. A full tear is generally perceived as painful in most cases. You sure made it sound as if you just slightly strained it. Get a second and then get it fixed, tears don't heal themselves (correctly atleast). Good luck my friend, maybe we'll skate against each other in tournament play. I'll go easy on ya

 

[fkovalski]

Well, I am scheduled to go under the "scope" on 26 July. I forwarded a CD of the MRI to my sister who is a radiologist. She told me that the evidence is pretty much a text book case. I am getting the left one done first, then the right before year's end. So much for camping and this winter's skiing. I am hoping to hehab the left one before hunting season. Hockey is out too till next summer's season. Just finishing up the last few games this month then some long down time. Still getting info as to what kind of rehab will be prescribed. I am thinking of adding sessions of "Tai Chi" to compliment the directed PT. I appreciate everyone's input.

(wondering how I'll be able to shift the truck when I get the right one done? )

 

[The patriot]

Good luck with the operation.

Mine is acting up again. Cant sleep on my left side etc.

Not nearly as bad as it was before the shot, but I guess it's only a matter of time before it gets that bad.

Eric

 

[Rman]

good luck! I took the winter season off hockey and now the summer, I think i'll start skating again this fall. I feel so much better now, it was nice getting a break. Though I'm terribly out of shape, atleast hockey shape.