Injured Rotator Cuff

[pisani34 10]

Hey everyone,

On monday i was playing some pickup roller with a bunch of friends, when me and one of my buds had an unavoidable collision. This happened when we were going very slow, i would say about a jogging speed or slower. Now to brace myself for the collision, i positioned my left arm in front of my chest, and when we bumped, i could feel a pop, and as soon as i hit the ground, i felt the other pop. Right after the accident happened, i was still able to rotate my arm in various positions and lift it over my head with minimal pain. After swelling etc set in, the movement had become restricted and somewhat painful. After seeing my general doctor, he assessed that the arm was still at a decent strength, and said that it is most likely that my rotator cuff tendon was torn slightly or strained. Now the question i have for all of you is, is it possible to just "strain" a tendon, or is the only type of tendon injury a "tear". Also, he said that it didn't seem very serious, and that i should just let the pain be my guide, and if it still hurt after 1 week to see him again. Now all im wondering is, since he never referred me for physio, the treatments to go there w/o reccomendation is pretty expensive, what are some self-exercises i can do to assess whether or not i am ready to get back on the ice or not? I don't really trust the whole "if the pains gone, your good", because id rather not risk another injury. So if anyone has had a similar injury, how did you know you were ready again if you didn't have a physiotherapist tell you so?

Sorry for the long read everyone, but anyones comments will be greatly appreciated

[ag12 0]

Go see an orthopedic specialist, they have more experience than your primary doctor with an injury such as yours. The 1st step is probably sending you to physical therapy to rehab your shoulder. Or they may send you for an MRI, it's the best way to tell (without opening up your shoulder) to see what the potential damamge is. Good luck.

[greatone 0]

After surgery.

[Hkydog 0]

Go see an ortho. If it is a tear you will need surgery to repair it then physical therapy. Been there myself, don't blowoff the PT because if you do the internal scar tissue will build up and you'll get to start all over again. You will need an mri to be sure. Good luck.

[indaslot 0]

I would definately see a physical/athletic therapist asap.You may need to start movement early on to avoid frozen shoulder (I am not a doctor or PT so don't get nervous.I just remember when my son separated his shoulder, which is a different injury, he was told to begin ROM (range of motion) exercises after only 4 days to prevent that)One very safe exercise is to support yourself with the uninjured hand, bend slightly at the waist and dangle the injured arm.Make circles with your arm clockwise and counter clockwise.

[Bmplam 1]

Have an MRI done and take out the guess work. It is my understanding that if surgery is required and not done, over time the damaged tendon will recede, thus making the surgery impossible to perform and living with shoulder pain or shoulder replacement will become the only options.

I am no doctor, but I was told this by someone in the business.

[Jake 0]

Sorry son, that shoulder's going to have to come off.

[Hkydog 0]

Another thing the longer you wait for treatment the more extensive the surgery will be. The tear can get bigger along with the pain getting more severe if you don't get it looked at.

[pisani34 10]

I just booked in for an assessment appointment at my local physio, thanks for the input guys, hope to hear some good news tomorrow.

[BGM 0]

Yeah first step is to see a PT to see how bad the damage is and maybe schedule an MRI. I've torn my right rotator cuff and generally it takes time to heal and there are certain exercises you can do at home (there are a ton of PT recommended exercises on the internet). It really depends how bad it is--if it's bad you'll need the PT to measure your progress each week. Mine wasn't bad so I didn't have to see the PT.

[saba 0]

Tore my rotator cuff 2 seasons ago.Saw my PCP got the referral for ortho, they sent me for an MRI: tear of my supraspinatous and biceps tendon. Given stronger pain meds Relafen selective cycloxygensase inhibitor or a COX=2 pain killer cannot remember and too lazy to look up, fluroscopy, then direct injection cortisone into the capsule followed by repeat MRI. See a sports med DR on the 5th for follow up. Opinons have varied from a definite tear on MRI from 1 radiologist to the attending radiologist seeing minor/no tear on Fluro. Since the shot I have full range of motion, but the shot is a double edged sword masking the pain but healing nothing. Going to go with Sports Med DR as to procede with surgery if needed.

If you have any questions send me a PM and I will try to answer them

[vapor96 0]

Have a friend that had both shoulders fixed. Said it was the best decision he ever made. He's 48 and plays hockey 3X a week. Go to an Orthopedic Sports Med. Doc. If he recommends surgery, have it done and follow rehab diligently. You'll be back to normal in no time..

[pisani34 10]

I saw my PT, and she did a bunch of different excercises etc, said she could not see anything wrong with it, said it wasn't a serious injury, and that it is healing up fine. I put my trust into those people and am hoping for the best.

[gman 0]

I saw my PT, and she did a bunch of different excercises etc, said she could not see anything wrong with it, said it wasn't a serious injury, and that it is healing up fine. I put my trust into those people and am hoping for the best.

That's great news!! Take it easy and be prepared to seek a second opinion if it just does not feel right after a while. Good Luck.

[Trooper 8]

I saw my PT, and she did a bunch of different excercises etc, said she could not see anything wrong with it, said it wasn't a serious injury, and that it is healing up fine. I put my trust into those people and am hoping for the best.

Good to hear. I just got through some rehab for a non-serious RT injury as well, I can't imagine what the recovery would be like for a major tear with surgery.

[Dougie8 0]

I've done this twice to my left shoulder. The last time was just probably a month ago in the first round of playoffs. I went to the "Sports Doctor" and he said that it was just swollen, and he showed me on his little modle of the rotator cuff that when you move it, the rotator cuff will just hit the bone so that's why you have loss of motion, but if you have strength he said that means that its usually not torn. He just told me to ice it and rest it. Do not sling it or anything to stop moving it!. That will definetly get you the frozen shoulder like said above.

[pisani34 10]

I've done this twice to my left shoulder. The last time was just probably a month ago in the first round of playoffs. I went to the "Sports Doctor" and he said that it was just swollen, and he showed me on his little modle of the rotator cuff that when you move it, the rotator cuff will just hit the bone so that's why you have loss of motion, but if you have strength he said that means that its usually not torn. He just told me to ice it and rest it. Do not sling it or anything to stop moving it!. That will definetly get you the frozen shoulder like said above.

yeah, when i saw my general doctor, he drew a little diagram showing my shoulder bone and my humerous (sp?), and then my rotator cuff, he said that what happened was most likely that the bones came together and "pinched" the RC. Said it most likely wasn't torn and that i shouldn't sling it etc. Its startin to feel alot better now and hopefully ill be back out on the ice soon !