Is My Shoulder Pain Just a Symptom or a Serious Issue?

[ChefCKHall]

Well, since coming back from National Conference in July, I have been suffering from a frozen shoulder, very painful and aching.....nasty!

Went to ortho specialist today and have to have arthroscopic surgery and manipulation under anesthesia cuz I cannot live like this any more.

Talked surgery dates, Monday 1/24, so I can do my shows the weekend before LOL and do my shows the following weekend with lots of helpers.....hopefully I can get helpers or my guests will be doing all the work LOL!

 

[Becca_in_MD]

Ouch! Sorry you've been suffering but it sounds like you already have a plan. Don't forget the physical therapy. My dad has had 4 rotator cuff surgeries. The right surgeon made all of the difference for him.

Good luck!

 

[Ginger428]

I think this is what I'm going to need shortly, keep putting it off though..:cry:

 

[hcjeep]

Keep positive through it all! I enjoyed hearing about your plan. I ended up cutting my finger (not on anything pc and then ended up with surgery two weeks ago because I hit a nerve. I have my first pc party for the new year and will be using a lot of interaction with guests as I am in a brace for 6 weeks. Hope all goes well for you and that you keep your business strong!

 

[BethCooks4U]

CK, I had that exact surgery (frozen shoulder) a year after I started my PC business and it was amazing how much better I felt after they fixed it!

I don't recall recovery being that long and I know I didn't take any kind of leave, nor did I need help at my shows. You'll do fine!

 

[nikked]

CK, you can do it! If you need any help, you can always give me a call...I can't guarantee I'll always say yes, but I can guarantee that I'll always be honest! Praying for you!!!!

 

[ChefCKHall]

Thanks! I have been calling myself the gimpy chef recently LOL! I look forward to using my left arm again!

 

[chezshelly]

I had to have shoulder surgery last January 13. The recovery time was longer than I thought but it was well worth it. Just be patient with you and know that things take time to heal and don't rush it. Do your therapy even when it hurts and you will be fine, I promise!!!

 

[Melissa78]

Must be in the air to have shoulder issues. This fall I had to go to the Ortho for mine and after an MRI I was informed I had severe tendonitis of the rotator cuff. He said that when I couldn't move it - it was like frozen shoulder. Ultimately he see's surgery as my outcome but for now i'm milking it and rotting my stomach on anti-inflammatories. Cortisone helped for 3 days. I no longer can carry my consultant bag with my left arm (the bad shoulder) and lost my strength.

I wish for you a very speedy recovery and good health in 2011!

 

[ChefCKHall]

Must be in the air to have shoulder issues. This fall I had to go to the Ortho for mine and after an MRI I was informed I had severe tendonitis of the rotator cuff. He said that when I couldn't move it - it was like frozen shoulder. Ultimately he see's surgery as my outcome but for now i'm milking it and rotting my stomach on anti-inflammatories. Cortisone helped for 3 days. I no longer can carry my consultant bag with my left arm (the bad shoulder) and lost my strength.I wish for you a very speedy recovery and good health in 2011!

Melissa, I feel your pain! This has been going on for six months and I have not had a full night's sleep...can't tie my apron strings....Tried physical therapy, chiropractic, one cortisone injection....more drugs than I can name to try to sleep at night... I GIVE UP!The doctor said I could keep taking antiinflammatories and ride it out (1-2 years) OR get the surgery done....At 51, I do not want to wait 1-2 years for it to get better! Surgery is arthroscopic and then they move it all over the place to get it moving. Then physical therapy and lots of it to maintain the range of motion! Good thing I have a team and lots of good friends...There is a reason I made director...now I get to really direct!! LOL

 

[KaryCam]

Speaking of shoulder surgery, my husband just had it last Thursday.
After the x-rays and MRI, they thought he only had tendonitis, frozen shoulder, etc, but once they got in there they found it to be a torn rotator cuff.
We go back to the Doctor today to find out about recovery and rehab.

 

[ChefCKHall]

I have had a normal xray and MRI too! Whatever it is, FIX IT! LOL

 

[Sheila]

Sorry girl! Hope the procedure & the recovery go well for you.

But I do have to pick on you ... Conference? Really? I'd be willing to bet it was all those shopping bags on the Shopping Spree that did it!

 

[lt1jane]

my husband had shoulder issues for over three years. He had normal MRIs and x-rays (they took them portrait style, with the arm down next to the torso). He was still in pain and the doctors basically told him there was nothing wrong and he was an addict seeking drugs. It took four doctors, three years, two MRIs, and one surgery (where they found a small tear in the rotator cuff) before he found someone who would take him seriously and read his records.

He'd fallen three years earlier and hurt his shoulder. The ER doctor suspected a separated shoulder and put it in the records. They only did the one x-ray at the ER. Had they taken a second x-ray with his hand raised they would have found it. I don't fault the ER doctor. He diagnosed and treated the symptoms at hand (noting what the problem might be for future reference) and suggested we follow up if the pain persisted. The person I fault the most is the orthopedic surgeon. Instead of reading his records and checking the simple solution first, he went straight to the fancier and more expensive possibilities. Because it took three years, that shoulder can never be properly fixed. There was a solution which did a lot to alleviate most of the pain, but there will forever be weakness and pain.

The moral here, make sure if you have normal test findings they are looking from more than one angle. The shoulder is a complex joint, if you manipulate it a bit, they might find the problem.