Shoulder Injury

onasis

I'm looking for some advice around a shoulder injury. I lost mobility in my shoulder a number of months ago (not all mobility, just trying to move it in certain ways) and I've had numerous physio sessions to no avail. I don't know how this happened - I just noticed it was painful to move at certain angles and as I said I have also lost some mobility. I went to my doctor thinking that he would send me for an MRI but he suggested steroid injections. I went with that as I thought it may work but it hasn't made any difference yet. I've had 2 injections and cannot see any difference at all. I'm just wondering if this has happened to anyone else and if steroids would be the norm before an MRI as I thought that the MRI would show the damage and then we would know what we are dealing with.

Thanks in advanxe

Alf Veedersane

Get a second opinion. Giving steroids without identifying the underlying issue doesn't strike me as a good way to go about fixing a problem.

thehamo

The fact they said to get steroid before even a diagnostic is just mind blowing to me! OP do me a favour and dont go near another injection. You're only doing yourself harm. Definitely get a second opinion even from a second physio and if you do want an mri, go into the doc and demand it. Out of interest what did the physio have you doing?

onasis

thehamo wrote: »

The fact they said to get steroid before even a diagnostic is just mind blowing to me! OP do me a favour and dont go near another injection. You're only doing yourself harm. Definitely get a second opinion even from a second physio and if you do want an mri, go into the doc and demand it. Out of interest what did the physio have you doing?

Thanks for that - the physio recommended stretches in the pool because of the stiffness. Also internal and external rotations and extensions. Nothing with weights or bands. Physio is currently on hols and his replacement is not great hence visit to doctor. I feel as if i haven't had much luck with getting this treated.

Mellor

What movement are you missing?

onasis

when I raise my elbows parallel to my shoulders I am unable to lift my left arm (forward) - hope that makes sense as know what the move is called.

Alf Veedersane

onasis wrote: »

when I raise my elbows parallel to my shoulders I am unable to lift my left arm (forward) - hope that makes sense as know what the move is called.

As in you can't rotate it up (externally) from 0 degrees to 90, like in this image?

onasis

that's exactly it

thehamo

onasis wrote: »

that's exactly it

Suggests an infraspinatus/teres minor issue ,THO I CANNOT SAY FOR CERTAIN what you have as there has been no assessment done. Did your physio do any soft tissue work on you?

onasis

i assume that means massage / working on the muscles. If so then yes - i have had several treatments and nothing is happening. There has been absolutely no improvement in the movement. it also hurts extend my full arm (straight) to parallel with my shoulder.

Snoopy1

Oh the joys of shoulder injuries.
I have had 2 shoulder operations, and am now left with arthritis
But before i ever had any injection, i had a mri. Get your doctor to refer you

thehamo

Op, where are you based?

onasis

I'm in Cork. I've decided that I'm going to contact GP this morning and request MRI. I'm not happy to have any more steroids unless I know what exactly is being treated.

thehamo

onasis wrote: »

I'm in Cork. I've decided that I'm going to contact GP this morning and request MRI. I'm not happy to have any more steroids unless I know what exactly is being treated.

The thing abt steroids is that they dont treat anything. They just mask the pain. Definitely get an MRI to see if there is much going on.it will be at least peace of mind for you

onasis

Sorry to drag this up again but i just wanted to give an update.
I finally had an MRI and received the results yesterday - I have a tear in the supraspinatus section of my rotator cuff. My GP is referring me to a consultant for further assessment.

caviardreams

Hi onasis
Great to hear you have found the cause. What kind of specialist are you going to? Is it an orthopaedic surgeon or another kind?

onasis

caviardreams wrote: »

Hi onasis
Great to hear you have found the cause. What kind of specialist are you going to? Is it an orthopaedic surgeon or another kind?

Yes, An orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in arms/shoulders so hopefully he'll get me back on track.

onasis

Sorry to drag this up again but I’m looking for some advice please. My doctor made a referral for me to see a surgeon on the basis that I have a tear in my rotator cuff and damage that is consistent with a fall. I am now in a situation where I have been advised that I won’t get an appointment until December (late November if I’m very lucky). This is just to see the consultant – I have no idea how long it will take from there. This is private through VHI. I’ve already spent a fortune on physio visits but am in a lot of pain and only managing in my job because I have to type a lot. This is having the knock on effect of making me feel really down. I’m thinking I might have to have more physio but am reluctant to go back to the person I’ve previously attended. Can anyone recommend a physio in/near Cork City that is good with dealing with this type of injury?

Burkatron

onasis wrote: »

Sorry to drag this up again but I’m looking for some advice please. My doctor made a referral for me to see a surgeon on the basis that I have a tear in my rotator cuff and damage that is consistent with a fall. I am now in a situation where I have been advised that I won’t get an appointment until December (late November if I’m very lucky). This is just to see the consultant – I have no idea how long it will take from there. This is private through VHI. I’ve already spent a fortune on physio visits but am in a lot of pain and only managing in my job because I have to type a lot. This is having the knock on effect of making me feel really down. I’m thinking I might have to have more physio but am reluctant to go back to the person I’ve previously attended. Can anyone recommend a physio in/near Cork City that is good with dealing with this type of injury?

**I'm not diagnosing, just suggesting a self test/treatment from clinical experience**
Just do yourself a favour and try this self treatment!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X71y3sAM-_Q

I treat this successfully on a regular basis with clients who have been told they need surgery! I've met so many practitioners that DON'T know how to treat this! It's mind boggling how ****ing easy it is to fix yet it's missed!
If you get relief you know what needs to be treated!
Foam roll your lats and serratus anterior, they're usually tacked down a long with it!