Rotator Cuff Tear

Ladeback69

So has anyone ever experienced this in their shoulder?  I have at time server pain in my right shoulder that makes it hard to do anything, but maybe type on the computer and that can hurt after while.  My regular doctor took x-rays and said it is arthritis, but my physical therapist thinks it is a torn rotator cuff and I think she is right.  The pain comes and goes and I can only raise my arm level with my shoulder.  I am to see a specialist next Friday, but I am going to try and moved that up, because if I need surgery I want it as soon as possible.  Any thoughts on this?  @DaveRichardson, what's your thoughts.  This pain is worse then my hip pain was at times.

Fred19Flintstone

Compassionate remark:  I'm sorry to hear this.  It sounds painful as hell!

Smarta$$ remark:  Switching hands may help and try to be less vigorous.

pgprescott

I had this in high school as a result of a dirt bike accident. Mine was not torn, but the ligament under the cuff was elongated and scratched the cuff causing limited motion and debilitating pain. I chose to tough it out and not cut on it. It was 8 months before I could raise my arm laterally above my shoulder as you describe and years before I was mostly pain free. You have some tough decisions. Good luck. 

DaveRichardson

Could easily be a cuff tear. The overhead pain is also indicative of impingement of the cuff muscles. Typically it's a bone spur on the end of the clavicle at the top of the shoulder that hangs like a stalactite over the cuff. Every time you move, it rubs and pinches one muscles causing micro trauma. Overtime, the spur and micro trauma get worse. 

Painful activities often include: 
overhead activities
reacing into back pocket
pitting stuff in overhead cabinets
reaching back to grab seatbelt
fastening seatbelt

get it looked at. They will want the X-rays that were done, or they will do their own. Then more than likely, they will do an MRI to evaluate the status of the cuff. 

Then, if the cuff is torn, and arthritis is bad, there will be some decisions to make. 

Can an you get pictures of the shoulder X-rays?  I'll send my email in a PM later on. 

gamason

Had the exact same symptom about a year ago. Probably should have seen a doctor but decided to work through it on my own. Got back in the gym and went slow with it. No longer in pain and I avoided a surgery. Hope it all works out for you.

Doc_Eggerton

A good way to diagnose is, does it hurt at shoulder level when you raise or lower arm, does it hurt when you move as if putting arm in a sleeve, and raise your arm like taking an oath and then have someone gently push your hand to the back (hurts like heck).  Been there, done that on both arms.

Adrock

I hurt mine shoveling a bunch of heavy wet snow. I got two cortisone shots and over a few months it healed up. It is fine now with no lingering pain. Take it easy with it. 

DMW

I damaged mine slightly, couldn't raise my arm above my shoulder. Went to the doc and was diagnosed without any MRI, etc. The doc held her hand and had me push from different angles, etc. She had me take pain killers and it healed on its own in a week or so.

RRP

I tore mine trying to lift a heavy table off a truck bed. PAINFUL??? Youbetcha! I couldn't even lift my arm! Within 2 weeks I had surgery to repair it. That was 7 years ago. Recovery is painful also, but every day got better with proper physical therapy.

Now - the other problem to consider I also tore my other one and thought I would tough it out. THAT was STUPID! When I finally decided to go in for the operation tests determined the muscle had contracted and deteriorated  so badly that the surgeon wouldn't even give it a 50/50 chance of doing any good! To this day I know what I dare to lift and what not to.

DaveRichardson

See that every day @RRP.....  The It'll get better crowd is heavily populated!  Next are the members of the IDWW....  The I Don't Wanna Work Club!

RRP

DaveRichardson said:

See that every day @RRP.....  The It'll get better crowd is heavily populated!  Next are the members of the IDWW....  The I Don't Wanna Work Club!

I hear you - but just to clarify - I tore mine 3 years after retiring. I was helping set up for a neighborhood 4th of July party. 

Walt2015

@DaveRichardson what field are you in?

Ladeback69

DaveRichardson said:

Could easily be a cuff tear. The overhead pain is also indicative of impingement of the cuff muscles. Typically it's a bone spur on the end of the clavicle at the top of the shoulder that hangs like a stalactite over the cuff. Every time you move, it rubs and pinches one muscles causing micro trauma. Overtime, the spur and micro trauma get worse. 

Painful activities often include: 
overhead activities
reacing into back pocket
pitting stuff in overhead cabinets
reaching back to grab seatbelt
fastening seatbelt

get it looked at. They will want the X-rays that were done, or they will do their own. Then more than likely, they will do an MRI to evaluate the status of the cuff. 

Then, if the cuff is torn, and arthritis is bad, there will be some decisions to make. 

Can an you get pictures of the shoulder X-rays?  I'll send my email in a PM later on. 

Dave,

The pain mostly comes and goes when just sitting and at night in the early morning it gets really bad.  Right now the pain is building as I type even though I am not using it.  It did get X rays and can send them to you if you like.  I have now gotten my appointment moved up to next Monday.  I want to know as soon as I can as to what I need to do.  I had a lot of plans now that my hips are doing better, but I guess the outdoor kitchen can wait.  My shoulder is the one I hurt in high school playing football over 33 years ago.  I am hoping I don't need a new joint, I feel like I am slowly becoming a Cyborg as it is.  Send me your email in a PM and I will share the x rays with you.

Ozzie_Isaac

I was in the it will get better crowd.  Never again.  Shoulder got better after a few months.  Now 7 years on the pain is dull all the time.  Only way to make the pain go away is to steadily work it and try to avoid foods that cause inflammation.  It sucks.

I always tell people go get it checked and fixed.  My older friends agree, my young and tough friends don't listen.

As @Jeepster47 always told me, if you are going to be dumb, you better be tough.

Ladeback69

Ozzie_Isaac said:

I was in the it will get better crowd.  Never again.  Shoulder got better after a few months.  Now 7 years on the pain is dull all the time.  Only way to make the pain go away is to steadily work it and try to avoid foods that cause inflammation.  It sucks.

I always tell people go get it checked and fixed.  My older friends agree, my young and tough friends don't listen.

As @Jeepster47 always told me, if you are going to be dumb, you better be tough.

I thought the pain in my left hip for 2 years was bad.  This is worse.  The only good thing is it isn't all the time.  I should have an answer by Monday afternoon sometime.

DaveRichardson

just sent a PM

GrannyX4

I had a torn labrum.  Painfull surgery and recovery.  Need to get it checked out. 

Chicklet

I had a labrum tear a few years ago.  Your pain doesn't sound exactly like the pan I experienced but it does sound like some rotator cuff issue.  Maybe not a tear but you need to see an orthopedist.  
You will probably get an Xray then sent our for an MRI if he/she thinks it is a tear.  That won't show up on Xray really.  
The ortho should send you out for PT which I strongly suggest.  Even if you do require surgery, having the PT before the procedure will help a lot.  

As bad as the pain and surgery was I did do a sprint triathlon exactly four months post surgery.  I worked hard to rehab but wasn't 100% back to "normal" but I was pretty darn close.  A rotator cuff will be a little longer and more involved rehab but you MUST do it!  
Let us know what is found.  
(by the way, I'm in a masters nursing program and ortho is kinda my *thing*) 

meredith

Ladeback69

Chicklet said:

I had a labrum tear a few years ago.  Your pain doesn't sound exactly like the pan I experienced but it does sound like some rotator cuff issue.  Maybe not a tear but you need to see an orthopedist.  
You will probably get an Xray then sent our for an MRI if he/she thinks it is a tear.  That won't show up on Xray really.  
The ortho should send you out for PT which I strongly suggest.  Even if you do require surgery, having the PT before the procedure will help a lot.  

As bad as the pain and surgery was I did do a sprint triathlon exactly four months post surgery.  I worked hard to rehab but wasn't 100% back to "normal" but I was pretty darn close.  A rotator cuff will be a little longer and more involved rehab but you MUST do it!  
Let us know what is found.  
(by the way, I'm in a masters nursing program and ortho is kinda my *thing*) 

meredith

I have started PT and it is helping.   Most people I talk to that have had it done, said it didn't make much difference.   Will see.   Maybe a cortisone shot and PT will be enough. 

eggo

See an orthopedic doc. I have had surgery on both of mine. Both middle muscles were torn from the bone. The right was reattached but the left was too far gone and was removed. Results: no pain in either but as I get older I notice less strength in both. The rehab on the right side was 4 months, the left side did not take as long.
One test is: can you reach in the fridge and lift a gallon of milk without bending your arm?
Good luck. The repair is no fun but the results of no pain is well worth it.

steventconners20

My Wife is a PT and if you do have a tear you should have surgery ASAP.  The quicker you do it the better.  The torn tendon will retreat  if you wait to long and recovery will be harder.  Also DO YOU EXERCISES and DON'T DO MORE THAN YOU SHOULD.  You don't want to retear it after surgery.  Good luck.  It's painful now and during revovery but it will be fine with proper treatment.

MaC122

This is amazing that this thread is on here. Here is my deal. I am a fire fighter and during training I suffered a SLAP tear on the labrum in my shoulder. It hurt like hell but it popped back in just as quick as it popped out. 3 months later I have full range of motion, have minimal pain in the arm, and I feel OK. I am scheduled for surgery in 3 days. I am having second thoughts about doing this surgery. I have heard the recovery sucks. You cant sleep, the pain is intense, and you cant move your arm for 6 weeks.

      I am scared as crap to do this procedure. I hear people don't even get there full range of motion back. I guess my question is should I even get the labrum repaired? Been praying about it a lot and any advice would be appreciated

thanks guys and gals

theyolksonyou

Ozzie_Isaac said:

As @Jeepster47 always told me, if you are going to be dumb, you better be tough.

Our mantra in college!

Legume

@MaC122 and @Ladeback69 ask everyone and then listen to your docs.  You can't tell from people's stories if they had the same thing or same prognosis, maybe the same description of pain, but that may be it.  The clock is ticking on repairs.  You can always find someone that has a story that fits what you hope for in your outcome, but that is no indication of your path.

My daughter had two labrum tears and two surgeries in HS (different arms, 12 months apart). Believe me, none of us wanted that second one, but we knew from the first one that it had to be done.

Best of luck to you both.

RRP

As I mentioned before I had the surgery. I personally prefer to keep any reliance on pain meds as low as possible. I explained that to my surgeon up front. What I was given was a shoulder sleeve or cuff I think it was called - that was actually a thin bladder through which cold water was circulated using an electric pump. That kept the swelling down which also kept the pain and discomfort down. It still was no walk in the park, but I swore by it. I used it for a couple weeks. My insurance paid for the sleeve. The expensive part was the circulation pump which the clinic merely loaned to me. BTW I have talked with others who have had the surgery and I have yet to encounter anyone else who was given this option.

Legume

@RRP we bought one for our daughter with the first surgery and we're glad we did, we used it for the second shoulder as well.  If I remember, insurance paid for part of it.  You can buy other sleeves for different joints, so a great thing to have going forward.  It's called a Polar Care http://www.breg.com/products/cold-therapy/devices/kodiak-cold-therapy and it keeps cold circulating.  You don't have to have huge ice packs strapped on and you don't have to change them during the night.  I think you can rent them as well from medical equipment stores.  Excellent recommendation @RRP.

Ladeback69

Shoulder update:
Well my Orthopedic doctor says that there may be a tear, but that the arthritis needs to be addressed,  so I got a shot in the right shoulder and will continue PT.  If not much better in 4 weeks I am to come back.   There is not much cartilage left and new joint may be in my future.   He said recovery is long and painful on that.   Something to look forward to.

erniemcclain

Right side super-spinatis was torn (1 of 4 tendons in RC) was reattached in mid January.  PT is going great.  55 years old.  The only down side was not being able to workout during recovery. My eating habits have not changed.  I think I gained 15 pounds.  Just cleared to try running and/or swimming.

MaC122

so I just got out of surgery today. Nerve block didn't work so I was in pain as soon as they woke me up. They gave me 2 rounds of fentanyl, 2 rounds of dilauid, and 2 percocets and I still have pain. They had to put in 6 anchors into my bone and I doubt ill get any sleep tonight. Thanks for all the advice, you guys are great. Who knew that the BGE forum is a catch all for life events, too!

RRP

MaC122 said:

so I just got out of surgery today. Nerve block didn't work so I was in pain as soon as they woke me up. They gave me 2 rounds of fentanyl, 2 rounds of dilauid, and 2 percocets and I still have pain. They had to put in 6 anchors into my bone and I doubt ill get any sleep tonight. Thanks for all the advice, you guys are great. Who knew that the BGE forum is a catch all for life events, too!

 I'm impressed! The day and that night that I had surgery I was kept in the hospital heavily sedated! Here you are knowing what all meds you had and able to type all this as well! You da man!!! Good luck from here!

smasch

I have been battling a knee replacement since October. After several surgeries and not driving for 4 months and 20 days I'm on the mend. I have been in therapy for ever. It has sucked. BUT the shoulder folks in PT look more miserable than me. Good luck!