Supraspinatus rotator cuff

[rowdy]

I'm a hockey goalie and about four weeks ago I did a diving save which injured my shoulder. The physio is certain that the damage is my supra spinatus..but as it happened four weeks ago and is still giving me grief (It has improved though) I'm having an ultra sound done..just to double check what is going on...
The thing is i'm really scared that I won't be able to play to my potential ever again..Goals involves alot of throwing yourself on the ground etc.. What is the verdict for this injury....will my shoulder be ok...How long till I can play again
Hockey is my life..my greatest enjoyment...Please give me some good news stories...

[injuryupdate]

Cross your fingers about the ultrasound results. If you are getting on in age, this is the most likely diagnosis. If you are only in your teens or 20s, then it is just as likely you might have some cartilage damage from subluxing the joint. If the ultrasound is clear, but the shoulder doesn't get better, you might need to get an MRI scan.

[rowdy]

I had the ultra sound and no tears appeared to be in the supra spinatus..however the Bursa ?? apparently appeared thickened and very inflamed...They recommended maybe having an injection in the shoulder...I'm seeing my physio today but was wondering do I treat this differently now ??

[injuryupdate]

With this ultrasound result, cortisone injection becomes a more recommended option.

[rowdy]

You mentioned in your previous post that I may have done some damage by subluxing the joint when I dived on my shoulder as opposed to actually tearing something...Is it possible that if that was the case this would cause the inflamation in the Bursa...Its just that I read somthing that said Bursitas dosnt usually occur unless there has been some damage to the rotator cuff

[Sheryl]

I had the ultra sound and no tears appeared to be in the supra spinatus..however the Bursa ?? apparently appeared thickened and very inflamed...They recommended maybe having an injection in the shoulder...I'm seeing my physio today but was wondering do I treat this differently now ??
I had cortisone into both bursas after having an ultrasound 6 months after the trouble started and i was sick of the physio getting no where.? why? dont we have scans sooner instead of going on the Guesswork of the physios. I had been diagnosed with RSI, Tendonitis for 10 yeras and had tried everything from conventional options to slapping myself with hot Makeral under the full moon(almost). I took up swimming to help a back problem but this helped the Tendonitis quite ammazingly. But because I dont do anything by halves after swimming four mornings a week for four years I now have Bursitis.and cant do much with my friggin arms now. I will die of bordom If I am only allowed to kick up and down the pool. I have not swum for 8 months. physio does nothing.
the best thing I have found is Bowen Therapy. I t releives it enough so that can sleep on my side instead of my back, and i can also work. BUT nothing fixes it permanently.. please there has to be someone out there who knows what to do.
IF I WAS A FAMOUS VALUED ELITE ATHLETE someone WOULD GET it FIXED!!!!!!
any ideas suggestions would be welcomed.
I have tried almost everthing over the years!!!

[sydunisportsmed]

Worth maybe trying nitrate patches (NitroDur) in 1/4s although you will need a doctor's prescription for this, and an enlightened doctor who has read the papers by Paoloni and Murrell.

[Bigfoot]

If you have found Bowen good, continue same, but maybe have a few weekly sessions with well controlled and specifically mapped out rehab/return to activity plans. Also suggest trying some Dr Vodder MLD(r) sessions with a Certified Dr Vodder Therapist. Especially, imo, go back swimming 2xpw in a moderate fashion, apply arnica or comfrey 3-4 x pd and manage it in your boundaries to obtain more quality of life.

[Unregistered]

.. please there has to be someone out there who knows what to do.
IF I WAS A FAMOUS VALUED ELITE ATHLETE someone WOULD GET it FIXED!!!!!!
any ideas suggestions would be welcomed.
I have tried almost everthing over the years!!![/QUOTE]

I totally understand your frustration Sheryl. I'm a year into life with a difficult shoulder. If they can fix the super-elite athletes and work out what's wrong in a matter of days, why on earth does it take years to find the same answer for Mr & Ms Ordinary? On bad days it just feels like we're not worth the time and effort because we aren't special enough - childish attitude I know, but bad days don't bring out the best in us do they?

Someone told me once that the elite athletes start ringing alarm bells as soon as something doesn't feel right, and the rest of us just put up with that "twinge" that doesn't feel right until it escalates into a huge problem. I can see the logic in that when you're talking chronic injury, but it doesn't really explain the top NRL players that tear an AC ligament and are back playing footy before the season is out.

reason

[injuryupdate]

Elite athletes also run up absolutely enormous medical and physio bills and have very high pain tolerance. I would encourage you to write to the Health Minister though and ask why sports medicine is funded by Medicare less than every other recognised area of medicine. If you can change his attitude on this, sports medicine treatment may become more affordable for the average person.

[Unregistered]

Fair Point. Didn't think of it that way.

I thought I was paying alot for medical treatment, but I wouldn't classify my bills as "absolutely enormous" (thank god for private health insurance easing the pinch a bit). I wish I could afford to go to Physio everyday, but that just isn't going to happen!

I will get on to the Health Minister though. Someone has to do it - the more someones that put pen to paper the better!

reason




Elite athletes also run up absolutely enormous medical and physio bills and have very high pain tolerance. I would encourage you to write to the Health Minister though and ask why sports medicine is funded by Medicare less than every other recognised area of medicine. If you can change his attitude on this, sports medicine treatment may become more affordable for the average person.

[jolie]

Hi,
I feel your pain girls, with your shoulder problem.....I too have one, even though, I don't know the full meaning of it...

My story is that I hurt my shoulder/back area at work, pushing/pulling/lifting/dropping very heavy boxes part of my job...I collapsed at work, and was told to go home, only to find out after seeing a doctor I had Tendonitis/Bursitis? Because of the severe pain, and losing my job and bills piling up, I suffered depression.....after 2.5yrs, I got compensation for a measly $7500, and my work wouldn't pay for medical bills etc.....I had a lazy solicitor that couldn't be bothered to help me fully, so I had to do the fighting on my own, as he told me that if I found another solicitor, I would have to pay him for his work to date, which I couldn't so I kept him on......anyway...
I was told by a wonderful shoulder specialist who was very caring and helpful, who said I needed cortisone injections but I just couldn't afford them, I was out of work......he also told me I had to go for hydrotherapy and physio which too I couldn't afford....

Its been 3 yrs since this happened and Im still out of work, why? I have been doing phsyical work all my life, and now in the middle of doing 'office' training, which is extrememly difficult to understand and I have troubles with it.....:(
I can't lift stuff without being in so much pain, I have severe back pain, where I cannot even move out of bed most times, I have lost my abilitly to do my everyday things I enjoyed in the past, I have lost family and friends because of my moods....I have suffered from depression which recently have been controlled, but in the mean time, I go to my local doctor who just tells me to take pain killers and to do light excercises etc....which I do and she's great, but I know I speak of behalf of alot of ppl in here, that the pain and frustration of it becomes to hard to bare!!! and what I want to know is without any costs as I am not working.....what can I do for myself to not feel so much pain in the shoulder blade/back area? Is there anything that would strengthen it or will an operation fix it? This would be free in a public hosp which I am willing to wait for, I just need more info and advice on how to deal with this please as I feel I got no where with the doctors? not their fault, mine as I have no spare money to pay for certain things......

Anyway sorry that this is so long, just wanted to explain where Im coming from....and thanks for your help in advance!