Going for a second opinion on shoulder

[DrDusty86]

I'm going in for a second opinion on my shoulder and then may proceed with surgery. Through this long drawn out ordeal it has become painful and I am losing sleep.
I have arranged for home health services during the recovery, I'm scheduled to move apartments June 6th, so HOPEFULLY I can have the surgery after that.
SON, this is a pain
Dusty

 

[Indydriver]

Have you been properly diagnosed? As I detailed in an earlier thread, the first guy I went to, the highly esteemed NFL team orthodoc, blew me off and sent me to PT. The second one sent me to MRI and correctly diagnosed a fully torn rotator cuff, posterior tear of the labrum and arthritis of the clavicle. Surgery is scheduled for June 7.

As they say, get a second opinion because 50% of all doctors graduated in the bottom half of their class.

 

[DrDusty86]

Update: The X-rays didn't show anything, but he ordered an MRI with contrast.
Good luck with your surgery

 

[Cujet]

I have a bad right shoulder. It was injured splitting wood as a child, and again in dirt bike accidents.

It flares up and hurts horribly. The MRI shows a bone chip, muscle tear and significant inflammation.

On the advice of my wife, I went to her chiropractor. He was able to get it under control, get the inflammation and pain down. It was "acceptable" for many years. Recently it flared up again. I went back. While I don't recover as fast anymore, he was able to "fix" it again. So far, so good.

He used a tens machine, moist heat, then a very painful massage to, as he says, break up "adhesions". From what I read online, this is a viable method and it promotes healing in some people.

 

[expat]

Wife had a total shoulder replacement last November. She experienced no discomfort (except for the first day Post Op).
After 3 months she had 100% mobility and is completely pain free!

 

[Indydriver]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
Update: The X-rays didn't show anything, but he ordered an MRI with contrast.
Good luck with your surgery

Thanks, yeah x-rays don't show squat. I'm not even sure why they bother with them. I had an arthrogram before my MRI where they shoot dye into the joint. That's phase 1 of "this is no fun". That made the joint ache badly for about 48 hours and then on day three, it was just gone.

I saw my doc again on Friday. He basically said this won't be fun but you need it. So behave yourself, do your exercises and you'll be back to normal in 4-6 months. I have to admit, I'm not excited about dealing with the pain and the rehab. I played my last round of golf Saturday and birdied the final hole. That's what I'm thinking about.

I'll check in a day or two post-op and let you know how it goes.

 

[DragRace]

I'm not sure what you did or how you hurt / damaged your shoulder,but myself,I had a shoulder seperation happen to me years ago.I sat down after it healed,with no surgery needed,and thought about what I could do,to make my shoulders stronger then they were before.Then I joined a gym,and did my own routine since day 1,it was tough,but I was determined to get strength not only back into my shoulders,and I learned how to never injure them again.Now today,I do everything,with no pain,or discomfort.

When your back to normal,learn how to use your shoulders,make them stronger,you wont have to go through this again. I also see way too many people these days suffer back problems.People,get yourselves to a gym,excercise,build up your core,you get one body in this life,take care of it,and it will take care of you!Stop worrying about the petty things,without your health,you dont have jack!

 

[Indydriver]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
Update: The X-rays didn't show anything, but he ordered an MRI with contrast.
Good luck with your surgery


I am 28 hours post-op. I had a dime sized hole in my RC,a couple of screws put into my labrum and some arthritic bone trimmed off my clavicle. Procedure was arthroscopic. I had a nerve block prior to general anesthetic.

The block lasted about 15 hours. I started taking Norco about five hours before it wore off. Once the block completely wore off, I was in breathtaking pain. I could not find a comfortable position that would ease the pain. I finally found an improved position sitting up at the end of the couch with my elbow on the arm of the sofa. I had a couple of waves of nausea from the pain but didn't quite vomit. I'm still taking pain meds at the maximum dose/minimal interval. But, the fact that I am writing this indicates that I'm already feeling much better. I can now get the arm in a supported position where it doesn't hurt at all. Of course, it is still very painful to move.

Someone said "ice is your friend" and I can't reinforce that strongly enough. I've kept it iced continuously. We removed the bandages this morning and the wound sites look remarkably good--no bruising, very little swelling. I am beginning minor hand movement exercises. All-in-all, I am happy with my progress but mainly to be able to find a pain-free place so soon. The doc said, you definitely needed the surgery and you'll be happy with the results if you do the rehab faithfully.

Dusty, did you get your MRI yet?

 

[dwcopple]

pendulum and isometrics 'til you can't anymore.

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
Update: The X-rays didn't show anything, but he ordered an MRI with contrast.
Good luck with your surgery


I am 28 hours post-op. I had a dime sized hole in my RC,a couple of screws put into my labrum and some arthritic bone trimmed off my clavicle. Procedure was arthroscopic. I had a nerve block prior to general anesthetic.

The block lasted about 15 hours. I started taking Norco about five hours before it wore off. Once the block completely wore off, I was in breathtaking pain. I could not find a comfortable position that would ease the pain. I finally found an improved position sitting up at the end of the couch with my elbow on the arm of the sofa. I had a couple of waves of nausea from the pain but didn't quite vomit. I'm still taking pain meds at the maximum dose/minimal interval. But, the fact that I am writing this indicates that I'm already feeling much better. I can now get the arm in a supported position where it doesn't hurt at all. Of course, it is still very painful to move.

Someone said "ice is your friend" and I can't reinforce that strongly enough. I've kept it iced continuously. We removed the bandages this morning and the wound sites look remarkably good--no bruising, very little swelling. I am beginning minor hand movement exercises. All-in-all, I am happy with my progress but mainly to be able to find a pain-free place so soon. The doc said, you definitely needed the surgery and you'll be happy with the results if you do the rehab faithfully.

Dusty, did you get your MRI yet?


Did they not give you a governed, self administered, Morphine drip for the first 24 hours?

 

[Indydriver]

Originally Posted By: expat
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
Update: The X-rays didn't show anything, but he ordered an MRI with contrast.
Good luck with your surgery


I am 28 hours post-op. I had a dime sized hole in my RC,a couple of screws put into my labrum and some arthritic bone trimmed off my clavicle. Procedure was arthroscopic. I had a nerve block prior to general anesthetic.

The block lasted about 15 hours. I started taking Norco about five hours before it wore off. Once the block completely wore off, I was in breathtaking pain. I could not find a comfortable position that would ease the pain. I finally found an improved position sitting up at the end of the couch with my elbow on the arm of the sofa. I had a couple of waves of nausea from the pain but didn't quite vomit. I'm still taking pain meds at the maximum dose/minimal interval. But, the fact that I am writing this indicates that I'm already feeling much better. I can now get the arm in a supported position where it doesn't hurt at all. Of course, it is still very painful to move.

Someone said "ice is your friend" and I can't reinforce that strongly enough. I've kept it iced continuously. We removed the bandages this morning and the wound sites look remarkably good--no bruising, very little swelling. I am beginning minor hand movement exercises. All-in-all, I am happy with my progress but mainly to be able to find a pain-free place so soon. The doc said, you definitely needed the surgery and you'll be happy with the results if you do the rehab faithfully.

Dusty, did you get your MRI yet?


Did they not give you a governed, self administered, Morphine drip for the first 24 hours?

No. But I'm doing quite well now +50 hrs. I am starting to back off the Narco. But I am still icing continuously which is providing the most pain relief. in the right position, it doesn't hurt at all. Of course moving it wrong sends a shock but that's to be expected. I am doing some light hand, wrist and elbow exercises.

 

[Indydriver]

DrDusty, what happened with your MRI?