Rotator Cuff Injury - Page 3

ciao_bella · ‎03-13-2010

@Noel7...Just thought I would also add.... you could try propping a soft, fluffy pillow under that shoulder when you're in bed. The PT told me that helps to cushion the shoulder.. problem is we don't sleep in one position all night. It did help some, but it wasn't until I was well into the PT treatment.

I remember simple tasks like putting on a bra or slipping a shirt over your head was so painful. Even holding the steering wheel on the car was painful.

Please keep us posted on your recovery..and don't hesitate to ask any questions. Many here can relate and help with suggestions that helped them.

Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life!

Ms X · ‎09-13-2012

I'm so sorry you injured your rotator cuff, @Noel7! I always thought a significant tear could only be repaired by surgery. Have a frank discussion with an orthopedic surgeon. My brother-in-law tore his rotator cuff when trying to lift his elderly mother (he would do anything for her) and ended up having surgery. I'm no expert, but try to get a good take on what the odds are for recovery without surgery. I hope you recover from this one way or ther other.

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow · ‎03-10-2010

chickenbutt, I cannot even imagine having both rotator cuffs torn. I had 3 tares in my left and the tissue underneath the shoulder as well that had to be operated on 5 years ago. Too many disagreements with a few horses throughout many years of riding....

The first 3 days they had blocking meds in a pump and I couldn't believe how easy the surgery was.... until day 4 and the pump was empty.

The biggest concern my ortho told me is that people injure the other rotator cuff because of compensating. I still baby the left arm and experience pain.

OP please take care. If you get worse I suggest a MRI. I hear you on the sleeping. Cleansing hair was the most challenging for sure. On the sleeping I did a whole lot of sitting up and propping pillows as well. Back to riding though. My horse knows to be kind and he gets a lot of treats.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

Hello @Noel7

I tore my right rotator cuff several years ago. The rotator cuff is actually a group of 4 muscles and tendons that pretty much cover all sides of the shoulder. Front/back/top, and this includes part of the very upper part of your arm.

It was hard for me to even get my arm up to shoulder level in front of my body,and carrying anything more than a few pounds was not a pain free situation.

Since one of my hockey players is an Orthopod that specializes in shoulders he pretty much took care of me. He told me it was torn towards the front and upper quadrant of the rotator. Said my best bet was Physical Therapy at least 3 times a week, for at least 8 weeks.

Been to his Therapist many times for other injuries I had suffered, so this was not a new thing for me, just a different part of my beat up body. I was still skating as the Ref of my adult hockey league, and at times the rotator was not happy with that decision.

I also worked out at home doing the same strengthening and stretching exercises I did at the PT Facility. I couldn't take any anti-inflammatory meds at the time, so it was pretty much straight Tylenol I was taking. Tylenol didn't really do a lot, but I took it anyways.

It lingered on longer than it would have had I kept away from the Ref thing for a few weeks, but that was/is not who I am. It was the better part of a year before I was really comfortable lifting my arm straight out, and higher than my nose.

I never quit doing the at home exercises, and still do them regularly to this day. My first move with any injury is, and always has been ICE. For this I put my bag of frozen veggies in a dish towel, and wrapped it around the front and upper parts of my rotator cuff. Did this several times every day, especially after doing those exercises.

I don't quite get the connection between a rotator cuff injury relating to your upper spine. I know if you have a pretty good snap of your neck, it can effect the Cervical discs in your upper spine. I have have had 3 crushed Cervical Vertebrae in my neck since the early 1990's, and they can very much effect part of your shoulders.

This is nothing I have ever heard about a Cervical Nerve being impinged, being connected to the rotator cuff. I had a separated left shoulder in the late 1960's, and have had bursitis in that shoulder ever since. But that pain was/is not even close to where my rotator cuff was the problem. You could have what "we in sports call, A Stinger" which happens when you collide with a person or the boards in a hockey game.

Those nerves are "pinched" but only for a few minutes. The pain is a residual pain from the nerve being pinched, but the nerve is no longer "impinged". Pain many times can be there for minutes/hours/days, or even weeks, depending on the severity and longevity of the nerve being impinged.

I can't really say much more unless you had a picture taken by your specialist that shows the actual tear of your rotator cuff. If it is from the Cervical area of your spine(referred pain), an MRI is what my doc friend would do.

Hope you get some relief, and be sure to let me know. ALSO, thank you for your post to my thread about my mother-in-law passing away yesterday morning. We have been over her apartment all day going through tons of paperwork, and making all the arrangements for her services.

My best to you Noel,

hckynut(john)

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

My shoulder replacement was due to falling off a bike but I understand shoulder pain and not sleeping easily because of the shoulder hurting. That arm is still weak and I have to be careful what I do with it because the surgeon was so concerned about the successfor any further surgery.

Shoulders are hard to rehab from and take time. Do the PT. Mine continued to improve for several years but I don't have full range of motion.

i have a wash and wear hairstyle because of not being able to handle the hairdryer. I would wash my hair with just my right hand for several months.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow wrote:
chickenbutt, I cannot even imagine having both rotator cuffs torn. I had 3 tares in my left and the tissue underneath the shoulder as well that had to be operated on 5 years ago. Too many disagreements with a few horses throughout many years of riding....
The first 3 days they had blocking meds in a pump and I couldn't believe how easy the surgery was.... until day 4 and the pump was empty.
The biggest concern my ortho told me is that people injure the other rotator cuff because of compensating. I still baby the left arm and experience pain.
OP please take care. If you get worse I suggest a MRI. I hear you on the sleeping. Cleansing hair was the most challenging for sure. On the sleeping I did a whole lot of sitting up and propping pillows as well. Back to riding though. My horse knows to be kind and he gets a lot of treats.

Hair - yeah, the (kind of) funny thing was that it probably wasn't the accident that caused me that bilateral injury. It was probably much due to the EMT guys trying to rip me out of the car by my arms.

I was stuck between the seat and the a/c unit. This was decades ago and the a/c unit in my little car was this long thing in front of the passenger seat. Since the car was smashed into a concrete thing, it was reduced in size by a fair amount.

Also had a compound open fracture of the right femur and some cuts on my face - rest of it just minor. Four months in the hospital - stories to tell! hehe

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

@Noel7: My DH has injury to both rotator cuff. Doctor said surgery would not help. He suffered thru PT with no help. Sent to a pain management doctor. Only temporary relief with all the different shots or infusions. Tried every cream and had a cream compounded for him but only last for a few minutes. Even tried water therapy, tens unit, ice, heat. Some days his neck is so stiff and cannot move. He also has fibromyalgia, and arthritis all over body, in rump and down to feet. He really cannot sit nor stand. Never really sleeps. He is very depressed and dealing with confusion. At one point taken off all Rx because if helped one problem would cause issues for other problems. I am so tired of doctors and trying to find help or answers. I pray that you will find the help and relief that you need. People are always telling us what we need to do, they are trying to help but easier said than done. Very difficult to watch someone in pain 24/7.

Black Cat Back · ‎03-21-2010

Doesn't it hurt to type?

I had tendonitis of the wrist and typing aggrevated my shoulder.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@SouthernBee

What test procedures were done to diagnose DH rotator cuffs were injured? With "arthritis all over his body", have the doctors ruled out bursitis in his shoulders. I have lots arthritis in many joints of my body, including the spine.

I had a torn right rotator cuff and also "bursitis" in my left shoulder. Completely different injuries which were treated differently, and they effected my range of motion and pain, differently.

Very curious.

hckynut(john)

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

@hckynut: We have had a very difficult two years when the memory issues and confusion started on top of all the other medical issues. I have asked many questions and always have note books with me and a notebook for each doctor. First x-rays, and then two MRI's. Different doctors: primary care,neurosurgeons,two orthopedic. I am having trouble spelling and trying to remember. I also have health issues and about to the point that I need an assistant and I know you and many others can relate to the situation. I appreciate your inquiry and any suggestions. We have appointment Monday with the primary care doctor for follow up on DH multiple issues. I want more test for everything. They indicated the memory and confusion are from depression. Spouse military retired after 20 years. DH age 60 and major health issues started in 2011 and had to disable retire from his civil service job in 2013. DH did not want to apply for social security until age 62 but was told because he retired civil service disable that per there regulations he had to apply for social security disability. Had to obtain a lawyer and finally in the past few months approved for social security disability and currently in the process of trying to have his VA disability increased to 100 % and this can be time consuming and frustrating. I probably provided to much information. SouthernBee