Getting older sucks - off to see a shoulder specialist - surgery it is (1 Viewer)

[Judge Smails]

Started about a month ago.  Pain in my shoulder that radiates down my arm.  Restricted motion.  Hurts when I reach and really hampers sleep as can't sleep on my right side, put my arm under the pillow, etc.  So far can still play golf but can't do pushups, lift, etc.  Going to an ortho specialist tomorrow.  Don't know if it's rotator cuff, bicep tear, arthritis after injuring my AC joint 20+ years ago or what.  Just know it is painful and it sucks.  Hope it's something minor and this doc is known for not racing to cut you.  Everybody else in my age group has knees, shoulders, hips operated on or replaced.  I've avoided all of it until now.  We'll see.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

2 frozen shoulders here - and 2 surgeries.  

lot of pain - but got about 85% range of motion back

 

[belljr]

When you seeing  the face specialist

 

[Da Guru]

Started about a month ago.  Pain in my shoulder that radiates down my arm.  Restricted motion.  Hurts when I reach and really hampers sleep as can't sleep on my right side, put my arm under the pillow, etc.  So far can still play golf but can't do pushups, lift, etc.  Going to an ortho specialist tomorrow.  Don't know if it's rotator cuff, bicep tear, arthritis after injuring my AC joint 20+ years ago or what.  Just know it is painful and it sucks.  Hope it's something minor and this doc is known for not racing to cut you.  Everybody else in my age group has knees, shoulders, hips operated on or replaced.  I've avoided all of it until now.  We'll see.

Been playing golf last 3 years with a partial rotator tear after I fell on ice walking my dog at night.  Only a matter of time for me. I have a little pain but I can`t turn and pound through the ball like I used to and have lost probably 20 yards off my drives and 10 an iron.

Shoulders are dicey.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Cortisone will probably relieve your symptoms but, if it's structural, get the work done anyway. Bad shoulders provide more chronic, mind-numbing, geriatric pain than knees, hips, sometimes even back.

 

[Drunken knight]

Got the rotator cuff surgery 4 yrs ago on my left… mostly ok now.

6 months ago right started to bother me.  Prevents good sleep

 

[Parrothead]

former baseball coach here..  many a practice throwing 500+ pitches..  Now I can barely wipe my butt

 

[snogger]

Agree, getting old myself (54) ...

Going in on April 18th myself to have my left shoulder rotator cuff repaired.. Have two tears (one on the front side and one on the back side) of the cuff. Doc also says I need some "cleanup" done inside the cuff itself...

Was hoping this surgery would be like my right shoulder one 4 years ago where they just released my Labraum(sp?) and was only in a sling for a week... 

This one I've been told 4-6 weeks of sling, with probably a 6 month total recovery.

 

[Judge Smails]

former baseball coach here..  many a practice throwing 500+ pitches..  Now I can barely wipe my butt

Oh I coached for 20 years and have thrown marathon BP sessions too.  I'm sure that didn't help but at the time it was harder on my back than my arm/shoulder

 

[Galileo]

I recently discovered that I have a degenerative cervical disc disease.  Currently the discs between C5-C6-C7 are affected.  In addition to a chronic stiff neck feeling, I get pain radiating over my right shoulder and numbness in my right hand.  I have been doing a physical therapy routine for about 4 weeks now designed to alleviate pressure on the nerves causing the pain and numbness.   Overall, it seems to be helping, but I am guessing I will never be pain free again.

 

[Gally]

former baseball coach here..  many a practice throwing 500+ pitches..  Now I can barely wipe my butt

Oh I coached for 20 years and have thrown marathon BP sessions too.  I'm sure that didn't help but at the time it was harder on my back than my arm/shoulder

For me it's the elbow.  I have bone chips that float around in there and sometimes it just locks up if they get in the right spot.  Every time it flares up I think about going in to get it taken care of but then after a day or so the chips move and it's fine again and I forget about it.  It's a vicious cycle.  

As for the shoulder........i popped it out sliding head first many years ago.  It went right back in when it happened so I didn't need to get it put back in place.  It was never the same after that.  I rehabbed it and it was mostly fine for about 10 years (i coached baseball and threw BP every day for about 15 years during this time).  It continued to hurt and knew something wasn't right and had MRI's every couple years but they never found anything.  Just kept sending me to PT to "strengthen" the area.  Eventually it got to the point where I couldn't sleep because it hurt so bad laying down.  I went into a specialist and had an MRI.  They still couldn't find any tears but said I had a bone spur that was impinging on my rotator cuff canal and he thought that was causing the pain.  I scheduled surgery for him to go in and remove the spur.  While he was in there he was able to look at the other structures and it turned out I also had a torn labrum which was likely the cause of all the pain.  He repaired that while he was in there and it has been basically good every since (surgery was in 2007).  I was able to throw pain free (except for my elbow) after that for BP.  

Bottom line....shoulders suck and playing/coaching baseball really takes a toll on your shoulder/elbow.  

 

[belljr]

One of the reasons my baseball career ended because I injured my shoulder.

I

 

[snogger]

I recently discovered that I have a degenerative cervical disc disease.  Currently the discs between C5-C6-C7 are affected.  In addition to a chronic stiff neck feeling, I get pain radiating over my right shoulder and numbness in my right hand.  I have been doing a physical therapy routine for about 4 weeks now designed to alleviate pressure on the nerves causing the pain and numbness.   Overall, it seems to be helping, but I am guessing I will never be pain free again.

ugggh.. sorry to hear that..

I had a Fusion done on my lower back when I was 27 due to a combination of Degenerative disc disease as well as my job at the time which required lifting things like  21" CRT computer monitors out of my car as a Computer Field Service rep.

Good news is...  27 years later I am still pain free( knock on wood) ..
Bad news is...  I was a +5 Handicap Golfer at the time and had to give up the game :(

 

[ChiefD]

I recently discovered that I have a degenerative cervical disc disease.  Currently the discs between C5-C6-C7 are affected.  In addition to a chronic stiff neck feeling, I get pain radiating over my right shoulder and numbness in my right hand.  I have been doing a physical therapy routine for about 4 weeks now designed to alleviate pressure on the nerves causing the pain and numbness.   Overall, it seems to be helping, but I am guessing I will never be pain free again.

Dude, I have this exact same thing down to the same discs affected. I've lived with it for about 4 years since diagnosis but it's getting worse. Going to see a doctor for it again here next month.  

If you don't mind sharing your PT routine I'd love to see it so I can start doing some work. 

I also have a question about your pain. Do you ever experience the pain sometimes radiating up into your head? I'll get a pain from time to time that seems to go right up my right shoulder muscle up behind my ear. I swear - I feel like my whole right side is curling into a ball sometimes. Sucks so bad. 

 

[Chemical X]

I recently discovered that I have a degenerative cervical disc disease.  Currently the discs between C5-C6-C7 are affected.  In addition to a chronic stiff neck feeling, I get pain radiating over my right shoulder and numbness in my right hand.  I have been doing a physical therapy routine for about 4 weeks now designed to alleviate pressure on the nerves causing the pain and numbness.   Overall, it seems to be helping, but I am guessing I will never be pain free again.

i have your exact issue.  there is no solve here except for fusion.  have you gone to a spine and pain place for epidurals?

 

[Chemical X]

Dude, I have this exact same thing down to the same discs affected. I've lived with it for about 4 years since diagnosis but it's getting worse. Going to see a doctor for it again here next month.  

If you don't mind sharing your PT routine I'd love to see it so I can start doing some work. 

I also have a question about your pain. Do you ever experience the pain sometimes radiating up into your head? I'll get a pain from time to time that seems to go right up my right shoulder muscle up behind my ear. I swear - I feel like my whole right side is curling into a ball sometimes. Sucks so bad. 

see above….

 

[Galileo]

i have your exact issue.  there is no solve here except for fusion.  have you gone to a spine and pain place for epidurals?

I have not.  Trying PT at the recommendation of my PCP.  My pain is tolerable right now...at more of annoyance level than debilitating.  Down the road, perhaps  more aggressive treatment may be necessary.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

In my 50s and it seems at least half the guys I know have had a shoulder, back, knee or hip done - injections, some form of surgery or a complete replacement.  My right hip is bone on bone so its a matter of time for that, but I am (stupidly) trying to fight through it.

 

[Galileo]

Dude, I have this exact same thing down to the same discs affected. I've lived with it for about 4 years since diagnosis but it's getting worse. Going to see a doctor for it again here next month.  

If you don't mind sharing your PT routine I'd love to see it so I can start doing some work. 

I also have a question about your pain. Do you ever experience the pain sometimes radiating up into your head? I'll get a pain from time to time that seems to go right up my right shoulder muscle up behind my ear. I swear - I feel like my whole right side is curling into a ball sometimes. Sucks so bad. 

It consists of a handful of neck stretches and a couple of shoulder strengthening exercises using resistance bands.  I have some handouts that describe the basics of each.  Message me an email address and I can scan them and send them to you.  I have been going to see the PT in person roughly once per week.  He also does some sort of traction maneuver on my neck that has probably helped the most.  I always feel the best when I leave there.  I have 2 scheduled PT  appointments left, then I am not sure what happens...just continue on my own, I suppose.

 

[Galileo]

In my 50s and it seems at least half the guys I know have had a shoulder, back, knee or hip done - injections, some form of surgery or a complete replacement.  My right hip is bone on bone so its a matter of time for that, but I am (stupidly) trying to fight through it.

This is my next worry.  I am starting to feel my left hip more and more...

 

[Dr. Octopus]

2 frozen shoulders here - and 2 surgeries.  

lot of pain - but got about 85% range of motion back

I got a cortisone shot and a few weeks of physical therapy and got complete range back and no pain.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

I got a cortisone shot and a few weeks of physical therapy and got complete range back and no pain.

nice!

I went through several seasonal (golf) cortisone shots and had the same results as you - it was awesome!  

the first one lasted almost the entire golf season (about 6 months) - but then each succeeding shot didn't last as long.

I also did almost 2 years of PT - which hurt like hell and helped a little ...but not very much

 

[Chemical X]

I have not.  Trying PT at the recommendation of my PCP.  My pain is tolerable right now...at more of annoyance level than debilitating.  Down the road, perhaps  more aggressive treatment may be necessary.

i don’t know that PT is the answer sadly.  you might do more harm than good.  just my .02.  before seeing the pain guys and a spinal surgeon i tried cookoopractors, massages, etc.  if the issue is something infringing upon your nerve, like a bone or other impingement, you are going to be limited.  the shot helps the inflammation and gave me back my life.  it’s been 4 years since my 3 shots and all is good. i’d be nervous that activity, even benign, could put you in a worse spot.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

if the issue is something infringing upon your nerve, like a bone or other impingement, you are going to be limited.

Tell me about it.  I have no cartilage in my right knee, but that's not the problem.  There's a bone spur at the back of my knee that must be right by the nerve.  When the nerve rolls over that thing, it really hurts.

 

[tri-man 47]

Started about a month ago.  Pain in my shoulder that radiates down my arm.  Restricted motion.  Hurts when I reach and really hampers sleep as can't sleep on my right side, put my arm under the pillow, etc.  So far can still play golf but can't do pushups, lift, etc.  Going to an ortho specialist tomorrow.  Don't know if it's rotator cuff, bicep tear, arthritis after injuring my AC joint 20+ years ago or what.  Just know it is painful and it sucks.  Hope it's something minor and this doc is known for not racing to cut you.  Everybody else in my age group has knees, shoulders, hips operated on or replaced.  I've avoided all of it until now.  We'll see.

Just to mention some possible assistance: I've really appreciated (and enjoyed watching   )  a number of the YouTube videos by Dr. Kristie Ennis.  She seems to really know her stuff and approach her recommendations from a technical standpoint, and she has a number of short videos specifically related to the rotator cuff.  Maybe there's something of benefit in that selection.

@belljr @Da Guru @Drunken knight @Galileo @Parrothead @snogger

 

[Galileo]

i don’t know that PT is the answer sadly.  you might do more harm than good.  just my .02.  before seeing the pain guys and a spinal surgeon i tried cookoopractors, massages, etc.  if the issue is something infringing upon your nerve, like a bone or other impingement, you are going to be limited.  the shot helps the inflammation and gave me back my life.  it’s been 4 years since my 3 shots and all is good. i’d be nervous that activity, even benign, could put you in a worse spot.

It is certainly no cure, and that is not my expectation.  The theory is that the stretching, strengthening, and attention to posture can help alleviate pressure on the nerve.   Worth a shot, I figure.  We'll see where it leads.  The therapist does stress doing things gently and to stop if there is any discomfort at all in the action.

 

[belljr]

Just to mention some possible assistance: I've really appreciated (and enjoyed watching   )  a number of the YouTube videos by Dr. Kristie Ennis.  She seems to really know her stuff and approach her recommendations from a technical standpoint, and she has a number of short videos specifically related to the rotator cuff.  Maybe there's something of benefit in that selection.

@belljr @Da Guru @Drunken knight @Galileo @Parrothead @snogger

My face is pretty awesome already but thanks

 

[flapgreen]

Wouldn't be arthritis if it only started a month ago. Likely just irritation in your rotator cuff.  Probably need to have some of the muscles loosened and restore your range of motion and then build some strength to it. 

 

[snogger]

Just to mention some possible assistance: I've really appreciated (and enjoyed watching   )  a number of the YouTube videos by Dr. Kristie Ennis.  She seems to really know her stuff and approach her recommendations from a technical standpoint, and she has a number of short videos specifically related to the rotator cuff.  Maybe there's something of benefit in that selection.

@belljr @Da Guru @Drunken knight @Galileo @Parrothead @snogger

Thanks.. I did 5 weeks of PT.. the longer we went the worse it got.. My PT finally said "well, we tried but you are getting worse, I think a MRI is the best next move".. thats when they found the two separate tears , plus some "cleaning up" that needs to be done... Whatever "cleaning up" means

 

[NutterButter]

Don't have much advice other than learn to sleep on your back.   Used to love sleeping on my side and then started developing neck and shoulder discomfort.  It was a pita at 1st but now all I sleep is on my back with one of those cervical pillows to support my neck.  Not saying this will fix your problem but I believe its a lot better for you.

 

[tri-man 47]

Don't have much advice other than learn to sleep on your back.   Used to love sleeping on my side and then started developing neck and shoulder discomfort.  It was a pita at 1st but now all I sleep is on my back with one of those cervical pillows to support my neck.  Not saying this will fix your problem but I believe its a lot better for you.

...wondering if you do what I do when sleeping on the back - put a thin pillow underneath the knees so the legs aren't completely straight when lying in bed.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Don't have much advice other than learn to sleep on your back.   Used to love sleeping on my side and then started developing neck and shoulder discomfort.  It was a pita at 1st but now all I sleep is on my back with one of those cervical pillows to support my neck.  Not saying this will fix your problem but I believe its a lot better for you.

Not necessarily the best play.  If you have sleep apnea, this can make it worse.

Face it- we're all screwed no matter what we do.

 

[Judge Smails]

MRI’s suck. Brilliant invention. Terrible experience 

 

[CletiusMaximus]

MRI’s suck. Brilliant invention. Terrible experience 

5 years removed from mine and I still will say I’ll never do it again unless the tech has changed or it’s a severe life/death situation.  This is something that is different for everyone though. Of course many/most people have no problem whatsoever with it. 
 

 

[Corporation]

Started about a month ago.  Pain in my shoulder that radiates down my arm.  Restricted motion.  Hurts when I reach and really hampers sleep as can't sleep on my right side, put my arm under the pillow, etc.  So far can still play golf but can't do pushups, lift, etc.  Going to an ortho specialist tomorrow.  Don't know if it's rotator cuff, bicep tear, arthritis after injuring my AC joint 20+ years ago or what.  Just know it is painful and it sucks.  Hope it's something minor and this doc is known for not racing to cut you.  Everybody else in my age group has knees, shoulders, hips operated on or replaced.  I've avoided all of it until now.  We'll see.

Like @Binky The Doormat, I had frozen shoulder surgery last year (thankfully just one shoulder thus far).  The first doctor thought it was a slight rotator cuff tear but I ended up going to Dr. James Andrews clinic.  Pre-surgery Dr. Cain said it would heal on its own if I wanted, but would take 1.5 to 2 years. I opted for surgery and am very glad I did. As he did the capsule release (drilled a hole through my shoulder), they had to strap my body and legs down on the table as they started the manipulation (breaking the frozen stuff).  He said that to heal on its own may have taken more than 3 years.

Full recovery from surgery took about 6 months.  I stayed on top of the physical therapy.  I probably have 95% range of motion, I can scratch the middle of my back but can't reach as high as I can with my right arm.  I'm still rebuilding strength in it 10 months later though.

Hope it works out for you and it ends up being non-surgical, but if it is frozen shoulder I'd recommend going ahead and getting it done.  It was a bad few first days trying to sleep, but after that just the pains associated with physical therapy.  It was not being able to sleep that pushed me into getting the surgery, and that is usually the case for most people in the situation.

 

[NutterButter]

Not necessarily the best play.  If you have sleep apnea, this can make it worse.

Face it- we're all screwed no matter what we do.

Did not know that.  I guess that's one thing I'm lucky that I don't have.  

 

[NutterButter]

...wondering if you do what I do when sleeping on the back - put a thin pillow underneath the knees so the legs aren't completely straight when lying in bed.

I haven't gravitated towards that yet, but have seen it mentioned a few times.   Is that more lower back related?   I have had lower back issues, but my neck is more a problem now so I need to focus on posture and support of it to prevent tension headaches.  

 

[Pipes]

5 years removed from mine and I still will say I’ll never do it again unless the tech has changed or it’s a severe life/death situation.  This is something that is different for everyone though. Of course many/most people have no problem whatsoever with it. 
 

Same.  Had one done on my knee so I was only waist deep into the machine and started to freak out.  I'd need some drugs of some sort to go all the way in.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

MRI’s suck. Brilliant invention. Terrible experience 

May I ask why?

 

[belljr]

May I ask why?

Claustrophobia.... And open mris are limited

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Claustrophobia.... And open mris are limited

Is that the only reason?  I can deal with that.  How long do they usually take?

 

[belljr]

Is that the only reason?  I can deal with that.  How long do they usually take?

You obviously don't have claustrophobia.

Depends on the scan 10-60 minutes .

The tube is like 6-8" of room. It's not comfortable

 

[urbanhack]

2 frozen shoulders here - and 2 surgeries.  

lot of pain - but got about 85% range of motion back

i had both of mine overlap at the same time but was luckily to resolve with PT, massage, cupping and acupuncture.  

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Claustrophobia.... And open mris are limited

Is that the only reason?  I can deal with that.  How long do they usually take?

I guess I had some form of latent claustrophobia and didn't even know it through 40+ years of life until my MRI.  Mine was on my head/neck area, so I went in head first and was inside the tube from the waist up. I was not prepared for it and had to stop the procedure and cancel. I was really shook up and completely surprised by my own reaction to the process. I called around and was sent to a difference place a couple days later with a slightly different machine layout - got through it (30 min) but it was a very difficult experience that I still don't even want to think about. About 6 months after the MRI, I was doing a tour through some caves with my family and some friends while camping, and I had to back out of that when we got to some tight spots. There was an exit opportunity and I took it.  This is a cave tour that thousands of school kids take every year - very popular and well-known tourist attraction. I think the MRI actually triggered something in me that caused that and its still in my head.

 

[Hawks64]

You obviously don't have claustrophobia.

Depends on the scan 10-60 minutes .

The tube is like 6-8" of room. It's not comfortable

You don't find it enjoyable to be a in tube you can't move in and have something 3" from your face?? They do suck, even worse when contrast is involved.

 

[belljr]

You don't find it enjoyable to be a in tube you can't move in and have something 3" from your face?? They do suck, even worse when contrast is involved.

If this is not a euphemism it should be

 

[shuke]

I recently discovered that I have a degenerative cervical disc disease.  Currently the discs between C5-C6-C7 are affected.  In addition to a chronic stiff neck feeling, I get pain radiating over my right shoulder and numbness in my right hand.  I have been doing a physical therapy routine for about 4 weeks now designed to alleviate pressure on the nerves causing the pain and numbness.   Overall, it seems to be helping, but I am guessing I will never be pain free again.

I also have this from C4-C7.  A spine surgeon told me a year ago I needed all those levels fused.  I opted to wait, but at the time my pain was almost unbearable.  I think a combination of stretching and PT worked for me.  I was already taking it easy (not going to the gym, not doing a lot of physical exertion) because I was still recovering from foot fusion that I had done in January.  Happy to say that I have been almost completely pain free in that area for a while now and even back to weight training.  I really think it's a fine line though.  You want to build muscle and strength without overdoing it.  

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

You obviously don't have claustrophobia.

For me, knowing what to expect and the duration would make a difference.  I would definitely have to be motivated, though.

 

[tri-man 47]

I haven't gravitated towards that yet, but have seen it mentioned a few times.   Is that more lower back related?   I have had lower back issues, but my neck is more a problem now so I need to focus on posture and support of it to prevent tension headaches.  

Yeah, a little lift under the knees relieves some stress on the back, I find.

In terms of the neck, Kristie Ennis has some good videos on that, too.  For example, she recommends frequently 'pushing' the head back if sitting at a computer and 'squeezing' the shoulder blades together ...all to alleviate that forward lean of computer work.

 

[Da Guru]

Just to mention some possible assistance: I've really appreciated (and enjoyed watching   )  a number of the YouTube videos by Dr. Kristie Ennis.  She seems to really know her stuff and approach her recommendations from a technical standpoint, and she has a number of short videos specifically related to the rotator cuff.  Maybe there's something of benefit in that selection.

@belljr @Da Guru @Drunken knight @Galileo @Parrothead @snogger

I watch Kristie and have done the exercises.  Also follow "Bob and Brad"