shoulder problems

[bluerex]

Hi guys. It looks like I have finally found a forum where people will be able to relate to my shoulder issues. :)
I hope some of you will be able to help me out with advice and feedback.

I have hurt my shoulder doing bench-press just over 12 months ago. The onset of pain was quite slow but next morning I was in quite a bit of discomfort and had a very limited range of movement. Sleeping became very hard as I would always trigger sharp pain in my shoulder by simply turning around. After extensive reading regarding various shoulder problem symptoms on the web, I have concluded that I have hurt my rotator cuff.
This self-diagnosis was not confirmed by Ultrasound, which apparently was absolutely normal.

I then went to a Sports Doctor that I have been to before - Dr. Ameer Ibrahim, who is known to be involved with Aus Olympic teams. Ameer was quite confident that it was indeed a rotator cuff issue and was very quick in injecting me with Quaterzone (in his office, not guided by Xray), showing me a few stretches and sending me on my way.
Needless to say I was a bit shocked by this treatment but I didn?t know better at the time.

Fast forward 5 months and I still had (and still do) the same shoulder discomfort - basically, I have dull pains in my outer and inner deltoid, quite sore and very tight neck and trapezius.
.
I then started seeing a Chiropractor (Brett Lillie) and have been doing so for the past 6 months and although I feel much better all over - my shoulder is still a problem. Brett seems to think that my problem is not entirely with rotator cuff - rather with the capsule itself.
Along with the chiro adjustments, Brett is getting me to do rotator cuff exercises with the rubber band and various stretches.
I have a much better range of movement now and I don?t have pains unless I am stretching or exercising. I am still unable to play basketball, go for a jog or do weights at the gym ? shoulder/neck/traps feel extremely tired/heavy and uncomfortable after attempting any of these activities. This is after over a year from original injury.

I really want to get this sorted out and am getting a CT scan tomorrow. I am in an argent need of a qualified professional to correctly diagnose and treat my problem.

Any advice is much appreciated.;)

Thank you for reading, guys.

Dmitriy

[kjwilkin]

Hi there,

My suggestion would be to see a sports physician that specialises in shoulders. I believe Seamus Dalton and Martin Raftery in Sydney are good with shoulders. Also really important to go to a physio that specialises in shoulders.

Good luck with your recovery !

[angieliu]

Hi there,

I have two shoulder injuries with the first was a possible rotator cuff tear and the second well my physio and I think that I sustained a micro tear in the shoulder capsule.

After having treatment in the US with a chiro I came home thinking that a chiro here would be the same. They were not much help to me all and after giving it a break I went to see a physio about getting some exercises for my shoulder because I knew it was weak. The physio made things worse and said he couldn't help me so I went to see a sport med doctor who ordered a MRI and injected dye into the shoulder and suspected a SLAP lesion (tear in the shoulder capsule) The MRI did not show anything because they don't always show micro tears. And so I was told to go back to my original physio for more rehab after being scared to death and was told that I would have to have surgery because the sports doctor was very sure that I had a SLAP lesion.

In the end I went to see a physio recommended by JB at the AIS who I am continuing to see for treatment. We have concluded that I suffer from overall shoulder instability and have been working on shoulder stabilising exercises.

You also mention about having tight shoulders and neck problems. I have the same problem and I believe that it is because of over compensation by the other muscles. It's not a good thing because it means that other muscles in the shoulder become weaker. There really isn't a solution to solving this. Stretching it can help, heat loosens the muscles and remedial massage can be helpful although it hasn't helped me. I am going to see an acupuncturist as the meridian points in my shoulder are flaring up.

I am booked in to see Seamus in two weeks time to go and see him. He specialises only in shoulders and he is known for this. Seamus is actually a rehabilitation specialist and so if you want to go and see him you need your GP to write a referral. So if you are in Sydney I would suggest that you go and see him. Details for Seamus are below The NSOSMC Sports Medicine Centre is located at:
272 Pacific Highway
Crows Nest NSW 2065
Phone: (02) 9966 4700

Email: nssm@dodo.com.au

JB also mentioned awhile back about an amazing shoulder physio in Sydney but I can't quite remember. If you search in the threads maybe under SLAP lesions you should be able to find it because I asked about where to find a good physio awhile ago.

Goodluck with everything. I know that it is frustrating and I hope this helps.

[angieliu]

The name of the physio is called Joel Werman in North Sydney

[bluerex]

Thank you for your replies, guys. Much appreciated.:)
I have called Dr. Seamus Dalton and am scheduled to see him on the 19th.
It seems that everybody is of very high opinion of him so I am very hopeful that he will be able to help me.

In regards to MRI, do you think I should get it done before I go to see SD or should I wait for him to tell me what to do? I already have ultrasound images and will have CT scans of my shoulder later this week.

Thank you all once again.

[kjwilkin]

Thank you for your replies, guys. Much appreciated.:)
I have called Dr. Seamus Dalton and am scheduled to see him on the 19th.
It seems that everybody is of very high opinion of him so I am very hopeful that he will be able to help me.

In regards to MRI, do you think I should get it done before I go to see SD or should I wait for him to tell me what to do? I already have ultrasound images and will have CT scans of my shoulder later this week.

Thank you all once again.

Hi there,

I'd just wait to you see Seamus. The MRI was also be cheaper if he refers you to have one as far as I understand.

Good luck and let us know how you go.

[bluerex]

Ok, I will do that. Will wait to see what Seamus thinks. Thanks KJ.
Maybe my CT scan will shed some light. I am getting it done this afternoon.

I realise CTs are not as effective as MRIs but its a start.

Angie, hope your shoulder gets better. It is so frustrating not being able to do things you enjoy. Let us know how your session with Seamus goes.
Seriously, reading on the forums sounds like Seamus is an excellent doctor. Really looking forward to seeing him.

[angieliu]

Hi there,

I agree with KJ wait for the MRI scan because it will be cheaper to get one if Seamus refers you because he is recognised as a specialist by medicare. They also have an Xray place attached to NSSM too so they should get you in pretty quickly.

If i were you bring everything you have including the ultrasound and results for the CT. I am thinking about sending them to Seamus before I go to see him so that he can have a chance to look at it.

Will keep you posted about what happens with Seamus. I am going to see him for a second opinion on my shoulder to get a proper diagnosis. I think it's important to know what I have done despite ex rehab is going really well and I'm building more strength. In terms of Seamus being highly recommended, put it this way my physio said if you want to go and see someone about a shoulder problem seamus is your guy. I was going to see him when my shoulder started playing up but was convinced to see someone in Canberra. Silly choice because I'm going to see Seamus anywa.
Let us know how you go. I'm booked in to see Seamus on the 19th too.

Angie

[bluerex]

I have just called that Xray place (9463 3400). MRI without specialist referral $290, with specialist referral $532 - $342 Medicare rebate =$190 out of pocket. Not bad.

What time is your appt on 19th, Ange? I will be there at 4.

Should have started looking for a worthwile doctor a long time ago. Pretty much wasted a year.

[TIGERLOVE]

Hey im really interested in this conversation because me and you sound like we have
done that same thing about 8 months ago i was bench pressing and i noticed that i was
getting really sore shoulder its like a sharp pain and it really hurts to sleep on and
also cracks when i move it.
I have backed off on the weights but my shoulder is still very sore, do u recone i could
have done that same thing as u?
Thanks mate
Corey

[bluerex]

Hey im really interested in this conversation because me and you sound like we have
done that same thing about 8 months ago i was bench pressing and i noticed that i was
getting really sore shoulder its like a sharp pain and it really hurts to sleep on and
also cracks when i move it.
I have backed off on the weights but my shoulder is still very sore, do u recone i could
have done that same thing as u?
Thanks mate
Corey

Hey Corey. It certainly sounds very similar.
I have tried to get back into the gym a number of times just to do arms/back, etc and yet I am unable to do anything due to the pain. I start off ok but then realise that my shoulder is still being affected.
I do not hear any cracks in my shoulder though - it is just a dull pain that becomes sharper when I exercise.
Have you had it looked at?

[angieliu]

I have just called that Xray place (9463 3400). MRI without specialist referral $290, with specialist referral $532 - $342 Medicare rebate =$190 out of pocket. Not bad.

What time is your appt on 19th, Ange? I will be there at 4.

Should have started looking for a worthwile doctor a long time ago. Pretty much wasted a year.


Bluerex I'm seeing Seamus at 1pm.
Make sure that you have a referral from your GP because you get about $115 back from medicare and if you don't you get very little back.
I know how you are feeling, I felt the same way. I should have gone to see a sports doctor as soon as I hurt my shoulder but brushed it off. At least exercise rehab is going really well.. Look forward to seeing Seamus though. My shoulder is continuing to make these funny clunking noises and I need to get a diagnosis so that I can continue to dance. :D

It's good to know that you get money back from Medicare.

Ange

[angieliu]

Hey Corey. It certainly sounds very similar.
I have tried to get back into the gym a number of times just to do arms/back, etc and yet I am unable to do anything due to the pain. I start off ok but then realise that my shoulder is still being affected.
I do not hear any cracks in my shoulder though - it is just a dull pain that becomes sharper when I exercise.
Have you had it looked at?


Corey I'd be really careful with the weights especially arms and back if you have hurt yourf shoulder. When I hurt my shoulder thought that because it was my shoulder I could do bicep and tricep stuff and a little bit of pec work but realised that I felt more sore after the workouts. In reality your shoulder is very complex and all the muscles are interconnected. If you hurt it then other muscles will compensate and so the injured muscle will become very weak.

I would ease back off the weights and be very careful. Don't delay going to see a good sports doctor who specialises in shoulders. Even when I finally went to see a sports doctor I should have gone to sydney as I had initially thought. My sports doc said that since there was no tear that I should go back to exercise rehab with the same physio who I was originally seeing. Lucky I didn't because he did more damage than good.

There is no point going to see a sports doc who doesn't understand shoulders. I am going to see Seamus Dalton about my shoulder in about a weeks time. I have heard very good raps about him and even my physio who works at the AIS says he is known as 'the shoulder man'. My physio at the AIS is amazing so if you are in Canberra I'd highly recommend you go and see him.

For the time being I've found that if your muscles are very tense that magnesium helps me a lot about 300mg a day for a couple days until you feel better.

[bluerex]

I am also taking magnesium. It is meant to be good for tense muscles but in all honesty, I cannot say that it has done anything for me.
I still keep taking it though:)

[bluerex]

hey guys. Just got my CT sacn results so thought Id share with you.

"No bony abnormality. No Hill Sachs or bony Bankhart lesion to suggest prior anterior dislocation. No arthropathy within the glenohumeral or acromioclavicular joints. No os acromiale or anterior subacromial spur.
Soft tissue evaluation is limited with CT but cuff tendons are of normal thickness and there is no atrophy of the muscle bulk. Full assessment of the labro-capsular stuctures and cuff tendons would require MRI".

I guess that means no serious damage but I do need to get an MRI to make sure. Although I am happy there is nothing serious, I am back to square 1, not knowing what is wrong with me.:confused:

[angieliu]

I am also taking magnesium. It is meant to be good for tense muscles but in all honesty, I cannot say that it has done anything for me.
I still keep taking it though:)

Really? I have been taking magnesium because I get a lot of muscle cramps and it seems to work really well I also sleep better when I take it.

I guess it also depends on the dosage too. Some tablets are with calcium and magnesium and end up containing very little of it. I normally take 300 mg for a couple of days when my muscles are tense and then leave it until they tense up. I buy the Nutrilife Magnesium tablets which are really good. and not too expensive about $14 a bottle for 100 tablets.

[angieliu]

hey guys. Just got my CT sacn results so thought Id share with you.

"No bony abnormality. No Hill Sachs or bony Bankhart lesion to suggest prior anterior dislocation. No arthropathy within the glenohumeral or acromioclavicular joints. No os acromiale or anterior subacromial spur.
Soft tissue evaluation is limited with CT but cuff tendons are of normal thickness and there is no atrophy of the muscle bulk. Full assessment of the labro-capsular stuctures and cuff tendons would require MRI".

I guess that means no serious damage but I do need to get an MRI to make sure. Although I am happy there is nothing serious, I am back to square 1, not knowing what is wrong with me.:confused:

See how you go with the MRI... I'd also see what your OS thinks about the results. I guess MRI's are better at showing things if you have tears. I know how you feel and can understand your frustration and confusion. I just went to see an acupuncturist today and it looks like I've been attacked by an octopus (from cupping not acupuncture). I know that I have very poor blood flow in some areas because I have purple marks from the cupping. I guess it's a good thing to increase blood flow but not a pleasant sight to see dark purple marks on me. :)

See what your doctor thinks and just remember the first opinion you get isn't always absolute.

[bluerex]

Thanks Angie.
Good luck with your doctor visit too.
Let me know how you go.;)