Rotator cuff injury?

[dragonfly08]

Has anyone out there dealt with this before?  I start PT for it next week, and am wondering how soon I can (hopefully) get back to pretty much anything involving my upper body!  Right now I'm spending a lot of time on the dreadmill and it's starting to get boring. 

And what was PT like, if you went that route?

TIA!

[CrazyLucky]

I had shoulder surgery that was not rotator cuff. The PT for that was horrible, but I was told PT for a rotator cuff surgery was much worse. I did things like using armbands, lifting weights of like 5 pounds to shoulder high. Of course, that was after a few weeks of pretty much just swaying my arm back and forth (pendulum) to get my range of motion back.

Moral of the story is: DO NOT push it. If it takes a long time to heal, it takes a long time to heal. If you have to get the surgery, you'll be out much longer. Good luck!

[dragonfly08]

Thanks! I'm definitely trying not to push it, and DH has been great about picking up a lot of the slack so I can really rest my shoulder (he even went grocery shopping with me, and that's probably his least favorite chore in the world). The doc doesn't seem to think I need more than a couple of weeks of PT, but whatever it takes, it takes.

[MrsE]

I have not, but my H had PT, then rotator cuff surgery, and then mote PT 10+ years ago. He was in pain for a long time and PT did not help so they did an MRI and found the tear. He played baseball competitively and was unable to return to the same level afterwards. He still has occasional pain in his shoulder and can't sleep on his right side. Good luck, hope you heal quickly!

[hannahb]

What had the doctor diagnosed you with? If you have tendinitis expect a lot of shoulder stabilization and RC strength. Most shoulder injuries that are chronic (as opposed to a traumatic acute event) are due to imbalances and PT will work on that. How did you injure it?

[dragonfly08]

Thanks, MrsE...I can't sleep on that side either (and that's usually how I do sleep so it's been rough). Hoping the PT helps!

hannahb...the doc says rotator cuff injury with a pinched nerve (causing pain down my arm) due to repetitive motion. I make jewelry and apparently overdid it with the pre-holiday rush to finish a bunch of pieces I was giving as gifts. First appointment is Tuesday morning, we'll see how it goes!

[dragonfly08]

Just as an update...first PT session was this morning. I've got an inflamed tendon and rotator cuff issues. Lots of isometric exercises for right now to bring down the inflammation, then I can move on to strengthening my shoulders so hopefully this never happens again! My therapist seems to think it shouldn't take that long and that full recovery is definitely possible. Yay!