My right Shoulder Hurts Bad!!

[d2000honda]

When I lift my arm straight foward it hurts. I tried icy hot but still there. any suggestions

[Katelette81]

COuld be rotator cuff.. I'd get it checked out. I had this injury three yers ago adn I still sometimes feel the pain.. or just randomly my shoulder will give out for a day.. it's weird... you have to do special exercises and shvt

[peump]

me too
real bad
rotator cuff

gone on for about 4 years now

Rotator Cuff Tear

What is it?

The humerus (upper arm bone) is connected at the shoulder with muscles and tendons. Four of these muscle-tendon groups form the rotator cuff. The four muscle-tendon groups come together to form a “cap” around the head of the humerus (the ball portion of the shoulder joint). The rotator cuff stabilizes the shoulder joint and allows the arm to rotate out from the body. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint, which allows it to be one of the most mobile joints in the body.



What causes it?

The rotator cuff tendons have areas of low blood supply. Areas of the body that have more blood supply are able to maintain and heal themselves. The areas in the rotator cuff that have limited blood supply are vulnerable to damage and degeneration. This is one explanation for the increase in rotator cuff tears in older people. Their tears usually occur in the areas of lower blood supply that have been further weakened by degeneration.



Repetitive motions of the shoulder can exacerbate degenerative changes. This can occur in athletes such as baseball pitchers. Even routine chores such as cleaning overhead or painting can fatigue the rotator cuff. Excessive force can tear weak rotator cuff tendons. This force can come from catching something heavy with the arm extended or falling onto the shoulder. The tear may or may not be painful and it may also be a partial or complete.



How is diagnosed?

A complete examination by your physician including a history and physical is the first step to making a diagnosis. This examination will include testing to evaluate range of motion, pain, weakness, and instability. Your physician may order x-rays to rule out fractures, arthritis, or other bone diseases. If a rotator cuff tear is suspected, an MRI (see magnetic resonance imaging or MRI) may be ordered. An MRI can sometimes detect even small or partial cuff tears.



How is it treated?

Non-surgical treatment:

The initial treatment may be rest and anti-inflammatories such as Vioxx, Bextra, Celebrex, or Ibuprofen. A steroid injection may also be given into the shoulder joint. Physical therapy may be ordered. A Physical or Occupational Therapist will guide and instruct the patient with an organized plan of exercise. Ice may be included in the plan to help decrease pain and inflammation. Later in the therapy program, strengthening exercises will be included. These exercises are utilized to retrain the muscles around the shoulder to keep the ball of the humerus in the socket and the shoulder moving smoothly during activity. Therapy may be required for 6 to 8 weeks.



Surgical Treatment:

Some partial or small tears may heal without surgical intervention, but large or complete tears will not heal on their own. In some instances, if the tear is not too large, the surgery can be done utilizing an arthroscope (a small camera inserted into the shoulder joint through small puncture incisions). In this manner the inside of the shoulder can be visualized. If there is severe damage to the shoulder or the rotator cuff tear is large a mini-open surgery will be required. In open shoulder surgery, the incision is small, approximately 4-6 cm. The first step is to remove any frayed or loose material within the joint. The humeral head is prepared by cleaning the surface and tiny holes are drilled for sutures. The rotator cuff is repaired and reattached to the humerus via sutures looped through the holes made in the bone, or by using metal anchors. In time the rotator cuff will heal to the humeral head.



Rehabilitation after surgery:

Rehabilitation usually starts the first day after arthroscopic or open surgery. It is extremely important to follow the prescribed therapy program. The program will typically start out with range of motion and passive exercises. A sling is worn to keep the arm close to the body. Strengthening will gradually be worked into the program. The therapist will demonstrate how to do the exercises and stretching when appropriate. It may take several months to regain normal strength, but with compliance to the recommended program a full recovery is expected.

[peump]

you have to do special exercises

she is right

[Katelette81]

The worst thing about it is you can't work out.. and it hurts when you try to sleep.. and no pain killers help.. you have to strengthen the rotator cuff and all that jazz.. the exercises are easy just a big PITA.

[peump]

i'm able to work out i just have a lot of pain that i have to deal with.

warming up, proper form, a good spotter, and knowing when to stop are the things that get me through it.


cortisone may help

[Myka]

why is this in the lounge?

[pelly789]

yea a cortizone shot will probaly help temporarily, i had 2 tears in my rotator cuff and that really sucked it didnt even feel better after surgery and rehab but i kept strengthening it and got a cortisone shot and it feels better after 2 years now

[d2000honda]

why is this in the lounge?

Because there is nobody at the INJURIES & REHAB forum.

[d2000honda]

me too
real bad
rotator cuff

gone on for about 4 years now

Rotator Cuff Tear

What is it?

The humerus (upper arm bone) is connected at the shoulder with muscles and tendons. Four of these muscle-tendon groups form the rotator cuff. The four muscle-tendon groups come together to form a “cap” around the head of the humerus (the ball portion of the shoulder joint). The rotator cuff stabilizes the shoulder joint and allows the arm to rotate out from the body. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint, which allows it to be one of the most mobile joints in the body.



What causes it?

The rotator cuff tendons have areas of low blood supply. Areas of the body that have more blood supply are able to maintain and heal themselves. The areas in the rotator cuff that have limited blood supply are vulnerable to damage and degeneration. This is one explanation for the increase in rotator cuff tears in older people. Their tears usually occur in the areas of lower blood supply that have been further weakened by degeneration.



Repetitive motions of the shoulder can exacerbate degenerative changes. This can occur in athletes such as baseball pitchers. Even routine chores such as cleaning overhead or painting can fatigue the rotator cuff. Excessive force can tear weak rotator cuff tendons. This force can come from catching something heavy with the arm extended or falling onto the shoulder. The tear may or may not be painful and it may also be a partial or complete.



How is diagnosed?

A complete examination by your physician including a history and physical is the first step to making a diagnosis. This examination will include testing to evaluate range of motion, pain, weakness, and instability. Your physician may order x-rays to rule out fractures, arthritis, or other bone diseases. If a rotator cuff tear is suspected, an MRI (see magnetic resonance imaging or MRI) may be ordered. An MRI can sometimes detect even small or partial cuff tears.



How is it treated?

Non-surgical treatment:

The initial treatment may be rest and anti-inflammatories such as Vioxx, Bextra, Celebrex, or Ibuprofen. A steroid injection may also be given into the shoulder joint. Physical therapy may be ordered. A Physical or Occupational Therapist will guide and instruct the patient with an organized plan of exercise. Ice may be included in the plan to help decrease pain and inflammation. Later in the therapy program, strengthening exercises will be included. These exercises are utilized to retrain the muscles around the shoulder to keep the ball of the humerus in the socket and the shoulder moving smoothly during activity. Therapy may be required for 6 to 8 weeks.



Surgical Treatment:

Some partial or small tears may heal without surgical intervention, but large or complete tears will not heal on their own. In some instances, if the tear is not too large, the surgery can be done utilizing an arthroscope (a small camera inserted into the shoulder joint through small puncture incisions). In this manner the inside of the shoulder can be visualized. If there is severe damage to the shoulder or the rotator cuff tear is large a mini-open surgery will be required. In open shoulder surgery, the incision is small, approximately 4-6 cm. The first step is to remove any frayed or loose material within the joint. The humeral head is prepared by cleaning the surface and tiny holes are drilled for sutures. The rotator cuff is repaired and reattached to the humerus via sutures looped through the holes made in the bone, or by using metal anchors. In time the rotator cuff will heal to the humeral head.



Rehabilitation after surgery:

Rehabilitation usually starts the first day after arthroscopic or open surgery. It is extremely important to follow the prescribed therapy program. The program will typically start out with range of motion and passive exercises. A sling is worn to keep the arm close to the body. Strengthening will gradually be worked into the program. The therapist will demonstrate how to do the exercises and stretching when appropriate. It may take several months to regain normal strength, but with compliance to the recommended program a full recovery is expected.

Thanks!! I thought Vioxx was not good for you according to the news. thanks