Suspected Tear in Shoulder

[The Jogger]

I went to the doctor today after putting up with a sore shoulder since January. He thinks it is a tear and as prescribed physio and an ultra sound, to see the damage. Still cycling at the minute hope I can carry on but he did say it will probably need surgery. Anyone been there and done that?

 

[craigwend]

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/rotator-cuff-injury.13658/#post-298561

 

[The Jogger]

I wonder will I get an injection to sort the pain out, I hope so as it is really quite painful especially during the night. Thanks for posting the link

 

[GrumpyGregry]

still struggling with a rotator cuff impingement after 16 months. The injection improved it a bit but wasn't quite the miracle cure it was hyped as being. It did help with the waking up at night though. I can now at least put things in my jersey pockets and reach for stuff with my right hand without screaming! Good job I'm left handed.

 

[Julia9054]

Had a rotator cuff injury last summer after - I think - tripping on the stairs. Didn't really hurt at first but got progressively worse over the next couple of months. On speaking to others, this seems to be quite common as you unwittingly hold yourself to protect the shoulder, the tendons shorten and the muscles waste a bit and movement becones restricted and painful. Didn't hurt when cycling but the cycling probably didn't help as you tend to hokd the shoulder in one position for long periods of time. Not being able to get comfy at night and sharp pain when reaching behind certainly ring a bell. The doc gave me strong anti inflammatories/pain killers and these combined with some exercises from a physio sorted it out in a couple of weeks.

 

[craigwend]

I wonder will I get an injection to sort the pain out, I hope so as it is really quite painful especially during the night. Thanks for posting the link

The cortisone 'helped' for a few months & I was very grateful, (as others) to just not be in pain - even the 'local' given for the injection was the first time in the first 6 weeks I had not been in pain- though sadly as it wore off, the pain came back....

Ultimately I 'have' a hole in my tendon (partial thickness tear to the supraspinatus tendon...) which needed an operation to repair the damage around it, which was causing fairly constant pain, I had very good NHS physios, though the damage was just too bad, though physio helped me get on the operation list,
Injury July one year, operation May the next

I had a arthroscopic decompression repair operation ; within 6 weeks back at work (2 weeks back on bike) ; pain gone; life changed (low)mood lifted, full mobility & 95% strength back

 

[fossyant]

Been there, done it. Shoulders are complex joints.

Horrible having the pain in it, really messes up sleep.

I am happy to report after 4 years and surgery, mine eventually was fixed, and has stayed so.

Do expect issues with myofacial pain in the affected side, as the other muscles will try and compensate and get swollen.

Physio best option, surgery if wont fix. Physio on NHS is unlikely and they do nothing. Private will get it sorted.

 

[fossyant]

Mine wasn't as quick as Craigwend. Took over two years to get surgery, further 12 months of pain, then steroid injections for myofacial pain, then was great. Accident December 08', fixed by May 12.

The injections are a bit weird. Depends upon pain threshold. They have the needle in for some time on shoulders.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I was told I was not in enough pain or lacking in mobility enough to be a candidate for surgery on NHS. Post code lottery.

 

[The Jogger]

Flipping heck, I have already been referred for physio on nhs if there is a problem getting it I will pay for it. I have trouble in both shoulders but worse in the left.

 

[fossyant]

Good luck. I was not offered any NHS physio, other than post surgery, and that was just checking my shoulder movement and me asking to get back on the bike. Was back on within 2 weeks. Private physio was the best as it is tailored to you. Ie sports folk are expecting more from their bodies. You will get a work over. I was quite ill twice at physio and acupuncture sessions, as they got into my trigger points.

 

[The Jogger]

Mine was not too bad until I tripped over some phone cables in work now the left hurts even when I walk and sleep is well disturbed. I have to lay face down with my left arm dangling out of the bed.

 

[fossyant]

That's not good. Push for surgery.

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Hey Jogger, I'm sorry to hear this mate and hope that you can find some pain relief soon enough that does the job whilst ultimately waiting for a better, more long-term solution.

All the best fella, you have my sympathy.

 

[The Jogger]

I'm still going to work with it but not sure how long I can keep that up. Thanks M R