Rotator Cuff (shoulder) and neck injury anyone?

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lh1975

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Hi,

I damaged my shoulder and neck in a fall over a month ago. Am having physio and have to go for an MRI scan as my physio said it's not healing as quickly as it should.

I've not ridden since and although it's definitely better than it was at the time of injury, it's still not anywhere near normal though I do have good and bad days with the pain and lack of mobility.

I was wondering whether anyone here had experienced the same thing and could advise on how long it takes to get back to normal and back to being able to ride again.

Thanks!
 
I dislocated my shoulder about 4 months ago, and had 12 weeks of physio etc but all of my joints are extremely lax and my shoulders tend to fall off anyway!

I would say keep going with the physio for as long as possible (make sure you do your homework!) and see what the MRI says.

I rode about 3 days after dislocating my shoulder, but I have, as I said, stupid joints!

Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery!
 
Thanks, that's really helpful though you managed to ride quite soon afterwards, lucky you! I'm doing my exercises at home and have started going to the gym as riding horses and bike is still not possible. I think the gym is helping - I'm not lifting weights or anything, just doing stuff that doesn't use my shoulder.

Hopefully won't be too long..!
 
I would say immobilise the joint for six weeks at least, with proper support. I refused physio because I believe that surrounding muscles go into spasm to protect the joint and if you override those muscles by stretching them before healing has taken place the joint will be forever loose. I'm 55 and a retired health professional so yah boo to all those physios who may get their knickers in a twist. One year on and I'm riding and have full use of the shoulder. Just offering another opinion. Hope you feel much better soon.
 
Yes me!

I'm booked in for my pre-op. Haven't got the MRI to show you but could ask when I go in on the 4th.

I had physio/chiro for the last year and didn't seem to be getting better - sometimes it hurt more after a session.

Had a scan 3 weeks ago, turns out it's a torn suprascapular (rotator cuff) so have to have it stitched.
 
a friend did this last summer but just as it was healing she also broke her arm after falling when walking the dog

a year on, 3 ops, load of physio & doc visits still not right and i think they are now unsure if it will ever be right

hope you mend soon
 
tallyho! said:
Yes me!

I'm booked in for my pre-op. Haven't got the MRI to show you but could ask when I go in on the 4th.

I had physio/chiro for the last year and didn't seem to be getting better - sometimes it hurt more after a session.

Had a scan 3 weeks ago, turns out it's a torn suprascapular (rotator cuff) so have to have it stitched.
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Ugh.. I'm not squeamish with animals but I'm so squeamish when it comes to humans being ill! Mine hurts more after physio but I can only get 30 mins a week physio anyway as it's on the NHS. Saying that though, I think my physio is good and he's trying to get me in more often than once a week.

What does a pre-op involve?

Can't believe that such a stupid fall has caused so many problems - I've had worse and come away completely unscathed!!!

I wish you the best of luck with your op and please let me know how you get on :)
 
Forgot to say Ih, that the neck pain is supposedly related because your tendon is no longer supporting your arm so your neck muscles act as suspension.

It's an awful injury to have as there's no guarantee it will ever be 100% - you just have to live with it but do as much as poss.

Can I suggest you keep using it as much as? I've recently found tennis is a great help!

I can't do great big whallops and backhanders but the motion and movement has really helped the aching & tingling.

(((hugs)))

x
 
odd1 said:
a friend did this last summer but just as it was healing she also broke her arm after falling when walking the dog

a year on, 3 ops, load of physio & doc visits still not right and i think they are now unsure if it will ever be right

hope you mend soon
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I was thinking that I could just about manage a ride but then my physio pointed out that if I fell or just pulled my arm or something, I'd do more damage so I'm out of the saddle until I get the all clear as I'm really worried about being int he same position as your friend. I hope they get better soon!
 
tallyho! said:
Forgot to say Ih, that the neck pain is supposedly related because your tendon is no longer supporting your arm so your neck muscles act as suspension.

It's an awful injury to have as there's no guarantee it will ever be 100% - you just have to live with it but do as much as poss.

Can I suggest you keep using it as much as? I've recently found tennis is a great help!

I can't do great big whallops and backhanders but the motion and movement has really helped the aching & tingling.

(((hugs)))

x
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Actually, my neck's been killing me for the past few days and am in the middle of a pounding headache... I'm never ill so am not a good patient! :)

I've been going to the gym and have found that it's been a help - I take a few mins rest if my shoulder starts hurting but it's definitely had a positive effect - I think it also raises your spirits when you exercise as well.

The thought of tennis makes my eyes water at the moment!! I've been doing as much as I can as I think it could be easy for it to freeze.

Thanks again for your advice :)
 
lh1975 said:
Ugh.. I'm not squeamish with animals but I'm so squeamish when it comes to humans being ill! Mine hurts more after physio but I can only get 30 mins a week physio anyway as it's on the NHS. Saying that though, I think my physio is good and he's trying to get me in more often than once a week.

What does a pre-op involve?

Can't believe that such a stupid fall has caused so many problems - I've had worse and come away completely unscathed!!!

I wish you the best of luck with your op and please let me know how you get on :)
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Aw bless you, thank you! I will.

pre-op assesment is just where they decide with you which procedure to use. There is keyhole, mini-op or full on "lets open it up!" (aaarrggh!) and tell you what to expect afterwards etc. Mine is also NHS but after pre-op - you STILL have to wait for a blimmin date!!

As soon as my physio was told the result of scan she cancelled all my appts saying that it's not doing me any good until it's healed and then we start rehab afterwards.

Still playing tennis tho as she said do as much as you can! :rolleyes:

Confused.com :p
 
tallyho! said:
Aw bless you, thank you! I will.

pre-op assesment is just where they decide with you which procedure to use. There is keyhole, mini-op or full on "lets open it up!" (aaarrggh!) and tell you what to expect afterwards etc. Mine is also NHS but after pre-op - you STILL have to wait for a blimmin date!!

As soon as my physio was told the result of scan she cancelled all my appts saying that it's not doing me any good until it's healed and then we start rehab afterwards.

Still playing tennis tho as she said do as much as you can! :rolleyes:

Confused.com :p
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Arrgh - had another squeamish moment about the pre-op:) I'd make a rubbish nurse!! My Physio must think I'm complete idiot cos I grimmaced when he told me I had to have an MRI scan:D

Definitely confusing, I agree.

I hope you don't have to wait too long for your op. Are you able to ride?
 
Hi, i hurt my rotator cuff about 2 months ago, i am having physio every 2 weeks at the moment, i also had trouble with my neck, apparently it is all connected with the problems with the shoulder, i think it can be a long process, my friend had hers operated on about a month ago, don't think it's done much good though.
 
Fellewell said:
I would say immobilise the joint for six weeks at least, with proper support. .
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What part of the profession??

This is the WORST advice possible, never immobolise the shoulder, you are likely to cause a frozen shoulder reaction. Keep it moving, gently, at all times.

been there and done that with both shoulders.
 
I agree dont immobilse for 6 weeks keep using it, as I am one suffering for the last 3 years with a frozen shoulder after a fall from my horse.

Shoulder injections, ultrasound scans, 2 x mri's, nerve condutcion testing later I am still waiting for surgery on the nhs. 5 different physios all made the pain worse and like you I have terrible neck pain. I gave up on the physio the pain got too bad but just keep going with the everyday stuff and have ridden all the time (although appreciate different symptoms from you).

It'll probably be a long healing process but good luck and just keep doing what you can bearing in mind the pain side of things.
 
I never fell off but managed to damage the rotator cuff, fracutre my collar bone, spring the joint and various other bits and bobs. What did they do? Not alot, they gave me an MRI which showed the above, told me to go to physio who told me to lift bakebean cans round in a circle and dispite my complaining and moaning that was it. It took a month to get the use back in my arm at all (only reason I realised it wasn't right was I couldn't lift it!) that's when the pain set in and then it took 6 months until I could ride. A few years on now and I still suffer with it, I don't have full range of movement in it and it constantly aches.
 
lh1975 said:
Arrgh - had another squeamish moment about the pre-op:) I'd make a rubbish nurse!! My Physio must think I'm complete idiot cos I grimmaced when he told me I had to have an MRI scan:D

Definitely confusing, I agree.

I hope you don't have to wait too long for your op. Are you able to ride?
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I know, when I googled it after I got my report, there were images which made me woozy!

Sorry it's not suprascapular I just looked at my report and it's supraspinatus! Have you googled it? I did.. prepare to chunder!

http://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/article.asp?section=22

I can still ride, it hurts abit if he's being strong but I don't really care. It hurts more when I'm filing the haynets!!! :rolleyes:
 
Ella19 said:
I never fell off but managed to damage the rotator cuff, fracutre my collar bone, spring the joint and various other bits and bobs. What did they do? Not alot, they gave me an MRI which showed the above, told me to go to physio who told me to lift bakebean cans round in a circle and dispite my complaining and moaning that was it. It took a month to get the use back in my arm at all (only reason I realised it wasn't right was I couldn't lift it!) that's when the pain set in and then it took 6 months until I could ride. A few years on now and I still suffer with it, I don't have full range of movement in it and it constantly aches.
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Ouch!!! How on earth did you manage that NOT falling from a great height moving at speed :eek::eek::eek:

Have a hug and some choccy cake.

oh and :rolleyes: why are baked beans the answer to everything on the NHS??

Ditto the aching. I have problems lifting too depending on what angle - delicate things aren't we...
 
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