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steroid injection as indicator for surgery for rotator cuff impingement?

Posted , 8 users are following.

victoria13635
victoria13635

OUt of the blue, my shoulder started hurting, especially putting dishes away, etc. I saw the ortho Dr. He x-rayed my shoulder and said that the end of the bone was hooked like a bird's beak. I went to PT for 4 weeks. I had some improvement in reaching across my body, but lifting my arm out to the side and up still hurts as does sleeping and a couple of other motions. Reaching to my back is better, also. I can also raise my hands to my head but only if my elbows are pointed to the front of me, not to the side. 

I was given the steroid injection and told to let them know in 2 weeks how I am doing. My question is this: I've read online that some think the shape of the bone causes the impingement the Dr says I have and others say no. Some say that the steriod injection is an indicator of if you need surgery or not. Is this true? If the injection works it proves you have a rotator cuff problems and if it doesn't you have another issue? I'm not sure I read it right and was hoping someone can shed some light on this. It's not horrible pain, but it does hurt to do a lot of my normal activities. Suggestions also welcome.

Thank you so much.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • grammie48
    grammie48 victoria13635

    Posted

    My doctor gave me a steroid injection in my shoulder and it worked for 2-3 days.  He told me that was an indication I had a torn rotator cuff.  His explanation was when there is a torn tendon, the medicine he injects leaks through the tear and doesn't remain in the shoulder joint, so it doesn't work.   I don't know if that is true or not but I did have a tear.

    • victoria13635
      victoria13635 grammie48

      Posted

      The injection was given 2.5 days ago. I have some improvement with some movements but to lift my arm to make an upside down "L", I can't get it above my shoulder without severe pain. Arm at 90 degree, palm down. If I keep my elbow close to my body I can do more than if I need to have it away for whatever reason. It sure sounds like I'd rather not have surgery. Sounds like a LONG road.

  • mia98887
    mia98887 victoria13635

    Posted

    Hello victoria, I too had one of those “hooks”. It’s actually a calcium deposit built up because your body is trying to repair itself from ...usually a rotator cuff tear. I went to a specialist surgeon here in town that does shoulders on  athletes. And is also well known and written up in medical journals. He didn’t even need to do an MRI and he knew I had a tear he wasn’t sure how big it was. I too did 2 Cortizone injections. Did not do a thing for the pain and it only got worse. I ended up having the surgery January 30, with almost a 95% tear, and shredded. My surgeon said it was very bad.  Took him 45 minutes longer for the surgery that he had prepared for to clean it up and mend it.  They also popped and drained that “big  hook“ calcium deposit that was causing me pain as well. It’s up to you if you want to have surgery .  But be prepared to have somebody take care of you and do everything for you for a few weeks. The part that’s the hardest for me  is not being able to do the simple things,  like putting my hair in a ponytail, taking my dogs for a walk, putting on jeans or a bra. Tying my shoes. Brushing my teeth. I’m now almost 6 weeks in and I’m extremely frustrated! I have no idea the recovery would be almost a year. Good luck with everything.  
    • victoria13635
      victoria13635 mia98887

      Posted

      Can they tell from the x-ray if it is a calcium deposit or just there from birth? I can move my arm in a lot of range without much pain but not at a 90 degree angle straight out. That is excruciating. The surgery sounds horrible so I really don't want that, but not sure what to do as it IS painful. Would you do the surgery again if given the chance?

       

    • mia98887
      mia98887 victoria13635

      Posted

       Victoria, if you have a good surgeon they will know what it is.  I don’t think people have calcium deposits on their shoulders that they’re born with.

       My doctor could tell,  from an x-ray. My doctor is so experienced at this kind of thing I did not need an MRI he knew that I had a tear. And he also knew just by the looks of it that this was a bone spur, and had to be removed. Your rotator will not get better. Would I do this again? That is a very good question. I have heard people talk about  I stem cell injection that’s  supposed to be better and it heals quicker. I think it depends on the tear. Mine was 95%. But I have to tell you it is extremely painful and I’m almost 6 weeks in. Sleeping is the hardest part. 

  • st67005
    st67005 victoria13635

    Posted

    Having had decompression surgery on both shoulders I know that the pain from an impingement is bad. If you do have a bone spur that is hooking on the cuff it will only get worse as it frays the tendons. Have they done an MRI? In the long term an injection will do nothing to solve your problem if you have a bone constantly shredding you rotator cuff except make the tendons more brittle. The surgery to decompress the joint and remove the spur can be done with a scope and really works. Get another opinion and don't leave it. The longer it goes on the more damage you are doing. They can easily fix an impingement but a full cuff tear is another story. Good luck

    • victoria13635
      victoria13635 st67005

      Posted

      Thank you. I just wasn't too sure what to do. I did PT and it helped some. Improved some of my range of motion but a couple other ways I lift my arm are SO painful. Cannot go over 90 degrees straight out and up "like half of "T" palms down. The Dr had me lift my arm like this with my hand in 3 different positions. Made me do it 2 times even through the pain.

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