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Rotator Cuff Pain

Posted , 6 users are following.

bill49757
bill49757

I have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear of 50 percent. Presently going through therapy to try to avoid surgery without much success. My concern is how far should this pain really travel down arm and up neck? My shoulder hurts, but not near as much as the outside of my arm hallway down to elbow. Would hate to have the surgery done and still have the arm pain. Would appreciate any of you that have had similar pain to comment. Thank you. 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Smileyface
    Smileyface bill49757

    Posted

    Hello Bill;

    I was assaulted on my job by a few behavioral students last year; due to breaking up fights and trying to restrain little kids. By March of last year, the pain in my arm and shoulder got really painful, and went to see my doctor. I went back and forth to the ER and my doctor's office, before I had the MRI. It showed I had a small tear. After going to therapy several weeks, it only got worse, and Orthopedic Dr. informed me that I needed surgery. After surgery in Aug. of last year, I was informed that they had to repair my rotator cuff, my socket, and cut & repair my biceps on right side. I suffered 5 months before having surgery, Therapy was going well after surgery, until the end of October; I started having neck pain, as it only continued to get stronger, which made my shoulder and arm to continue too! After waiting and going back and forth about MRI for my neck, I finally had it done Feb. 5th. My primary care doctor called me Friday to tell me I had cervical stenosis and I needed to contact my spine Dr to see what his next plan was. I still haven't heard anything from the spine doctor's office regarding the results, so I called to make an appointment with someone! I finally have an appt with the spine doctor's assistant this Thursday!! I pray you get some answers real soon! If therapy isn't helping, and you had the MRI, then I would consider talking to my Orthopedic surgeon about surgery. Ask questions, and find out as much as you can!! Please keep us informed. I'm really sorry about your pain too!! Will be praying for you!

    • bill49757
      bill49757 Smileyface

      Posted

      Through a nerve conduction test and another MRI , it was also determined that i also spinal stenosis. I have not seen a spine doctor about that yet because i wanted to approach one thing at a time. Currently the arm pain is by far the most painful. As i head toward surgery i am hopeful that that is a result of the rotator cuff tear. I am also 64 years old and on blood thinners. My options of pain killers is very limited. Managing it just with Tylenol which does very little. 
    • Smileyface
      Smileyface bill49757

      Posted

      Our bodies go through a lot of different things, and sometimes we try to ignore the real problem. Everyone is different with their pain and issues. I had rotator cuff surgery about 20 something years ago on my right shoulder, because it just kept getting worse, and with therapy I got better. From December of 2016 through April of last year, I was assaulted by a few behavioral kids, and since the pain didn't get any better after different things, Dr decided that I needed surgery. I finally get to see the spine doctor's assistant this Thursday to see what I'm suppose to do with all this pain. I've been only taking Tylenol too, but no real relief. I really hope and pray that you will find the right solution, and will be pain free real soon! I'm a strong believer in our Lord Jesus Christ, and prayers. I will keep you in prayer too. Let us know what happens. Keep the faith!

  • mike62348
    mike62348 bill49757

    Posted

    If the scan has shown that you have a tendon tear of only 50% then I would suggest that you stick with the PT. Certainly treat the pain with ice and anti-inflamatory cream etc. It will get better. I had a total rupture of the long bicep tendon 2 years ago. My specialist gave me the choice of surgery or physio, I went with the physio, and eventually it did improve. Unfortunately 5 months ago I overdid things (didn't listen to my body telling me to ease up) and I had a very painful relapse. My physio referred me to another more local specialist who advised radical reverse shoulder replacement! (What a shock)! I then went to see the original guy who agreed that at some point I may need the replacement, but he advised me to carry on with the PT and muscle strengthening exercises and see how it goes. I am so glad for the second opinion as things have improved enormously. I am now pain free and able to use both arms almost as normal.

    I am continuing the PT and intend to be more careful in the future. I am 80 years old.

     

    • bill49757
      bill49757 mike62348

      Posted

      Thanks Mike. What scares me is how much the arm on outside above elbow hurts. I even get these zingers of pain there in a stationery position. I have had PT for one month now with no improvement. In some ways , the outer arm pain is worse. What type of anti-inflamatory cream? 
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