Experience of rotator cuff tear

[MotherForkinShirtBalls]

I have an MRI booked for mid December with an orthopedic consultation the week after and I know no one can diagnose me, but I'm trying to fit my symptoms together in an effort to maintain some sanity about this... Spoiler, I'm wondering if I've torn something in my rotator cuff.

I've had shoulder pain for about 18 months. I had a frozen shoulder (other shoulder) a few years ago so I went to the physio pretty quickly in an effort to stave off the worst of it. I ended up with a steroid injection in December last year which helped, but not massively. MRI in March indicated inflammation of the subscapularis, infraspinatus and supraspinatus tendons and orthopedic consultant recommended a further two steroid injections under ultrasound for precision, which I had shortly after. I was continuing physio all through this and between March and summer it was slowly improving. Then I slipped beside the pool on holiday, landed on the heel of my already weakened hand and I think the shock into my shoulder really fucked it. Despite continuing physio and getting a second physiotherapist opinion, it's getting worse by the day. Last night I woke 4 times from the pain. An hour ago I brushed my shoulder against the door frame and it still hurts. I had an ear ache over the weekend that I think is from it. Bra strap reach is breathtakingly bad and putting my hair in a pony tail is almost impossible. I have maintained reasonable strength though and I'm still going to the gym (very carefully, modifying everything). My new physio keeps telling me to be careful with everyday things, but I also have to live and I never know what is going to hurt (today moving a pen on my desk caused me to gasp).

I'm so sick of it hurting and not knowing what is going to cause the next massive pain shock. It's exhausting and pain killers don't do much. It's different to the frozen shoulder, possibly more painful and in different ways. I'm really worn down by it all. So my question, if you have had a rotator cuff tear, does this sound at all familiar? I think if i can at least have something to get myself head round until my appointment I won't feel so helpless and emotionally stunned by it. 😢

It sounds very similar to my torn rotator cuff. I was changing bed sheets and lifted the duvet to shake it - cue excruciating pain. I could only lift my arm laterally to my hip. I had a 75% tear of the supraaspinatus and needed subacromial decompression surgery. It was incredibly painful throughout (shoulder pain is infamously one of the worst) but now, most of the time, I’d never know anything had happened!

I’d love to say to do X and Y and it will help but in my experience, nothing really did until it was fixed. I did manage to sleep at night by creating a sort of nest of pillows!

Surgery was the only thing that worked. Took six months of physio afterwards before it was better and mobile again.

I'm sorry you both went through this but at least the surgery seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel (although given my mood, it feels more likely to be an oncoming train). I was grateful for my hoarder tendencies last night when I was able to dig out my last-used-15-years-ago pregnancy pillow to prop up my shoulder and I actually got 5 hours of sleep. I think I'll have to ask the GP about using volterol at night too. He didn't want me to use it for more than a couple of weeks but this is going nowhere and I need some sleep.

Ds, of the pregnancy pillow, sprained his wrist with an awkward fall at training last night so we are a mutual misery society for the next few days!

I had a rotator cuff tear during covid. Ultrasound showed it was wear & tear damage rather than a direct injury, I was told surgery wasn't an option as it would be like tying to stitch back together a frayed bit of cloth...
Sleep was rare, a few hours at a time.
I found a tens machine helped when trying to rest.
I did tge physio exercises, and whilst I don't have the full range of movement back, I am pain free

Sounds like my frozen shoulder. Worst thing was overnight pain and the ensuing lack of sleep. Ask for better drugs - if they're waiting for diagnostic MRI they shouldn't tell you you can't have pain relief that does just that.

Also, I had to go private (Scotland)
Waiting list here was over 12 months.

Experiencing the same, just started physio but the lack of sleep is getting to me 😞