Rotator cuff problems?

[crosslander]

I’ve had a solid physio assessment and looks pretty certain that I’ve got a rotator cuff tendinitis / injury - not a tear or anything.

It’s been worsening for months after a prior injury now’s it’s totally debilitating. Can’t wash and dress easily. Can’t reach, lift, write etc. range of movement is shocking. Pain is horrible - on naproxen etc.

Got exercises and had some deep tissue massage to help with the tightness but essentially unlikely to see any recovery for at least 6 - 12 weeks, maybe longer, then months for a full recovery with strict instructions to not reach / lift / pull etc or end up back a square one.

Has anyone else similar? How did you cope? I work in a fairly physical job involving a lot of upper arm movement / writing etc.

I could only feel it when I did certain movements like putting my coat on, and mine was my left arm and it didn't affect writing. I took 800mg of ibuprofen at a time when it was sore and gentle yoga helped gradually restore the range of movement.

I used to play rugby and tore mine - I think it was classified as a grade two traumatic injury - I remember the pain well. First I had to rest it for three weeks - literally the most 'activity' I did was driving, but no lifting on that side, had to brush my hair using my non-dominant hand, getting dressed took one thousand years etc.

Then after three weeks I visited a chiropractor and a physiotherapist - luckily as I did it via rugby I had some good contacts and managed to get booked in with the club doctors at the Scarlets (thank goodness I did it during the off season!) they were ace and well-versed in treating that type of injury. Definitely worth seeing a sports physio and chiropractor if you can, it's meat and drink to them.

I wish you well as when it first happened I spent about a week throwing up due to the pain, it really was not pretty. This was back in 2016 and I'm fit as a fiddle now. Well in terms of my rotator cuff, let's not dwell on sinuses, heart failure and menopause! Also please speak to your work so that they can put some occupational health measures in place for you.

Yes, I had hydrodilitation a month ago and it’s so much better. I got my physio to refer me to a shoulder specialist via my GP. I’ve already had 2 injections and did nothing. Finally I have much better mobility and much less pain.

Are they happy it’s not a frozen shoulder as it sounds similar to my frozen shoulder. Steroid injection has helped me but the pain was unreal. I’m nowhere near back to normal but I can wipe my bum now!

I'm having an injection next week. I'm just Cross at the faff putting my bra on is taking!

Using voltarol gel and ibuprofen.

I had strain, not a tear, with bursitis. Osteopath recommended to try continue to use as normal but when there was pain to reduce the strain on the joint by lifting the arm with other arm/hand, ie keep the muscles moving but without the weight of the arm pulling on the joint. But more importantly plenty of rest for the joint alternating cold and warm packs. 3 months later I have 80% of range of movement back but v little pain.

I see lots of these as an acupuncturist. I would say I see a decent difference after one treatment with 80-90% of patients.

Usually peri menopausal women - often there’s an emotional component as well.

I would definitely recommend it.

Yes, def not a frozen shoulder, they did all the tests to rule it out. It present very classically like a rotator cuff injury / tendonitis.

I have wondered about acupuncture - I’m not great with needles but can usually cope if it’s quick. Presumably you have to lie on your front (which I absolutely can’t do currently) and keep the needles in for a bit? I feel like I’d freak out and want them out 🤣

the trying to continue to use it as normal is what’s made it worse for me. It’s been worsening for months but I didn’t realise what it was and just carried on at work. Now it’s severe and likely to take much longer to heal.

I've had shoulder issues for a few months and it's a right pita.

Definitely talk to your work. It sounds like soldiering on isn't going to work.

even getting showered and dressed to be ready work is a monumental task !

im of an age, erherm, that i got this too. after heavy work im rhe garden after i split with a bf. so as a pp said there was an emotional connection for me.

it took a year to heal. i had private physio exercises to stretch it. that helped. it got worse before it got better though!

i’ve been getting acupuncture for years so i cant remember exactly where the needles went for that but they don’t always go in the same place. eg a sore shoulder could mean needles in the legs or ears or something.

They mostly leave them in and you lie there and relax for a while, with only the occasional in-out type ones.

although ive recently had japanese acupuncture where they hold them all the time and take them out after a few minutes. so you might want to try that instead of chinese acupuncture. not sure if the therapist i go to is typical as i’ve previously only had chinese. but something you could look into.

it’s around the £60 mark for 45 mins where i am (scotland). it helps with so many things i wouldn’t be without it again.

And plenty of resting the joint with cold/packs?

I was going to say the same. DH has frozen shoulder and has very limited movement. Sounds similar. Have you had an mri?

I had regular massage, did weeks of physio, had an X Ray and MRI (everything except massage was via private health insurance). The consultant suggested a steroid injection, and it got rid of the pain and movement restriction immediately. I had it about a year ago, and am starting to notice some pain again now, but I find if I’m VERY consistent in my exercise it seems to help.

Seems to be highly prevalent in peri- and menopausal women.

I've got an ultrasound scan tomorrow at 6pm. My pain in right shoulder sounds very much like yours. I can't hold a mug of tea, can't brush my hair, struggled washing my hair, all because of pain in right shoulder and top of my arm. I've also already got arthritis in right shoulder too. Th pain is off the scale. I'm on codeine phosphate, nortriptyline and nefopam for pain. Sometimes I can barely move my right arm. If rotator cuff is confirmed I'm hoping for operation.

Had this during Covid lockdown. Identified via internet, found exercises. Worked eventually. Was difficult for a time - dressing, fastening bras.

if you see the right acupuncturist they can alter how they needle to suit you and as a
PP said, needles don’t have to go in the area which is hurting. They also don’t have to be left in.

Just because another poster mentioned it - it’s important to note that Shoulder surgery for rotator cuff have been proven to be less effective than sham surgery. Unless you have directly injured it there is very little point in surgery. ‘Frozen shoulder’ in perimenopausal women is almost always due to the oestrogen receptors in the shoulder. In addition, although steroid injections can work, it is generally just masking the issue and it will return.

I had a steroid injection to treat a rotator cuff injury and within a few days, it was significantly better and I've never had a problem since. It was so bloody painful, you have all my sympathy. Exercises didn't help at all, but it hurt so much that I possibly didn't do them properly, I'm not sure. .
I don't mind needles but I tried acupuncture once and it was such a painful experience they had to stop. I'd suffer the rotator cuff rather than put acupuncture needles anywhere near me!

Some people are more sensitive than others. In 6 years of practice I’ve never had to stop. It can depend on who you see - physios and chiros who claim to do acupuncture don’t, they do dry needling with much thicker The majority find it very manageable, most find it very relaxing and get a good amount of relief from it

I've got this but more mildly/chronically. Playing the viola for 40 years definitely hasn't helped!

Things I do:
Osteopath
Physio
Massage
Pilates
Light weights
Use a backpack not a shoulder bag

Not all at once! You do need to deal with the acute phase first though: physio or osteopath and the acupuncture might well help.