tri-man 47
Footballguy
Yes ...they're very good as well. Technically focused yet also very entertaining.
I watch Kristie and have done the exercises. Also follow "Bob and Brad"
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Getting older sucks - off to see a shoulder specialist - surgery it is (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Judge Smails
- Start date
Da Guru
Fair & Balanced
I think you can request an ultrasound for shoulders. Unless I was unconscious, I could not get into that tube. I have claustrophobia.
Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
yikes - after I had my first surgery (left) the doc said that it was not unusual to get it in the other shoulder at some point.
for me - it appeared in my right shoulder around 1.5 - 2 yrs later. This time I did the PT first and a couple of cortisone shots over another couple of years - but went ahead and had surgery, so it was 4-5 yrs apart.
NYRAGE
Footballguy
Welcome to the old man's battered body club.
I separated my shoulder and tore my labrum in my 20s diving head first like a moron in a softball game. I couldn't afford surgery back then, so left it alone. Made it worse playing hockey over the next 20 years. My shoulder would pop out every game and I would just pop it back in. I didn't have surgery later because I didn't want to stop playing hockey. I separated my other shoulder playing hockey, too.
Hurt my back playing hockey. Then around 50-51, I developed sciatica from my compressed discs. I had to do lots of PT and some steroids for the inflammation. I stretch a lot now, so that's helped (no more sciatica) Still, I can't sleep on my back, so I have to sleep on side which isn't exactly great for my shoulders. I feel like Rice Krispies when I wake up.
Then there is my latest hip pain. Not sure if that developed from my cycling that I started about 2 years ago. And there is my wrist pain that might require surgery plus my knee flares up from time to time (torn acl about 15 years ago).
Ah, the joys of getting old.
I separated my shoulder and tore my labrum in my 20s diving head first like a moron in a softball game. I couldn't afford surgery back then, so left it alone. Made it worse playing hockey over the next 20 years. My shoulder would pop out every game and I would just pop it back in. I didn't have surgery later because I didn't want to stop playing hockey. I separated my other shoulder playing hockey, too.
Hurt my back playing hockey. Then around 50-51, I developed sciatica from my compressed discs. I had to do lots of PT and some steroids for the inflammation. I stretch a lot now, so that's helped (no more sciatica) Still, I can't sleep on my back, so I have to sleep on side which isn't exactly great for my shoulders. I feel like Rice Krispies when I wake up.
Then there is my latest hip pain. Not sure if that developed from my cycling that I started about 2 years ago. And there is my wrist pain that might require surgery plus my knee flares up from time to time (torn acl about 15 years ago).
Ah, the joys of getting old.
Judge Smails
Footballguy
Yeah, I've done them before but I'm claustrophobic too. This one was worse as the tube seemed really small, and instead of being centered they had me shift so that my shoulder could be centered. I ended up being squished on both sides as they had a contraption around my shoulder. Hell no. Tapped out. I'm calling the doctor now to see if I can either do a wide bore MRI (new, bigger tube) or an open MRI.
beef
Footballguy
Doc says I have Shoulder Bursitis which is causing the pain and limiting my range of motion. Not sure I'm buying it though. Way too much cracking/grinding feeling going on that it seems more like cartilage damage. Been going on 8 months now. Had an ultrasound and it didn't seem to reveal much. Waiting to get an MRI scheduled. VA wait times are still a f'n joke.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Just for the record - a "separated" shoulder is not the same as a "dislocated" shoulder.
A "separated" shoulder usually refers to a tear in the ligaments in the AC joint, which connects the shoulder blade to the collarbone, i.e. the top of the shoulder-ish between the shoulder socket and your neck. A "dislocated" shoulder is when the ball at the end of the humerus dislocates from the shoulder socket, i.e. when your shoulder "pops out".
Based on your description, with the pop-out and the torn labrum, I am guessing you've had a dislocation and not a separation (though maybe you've had both). Not that it matters, but just in case you're curious. I'm not a doctor but I've had many, many shoulder problems, some of which are documented in a thread I have here in this forum.
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snogger
Footballguy
Usually getting an MRI doesn't bother me.. I learned this last time(my 4th MRI) that the trick is to close your eyes BEFORE they Push you in..
For whatever reason I kept mine open going in and immediately regretted it.. Had an anxiety attack and needed them to pull me back out.
After 5 minutes I was able to lay back down, close my eyes and was fine for the 20 minutes.
snogger
Footballguy
Been using a pillow under my knees since my back surgery 27 years ago. Huge win for lower back pain relief
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Usually getting an MRI doesn't bother me.. I learned this last time(my 4th MRI) that the trick is to close your eyes BEFORE they Push you in..
For whatever reason I kept mine open going in and immediately regretted it.. Had an anxiety attack and needed them to pull me back out.
After 5 minutes I was able to lay back down, close my eyes and was fine for the 20 minutes.
This was one of the key changes I made on my second attempt, a day or two after my first failed attempt. I put a folded towel over my eyes. There were a few other changes he made that allowed me to get through it, but never again if I can help it.
Summer Wheat
Footballguy
Usually getting an MRI doesn't bother me.. I learned this last time(my 4th MRI) that the trick is to close your eyes BEFORE they Push you in..
For whatever reason I kept mine open going in and immediately regretted it.. Had an anxiety attack and needed them to pull me back out.
After 5 minutes I was able to lay back down, close my eyes and was fine for the 20 minutes.
Valium might help?
Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
Usually getting an MRI doesn't bother me.. I learned this last time(my 4th MRI) that the trick is to close your eyes BEFORE they Push you in..
For whatever reason I kept mine open going in and immediately regretted it.. Had an anxiety attack and needed them to pull me back out.
After 5 minutes I was able to lay back down, close my eyes and was fine for the 20 minutes.
Valium might help?
I totally understand how an MRI would freak someone out that is not good with closed-in spaces.
For various reasons - I have had several. I never loved it ... I mean it's usually for quite a while
but you get a weighted blanket (its kinda of cold) and whatever music you want
it's pretty relaxing.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
I do that head push back think about 30-40 times a day.
I watch Kristie and have done the exercises. Also follow "Bob and Brad"
Bob and Brad are great.
Judge Smails
Footballguy
Ortho preferred closed MRI but said he would accept an open MRI. Good enough for me. I mean - I don’t think they are putting Shaq or Aaron Donald in a closed MRI. So they make it work. And this is my shoulder - it’s not life or death
Cheese and Crackers
Footballguy
Not sure if it's age (57) or just bad luck, but I'm sitting here reading this thread while recovering from my second torn patellar tendon in 7 years.
Mrs. Rannous
Footballguy
Ouchie.Cheese and Crackers said:
nirad3
Footballguy
Gah, I can't catch a break. For about 3 weeks now I've been dealing with an eye infection that just wouldn't go away. It's finally healing up. And just as that starts to go away, I do something to my lower back. I'm carrying extra weight in the gut area so I'm sure that's part of it. Kept me up last night, tossing and turning, trying to find a reasonable spot where it didn't hurt. Had to spend 15 minutes in bed after shower with the heating pad, and even have the pad with me here at work today. It's feeling a bit better after 3 ibuprofen, and I have 3 more Advil on standby to take before lunch. Meh.
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
I had a heart mri, which took well over an hour and required several breath holds to ensure good images. No music in the headphones, and the scan generated a lot of heat. I was drenched in sweat by the end. Not relaxing.
Anyhoo, the experience isn’t always the same.
BeTheMatch
Footballguy
Brunell4MVP
Footballguy
MRIs even open are grrrr. 2 herniated disks. Sciatica in my left leg. Blood pressure medicine. Allergies get worse every year. So yeah, I',m in relatively good condition compared to some friends but getting old does suck. Aleve is the key, until it crushes your kidneys. I'nm only 52, but watching my parents, etc .... I honestly think people were better off wa back when not getting medical care beyond say 80 years old. At some point the body has had enough. Nothing worse than watching someone spend the last 3-5 years of their life unable to do anything useful. And some point it's time to tap out.
Judge Smails
Footballguy
Well geez I didn't want this to go that far. Anyway, hope the sciatica goes away. That was my biggest life suck of all time. Thankfully it's been 4-5 years and hasn't came back yet.Brunell4MVP said:
snogger
Footballguy
Well, had my pre-op physical and everything has been ok'd by health company for left shoulder surgery April 18th.. I haven't slept through the night since this happened last October. Will be nice to get this fixed and look forward to being able to sleep again in a few months after healing.
In case anyone speaks medical speak, or just interested, here are my MRI results.
1. Small full-thickness tear far anterolateral supraspinatus tendon measuring 1.2 x 1.0 cm in medial to lateral and AP dimension.
2. Mild tendinosis without evidence of tear in the distal infraspinatus and subscapularis tendons.
3. Small amount of subacromial fluid.
4. Abnormal signal at the base of the posterior aspect of superior labrum suspicious for labral tear. There is also abnormal signal at the base of the midportion of the anterior labrum suspicious for labral tear. No paralabral cyst.
In case anyone speaks medical speak, or just interested, here are my MRI results.
1. Small full-thickness tear far anterolateral supraspinatus tendon measuring 1.2 x 1.0 cm in medial to lateral and AP dimension.
2. Mild tendinosis without evidence of tear in the distal infraspinatus and subscapularis tendons.
3. Small amount of subacromial fluid.
4. Abnormal signal at the base of the posterior aspect of superior labrum suspicious for labral tear. There is also abnormal signal at the base of the midportion of the anterior labrum suspicious for labral tear. No paralabral cyst.
Mrs. Rannous
Footballguy
Lehigh98
Footballguy
Had this and was miserable for over a year or so screwing around with PT, shots, and other stuff until a doctor finally said, "Let's just cut it out". If your bursa gets swollen / inflamed often enough, it won't relax and go back to normal, it just thickens up / solidifies. I don't remember the exact terms, it was a few years ago.
Had arthroscopic surgery and he cut it out. Evidently it eventually grows back in its more cushy original form. Back into PT and took a while to get range of motion and strength back but the constant pain was gone pretty soon which was a huge relief to me and my family. It turns out I had become generally grumpy / irritable most of the time from the constant pain before they fixed me.
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Judge Smails
Footballguy
What a cluster. I uploaded my stent card and then in person gave it to the front desk on Monday since my wife was having a procedure that day. They took a copy of the card. Fast forward to tonight. I show up at 8:30 for my 9pm MRI. Reminded them about the stent. Guy says, what stent? Turns out the gal at the front desk on Monday put the copy of my stent card in the wrong place. Bottom line? My stent has not been tested with the open MRI and could have been unsafe. I had to reschedule to the 3.0 wide bore closed MRI. Wider, but still closed. Pissed that I can’t do an open MRI, but not pissed that they almost put me in serious danger. Calling the manager of the radiology group tomorrow. So now doing Tuesday night. Damn
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
AFAIK, all coronary stents are MRI compatible, regardless of the magnet’s power/flux density (measured in tesla, the 3.0 you mention). And most stents aren’t ferromagnetic (attracted to magnets) to an appreciable degree anyway, especially modern ones.Judge Smails said:
I’d be surprised if you were ever at any risk. The vast majority of the time techs just err on the side of extreme caution, which is never the wrong answer for a non-emergent study.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
While it was probably fine, the issue is that for any company to label it's product as "MRI safe" is a very arduous process, so like you said the techs have to go on what info they have.
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
Sure, but rather than inconveniencing and alarming patients, it would take a minute or two to clear up the vast majority of these issues by contacting the radiologist.
Birdie048
Footballguy
Age is just a number until it reaches a point where pain is normal. Good luck!
Had mine in 1998, Excellent experience but yeah, sleeping on left side is awkward.
Also had full hip replacement in 2013. Best decision I made was getting that!
I was mad at myself for waiting 2 years... It has been great since. No issues.
Same ... many days during season throwing over 250 batting practice pitches for > 15 years coaching baseball.
OK... major difference on my Rotator Cuff Surgery, the surgeon noticed my clavical was long and shaved off 3 cm (yeah 1"+). It made a major difference on the range of motion for my arm. Ortho years later told me it was a big deal then.
Judge Smails
Footballguy
Well got through the MRI last night. The wide bore MRI was SO much better than the regular one. Didn’t feel claustrophobic. Xanax helped too. I’ll find out the deal on Monday. Took a blood test this morning and I asked the hot blonde phlebotomist to stick my left arm as right shoulder and arm are jacked. She said “me too”. She had torn rotator cuff, torn labrum etc. She had to be in her 20’s. So it isn’t just us “the older I get the better I was” guys. OK - mostly is.
Judge Smails
Footballguy
Well not good. Verdict. Full thickness tear of rotator cuff, torn labrum, issues including tears with bicep and arthritis/spurs that needs clean up. Surgery scheduled in early June. 6 weeks in a sling then 8-10 months of rehab
NutterButter
Footballguy
Oof. So when you back on the course? Any idea how you did this or just degenerative?
snogger
Footballguy
Ouch!! :(
As mentioned I have a partial thickness tear in Rotator cuff, and possible two small tears in the front and back Labrum.. Going under the knife next Monday, so I'll give you updates next week afterwards to help you prepare..
Judge Smails
Footballguy
Not quite sure. Only injury was an AC joint when I dove and fell on my right shoulder playing softball. But that was 20 years ago. I have thrown a million pitches in my lifetime and have taken a million golf swings. So may be wear and tear. Also it’s been going on for years. Pain doing push-ups or benching. Also stretching certain directions when getting massages etc. I made it worse along the way. But never had pain just resting or trying to sleep like I do now
Pipes
Footballguy
snogger
Footballguy
@Judge Smails as promised, an update.. Grab a 
Monday will be 4 weeks since surgery. I had two tears in the labrum, as well as a tear where the bicep tendon connects. The one thing the MRI didn't show was that the muscle tissue over the area was fraying. It was bad enough that there wasn't enough tissue to reattach the bicep once they removed the tearing part. So, they ended up having to put an implant in, so things could attach.
Due to all of that, I just had my first Physical therapy last Thursday. They are going ultra conservative so will be in the sling 24 hours a day for at least 2 more weeks. Doc says it will be about 2 months from now before I should have full use again, but probably another 4 before it will be back to normal strength.
Prepare yourself for VERY rough sleeping. Even though we have a sleep number bed that raises at the head, I could never get comfortable, so have been sleeping in our recliner sofa. Most nights I sleep 1 to 2 hours before getting woke by moving wrong, even in the sling.. Then it takes a good half hour icing and trying to relax to go back to sleep.. Only to get woken up again a hour or two later.
I'd say my best night of sleep the last 4 weeks was about 6 hours total..
Monday will be 4 weeks since surgery. I had two tears in the labrum, as well as a tear where the bicep tendon connects. The one thing the MRI didn't show was that the muscle tissue over the area was fraying. It was bad enough that there wasn't enough tissue to reattach the bicep once they removed the tearing part. So, they ended up having to put an implant in, so things could attach.
Due to all of that, I just had my first Physical therapy last Thursday. They are going ultra conservative so will be in the sling 24 hours a day for at least 2 more weeks. Doc says it will be about 2 months from now before I should have full use again, but probably another 4 before it will be back to normal strength.
Prepare yourself for VERY rough sleeping. Even though we have a sleep number bed that raises at the head, I could never get comfortable, so have been sleeping in our recliner sofa. Most nights I sleep 1 to 2 hours before getting woke by moving wrong, even in the sling.. Then it takes a good half hour icing and trying to relax to go back to sleep.. Only to get woken up again a hour or two later.
I'd say my best night of sleep the last 4 weeks was about 6 hours total..
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Judge Smails
Footballguy
Ughh. As if I don't have sleeping issues already. And the worst part is I'll be getting this done 3 weeks after starting a new job. Thanks for the update, Snogger. Hope you feel better soon GB.@Judge Smails as promised, an update.. Grab a
Monday will be 4 weeks since surgery. I had two tears in the labrum, as well as a tear where the bicep tendon connects. The one thing the MRI didn't show was that the muscle tissue over the area was fraying. It was bad enough that there wasn't enough tissue to reattach the bicep once they removed the tearing part. So, they ended up having to put an implant in, so things could attach.
Due to all of that, I just had my first Physical therapy last Thursday. They are going ultra conservative so will be in the sling 24 hours a day for at least 2 more weeks. Doc says it will be about 2 months from now before I should have full use again, but probably another 4 before it will be back to normal strength.
Prepare yourself for VERY rough sleeping. Even though we have a sleep number bed that raises at the head, I could never get comfortable, so have been sleeping in our recliner sofa. Most nights I sleep 1 to 2 hours before getting woke by moving wrong, even in the sling.. Then it takes a good half hour icing and trying to relax to go back to sleep.. Only to get woken up again a hour or two later.
I'd say my best night of sleep the last 4 weeks was about 6 hours total..
snogger
Footballguy
@Judge Smails Best advice I can give is, as my wife said "be a goody goody two shoes" when it comes to following PT and Doctors advice.
Was told I'd be in the sling for at least 6 weeks... Well, last Friday was my 4 1/2 week checkup and I have been sling-less since then
Saw PT today and she said I'm ahead of schedule..
Only bad part is I still can't sleep.. The nights I manage to get 6 hours are heaven
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STEADYMOBBIN 22
Footballguy
Have you looked into the platelet rich plasma injections?
flapgreen
Footballguy
Sleep can be a big issue for the first few weeks. The throbbing night pain can be pretty bad at times. The polar packs or ice coolers they send home me some folks usually help a lot with that. Just leaving it on there all night for the first few weeks is the way to go. Then, it becomes all about loosening up the tightened tissues around the shoulder and building the range of motion. The quicker the shoulder can get moving, usually the quicker it starts to heal and hurts less.@Judge Smails Best advice I can give is, as my wife said "be a goody goody two shoes" when it comes to following PT and Doctors advice.
Was told I'd be in the sling for at least 6 weeks... Well, last Friday was my 4 1/2 week checkup and I have been sling-less since then
Saw PT today and she said I'm ahead of schedule..
Only bad part is I still can't sleep.. The nights I manage to get 6 hours are heaven
Judge Smails
Footballguy
I have throbbing night pain (or when I wake up) now. Fighting through it. Funny - doc hasn’t proposed ice at all and said heat would give me more comfort and range of motion.
Judge Smails
Footballguy
Do you use or recommend a certain ice wrap? I see a ton of them online. Some like thisflapgreen said:
https://supplycoldtherapy.com/products/polar-care-cube?variant=39787878187042&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhLKUBhDiARIsAMaTLnE3cfbfEX1KvSAvKehNmvF0R8Mtt9fN24tsYq-I0US0N9UZYMSp2-kaAoKaEALw_wcB
flapgreen
Footballguy
Not really. There's a million brands. The doc will usually just give you whatever brand that the equipment company they deal with carries.
Ditka is God
Footballguy
Very similar to my diagnosis/experience a few years ago. Unfortunately the MRI didn't pick up everything so surgery ended up being 3X as long as originally expected. My advice: stay ahead of the pain. Once the nerve blocker wears off ... egads. I don't think I'll ever forget that pain. And, as others have already stated, be diligent with your PT. I was miserable before the surgery and I was miserable right after the surgery but I'd do it all over again given the results/outcome. Best of luck!
