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Shoulder bursitis, 3 months not healing

Posted , 9 users are following.

susan68331
susan68331

hi, I've had bursitis in my left, non dominant shoulder for nearly 3 months bought on I believe from exercise, (poor form) general overuse two young children etc etc!  I have tried rest, ice the usual, some physio to manage the pain. The Pain is getting to me a lot now and I have succumbed to taking a very strong, once a day anti inflammatory for three days. Cortisone injection into the bursa two weeks ago did zilch, in fact made the pain worse.

I've been referred to a specialist ( I'm in Australia) and I'm hoping to have an MRI. Ultrasound showed moderate bursitis with impingement in January, there were no tears. I have read with interest others experiences on this forum with shoulder issues....shoulders are a pain in the arse when when they are injured! Just wondering if anyone has actually gone down the surgical route to rectify their bursitis/impingement and if so how was the recovery and function after? 

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • thechefshat
    thechefshat susan68331

    Posted

    Surgery for Impingement is very straightforward - as long as there are no tears. Unfortunately and MRI will not always show a tear, so you may go into surgery expecting a quick recovery and come out to find the surgeon found and fixed a tear and know you have six months of rehab ahead of you.

    Best of luck :-)

    • susan68331
      susan68331 thechefshat

      Posted

      Hi, thanks for the feedback! Surgery seems a very last resort to me but after months of this pain I would do it if it meant a return to normal activities and function.
  • Docko
    Docko susan68331

    Posted

    Hi Susan, I'm from Australia too. When I went & had my injection I was told the injection won't take an effect till 3-4 wks. It's now been 6 wks & the pain has increased. You know that saying " It's got to get worse before it gets better" or something along them lines, lol😂😂😂  When I revisited the Doc yesterday he too mentioned for me to have an MRI & for me to visit a Specialist. I declined only I chose to have physio/acupuncture. Now I'm having second thoughts. I had explained to the Doc that pain was not actually coming from my shoulder but a nerve that runs down my arm preventing me from raising my arm & what's causing me pain & discomfort.
    • susan68331
      susan68331 Docko

      Posted

      Hi, it's a nuisance isnt it?!! I just want a surgeon to say, yep we'll shave a bit of bone off and everything will be fine!! Nothing is that simple of course. I won't be getting another cortisone shot. I was wired and wide awake, couldn't sleep the first night after I had it, it's not helped in the slightest. Making things worse I believe. I suppose I had to try it and now move on to the next step. I wish you luck with your issue!
    • dave28210
      dave28210 Docko

      Posted

      Hi there Docko,

      I'm just wondering if you ever found out any more about your shoulder issue or whether you've found a way to fix it. Im also in Australia and have had a ultrasound which showed a small amount of bursitis but a enlarged radial nerve in my arm. Like you this nerve in my arm is what hurts, I have no pain in the shoulder, just the nerve, all the physios seem confused. ive been doing physio for three months,anti inflammatories, ice packs, massage, and complete rest with no improvement at all, i don't really want to have cortisone injections as they don't sound any good. Did you ever find a doctor to help you or diagnose you? I do hope its got better for you. Any help would be massively appreciated smile

  • Docko
    Docko susan68331

    Posted

    I am seriously now considering the MRI & Op option. Hope all goes well with you too Susan, good luck 😀
  • don940
    don940 susan68331

    Posted

    Hi Susan

    I'm not an expert just busted enough stuff I feel like one.

    I was going to suggest ACE soft blue ice packs if you haven't tryed them, they should sell them where your at, vary comfortable for iceing.

    You might have an labrum tear or something simuiar.

    I've had surgery for miniscus of my knee. the frayed tissue was getting in the joint causing pain, inflamation, ect. arthroscopic surgery fixed it.

    I also have exposed area in the knee cartlage causing pain when loading knee to much, like stairs. I'm looking into ORTHOVISC.knee injections. It's made from the comb of rosters, which is the same structure as knee cartlage. if allergic to poultry there is a synthetic one.

    3 to 4 injections. We used it on 90 yr old mothers shoulder that was loaded with arthritis, it worked some what. He shoulder in pretty much gone.

    It's vary costly and some insurances don't cover it.

    About $700 to $1200 US for the set of injections.

    Do Not get to many sterodal injections

    Good luck

    • susan68331
      susan68331 don940

      Posted

      Hi don940,

      Thanks for your insight. I will look into the ice packs. Ice does still help a lot with the pain. I definitely will not be having any more steroidal injections. I reluctantly tried this one after much deliberation and most definitely would not recommend them. I have tried/ am trying natural alternatives too such as turmeric & boswelia supplements and good old organic apple cider vinegar. They have helped manage some of the pain in the earlier weeks but aren't quite cutting it now!

  • ingerf
    ingerf susan68331

    Posted

    Hello Susan

    I'm sorry to hear you're going through this... I am too and I'm just so over it.

    I'm 41 and Mum to two kids - not that young but I am still busy with them, lifting, stretching, wiping, carrying, hanging stuff amongst other things.

    i've had a cortisone shot about a week ago and not much improvement. I was so hopeful. I've had heaps of physio and have used up all my health fund and am waiting for the new year to roll over. I too am in Australia.

    I'm wondering if you have had any improvement and if so what path you took?

    Thanks and hoping you're feeling better.

    cheers

    Inger

  • nicki1958
    nicki1958 susan68331

    Posted

    I was having pain in my shoulder and my doctor opted to give me a double cortisone shot in my shoulder from behind! That was December 12, 2017. I started experiencing major problems since the injection! I no longer have use of my arm or hand, I am paralyzed in my hand and am unable to move my fingers! My fingers involuntarily twitch on their own and still have the shoulder pain! I have lost complete use of my left arm! I’m depressed and terrified it can’t be rectified! This was my very first cortisone shot in my shoulder! I am literally paralyzed in my hand and fingers and my shoulder is still in a lot of pain! Has this happened to anyone????
    • talwinder_43885
      talwinder_43885 nicki1958

      Posted

      Hi Nicki 

      I am sorry to hear that My shoulder also bothering me I got ultrasound for my shoulder it’s shows up shoulder bursitis I also try cortisone it wasn’t helpful even make bit heavy feeling and after that feeling I tried exercise it’s feel bit better but not completely healing this pain feeling not going away sometimes better when warm weather but when it’s cold weathers outside it’s worse 

      I hope you find any solution for that??

  • roycam
    roycam susan68331

    Posted

    Hi Susan,

     

    My name is Roy,We too are in Brisbane

    My Bursitis Testimonial 31 May 2018 By Roy Morris

    Morning and night I put 2  drops of Frankincense and 2 drops of Copaiba oil onto my right shoulder which had Bursitis with 2 drops of each also under my tongue and 1 drop of each on the bottom of each foot, the Bursitis was gone in 3 days. It was so painful I couldn't even get my arm above my waist. I cancelled my injection after a scan confirmed Bursitis and the doc wasn't happy. I can't believe this pain has gone and I haven't applied the oils to my shoulder since. I still take the oils orally and on my feet morning and night. 

    We are now Advocates for these 100% pure oils.

     

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