Hypoxia and Medicine

Shoulder Injury?

Hi. I think i have a torn rotator cuff but i was wondering what the symptoms included. I looked on this website: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_services/ortho/shoulder/conditions/rotator/signs.html and had all of the symptoms included. There was one feeling that I have but i am not sure if it is a symptom of a torn rotator cuff. I have pain throughout most of my arm. Is this a symptom of a torn rotator cuff? If not, what is it a symptom of? Also, approximately how long does it take to fully recover and what is the recovery process? I injured myself using a shoulder machine in the weight room. i used too much weight. i have already had an x-ray of my shoulders. nothing is wrong with the bone. i am only worried about the muscle for now.

Public Comments

1. You did not tell us how you injured your shoulder. Anyway, see a doctor: it could be a shoulder separation, a dislocsted shoulder. I had third degree shoulder separation, verified by an x-ray of the shoulder and had simialr symptoms, other than the 'grinding' sound. You will likely have to get a x-ray too.
2. Oh boy! Had it and if you carry something heavy after you are so-called healed, it starts up again. The whole arms just throbs like crazy. Can't even lay on it. It takes about 6 months. I wore the arm wrapped during the day and a cuff around my wrist with the wrap at bedtime. Some nights I still can't lay on it. It's amazing that something like that effects your whole arm, but its the ligaments that have to heal. Good luck! Just give it time and icy hot and warm soaks and sometimes a massage when it's not throbbing. It may help to elevate it on a pillow when you lay down.
3. Well, I've torn both of mine and had both repaired. I also had bone spurs in both shoulders which contributed to the damage. After the initial injury (I fell walking the dog) I had terrible pain in the right arm. I could barely lift my hand above waist level. The pain lessened but never went away. I finally saw an Orthopod who ordered a MRI. This is when the extent of the injury was discovered. A torn rotator cuff can receed back to the shoulder blade. In fixing the Dr. must pull the tendon/muscle forward and anchor it to the bone. If he cannot pull it forward far enough, he may need to use a cuff graft (pig tendon). Don't let it get this bad!! I didn't need the pig parts, but it was a possiblity I faced! I was off work for 12 weeks. In a sling with a pillow between arm & body for 4 - 5 weeks. Phys. therapy 3 times a week for 3 - 6 weeks beginning on week 5. Continuing PT exercises at home. Full recovery about 10 - 12 months post-op.