rotator cuff

[jeaniem]

I am 99% sure I have a rotator cuff injury. I looked up symptoms and have seen illustrations of what an injury typically looks like. It appears that is will heal most likely on it's own and you don't necessarily need to see a Dr. Does anyone know if weight lifting is okay as long as it causes no pain while doing so?

[CarolynF]

Oh, my..I wouldn't do anything in case it "tears"..I would see an orthopedist just in case.

[Leo41]

Jeanie- You should see a doctor to get a prescription for physical therapy. I have shoulder problems, and my physical therapist told me that 'most adults' have at least a minor tear in the rotator cuff. He said that "Unless you're pitching for the NY Yankees," it's something that can be helped with physical therapy.

However, please don't do any exercises until you speak to your doctor or PT. I was regularly swimming laps, and both my doctor and PT warned me that overhead motions (like my swim stroke) are the worst things for my shoulder. You should definitely get professional advice about this because even if you're not experiencing pain, you could be causing more damage.

The PT will give you exercises that you can continue at home that will strengthen the shoulder muscles to compensate for the rotator cuff weakness.

[jeaniem]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will give it a while longer to see if it improves before seeing the Dr. I am finding that the positions that hurt the most are consistent. It hurts when I try to pull clothing over my head the worst. Pt even with my health insurance is so expensive!

[E.W.]

Sorry to say you may need some physical therapy. Ofton this only takes a few sessions
where you are tought what exercises to do and this ofton is about 5 different movements using large rubber bands and a couple of 1 or 2 lb hand weights. At one
time mine got so painful it was hard to spoon ice cream from the container, sort of
funy to think about it now but at the time it realy messed up my bienging....

[jeaniem]

Sadly, I think you are right E.W., the pain is becoming worse it hurts so badly when I try to put on a shirt or a bra. I was hoping it would get better, but it has been almost 3 weeks now. I have a physical coming up for a perspective job and was hoping it would get better so that I passed without any lifting restrictions. This could cost me the job.

[Aspire]

Jeaniem,

Awww these are very painful and frustrating injuries. You really need a diagnosis because a rotator cuff tear is a general term and you need to know exactly what structures are injured. If it is minor and you are able to avoid surgery there are things you may be able to do to improve your healing. Exercises that protect your range of motion and lessen your pain. Ice, heat, and Kineso tape my provide some comfort while you are healing provided they aren't contraindicated for your condition. Also, it is important to re-train your shoulder girdle to work correctly so you don't suffer from chronic injuries. If you have a chiropractor this may be something that they do in office ...depending what state you are in. Be kind to your self while you are healing
Margo

[jeaniem]

Margo
I looked up exercises on the net and I found that several sources recommend the same exercises to treat the rotator cuff strain. They are rather simple exercises that I can do here at home with a mat and a light dumbbell. I don't think it is a tear as it usually only hurts when dressing/undressing and lying on it. I really want to avoid the Dr. and PT until I get the job I am trying for! Thanks for your post!

[jeaniem]

I made some calls today and am trying to find the least expensive way to get the therapy for my shoulder. My ins. requires a high co-pay per office visit to see a physical therapist, but covers a chiropractor 100%. I am not working right now and basically want to just be shown what exercises to do at home to heal it. Is it rude to state this up front? I have left a message with a chiropractor to see if they do treatment.

[jeaniem]

Getting so impatient here. I have been to 4 of my 6 appts. that my insurance will cover at this point, and am still not able to lift weights! He says it is tendon impingement and will need to see me 2 times a week and then will submit a form requesting more therapy to my insurance. I didn't expect it to be this drawn out.

[jeaniem]

How long did you all have to see the PT? I have been to 6 visits and am feeling less pain when I dress, but still get pain occasionally and have some limited internal rotation. It looks like there is going to be a lapse in treatment now as my insurance is taking their time in authorizing any further visits. Did you all get complete relief from the therapy before you stopped going? Thanks for any imput.

[Doug_H]

You need to see a doctor and have a MRI done to see if there is a tear or not. If there is a tear, depending on extent of the tear, you will probably need surgery. If not PT should help, but keep in mind it all is a slow process and does take time.

I have had both shoulder operated on and am happy to have done so.

Doug

[jeaniem]

Doug
The PT says it is tendon impingement in the right shoulder and showing some signs of it on the left as well. The PT nor my Dr. have ordered any xrays or mri's, should I ask for one or trust their opinion? I am still waiting on insurance approval and am feeling the loss of any improvement I had gained with the PT. Thanks

[saltnpepper]

Jeaniem be careful. I had torn r cuff a couple of yrs ago. Had the mri, drs, etc. And of course rx exercise. Then I was given a choice of surgery. I declined.

It still hurts to this day. I don't think they get much better on there own.

Anna

[Leo41]

Jeanie-
When I went to PT for my shoulder (two separate times, several years apart), the therapists showed me all the exercises that I needed to do on a regular basis in no more than 4 session. Then I was able to continue them on my own at home. My doctor (a physiatrist--who is an MD who specializes in rehabilitation medicine) did an MRI for the initial diagnosis.

Of course, you need a lot of discipline to continue the exercises at home because the routines are very boring, and I suspect that my flare up after a few years was because I stopped being faithful to the exercises after a few months.

But in my experience, there's no need for endless visits to P/T. Sure, they give hot treatments that feel wonderful, but if you have a co-pay for every visit, they should be teaching you the exercises, and then you continue on your own.

[jeaniem]

Thanks for the input Leo. He has shown me exercises to do at home, so maybe I am wasting my time and money continuing to see the PT? How did you know when it was safe to resume your swimming?

[Doug_H]

Jean, there is no set answer. I had shoulder problems for probably 30+ years and no two issues were the same. When I had the tears, different times, I definitely felt them, sharp pain that dropped me to my knees.

You have received good information here. Just keep an open mind and realize that it is going to take time to heal. There are also quite a few web sites that provide a world of information that I didn't have access to a few years ago.

Good luck

[Leo41]

Jeanie- I didn't know for sure when it would be safe to resume my swimming. When my shoulder felt strong, and I wasn't getting any 'twinges' of pain, I waited another couple of months, and then resumed swimming.

However, after about 6 months of swimming (laps twice a week for 30 min each time), my shoulder 'acted up' again.

My doctor has told me to forget about swimming regularly because my shoulder will continue to be a problem if I try to swim on a regular basis.

I began strength training instead, and after Labor Day I plan to look into a water aerobics class at my health club that promises to be 'strenuous.

I miss swimming. It was my 'basic' exercise for over 30 years.

[buttoni]

I tore mine carrying a mere 10# brass candlestick into the house after polishing it. I felt it give way more and more as I entered the dining room. I suffered it for a week or so. Couldn't do much with the arm. Gravity was excruciating when I rolled over in bed at night. Finally made an orthopedic appt. and the MRI showed two tears. Repaired with surgery 3 months later (soonest date the shoulder surgeon had) and he did a super job. I heal fast, so I was pretty much 100% at 6 weeks of self PT at home.

My mom, who never had the surgery for a tear 15 years ago has never mended properly, didn't do the PT, and to this day, cannot lift that arm at all above her waist, bent or extended, empty or carrying something. At 88, she says she will just live with it. Man, I just couldn't do that. I'd be certain it's not torn. You're too young for it not to be 100% functional.

[jeaniem]

Saw the PT again today and he wants me to get Cortisol injections. Anyone try this?

[jeaniem]

Originally Posted by jeaniem

Saw the PT again today and he wants me to get Cortisol injections. Anyone try this?

Cortisone not Cortisol.

[Dee744]

Yes, had it done a few months ago as right now I cannot take tylenol. This is from a car accident but my second tear over the years. They take a year or more to HEAL, don't lift weights or swim unless you do with no overhead motion. If you can take tylenol do so 3 times a day with food. Keep doing your exercises.
If you can find a good massage therapist who has had training for shoulder injuries, I have been seeing one for a month now paying out of pocket 65 for an hour and wow much better than PT. A good therapist will improve an impingement for sure.

[jeaniem]

Originally Posted by Dee744

Yes, had it done a few months ago as right now I cannot take tylenol. This is from a car accident but my second tear over the years. They take a year or more to HEAL, don't lift weights or swim unless you do with no overhead motion. If you can take tylenol do so 3 times a day with food. Keep doing your exercises.
If you can find a good massage therapist who has had training for shoulder injuries, I have been seeing one for a month now paying out of pocket 65 for an hour and wow much better than PT. A good therapist will improve an impingement for sure.

Thanks. Do the cortisone injections hurt? I am a little confused as to what their purpose is exactly. I have an appt. tomorrow with the PT so I want him to explain further before I decide if I want them. He is a manual therapists and seems to know his stuff, but I have only made minimal improvement since July and need to get back to work with better function and minimal pain.
Sorry to hear yours was a tear I can't imagine how painful that must be!

[Deb]

Originally Posted by jeaniem

. Does anyone know if weight lifting is okay as long as it causes no pain while doing so?

mine has slowly gotten better and i never quit bow-flexing

[jeaniem]

Originally Posted by Mel 7

mine has slowly gotten better and i never quit bow-flexing

Really? Did you have any therapy at all?

[Deb]

Originally Posted by jeaniem

Really? Did you have any therapy at all?

no

[jeaniem]

Mel
How did this affect you workout? I can't get full extension for a shoulder press.

[Deb]

Originally Posted by jeaniem

Mel
How did this affect you workout? I can't get full extension for a shoulder press.

because it hurts..or just wont go any farther?

[Doug_H]

Once you have a tear it will not mend it's self or go away.
Depending on how bad the tear is you either learn to live with it, work around it, or have surgery.

[jeaniem]

Originally Posted by Mel 7

because it hurts..or just wont go any farther?

Both. The PT now wants me to try a cortisone injection. I am fed up with it all, I have spent about $350 so far with only minimal improvement.