Shoulder pain rotator tear (1 Viewer)

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I fell on 26 Dec -- ice outside of my building -- fell on my right elbow -- took lots of nsaid (MOBIC) -- the pain in my elbow went away and about a week after the fall -- the LEFT shoulder started hurting and has been sore now for nearly 2 months.

I went to the doctor today -- he said it might be a rotator tear -- not good. I went to chiropractor and got an adjustment -- he said I was way out of alignment and that might help it.

I don't want to pay for an MRI -- and spend 45 minutes in a tube.

I'm not convinced it's a tear -- it doesn't always hurt...kind of comes and goes,
 
I fell on 26 Dec -- ice outside of my building -- fell on my right elbow -- took lots of nsaid (MOBIC) -- the pain in my elbow went away and about a week after the fall -- the LEFT shoulder started hurting and has been sore now for nearly 2 months.

I went to the doctor today -- he said it might be a rotator tear -- not good. I went to chiropractor and got an adjustment -- he said I was way out of alignment and that might help it.

I don't want to pay for an MRI -- and spend 45 minutes in a tube.

I'm not convinced it's a tear -- it doesn't always hurt...kind of comes and goes,
Get a second opinion from an orthopedist before the MRI. If you are not willing to undergo surgery there is no need for an MRI yet (an orthopedist told me this.). I had one and the price ws $2900. It depends on your insurance if this is of value to you. I have a $5000 deductable because I am self employed.
 
I'm experiencing the same thing. Left shoulder, too. I don't want to get it checked out because I don't want to have surgery.
 
Tore my rotator and labrum...surgery was a breeze...slept in a recliner for 6 weeks till the Dr. told me I no longer need my sling...then had to adjust to sleeping in a bed on my repaired shoulder....therapy is a must...10 weeks for me to get full movement and strength back....the MRI procedure is a pain....you have to get shot up with a dye so they can see the damage...and it's 20 minutes in the machine...with headphones listening to whatever music you like....I couldn't put up with the pain and discomfort when playing golf or trying to work out....so I went the surgical route....you can let it mend on it's own...which can lead to future complications....scar tissue building up around the damaged tissue...and also a reoccurance of future damage....better to get it fixed right the first time....especially if you have medical insurance.....
 
Tore my rotator and labrum...surgery was a breeze...slept in a recliner for 6 weeks till the Dr. told me I no longer need my sling...then had to adjust to sleeping in a bed on my repaired shoulder....therapy is a must...10 weeks for me to get full movement and strength back....the MRI procedure is a pain....you have to get shot up with a dye so they can see the damage...and it's 20 minutes in the machine...with headphones listening to whatever music you like....I couldn't put up with the pain and discomfort when playing golf or trying to work out....so I went the surgical route....you can let it mend on it's own...which can lead to future complications....scar tissue building up around the damaged tissue...and also a reoccurance of future damage....better to get it fixed right the first time....especially if you have medical insurance.....
That is what the orthopedist opinion is for. Am I setting myself up for future problems if I put off surgery? In my case the answer was "no". I have had pain for 3 years. In two weeks I have an appointment with the specialist of the specialist. Let's see what he has to say.
 
My left rotator cuff has been slightly torn since 2011. The weird thing is that initially, it hurt like crazy all day, every day, but now, hardly anything. The doc recommended surgery, but I declined. The MRI clearly shows a slight tear, but the doc says that if I don't have the surgery, it should not get any worse. Now, the pain occurs maybe once or twice per month, so I just live with it. I don't have the time to be out of commission for 6-8 weeks. I'll have the surgery if I live to retirement age - yeah, I'll get it done then. That's what I tell my wife. I tell myself I'm going to the grave with this bad boy. :hihi:
 
Best advice for non-surgical, MRI treatment would be use NSAIDs (barring reasons you can't) and immobilized for a week or better. And by immobilized, I mean tied to your torso. The body is pretty good at healin itself if you aren't continuing the damage. If its a true cuff tear, my tx wont help. But it'll certainly get you started. Find a medical supply store near you, or have your PMD prescribe one, and purchase a shoulder immobilizer. Do yourself a favor and try to avoid narcs and muscle relaxers unless you have to. Just my professional opinion. The other advice here is also very good. Meet with the surgeon a couple times first too. It's very important to feel confident and comfortable with your surgeon.
 
it all depends on the degree of the tear, which can only be determined by an MRI. you will need good insurance to have this taken care of, it is an expensive proceedure and rehab. my rotator cuff was almost completely torn, i did it playing baseball, diving for a ball in the outfield i landed on my elbow. the surgery was painful the first week, even with the pain pump directly into the joint, this was mainly becasue the surgeon had to shave down 2 bones. i did about 8 months of aggressive rehab, which was very important. its been about 5-6 years and i have no pain or limitaions when it comes to thrownig (i play 3rd base and have a rocket arm) and can lift as much as i ever did. there is some limitation in the range of motion but it doesnt bother anything.

bottom line is if you can avoid surgery, do so. Good luck!
 
I fell on 26 Dec -- ice outside of my building -- fell on my right elbow -- took lots of nsaid (MOBIC) -- the pain in my elbow went away and about a week after the fall -- the LEFT shoulder started hurting and has been sore now for nearly 2 months.

I went to the doctor today -- he said it might be a rotator tear -- not good. I went to chiropractor and got an adjustment -- he said I was way out of alignment and that might help it.

I don't want to pay for an MRI -- and spend 45 minutes in a tube.

I'm not convinced it's a tear -- it doesn't always hurt...kind of comes and goes,

What exactly did you mean by outside your building? Maybe the stairs of your building? You might want to check with getting somebody's liability insurer to pay for your surgery.

Just sayin'.
 
Btw...I tore my rotator cuff and labrum jerking on a gate one time. Besides the subluxing, which kept getting worse, there really wasnt too much pain. It would hurt like hell when it would slip!!
 
Deer antler spray Ray Lewis swears by it.
 
I had 2 sessions with the chiropractor -- it hurt worse last night, but tonight it's better. I have taken 4 doses of 75 mg of indomethicin since yesterday at 5:00.

I cancelled the MRI -- if I want to go the surgery route...I'll go to the VA (did I really just write that?)
 
good luck to you KCB. My wife had shoulder surgery in Dec 11, they even filed down some of the bone and she still has problems with it.
 
Recently had an MRI on my left shoulder. "Several tears" in the bicep tendon. Likely a result of competitive weight lifting and years of football. Dr. said if I continue to compete, he would see me "when I'm 50 or 60" to do the surgery -- and with our health care system in Canada, it may just take that long to schedule the surgery....although it will be 'free.'
 
I injured my shoulder a few years back waterskiing (first time waterskiing and had an inexperienced boat driver, so I wasn't really in a great position and the guy just accelerated as fast as he could = not a pleasant experience). Anyway, after pain for a few weeks I went to the doctor who tested it out and said it was mostly likely a partially torn rotator cuff. Asked if I was ever going to be pro baseball player, I said of course not, and he suggested just rehab and seeing how it went. Several years later, no pain -- it's loose in the joint and moves around a bit, and sure enough if I throw a baseball really hard it pops out a bit and hurts... but other than that it's completely functional.
 

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