topic Re: Rotator cuff problem? in Wellness

Rotator cuff problem?

depglass — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 15:50:04 GMT

I've had a sore shoulder for months, I make certain arm movements like picking up a coffee cup and there is a twang in a nerve in one spot. DH says rotator cuff, yet I am one of the most inactive people I know, and this is my left arm. I hate to waste a doctor's visit or subject myself to unnecessary exposure.

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

PINKdogWOOD — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 16:01:14 GMT

Oh boy do I feel your pain @depglass . Yes it could be r-cuff, this is what I thought happened. My pain is/was mostly arthritis in both shoulders actually becuase I had pain in both mostly left. My process from the start to now about 1.5 yr. Have xrays on file out of the gate, did PT once, loved my therapist, he was great at his work and time w/me, very gentle but worked me. I went home w/exercies to do here. Worked for a few months, back again. COuldn't sleep at all on either side, bad for me. I finally got a cordizone shot in each arm that totally took the pain away, continued workouts at home. A yr later, I had my PCP give me another shot in each arm. That was about a yr ago, so far so good for sure.

So, it may be a process for you as it was for me. If you have it checked out I hope your reslts work out for you.

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

noodleann — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 16:12:55 GMT

@depglass wrote:
I've had a sore shoulder for months, I make certain arm movements like picking up a coffee cup and there is a twang in a nerve in one spot. DH says rotator cuff, yet I am one of the most inactive people I know, and this is my left arm. I hate to waste a doctor's visit or subject myself to unnecessary exposure.

The bone spurs (osteophytes) in my shoulders lead to the same symptoms.

Good luck getting a dx.

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

hckynut — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 17:20:26 GMT

@depglass

I have torn my right rotator cuff twice. Each individual tear was not to the degree where I needed surgical repair. Both required several weeks of PT, and to this day, I still do many of the strengthening and flexibility exercises done to work through these tears.

As you have seen me say many times on this forum, I do not give advice or make any pretense of a diagnosis. Even specialists in the Orthopedic Field, such as my good friend that specializes in Shoulders/Hip and Knee Repair and Replacement could/would not do that by reading this post.

From my experiences of shoulder bursitis and torn rotator cuff, some of my symptoms were very similar.

I would like to have a 1$ bill for every time I heard someone say: "I hate to waste a doctors visit", or something similar. Unfortunately, for some of them, it was a mortal mistake by losing time that was essential for their issue.

hckynut

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

Still Raining — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 17:59:45 GMT

Simple osteoarthritis can also can cause pain.

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

Mombo1 — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 18:00:46 GMT

@PINKdogWOOD So glad I read your post. I have been having neck and shoulder pain since July...I had the X-ray...PT for 6 sessions...an MRI.. medications...and finally getting my cordizone shot next week. Apparently I have a pinched nerve in my spinal cord and stenosis . To satisfy insurance requirements I had to go through all these steps before getting the shot. I'll be glad to have it all over with. People keep asking me how I pinched a nerve. I just tell them...probably from lifting chubby little grandkids. 🙂

I really don't think so...I'm just getting older.

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

jubilant — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 18:03:37 GMT

I'm having this problem now. I gave up my bar bells thinking it was helping but it just kept getting worse. Now I have it in both arms so my Dr. told me to get to an orthopedic. I know one woman who just needed a shot and her pain never has come back so I'm making an appointment this week. I do still do one exercise that seems to help. That is the one where you cross your arm over your chest then cup your hand over your elbow and push. Don't do this without checking it out with a doctor first. You aren't me. I have a lot of experience with stretching and this one has never bothered me. Again....yours could be a whole different ball game so I'd wait till I saw my doctor.

Also, if you have ever had open heart surgery sometimes you can develop shoulder problems from that. That could be my problem so just saying....you really won't know till you get a diagnosis.

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

Xivambala — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 19:27:18 GMT

@depglass

If you are experiencing pain or worrisome symptoms, always schedule a doctor visit. A physician will know what to check for, what tests to order, determine what follow therapy is needed, or if a trip to an orthopedic surgeon is warranted. Insurance companies have their rules in place for a reason. It's to insure "no stone is left unturned".

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

vsm — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 02:39:44 GMT

@depglass wrote:
I've had a sore shoulder for months, I make certain arm movements like picking up a coffee cup and there is a twang in a nerve in one spot. DH says rotator cuff, yet I am one of the most inactive people I know, and this is my left arm. I hate to waste a doctor's visit or subject myself to unnecessary exposure.

If you're inactive and have had a sore shoulder for months and have pain even when picking up a coffee cup, you could be doing permanent damage. How about a telemed visit if you're afraid of "unnecessary" exposure?

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

hckynut — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 08:23:39 GMT

@vsm

"Unnecessary exposure"? At a doctors office visit? Maybe time for a same gender doctor. If as you say "it could be doing permanent damage", and a telemed exam will do what?

As I said in my original post, even my Ortho Doctor friend, who specializes in shoulder/hip and knee repair and replacement. He would not diagnose any body joint without seeing and manipulating a patient. Joints need that to start a diagnosis.

hckynut

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

PINKdogWOOD — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 12:47:15 GMT

Nothing is simple about this pain nor any type of arthritis anywhere.

So many problems can be in the shoulders so says my Drs, PT people etc.

@Still Raining

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

vsm — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 16:00:08 GMT

@hckynut wrote:
@vsm

"Unnecessary exposure"? At a doctors office visit? Maybe time for a same gender doctor. If as you say "it could be doing permanent damage", and a telemed exam will do what?

As I said in my original post, even my Ortho Doctor friend, who specializes in shoulder/hip and knee repair and replacement. He would not diagnose any body joint without seeing and manipulating a patient. Joints need that to start a diagnosis.

hckynut

@hckynutIt was the poster who used the term "unnecessary" exposure. That's why I put it in quotation marks. Given her fear, I suggested a telemed visit with her orthopedist -- perhaps if she's willing to take that first step, she'd be willing to take the logical next one that the doctor would recommend: going in for an office visit and necessary tests/scans. Don't know what a "same gender doctor" has to do with my common-sense suggestion.

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

hckynut — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 16:39:46 GMT

@vsm

Sorry, quoted a quote that you quoted, and didn't even notice. The word exposure didn't register to me as "afraid of going out or seeing a doctor".

Guess seeing doctors is so common for me I don't get the "afraid" to see a doctor thing. Afraid of what? I sure don't get some unfounded fear a seeing an MD.

Sorry about my negligence. You made "common sense", I didn't read close enough.

hckynut

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

KonaKat — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 22:54:30 GMT

I am four months out of rotator cuff surgery. When the symptoms first appeared, I thought it was arthritis but a month later, the pain was not bearable.

The primary ordered an MRI which was performed just as all elective things shut down because of COVID-19. I can tell you that a teleconference cannot repeat the examination the primary did when deciding to order the MRI.

On the basis of the MRI, I was referred to an orthhopedic but was put on a waiting list to have the surgery done because of the stoppage of elective surgeries in my state.. I waited two months to have the surgery and experienced pain during that time. Recovery from the surgery went well as did the PT and was a minor discomfort compared to the wait for the surgery.

There is no substitute for seeing a doctor in person when symptoms can be typical of many causes. Delaying can, but not always, result in greater complications. The doctors know how to take precautions to protect patients, including social distancing in waiting rooms, and other precautions.

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

GoneButNotForgotten — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 00:48:23 GMT

I had to have rotator cuff repair on both my shoulder--TWICE (I reinjured myself, obviously).

Four times I had go have my arm strapped to my side in what felt like a straightjacket and I hated it, but I'm so glad I did. And you'll be prescribed physical therapy afterward, and it'll really help.

I couldn't even lift my arms/shoulder to style my hair and my shoulders were in terrible pain.

Do NOT fail to check with your doctor. It might not be what you think it is, but even if it is, your experience may be a lot easier than mind (my shoulders were in really bad shape).

Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

vsm — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 00:57:56 GMT

@hckynut wrote:
@vsm

Sorry, quoted a quote that you quoted, and didn't even notice. The word exposure didn't register to me as "afraid of going out or seeing a doctor".

Guess seeing doctors is so common for me I don't get the "afraid" to see a doctor thing. Afraid of what? I sure don't get some unfounded fear a seeing an MD.

Sorry about my negligence. You made "common sense", I didn't read close enough.

hckynut

No need to apologize, @hckynut ! Now I realize what you meant. Guess we just got our wires crossed.

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

qbetzforreal — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 22:52:23 GMT

Could be bursitis.

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

depglass — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 19:03:26 GMT

I didn't even realize "unnecessary exposure" was not my quote. I thought I had used it because of worry about covid exposure. So I am keeping my appt next Thursday for something else and he will check it out then. Our county has an elevated case count, and obvioiusly many of these people would be goingj into my clinic. So I'll be very careful, not touch a thing I don't have to, and santitize like crazy when I get back to the car.

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

Barbara-QVC — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 20:42:45 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC because it is inappropriate

Re: Rotator cuff problem?

hckynut — Sat, 17 Oct 2020 03:55:41 GMT

@Barbara-QVC

Thank you.