anyone else got one? I would kill for a cortisone injection today but i havent caved and gotten one since my injury 4 years ago

Why would you consider getting a shoulder injection "caving"?

^ cortisone just masks the pain- does nothing for the damage/injury. Sometimes it's better to look for alternative therapeutic/nutrional solutions than the quick shortlived fix.

Repeated cortisone injections cause muscles tendons and ligaments to deteoriate so i try to not let myself get in the mindset that i need one otherwise i know i will end up wanting to go back for more.

Its getting to the point where the pain is no longer temporary though so who knows what the future will hold for me

What's wrong?

My left shoulder bothers me (more so than the right) but they both 'click and clack' when I move my arms around.

I had an MRI in '06 and the orthopedic surgeon said I had 'tendonitis'. My infraspinatus tendon in the left shoulder was inflamed and full of fluid.

WHY is the question.

Now both shoulders cause me pain. I'm seriously thinking about seeing a specialist to find out what's wrong. (with my shoulders, you asshats)

I never recieved a conclusive diagnosis, the only thing they ruled out was a rotator cuff tear and then they just lumped me under the general category of "shoulder bursitis" when the pain never really went away.

I injured my shoulder in the last football game of the season four years ago. Was playing defensive end. The quarterback was trying scrambling and ended up trying to run outside and i ended up laying out superman style for the sack. Unfortunately my shoulder didnt fare to well on the landing.

For about 3 weeks I had zero range of motion from the swelling and the pain. After that went away ive had off and on chronic pain for 4 years and it gets worse every year.

From what I read, this is how it work (my crappy doctor didnt explain **** to me, i'm determined to be a much better doctor than the ones ive dealt with for various problems).

1) initial injury starts the downward spiral of symptoms as inflamation of the muscles/tendons/ligaments in the shoulder causes the muscles etc. to thicken.

2) the thicker muscles etc. do not fit as well in the shoulder pocket and become pinched when used causing repeat inflamation and further thickening

3) repeat number 2 until the pain becomes worse with time

Orthopaedics don't use cortisone for shoulder injections. Nor will they inject you with enough medicine or enough times to do tissue damage either. I'd be willing to bet that your having not obtained proper care medical for your shoulder injury has caused more additional significant damage than you think.

Get the injection! It is both diagnostic and therapeutic. If it works, the doctor has identified the exact location of you pain. The beneficial effect of the injection could last indefinitely. If it doesn't an MRI is in order...

I went for my shoulder therapy this morning, had a shot two weeks ago. Partial rotator cuff tear, bursitus, and general over use(drywall). They start out with some exercises, and every week it gets a bigger work out. They said I won't need an operation, but must stretch and strengthen the other muscles in the shoulder. My shoulder has gotten worse for last three years, but I was out throwing rocks with my twins at a nearby lake. They didn't think I could still out throw them. I could until something in my shoulder went pop. I believe it was cortizone they injected me with. Spell-check not working.

I have tolerable pain in both shoulders, but it's enough to keep me from doing certain exercises that involve the shoulders. Just by asking around and asking my doctor I have concluded that it must be pretty common for men 30 and up. Seems like more guys at gym my age complain about it than not.

^ ive had the problem since my injury in high school

the worst pain is from lifting my shoulder above my head and overhand throws such as with a baseball or football. I play on my colleges club ultimate frisbee team and i dont have any pain from the side arm throws

I have work related shoulder injuries to both shoulders. Currently have a comp case involving them. I was supposed to get arthroscopic surgery on my left shoulder this spring but, because of decreasing issues due to the fact that I've been working out again (or so I believe), I've canceled the surgery for now.

Good luck, shoulder issues suck.

Get an x-ray and injecion. Then, if the pain returns, an MRI. My guess from your description: impingement syndrome and glenoid/labrum tear.

^ that was what they called my injuries as well.

11. Author: hoyodude

Shoulder injuries that truly require surgery NEVER resolve on their own. Your exercise may be helping them out, but is not "healing" them. Ultimately, the injuries will return.

It is better to get the surgery earlier, rather than later. Waiting enhances the permanent degenerative changes that will always occur as a result of an injury.

In the context of a work-related injury, waiting is the worst thing you can do. If you settle the case before or without having surgery, it may not be covered later-on. If it is, the employer/carrier will almost always zealously try to avoid paying later-on by denying that the need for the surgery is related to the work injury.

Make sure you have a good lawyer...

gopher,

Have your doctors discussed witht you the possibility of it being an imbalance in muscle retention? If you are not doing many "rear shoulder" excercises, be it work related or gym related, but find that you are physically using your chest/fron shoulders alot, you can deveop muscle strain from an imbalance..

..when I was a trainer I experienced this quite often with clients, and I meself am prone to it.

if I stop doing my "rear" excercises within2 months I cannot sleep on that shoulder, and once i re-start it goes away after about 2months.

My pain level would be at around a 6-7 when flares.

Sound familair or not at all?

I would find a GOOD sports medicine doctor, explain in detail whats going on, what you've done thus far about it, whom you've delt with and so on. And without a doubt demand an MRI, I wouldn't frick around, your still young enough too heal well.

Well, I've had an MRI and was told it was impingement but to decide on the surgery based on the level of pain I'm dealing with. The comp case is open in perpetuity so it can always be dealt with later if needed. I was also told that strengthening the surrounding muscle tissue can put off surgery for a long time in some cases.

You see, I am in the middle of surgical procedures on my hands as well, also comp. Last spring it was my right hand for carpal tunnel and basal joint reconstruction, this spring it'll be the left for same. I'd just as soon get the shoulder done while I'm dealing with the hand (had a hernia done last year while healing) but only if it's necessary. I go to a sports medicine center, hoping they know what they're doing.

Get it done!

hoyo,

What do you do for work that causes such significant upper extremity injuries?

14. Author: rfenst Date: 02/01/2009 05:17 PM Reply

11. Author: hoyodude

Make sure you have a good lawyer...

----------

Know anyone???