I have been having shoulder upper right back pain and shoulder since returning to work following an back injury. I had Lumbar ADR last Oct. I went back to my regular job around March. I had hurt in shoulder last August when someone pulled on my arm before my muscle were flexed.I did PT then well it got better or I just didn't know it w2as a problem because of the pain meds I was on and the fact that 2 month later I had the lumbar surgery (for a different problem)My first thought was cervical disc problem.Cervical MRI just show mild/mod disc desercration at all levels. So I had MRI of my right shoulder. Results Full thickness tear 9.6mm width conjoined portions of the distal supraspinatus and subscaoularis tendons. Small amount of fluid subcromial and deltoid bursa. Mild degenerative fibrous overgrowth of the acromioclavicular joint capsule. Poor visualization biceps tendon and biceps anchor on all sequences. IT is uncertain as to wheather this represents a diminutive structure or possible limitations of technique. Injury involving the biceps tendon and biceps anchor is not excludable. Its going to be 6 weeks before I can get in to see the ortho shoulder Doctor I would use if I should need repair. :PT want work with me until I am cleared by a doctor. I dont know nothing about shoulder injuries and treatment. I do know it is very painful I am on amedrol dose pack has helped the pain a little. I also take tramadol for pain I need something stronger. ANY SUGGESTION OR INFORMATION. Bad luck is following me my husband just came in a kid threw a cell phone from a bus window cracked the windshield.

Ouch! Having had both rotator cuffs repaired, I have some idea of the pain you are in.
Is it possible to get a cortisone injection directly into the shoulder? This may provide some relief, if only temporary, until you get to see the surgeon.

Cortisone should only be used for very short-term pain relief as it can lead to tendon/ligament damage if used too much and it looks like you've got more than enough problems. If you have a full tear, the biggest argument I can think of for surgery is the decision made by one of our doctors. He is an alternative-care provider who performs prolotherapy, a technique which can be used to repair partial tears and similar weakening in connective tissue. When he had a full tear, he had it fixed surgically even though he was aware of the non-surgical options.

If it turns out to not be a full tear, I would suggest looking at prolotherapy. The technique isn't much fun but it has worked for my wife an I. Otherwise I'd spend the long weekend reviewing everything you do that strains the shoulder (like reaching behind you in the car) and figuring out ways to eliminate them until you heal.

I had to have the acromioclavicular joint repaired after my bike/dog collision. They re-sectioned the joint. Prior to the surgery I was having a hard time lifting my arm to a certain height. I also would wake up screaming if I rolled on it in the middle of the night. I wish I could say the surgery was not painful but it was very painful. It also took about a year to heal but I am OK now. I sleep on it OK and do whatever I want with it. It is done by arthroscopic surgery and, is an easier fix than one would imagine. It was also one of the things the lawyer representing the homeowner conceded on as; "Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries are common and often seen after bicycle wrecks, contact sports, and car accidents."

I wish you the best of luck with it and I would recommend you go to a specialist that works on only shoulders. You'll have better luck than an orthopedic surgeon that does this as well as every other joint repair imaginable.

Terry Newton

I got an appointment with orthopedics for my shoulder but its not until Oct 2 with Dr. Barnes he mostly does shoulders and knees. The effects of the steroids have worn off. I am told this injury can effect C5-6 nerve I guess thats why my neck hurts and burns and is stiff. I am using heat doing some gentle exercise to maintain joint movement don't know about PT until I see the ortho they want advise until I am seen. Any suggestions. I ask the office nurse about talking to him about PT got no where she says he will have to see you first with this injury but it seems like I am wasting time. I need to go back to my regular job.

I hate to say this but I would wait until I saw the doctor before I started PT. You won't get in probably without a referral anyway. You might cause some permanent harm if you do something that may injure it further.

Hang in there.

Terry Newton