Screwed up my left shoulder, need advice

[Kraken]

Let me see if I can type this out without a migraine..ive had bad shoulder issues, so if this can help you then it's worth it to me.

Sleeping was a big problem for me. What helped me stay still and not roll on it was to setup a series of pillows so that I was laying at like a 30 degree angle... a little lower or higher works too, just depends on what feels comfortable on a given day. This stopped me from moving or rolling pretty much completely.

I still sleep this way, as laying on my shoulder will give me pain for days on end.

If you have one of those adjustable beds then even better!

Before this I just had a really big pillow I'd place next to me on my left side, made it hard for me to roll over on that shoulder while I slept. It didn't work nearly as well as setting up my pillows so I laid at a 30 degree angle when on my back.

Thanks very much for all this, and for taking the time to write it up while you're not feeling well, that is very much appreciated! I'll try all these ideas. I hope for feel better soon!

 

[GSgator]

Good luck man fuck shoulders suck if needing repair . Recovering and PT can be a long tedious road .

 

[Boogieman]

Kraken, I wouldn't put it off for too long. My wife worked for a Orthopaedic surgeon and there is a timeline to getting things fixed if you fucked it up. I would get in ASAP if it's still suspect.

 

[gibz]

Take it easy for awhile. Put more emphasis at warming up proper and doing rotational exercises preworkout. When ur ready, work in a 12-15 rep ranges with moderate weight until you feel confident.

 

[Kraken]

Kraken, I wouldn't put it off for too long. My wife worked for a Orthopaedic surgeon and there is a timeline to getting things fixed if you fucked it up. I would get in ASAP if it's still suspect.

MRI was done today, I'll see the Dr. on Dec 12.

 

[Boogieman]

Good to hear, I hope everything is ok but better safe than sorry.

 

[Kraken]

Good to hear, I hope everything is ok but better safe than sorry.

Definitely, I'll report back.

 

[Kraken]

Well I got the data from the MRI. The images of course mean nothing to me, although I asked a friend who is a retired physical therapist to look at them. There is a report that has all kinds of goobley gook language but I think these are the most important findings, taken from the summary:

No glenohumeral joint effusion.

Glenoid labrum: Nondisplaced posterior chondrolabral separation. Remainder of the labrum is unremarkable.

Glenohumeral articular cartilage: unremarkable.

Long head biceps tendon: intact.

AC joint: intact with severe degenerative changes. Flat acromion.

IMPRESSION:

1. Multifocal partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. No full-thickness tear.

2. Nondisplaced posterior chondrolabral separation.

3. Severe AC joint arthropathy.

So some stuff is okay, but it looks like I have more than one partial tear in the rotator cuff, some labrum damage and some degeneration. I guess the doctor will tell me how severe this is and what can be fixed.

UPDATE:

Oh, there is also this:

Rotator cuff muscle atrophy: Severe atrophy and fatty infiltration of theteres minor muscle suggests chronic quadrangular space syndrome with no massor cyst demonstrated within the quadrangular space

About which Dr. Google says:

Quadrilateral space syndrome (QSS) is a rare condition that occurs when the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA) are compressed in the shoulder's quadrilateral space. Symptoms include: pain and weakness, paresthesia, loss of motor function, and vascular complications.



QSS is often caused by fibrous bands, trauma, or hypertrophy of a muscular border. It's more likely to develop in people who repeatedly move their arms overhead, like athletes.


Diagnosis can be difficult because the symptoms are often nonspecific. A physical exam and imaging studies can help, but QSS is often diagnosed by exclusion.


Treatment for QSS usually starts with conservative measures, such as: Physical therapy, Physical exercise modification, Therapeutic massage, NSAIDs, and Avoiding aggravating behaviors.


If conservative treatment doesn't help after six months, surgical decompression of the quadrilateral space may be needed.

 

[Boogieman]

I don't know all the language, but it sounds like you have some things that may or may not need to be addressed. In all honestly if you can avoid shoulder surgery and strengthen things without surgery you will be better off. Shoulder surgery takes forever to heal and is very invasive. And sometimes you don't come back 100% regardless. If he says try physical therapy I would definitely go that route. Just my 2 cents...

 

[Kraken]

If he says try physical therapy I would definitely go that route. Just my 2 cents...

Saw the doctor earlier today. He showed my the MRI and told me that my supraspinatus tendon is partially torn. In my case, partially translates to nearly 70%. If I want full mobility back, I need surgery.

On the plus side, the joint is in very good condition, with very few bone spurs on my clavicle to interfere with the tendon.

Yes its a long recovery, with complete recovery taking 5 months. I'll be able to return to work after several days (since I just sit around and type all day) but my arm in a sling for 5 weeks. Physical therapy, all that.

He did say I can go without the surgery, but I won't be doing all the stuff I want to do. I'm too young to give up on having an active life, so I'll get the surgery done.

 

[Kraken]

Oh you guys might find this interesting. The Dr. and I were discussing recovery, and, against my better judgement, I asked him what he thinks about peptides. To my surprise, he was all in favor of BPC-157 and TB-500. He said they definitely help.

 

[Boogieman]

Saw the doctor earlier today. He showed my the MRI and told me that my supraspinatus tendon is partially torn. In my case, partially translates to nearly 70%. If I want full mobility back, I need surgery.

On the plus side, the joint is in very good condition, with very few bone spurs on my clavicle to interfere with the tendon.

Yes its a long recovery, with complete recovery taking 5 months. I'll be able to return to work after several days (since I just sit around and type all day) but my arm in a sling for 5 weeks. Physical therapy, all that.

He did say I can go without the surgery, but I won't be doing all the stuff I want to do. I'm too young to give up on having an active life, so I'll get the surger

Saw the doctor earlier today. He showed my the MRI and told me that my supraspinatus tendon is partially torn. In my case, partially translates to nearly 70%. If I want full mobility back, I need surgery.

On the plus side, the joint is in very good condition, with very few bone spurs on my clavicle to interfere with the tendon.

Yes its a long recovery, with complete recovery taking 5 months. I'll be able to return to work after several days (since I just sit around and type all day) but my arm in a sling for 5 weeks. Physical therapy, all that.

He did say I can go without the surgery, but I won't be doing all the stuff I want to do. I'm too young to give up on having an active life, so I'll get the surgery done.

Get the surgery and continue on with life! Sucks you fucked it up and the downtime is a bummer. But better than not being able to do the things you want to. Best of luck bro! Keep us posted!

 

[Kraken]

I'll let you al know how it goes. I'm hoping to have the surgery the last or the next to last Friday ion January. As bad luck would have it, we're kicking off a new project at work Jan 6, and I'm the lead. I have some guys starting Jan 6 and others mid Feb, so thats the least disruptive.

 

[Kraken]

Surgery Jan 24th.

 

[MxxC82]

Oh you guys might find this interesting. The Dr. and I were discussing recovery, and, against my better judgement, I asked him what he thinks about peptides. To my surprise, he was all in favor of BPC-157 and TB-500. He said they definitely help.

If I am not mistaken, TB-500 is site specific injection. A good friend of mine and I were talking late yesterday when I stopped by for a visit, his is big in to peptides and I mentioned my knee issue and I am pretty sure that TB-500 is what he recommended. Also cannot go wrong with BP-157 but word on the streets is it will make your appetite grow substantially.. I am waiting for him to get some more BP-157 in so I can research with it myself. I am all in for faster healing!

Sorry to hear about your shoulder, injuries suck and down time from activities is the worst, good luck with the upcoming surgery and keep us updated!

 

[Kraken]

I think both TB-500 and BPC-157 are site specific. Somer places sell them as a mix. My feeling is they may not help much but they won't hurt (well, they will hurt my wallet). Thanks for the support, I'll post on how it all goes. I'm anxious to get it done so I can start recovery.

 

[Kraken]

My project at work was delayed, not sure how much but at least a week, so I rescheduled surgery for January 7th. I'm really looking forward to getting it over with and starting recovery. I can feel myself getting fatter and losing muscle. This sucks!

 

[Kraken]

Had the surgery on the 7th, went well. Apparently the Dr. got in there and decided he didn't need to set the anchors in my bone after all. Somehow he repaired the tear. I'm very confused by the whole thing, but I'll get to see him in a week or so and hopefully he'll fill me in.

pain is not really bad at all, probably since he didn't seem to do much. Typing one handed takes forever. Arm is in a sling until tomorrow, bandage comes off tomorrow as well.