shoulder and arm injury

[debbie clarke]

I WORK AT AN OLD AGE PEOPLES HOME AND SAW A PERSON FALLING TO FLOOR. SHE WAS A THIRD WAY DOWN WHEN I CAUGHT HER AND LEVERED HER BY HER HEAD AND ARM TO THE FLOOR WHICH OUT-STRETCHED MY SHOULDER AND ARM. I FIRST GOT PAIN IN ELBOW THEN SHOULDER. THIS WAS 6 WEEKS AGO. ULTRASOUND SHOWED FLUID ON BURSAR. M.R.I. WAS DONE LAST THURSDAY AND SHOWED 5mm PARTIAL TEAR INVOLVING ANTERIER BURSAL SURFACE OF THE SUPRASPINATUS TENDON. I AM STILL IN IMMENSE PAIN IN THE SHOULDER AND THE LOWER PART OF THE UPPER ARM AS WELL AS TINGLING AND PINS AND NEEDLES IN THE FINGERS. IS THIS NORMAL OR SHOULD THEY BE LOOKING AT THE LOWER UPPER ARM AS WELL? JUST WANT TO GET BACK TO DOING NORMAL DUTIES. ANY HOPE?::confused:

[matt182]

Sounds as though your have damaged a bit of your nerve, the tingling sensation would likebly be a results or damage to the nerve in your upper arm/neck.

Who have you been seeing, a pyhsiotherapist?

[angieliu]

Ouch, I'm sorry to hear that your shoulder is very painful. I would go and see a physiotherapist who specialises in shoulders.

As for getting back to normal. My understanding with tears is that you need to rest completing for about 6-8 weeks. This means that you shouldn't do any weight bearing movements. The physio should be able to guide you with when you can start going back to do normal duties. they should also be able to treat the inflammation and give you exercises to strengthen the muscle.

I hope things feel better. I always find when my shoulder is upset or I've over strained it ice and some voltarin work wonders!

[debbie clarke]

Sounds as though your have damaged a bit of your nerve, the tingling sensation would likebly be a results or damage to the nerve in your upper arm/neck.

Who have you been seeing, a pyhsiotherapist?
i went to a physio for the 1st 3 weeks but it aggrevated it and made it throb more so doctor said no more. I have been seeing a wonderful natural healer who has been treating me with Bowen. It is the only relief I get after he has been for the next 24 hours. He seems to think I need surgery and sooner rather than later. The pain has been so intense my whole body will shake in spasms. The doc wont give me anything stronger than paradex as the others are addictive. Doc also injected cortisone last Tues which has not done a thing.

[debbie clarke]

Ouch, I'm sorry to hear that your shoulder is very painful. I would go and see a physiotherapist who specialises in shoulders.

As for getting back to normal. My understanding with tears is that you need to rest completing for about 6-8 weeks. This means that you shouldn't do any weight bearing movements. The physio should be able to guide you with when you can start going back to do normal duties. they should also be able to treat the inflammation and give you exercises to strengthen the muscle.

I hope things feel better. I always find when my shoulder is upset or I've over strained it ice and some voltarin work wonders!
I am now into my 7th week with complete rest. Believe me it has been very difficult to stay idle after being such an active person but I want a good quality of life so tv movies and music has been my saviour. I had to stop physio as it worsened.I actually think it tore more. My only relief has been bowen treatment and working with pressure points. He has been wonderful. But he seems to think I neeed surgery.

[angieliu]

Hi there,

WEll I did notice that some treatments didn't work very well for my shoulder like infrarential treatment. So if it is not makin you feel better then I think it was a good idea to stop. I'm glad to hear that bowen therapy has been helping. I don't know too much of it. But I do know that but working on your pressure points can help with improving the blood flow and promoting the muscle and cartillage to heal.

When you went over the MRI results with your doctor did he suggest treatment? I think that you should go and see a sports doctor, bring your results and ask for more guided treatment. If bowen therapy is working then I wouldn't stop but it might be a good idea to get an idea of what you should be doing to try to strengthen your shoulder. Surgery to me is always the last option. Your shoulder muscles are very complex, and there are a lot of major nerves going through the shoulder. Some people opt for surgery as a quicker option to heal but for me. Conservative treatment is more appealing because I have noticed progress from it. I didn't even consider the thought of surgery because it's very invasive and can be very painful.

Hope you start to feel a little better soon :)

[debbie clarke]

Hi there,

WEll I did notice that some treatments didn't work very well for my shoulder like infrarential treatment. So if it is not makin you feel better then I think it was a good idea to stop. I'm glad to hear that bowen therapy has been helping. I don't know too much of it. But I do know that but working on your pressure points can help with improving the blood flow and promoting the muscle and cartillage to heal.

When you went over the MRI results with your doctor did he suggest treatment? I think that you should go and see a sports doctor, bring your results and ask for more guided treatment. If bowen therapy is working then I wouldn't stop but it might be a good idea to get an idea of what you should be doing to try to strengthen your shoulder. Surgery to me is always the last option. Your shoulder muscles are very complex, and there are a lot of major nerves going through the shoulder. Some people opt for surgery as a quicker option to heal but for me. Conservative treatment is more appealing because I have noticed progress from it. I didn't even consider the thought of surgery because it's very invasive and can be very painful.

Hope you start to feel a little better soon :)
Thanks angelique for your advice. I go to see a spe******t on 8th May. So i guess he will put me on right track. I can not get over recovery time on shoulders. Also the lack of sleep from pain. Yes I cant speak highly enough about my bowen treatment man.Who would think by putting chinese medicine dressings on and using reflexology point in your feet would bring such relief. As you said just keeping the knots out and blood flowing from being in pain is a bonus. I researched and found diagrams without surgery and the tendon seems to heal like cobwebs coming from every direction and there will always be a weakness in it. I dont want surgery but if its a last resort i will do anything to get back to work. I love my job and miss the work mates and residents. I hate other people having to do my household chores. How is it since your injury?

[angieliu]

my injury is up and down. Anything that agrrevates it like doing too heavy weights. anything that has a sudden impact on it like boxing and dancing can sometimes aggrevate it. Just last week I was out dancing at an event and someone accidently pulled my arm too hard and I heard this big clunk and though ooh that doesn't sound good. My biceps tendon and shoulder capsule have been sore ever since. So I've been icing it and using voltarin to reduce the inflammation until I can see my physio next week.

I think that I've also reached the point where I just deal with it when it is sore and I just keep on plugging along with the physio treatment and exercises. I've realised rehab is a long process.. I am considering taking some glucosamine though with MSM because it will help promote healing and tendon growth.

[debbie clarke]

my injury is up and down. Anything that agrrevates it like doing too heavy weights. anything that has a sudden impact on it like boxing and dancing can sometimes aggrevate it. Just last week I was out dancing at an event and someone accidently pulled my arm too hard and I heard this big clunk and though ooh that doesn't sound good. My biceps tendon and shoulder capsule have been sore ever since. So I've been icing it and using voltarin to reduce the inflammation until I can see my physio next week.

I think that I've also reached the point where I just deal with it when it is sore and I just keep on plugging along with the physio treatment and exercises. I've realised rehab is a long process.. I am considering taking some glucosamine though with MSM because it will help promote healing and tendon growth.
I am glad to hear you are trying to get back to norm, bearing the pain and gritting the teeth. I haven't been able to get that far yet. Just pulling my socks of a morn can start spasms off in the muscle of armand top of shoulder. Going for a walk aggrevates the bursa and collarbone. So i envy you that you can get back into boxing and dancing. I will be pleased to get back to my job and do light housework. Never thought I would miss doing house work and my daytime job. Go to spec...... next Mon - not to get op but to get some unsolved answers hopefully.

[angieliu]

hey there,

With the spasms, have you tried taking some magnesium? I have always found that it has helped. You could also try getting your bowen therapist to work on those muscles, your first rib could be involved there. I have been seeing an osteo who is doing some manipulative work and that has been really helpful.

With walking and any other movement, has the physio suggested that you wear a slim or shoulder brace to help support it? I actually bought a brace because I wanted more support for my shoulder and it always seems to help when my shoulder is a little aggrevated. I can send you the details of where I got it if you like.

Goodluck with the spec. KEep us posted and just remember things will get better.

P.S. boxing caused more pain than anticipated so I'm going to steer away from it for now.

[debbie clarke]

[QUOTE=angieliu]hey there,
QUOTE]I am on magnesium and I would be grateful on knowing where to get hold of a brace. From what I have researched the pain is normal to tear of tendon. I think its more me coming to terms with being out of action. I tried walking again yesterday and ended up paying for it last night. Glad to hear you are steering away from boxing for time being. I am looking forward to getting back to work.Although I know I will not be getting near any falling residents. How a split second decision can change your life! But then again if it happened again I dont think anyone would see an elderly lady fall to the floor if I could stop her breaking her hip or worse. By the way my app..ment isn't till tues. I got mixed up in days. Every day seems the same when at home every day. I can relate your frustration on not being able to do what you are use to doing. Cheers

[angieliu]

Hi Debbie,

I bought my shoulder brace from an online physiotherapy and equipment shop. Not sure where you are but they are based in Melbourne (www.sportstek.net or 1300 785 786) . The really wanted to look for a brace which provided good support and for it to stop me from doing any sort of movements which were above shoulder level. The design of the support is for shoulder instability so I think that it would be good for you. I had a look at a number of the shoulder braces and this one is by far superior than the others.

the brace I bought was the Rehband Acro Comfort shoulder brace. It's a little pricey about $115 plus postage but well worth it. It will keep you the shoulder warm when you want it too and is made of breathable material. The thing that attracted me to it is because there are also velco attachments at the top of the shoulder which you can tighten.


Hope this is helpful.

angie

[debbie clarke]

I am in tasmania but think I now will wait till I see spe******t on Tues and see what he says. I have had a couple of rough days and been in heaps of pain. I have notes ready to take. My massage-bowen guy helped me do them out as he has seen my progress (or deteriation) every few days over the past 9 weeks. There are a lot of problem areas. He wants the bursa,deltoid, ligaments,transpesic muscles bicep and tricep muscles,collar-bone and scalpula muscles all checked. These are where they are tender or painful. Will keep you posted. The cost of the brace is not a problem and will certainly get one if allowed. Thanks again.

[debbie clarke]

just keeping you all posted. Have seen specialist. Had Xrays. nothing broken. Still in lotts of pain - that much I was carted away in ambulance on Friday. The stress of pain is taking a toll on my body and the body cant take much more. The heart is starting to be effected by 11 weeks of trauma. Specialist is getting me assesed by physio on Mon week. My anti flam was changed Tues and I had an alllergic reaction which didn't help matters. T

[debbie clarke]

JUST keeping posted. seen specialist. Had Xrays. nothing broken. Still in lotts of pain - that much I was carted away in ambulance on Friday. The stress of pain is taking a toll on my body and the body cant take much more. The heart is starting to be effected by 11 weeks of trauma. Specialist is getting me assesed by physio on Mon week. My anti flam was changed Tues and I had an alllergic reaction which didn't help matters. The docs that seen me are appalled Ihave been left in this state so long. One confided in me and said without tests he could put his finger on it. As the tear or tears have mended the scar tissue has entwined nerve into it. Just have to wait and see. All I know my patience is running out and my body is exhausted from pain.

[angieliu]

Hey Debbie,

Sorry to hear that things are not so good. I hope that it does get better. Have the docs offered any further diagnosis on what has happened, treatment options and more importantly pain management?

My shoulder has not been so great. It is clicking and it feels like it is popping in and out. Plus sleeping on my right side seems to be more painful than before. Not sure what to do. Probably will have to go back to my doc in Sydney.

[Ingie]

Hi Debbie.. being in pain all the time is really wearing on the body I sympathise with you. I hope they find out what's wrong with you soon. OUt of interest what was the antiimflammatory? I've been taking plain ole aspirin for the last couple of days which I find really good. The Naproxyn is good but makes you drowsy. I had a cortisone injection a week ago and it really helped with the pain. Helped with sleeping too. My doc thinks I've got frozen shoulder.. I'm beginning to realise shoulder problems are so hard to diagnose..
Good luck with finding treatment and let us know how it goes.

[angieliu]

Whe I hurt my shoulder in the States, the doctor gave me some celebrex which is a non steroidal anti- inflammatory, have you tried that? Apparently they also sell it here. It worked quite well for me.

Also panadiene is also really good. I find that whenever my shoulder hurts now, I ice it and also put some voltarin on it to try to soothe it. It seems to work and calm it down.

I hope things do start to calm down.

Ingie.. just a quick question did you get the frozen shoulder as a result of the tear?? That's actually one of my biggest concerns with my shoulder so I've been doing a lot of exercises and getting some soft tissue work down on the shoulder girdle to try to keep things relatively loose.

[Ingie]

Hi Angielu,

Doc thinks that it's a possibility that I got it as a result of the tear.. so a salutory lesson to all..keep the shoulder moving if at all possible.
I did keep it moving with PT soon after I started getting pain around Xmas. At that time I didn't know I had a tear. The pain was very minimal, more annoying than anything, but when the pain and stiffness didn't go away completely after 6 weeks of PT, I stopped doing much at all until I got it diagnosed correctly.. which took nearly 4 months.. At any rate, as with all things shoulder, don't really know for certain, but maybe that's when frozen shoulder took hold. The pain once it sets in is very hard to treat.

[kjwilkin]

JUST keeping posted. seen specialist. Had Xrays. nothing broken. Still in lotts of pain - that much I was carted away in ambulance on Friday. The stress of pain is taking a toll on my body and the body cant take much more. The heart is starting to be effected by 11 weeks of trauma. Specialist is getting me assesed by physio on Mon week. My anti flam was changed Tues and I had an alllergic reaction which didn't help matters. The docs that seen me are appalled Ihave been left in this state so long. One confided in me and said without tests he could put his finger on it. As the tear or tears have mended the scar tissue has entwined nerve into it. Just have to wait and see. All I know my patience is running out and my body is exhausted from pain.

Hi Debbie,

I can appreciate what you must be going through right now. Last week I had shoulder surgery with Greg Hoy for multi directional instability. I was really keen to avoid an operation but after three years of conservative treatment it became too much. I'm already finding that it's so much better.

What sorts of scans did you have ? X-rays often don't show much. They are often used for shoulder instability.

Make sure that the physio you go to specialises in shoulders. You may also find it beneficial to see a good sports physician. To find a sports physician check out www.acsp.org.au

I'm quite sensitive to anti-inflammatory medication. I take Prexige and find it really effective.

Good luck with it all.

[debbie clarke]

Next Week I Am Off To Melbourne To See A Specialist. It Was All Arranged Today. The Anti-flam That Caused A Anaphaltic Reaction Was Actually Prexige. Only Took Them For 2 Days. 1 A Day. I Have Been On Celebrex For The Rest Of Time And Back On It Again Now. I Am Allergic To Tartrazines And Orange And Yellow Dyes. As For Pain Management I Am On Mersyndyl Forte And Last Week They Give Me Endone To Stop The Spasms And Settle The Heart Rate Down.i Was Only Taking The Endone At Night To Get Some Sleep -( Still Only Managing 2 To 5 Hours)-and Panadol Or Mersyndyl When I Was In Lots Of Pain Through The Day. Now They Told Me I Have To Take 2 Panadol Every 4hours To Keep The Pain In Control. Thanks To All You Guys Out There For Keeping Me Sane. I Hate The Thought Of Some One Else Going Through The Pain I Endure But Its Also Nice To Know I Am Not The Only One. I Go To Melb Tues And Come Back Friday So I Will Let You Know What Happens. Thanks Again

[debbie clarke]

Hi, Sounds Like Ou Have Been Through The War On Shoulders As Well. I Had Xrays Done Of Right Shoulder, Clavicle And Chest. I Really Didnt Think Any Thing Is Broken And Results Showed No Breaks. I Think I Need The Same Thing Done As Well As The Right Arm In A M.r.i. As I Am Pretty Sure Its Nerve Damage. It's A Coincidence That You Are On The Drug That I Was Allergic To. Although I Think It May Have Worked Well On Me If I Could Take It As On The 2nd Day I Felt Less Burning And Pain In The Shoulders. I Am Off To A Physio Monday So She Will Do A Summary On It Before I Go To Melb On Tues. Its A Pretty Hectic Schedule But Hopefully Worth It In The Long Run. Good Luck With Your Recovery!

[debbie clarke]

I AM KEEPING IT MOVING AND QUITE AWARE FROZEN SHOULDER CAN TAKE PLACE EASILY. I AM ON CELEBREX - IT SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY ONE THAT IS SAFE AT THE MOMENT. IN MY LIFETIME I HAVEN'T HAD TOO HAVE MANY DRUGS AS I USUALLY KEEP FIT AND HEALTHY AND CHOOSE TO GO TO NATURAL OILS AS IN FISH OILS AND EMU OIL TO KEEP MY BODY HEALTH. IT MUST HAVE WORKED BECAUSE IN 6 YEARS I HAVE ONLY HAD 9 HOURS OFF IN SICK LEAVE. I DONT CLASS MYSELF AS SICK NOW - JUST INJURED (in a big way). I USE ICE FREQUENTLY AND FIND IT A GREAT SOURCE TO SOOTHE. MY MASSAGE GUY GETS ME TO EXERCISE IT AS WELL.

[kjwilkin]

Hi Debbie,

Thanks for the kind words. I've sent you a private message.

Good luck with it all.

[debbie clarke]

Just A Quick Update. Back From Melb And I Return On 14th For Surgery. Bursar Needs Looking At. Lymph Glands Ares't Draining Properly And Fluid Backing Up Into Bursa. Spurs Are Connecting To Nerves And He Will Remove Scar Tisssue From Torn Tendon. Looking Forward To A Road To Recovery.

[angieliu]

Hey debbie,

Glad to hear that you have had a proper diagnosis. Best of luck with surgery.
Take it easy until then.

Angie

[debbie clarke]

Thanks ANGIE and to all that have replied and kept my sanity over the last 4 months. Thursday week can't come soon enough. This was my first forum that I had ever been involved in - I sure found wonderful support and advice- keep up the good work everyone. Will keep posted after op