Replies

1. 
   Robrehm | Oct 02, 2003 02:32pm | #1

   Waaaaayyy to real. Been there twice. Never try tostop a 28 foot mast from going over in a high wind. Never.

2. 
   PhillGiles | Oct 02, 2003 04:53pm | #2

   Been there, one side came right back, the other took over a year.

   PS, minor injuries to rotator cuffs are harder to heal than the big rip and surgery cases.

   .

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

3. 
   migraine | Oct 03, 2003 02:58pm | #3

   been there, done that.. both shoulders.  My surgeon recommended a procedure where they remove some of the shoulder bone.  Called a "Mumford Procedure".  My understanding is that its a common procedure.   I should have had him just remove the calcium/spurs.  Now shoulders hurt even worst

1. 
   AXE | Oct 03, 2003 07:49pm | #4

   I tore my rotator cuff about 10 years ago goofing off.  Never had it looked at, so I don't how serious it was.  Lived with pretty good pain for a while, and the pain never really went away.

   After I started doing more work on my house, I discovered I had very little strength while working overhead or at arms length (like using my drill, etc.) So I decided to do something about it.  In researching, I hooked up with a good Doctor of Osteopathy (that's a DO as opposed to an MD - Medical Doctor).  After two treatments, I have about zero pain in my shoulder.  He said I also damaged some rib-sternum and rib-spine connections.  I've also been doing some basic exercises (not push ups or weight lifting, more like Tai Chi kind of stuff...I'm sure there is a good school in your area).  Whether a DO can help you or not depends on the severity of the injury, but a good DO will be honest with you if he doesn't think he (or she of course...) can help you.

   You want to ask what percentage of their time they do OMT (Osteapathic Manipulation Therapy).  That will speak volumes about their skills and help ensure that you get someone is who is skilled in Osteopathy, not just dabbling in it (you wouldn't want someone who is just dabbling in home building doing your house right...?).  Let me know if you need more info I might be able to help find someone decent in your area.

   MERC.

4. 
   JeffBuck | Oct 04, 2003 12:25am | #5

   just look into it.

   I had severe shoulder/neck pain a coupla yrs ago. Finally went to see my primary care ... he sent me to the ortho .... he decided I needed surgery the following week.

   Said I should get 80 to 100% of the movement back.

   This was a Thurs ... he wanted to open me up the very next Tues!

   Said I was risking major injury/permanant damage if I waited.

   I waited!

   Went to my chiro .... who before this ..I only saw about once ever 3-6 months.

   He xrayed ... found the problem....

   I stoped the PT that the primart care also prescribed ... dropped everyone but the chiro.

   The Ortho said seeing a chiro would just about kill me .... and I'd definitely have permanant damage ....

   That was about 5 yrs ago.

   No damage what so ever. Left should is strong as ever ... unless I over work it ...

   The I gotta go get cracked.

   I advise checking all options.

   And not all chiros are the same. I'm lucky to find my guy. He recommends a "real Doc" or PT when he thinks it'll work better/faster. He's not a "chiro solves all" guy.

   But he can do what he says he'll do. He's old school .... no hocus pokus stuff.

   Check your options.

   Jeff

   Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

    Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

5. 
   Snort | Oct 04, 2003 01:21am | #6

   I've had the same ailment, from banging on things overhead in while in outstreched, awkward positions. Fancy that<G>

   Chiropractor and after the fact common sense worked for me. It did take about 9 months of cracking and learning to keep my elbows close to my body while working ovehead, but no more pain. And, I go into the body shop every month for preventive maintenance. I just hate it when they wanna check the oil...

   EliphIno!

6. 
   Rugby | Oct 04, 2003 02:42am | #7

   I would add....get a second medical opinion if you don't feel comfortable with your physician's recomendation.

   I don't have rotator cuff problems but I suffered a 3rd degree shoulder separation 3 years ago.  Collar bone completely torn away from where it attaches to the shoulder blade.  Went to the Doc, he X-rayed it.  Twenty minutes later he comes back with one of his partners and says you need surgery.  He told his nurse to set it up and walked out of the room.  After I left I decided to get a second opinion.  The original physician was none too happy.  The second opinion was.......you could have surgery but chances are a second surgery would be needed someday and 10 or 20 years in the future your shoulder will hurt all the time.  Surgery was not a necessity.  I took the second opinion.  Was totally back to normal in about 6 weeks.  Other than a slightly deformed looking left should I'm fine. 

   From my research I founf out that the shoulder joint is very vulnerable to injury.  There are rotator cuff exercises that can be done to strengthen the joint.  I've got a book somehwere around here that shows them but I don't know where it's at.  Maybe I should go find it and take my own advise. :)  Good luck.

7. 
   Gunner | Oct 04, 2003 03:48am | #8

   I've been dealing with tendonitis in my left shoulder for a while now. Man it sucks, I can't imagine a rotator cuff tear.

   Who Dares Wins.