Torn Rotator Cuff

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-12-2010, 04:42 AM

I'm pretty sure I have a torn rotator cuff in my left shoulder. Anyone ever have this? Treatments?

billybek · billybek's Garage

I did mine skiing. Fell in the moguls and landed with one under my arm. Lifted it up and back and it wasn't the same for a very long time.
Surgery wasn't required, but I couldn't swim for a long time. It would hurt like heck every time I reached over the top.
Massage therapy helped a lot.
Hope it isn't serious, Shawn. Have you had a doc look at it yet?

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

There are a bunch of possibilities, other than a torn rotator cuff. Or maybe that's what you really have. Other than physical exam, you can make the diagnosis via an MRI. The rotator cuff is actually comprised of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint. An injury to one of those musculotendinous structures at the shoulder gets lumped into the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear. Often treatment starts with oral anti-inflammatories and/or a steroid injection into the shoulder. Surgical repair is also a possibility.

Tim Hancock · 09-12-2010, 07:03 AM

I wish Noah was my neighbor. I could probably start racing MX again knowing any likely injuries would get properly diagnosed and treated vs the normal crap shoot of going to a local ER or family physician and getting the standard "racing is dangerous" line along with a prescription of ibuprofen and advice to stop doing things that are dangerous.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

I wish Tim H. was my neighbor so he could teach me the skills needed to build my own cafe racer.

vash · vash's Garage

you sure it isnt just an impingement injury? hurts like a mofo. i have one. i opted for PT..no workie that well, and then a corto shot. worked better. now i just have to watch what i do. one lift wrong, and i get 4 days of pain.

best thing from PT? they showed me some exercises to work the sore shoulder. helps with recovery.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-12-2010, 08:33 AM

THanks guys, this is actually all Tim Hancock's fault. If he hadn't have helped me with modifying my press, I wouldn't have been able to:

pull down screen
squeegee ink
squeegee ink
lift up screen
spin press to next screen
repeat

about 18,000 times in July-August.

I'm pretty sure it was spinning to the next screen that did my shoulder in. I stopped printing in mid-late August and it still hurts to today and I can't do much with my left arm in terms of lifting, working on the cars, printing, etc. Have full range of motion at least, most pain is just stretching my arm straight out in front of me. Going in for hernia surgery tomorrow, hoping I don't have to have this done as well. I'll see my doctor later this week I guess.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Good point, vash. Common shoulder pain etiologies: impingement syndrome, subacromial bursitis, biceps tendinitis, etc. It's nice to have a diagnosis before starting a plan for treatment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

best thing from PT? they showed me some exercises to work the sore shoulder. helps with recovery.

I was going to hope you were going to mention a hot therapist...

edit: Oh yeah, glad your shoulder feels better, vash.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Two of my neighbors had the surgery and physical therapy afterwards. They both made 100% recoveries and do not have any chronic shoulder pain or problems.

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

I thought i had a torn rotator cuff also, but i had a small fracture in my shoulder and a torn labrum. Required 2 surgeries and 6 months of therapy.. get it checked...

Zeke · 09-12-2010, 02:17 PM

Shaun, I had a similar injury from a similar piece of equipment. It can be a "repetitive stress injury." And it can be difficult to diagnose and treat. I ended up calling mine injury a "frozen shoulder." Best thing I can tell you is to not operate the screen machine anymore.

See if you can find out about PT and take that course of action to see if that will help you.

https://health.google.com/health/ref/Frozen+shoulder

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Go see a good shoulder guy, Boston is probably crawlin' with them.

Until then, start icing it, can't hurt and may do plenty of good. 20-30 min every hour or two.

Don't take ibuprofen/naproxen on empty stomach.

Jim Richards · 09-12-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azasadny

Two of my neighbors had the surgery and physical therapy afterwards. They both made 100% recoveries and do not have any chronic shoulder pain or problems.

me too.

Vrod · 09-12-2010, 09:49 PM

Very , Interesting topic ! I has mine done at the end of June . A Fully detached ligament .
I was amazed with the technology . And tools used . I got Flowers and a DVD of the job .
There just high paid wrench guys that could be working on your car.
Although in the 2 month's since . I can see range of motion comming back . Im impatient !
I want instant gratification already !

968rz · 968rz's Garage

I too had shoulder pain when reaching up when I was an auto tech (15 years ago?) Being the man I am I waited till I couldn't use it any more due to the pain (took about 8 months).
Turns out all the over head work caused the end of my collar bone to hit the shoulder bones (micro injuries they called it).
Tried about 2 months of PT and drugs with no change so I had to have surgery. They removed about 1" of collar bone (ac joint resection) followed by 6-8 months of PT and it feels great again.
I learned my lesson then and 5 years later when the other one started to ache a bit I rushed in. Sure enough had to do it to the other shoulder, this time they did it arthroscopic - faster recoup but never 100% like the other one.

Go to the Doc and find out what it is and before it gets worse.
(FYI: I saw the one of the bills for the first surgery and it was well over 60K, luckily it was all covered under workers comp as I was poor then)

Vrod · 09-13-2010, 09:12 AM

I too had the arthroscopic procedure.
Dont freak me out . Im expecting a total recovery .
I know each person can have different isues, so I rather not hear that

968rz · 968rz's Garage

NO, don't fret. I feel great it's just not 100% like the other open surgery side (maybe 90?). I have no pain it just feels different (in that I can feel it). Still it never stops me form doing anything.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-13-2010, 04:47 PM

At least my hernia surgery went very well today, Mt. Auburn hospital here is really top notch, and they make a mean turkey sandwich. I feel like I'll be back to normal in a few days minus doing anything strenuous.

Will be seeing my GP later this week for the shoulder. thanks again for all the info and advice.

Zeke · 09-13-2010, 05:14 PM

Hey Shaun, I forgot about your hernia. Best to you for a speedy recovery. Just remember to give yourself a little time to mend. You might feel pretty good in a day or so, but you will get tired easily if you push it. Take it easy. Remember the meds make you feel better than you are.

Isn't that always the case?

Jim Richards · 09-13-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

At least my hernia surgery went very well today, Mt. Auburn hospital here is really top notch, and they make a mean turkey sandwich. I feel like I'll be back to normal in a few days minus doing anything strenuous.

Will be seeing my GP later this week for the shoulder. thanks again for all the info and advice.

Hernia? Rotator cuff? You're a mess, Shaun.