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Old 04-18-2018, 07:40 PM
trigger7mm trigger7mm is online now
 
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Default Rotator Cuff detereoration?

Hello everybody, I've been an electrician for over 25 years, and have always seemed to working with my arms over my head. The last few months, my shoulders have been getting more and more painful, to the point of having difficulty getting my coat on, or reaching for things. I have started physiotherapy. At this point there is no way I can draw my bow. Has any one had this problem, and been able to recover from it? I've consider d chorosome shots, but I've heard they are a last resort. Rotator cuffs are wearing out I guess from all the years of using my shoulders maybe more than a lot of people would. Thanks for any advice or help you can give.
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Old 04-18-2018, 07:53 PM
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pikergolf pikergolf is offline
 
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Have you had an Xray and ultrasound on your shoulders? That will give you a good idea as to what's up. Both my rotator cuffs are torn, but all not the way through, they dont seem to want to do much other than cortisone shots. Frustrating for me, as I have lost a lot of mobility and strength.
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Old 04-18-2018, 07:57 PM
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threeforthree threeforthree is offline
 
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Same problem, cannot work over head , now I go in every 6 months for a cort shot under X-ray,he sees were exactly to put needle.
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Old 04-18-2018, 08:05 PM
Lites out Lites out is offline
 
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I installed kitchen cabinets for 10 years before moving on to home building! I know , work load is supposed to go in the other direction !! My left shoulder from lifting upper cabinets progressively got worse and worse till I could lift no more. One doctor put me on a drug called co diclo miso and that made it manageable but thats it> He told me my life would consist of taller ladders and to not lift above shoulder height. Well thats great unless you're a cabinet installer! Long story short,Cortezone shot into the area while being observed by x ray for placement combined with a 2 week vacation to Mexico! My shoulder is good as its ever been! ! shot worked for me ! Probably worth a try cause that pain really sucks
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Old 04-18-2018, 08:05 PM
trigger7mm trigger7mm is online now
 
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Default Rotator cuff

I have had X-rays, and the doctor sent me to physio. He offered to give me shots, but I haven't tried that yet.
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Old 04-18-2018, 08:05 PM
muledriver muledriver is offline
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Same problem, had an MRI, Doc basically said if it was a hip, they'd replace it, but suggested physio instead.

I found swimming helped a lot (breast stroke, not crawl). It now still hurts, but I have more movement than I've had in years.
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Old 04-18-2018, 08:17 PM
Muller Muller is offline
 
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Both sides torn.
Not enough to warrant surgery. Physio works well to increase mobility.
I lift free weights to increase my strength (light but lots of reps).
Getting old sucks, but it beats the alternative.
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Old 04-18-2018, 09:13 PM
ATF ATF is offline
 
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Press your doctor for a referral to a specialist.
I went through this crap for a few years with a couple of quack GP's who pulled that same BS.
They always wanted to do cortisone shots too, which by the way will take down inflammation short term but also damages the collagen in the joint and isn't a long term solution.
I've had several before I found out they are not going to "heal" anything.
Without an MRI or at least ultrasound they can't tell squat about tears especially if you happen to have some upper body strength or muscle mass.
I finally got to see an orthopedic guy and he diagnosed a tear that required surgery right away.
I had the other shoulder tear a few years later and got the referral right away that time and had it fixed within a few months.
And man is it WAAAY better to be fixed than just tolerable.
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Old 04-18-2018, 09:18 PM
boah boah is offline
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I've had the same problem. Cortisone was the answer. The Mayo clinic says its ok, that's good enough for me. It is certainly worth a try over surgery.

Last edited by boah; 04-18-2018 at 09:31 PM.
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Old 04-18-2018, 09:28 PM
Muller Muller is offline
 
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ATF, my doctor told me rotator cuff surgery was worse than a hip replacement.
How long where you incapacitated?
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Old 04-18-2018, 11:27 PM
gevarm guy gevarm guy is offline
 
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Currently going to physiotherapy at Brentwood Mall physio. Couldn't lift my right arm at all without pain when I first went in. Have been in for 4 treatments over 2 weeks and do my exercises religiously. Almost back to normal, another month and hoping to be able to golf and pull bow back this fall.
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Old 04-19-2018, 12:11 AM
Peterupnorth Peterupnorth is offline
 
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I hardly know anyone who doesn't have rotator problems.
Surgery doesn't seem to be the answer. One was over today saying he's now worse off. Physio is fine....until you make that one wrong movement reaching for something.
It's now just part of life and if pain gets bad, a good gob of "bio-freeze" makes it better.
Actually after a few years you get to know your limitations. Stay well above what you lift.
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Old 04-19-2018, 06:20 AM
landowner landowner is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ATF View Post
Press your doctor for a referral to a specialist.
I went through this crap for a few years with a couple of quack GP's who pulled that same BS.
They always wanted to do cortisone shots too, which by the way will take down inflammation short term but also damages the collagen in the joint and isn't a long term solution.
I've had several before I found out they are not going to "heal" anything.
Without an MRI or at least ultrasound they can't tell squat about tears especially if you happen to have some upper body strength or muscle mass.
I finally got to see an orthopedic guy and he diagnosed a tear that required surgery right away.
I had the other shoulder tear a few years later and got the referral right away that time and had it fixed within a few months.
And man is it WAAAY better to be fixed than just tolerable.
I had nearly the same experience, from 30% to over 80% , get a good surgeon/ specialist
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Old 04-19-2018, 06:36 AM
parfleche parfleche is offline
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x2 MRI Insist on it! and IF you can afford it pay for it, about $7 to $11 hundred . Don,t waste your time with shots , They do a temporary fix at times but no long term. The key here is Do EXACTLY as you are told when you do rehab! No chancing a thing to hurt recovery . I had excellent results BUT again rehab was the key . Almost every fellow I personally knew that had this surgery , tried to rush the recovery and ended up with poor results. I had severe tares , during surgery they disconnected my bicep t ,took the AC joint out etc . Make sure you have the proper pain medication to return home ! Or you will remember it for a long time! Dr out of St Albert did mine , Heck of a job ! I have almost full power back and 100 percent range off movement ! Could not be happier , Recovery and back to work is long!
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Old 04-19-2018, 07:49 AM
muledriver muledriver is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by parfleche View Post
x2 MRI Insist on it! and IF you can afford it pay for it, about $7 to $11 hundred . Don,t waste your time with shots , They do a temporary fix at times but no long term. The key here is Do EXACTLY as you are told when you do rehab! No chancing a thing to hurt recovery . I had excellent results BUT again rehab was the key . Almost every fellow I personally knew that had this surgery , tried to rush the recovery and ended up with poor results. I had severe tares , during surgery they disconnected my bicep t ,took the AC joint out etc . Make sure you have the proper pain medication to return home ! Or you will remember it for a long time! Dr out of St Albert did mine , Heck of a job ! I have almost full power back and 100 percent range off movement ! Could not be happier , Recovery and back to work is long!
My MRI was as a result of ultrasound imaging not being clear enough to determine the issue. I had to wait about 9 weeks, but no big deal, as I've lived with the issue for many years, and it was getting worse in the past year or so.

As stated before, and others have had the same information, it is easier and less complicated to do a hip replacement. Physio and exercise helped me, although the pain certainly still kicks in occasionally.

BTW, I strongly suspect chucking too much lead down range without adequate buffer/pad on my rifle is the reason.
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Old 04-19-2018, 07:51 AM
ATF ATF is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muller View Post
ATF, my doctor told me rotator cuff surgery was worse than a hip replacement.
How long where you incapacitated?
I won't lie the surgery itself is painful for a couple of days after and then uncomfortable for a couple of weeks. You're in a sling full time for a good part of a month to help with the healing.
I was off work for 3 months in total while recovering.
I've had both arthroscopic and a mini open procedure on each shoulder.
Downtime was a little less with the arthroscopic and there's tiny little cars compared to the 3 inch one with the mini open.
If your surgery is on your dominant hand then that's where it gets really interesting. I'm right handed and not being able to use your arm for several weeks for the simplest things is challenging. Try brushing your teeth with the other hand some day.
They get you moving the arm by doing prescribed exercises the next day after surgery which was frustrating and painful to start. It's really important to suffer through these though in order to regain your flexibility in the joint.
It sucks but it gets easier each week. After 8 weeks and with physio it actually is night and day.
I no longer get that impingement pain when lifting my arm over my head. No more aches at night when trying to sleep on my back. I can throw a football and baseball which I couldn't do without pain before the surgery and I was back in the gym lifting weights within a few months.
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Old 04-19-2018, 08:03 AM
Taiga Taiga is offline
 
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Just wondering the age’s of folks posting who are having rotator cuff problems? I have read that sleeping with your arms over/under your head at night is bad (the stretching). I do shoulder presses heavy every two days for the last 15 years and do not seem to have any rotator issues, flexibility could be better though. I am 40. Just wondering if the exercise is helping or going to hurt me.
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Old 04-19-2018, 10:14 AM
trigger7mm trigger7mm is online now
 
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Default Rotator cuffs

Thanks everyone for your input on this. I am 57 as of yesterday, and this has been bothering me for a few months now. Getting old sucks, my father in law was right. He used to tell me that once in a while. I want to stay away from the shots because I was told by a specialist, that they deteriorate your tendons over time, and a rupture could result. It's great that there are folks on here that can give some great advice to try and help a fellow member out. Thanks again everybody. Your input is greatly apprececiated. Have a great weekend one and all.
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Old 04-19-2018, 10:30 AM
Bigbuzz Bigbuzz is offline
 
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Default rotator cuff

I just turned 65 and have had rotator cuff issues for a number of years. Worked in the construction industry. Had a couple of cortisone shots and they worked very well for me, not everyone apparently. There are some risks involved with these(cortisone) but at my age surgery has a lengthy recovery time. I have learned what hurts my shoulder and avoid overhead work. The surgeon also recommended I come back after I retire and they would look at it again.My gp is a sports specialist and strongly recommended I live with it, my 2 cents.

Last edited by Bigbuzz; 04-19-2018 at 10:31 AM. Reason: typo
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  #20  
Old 04-19-2018, 12:58 PM
Jayhad Jayhad is offline
 
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Static hanging does wonders for rotator cuff injuries
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Old 04-19-2018, 01:01 PM
dgl1948 dgl1948 is offline
 
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Be very careful with the cortisone shots. I had partial tear. The shots gave me relief but they make the tendon brittle where it attaches to the bone. My partial become a full tear and required surgery. Like someone indicated if you are right handed practice wiping your but with the left prior to surgery.
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Old 04-19-2018, 03:22 PM
JohnB JohnB is offline
 
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You could try platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.

As above, static hang. Google has some good info.

Good luck
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Old 04-19-2018, 05:08 PM
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Little red riding hood Little red riding hood is offline
 
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I had PRP injection in September for a herniated disc, very happy with the results.
The doc who did mine said it works for knees, elbows, shoulders, anything with cartilage, there's a clinic in Edmonton, but I got mine at paradigm health group in Calgary. Give them a call and have a chat.
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Old 04-19-2018, 07:57 PM
beltburner beltburner is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayhad View Post
Static hanging does wonders for rotator cuff injuries
do this^^^^^
and also look up shockwave therapy. Theres an amazing guy in Strathmore at active health solutions. it breaks up the scar tissues and helps get it healing. it's done wonders for me
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Old 04-19-2018, 08:50 PM
ATF ATF is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Taiga View Post
Just wondering the age’s of folks posting who are having rotator cuff problems? I have read that sleeping with your arms over/under your head at night is bad (the stretching). I do shoulder presses heavy every two days for the last 15 years and do not seem to have any rotator issues, flexibility could be better though. I am 40. Just wondering if the exercise is helping or going to hurt me.
I was 42 for the first and 48 for the second. Had been lifting since mid twenties. Not sure how I tore the first time but the second time was definitely incline presses. Felt the pop bringing the bar down.
They say after 40 a guy should not do any heavy overhead presses like military press due to the likelihood of an injury.
Both surgeries were rotator cuff and bicep tendon repairs.
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Old 04-19-2018, 09:51 PM
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8x68S 8x68S is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trigger7mm View Post
Hello everybody, I've been an electrician for over 25 years, and have always seemed to working with my arms over my head. The last few months, my shoulders have been getting more and more painful, to the point of having difficulty getting my coat on, or reaching for things. I have started physiotherapy. At this point there is no way I can draw my bow. Has any one had this problem, and been able to recover from it? I've consider d chorosome shots, but I've heard they are a last resort. Rotator cuffs are wearing out I guess from all the years of using my shoulders maybe more than a lot of people would. Thanks for any advice or help you can give.
Go for an ultrasound. Same thing happened to me. Turned out to be a tear in a tendon that runs through my left shoulder.
Physio is helping. The more you use it while its damaged the worse it will get. I was unable to do much with my left arm/shoulder for almost 4 months. Strength is starting to slowly return. Did you doc or physio guy do a simple strength test. You hold out your forearms in front of you at the waist. The doc will put his/her/peoplekinds hands against yours and ask you to resist their pushing. If not resistance offered then you have a nasty problem. Have you also been checked for bloodclots? Been there too.
Stay away from Cortisone injections. They are a temp fix only. In a few years they will deteriorate the joint, or affected area greatly. I used to work with race horses many years ago. The cheap ones got Cortisone, the expensive ones got Hyaluronic Acid. After a couple of years the Cortisone caused major irreparable problems in the horses joints.
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Old 04-20-2018, 12:26 AM
landowner landowner is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muller View Post
ATF, my doctor told me rotator cuff surgery was worse than a hip replacement.
How long where you incapacitated?
I have had both surgeries , the rotator cuff was just as painful, the worse part was that the healing is so slow it’s frustrating.
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Old 04-20-2018, 06:38 AM
Sleddawg Sleddawg is offline
 
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Have you looked into stem cell therapy? There is a place in Lacombe called Capri Clinic that I have heard good things about. 45 year old friend had both knees done and he said they feel 18 again.
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Old 04-20-2018, 07:41 AM
happy honker happy honker is offline
 
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Hey guys. lots of shoulder problems here too. It got so bad for a couple of years sleeping and even driving was real difficult.

What are some stretches or strengthening exercises you found helped?
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Old 04-20-2018, 07:34 PM
^v^Tinda wolf^v^ ^v^Tinda wolf^v^ is offline
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Give CBD a try if you haven’t already. You can buy it in pure form or in liquid. It works really well for inflammation and beats turning your gut into hamburger popping pills. It tends to make me a little sleepy if I take too much, I’d suggest finding what works best for you.
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