Pretty nasty shoulder issues

jungleroomx

I've always had some slight problems with my shoulders aching occasionally, but its never been that bad. However recently things have taken a turn for the worst. My left shoulder sometimes has a dull pain starting from the socket and going all the way to the middle of my upper arm... And that's the good one.

My right shoulder is a mess. I can't put too much pressure on it, and if I extend it fully outward I can't even lift 5 pounds without some serious hurting. I can only steer my car halfway with my right arm, as when the wheel has its upward rotation I don't even have the power to move it. And yesterday I was reaching for some spices for dinner and my shoulder felt like it slipped out of joint and went back in. It was painful, but more disconcerting than anything.

Exercises like pushups don't cause pain, and when I'm doing arm curls the only thing that happens is my shoulders get fatigued quickly. But things like military presses and shoulder flys are a not-just-no-but-hell-nos. The army is sending me to physical therapy. Should I be worried? What should I tell the docs?

Fantasma

Hello,

The first two things that come to mind are:

1. Arthritis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthritis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheumatoid_arthritis

2. Bursitis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bursitis

If possible, do not delay seeing a doctor or a specialist, most medical conditions can be treated if they are in the starting stage.

P.S.

I am not a doctor.

jungleroomx

I was thinking arthritis until my shoulder seemed to slip out of joint. I did see a doc and they gave me Motrin which to be honest hasn't helped much at all, so o don't know. Thanks for your response though.

Fantasma

Hello again jungleroomx,

I asked my wife, who is a doctor, to take a look at your post, and based on your symptoms she thinks it is Bursitis. You should see an Orthopedist.

Buena suerte.

jungleroomx

Fantastico.

Much appreciated, I'm seeing the best the army has to offer... Which means 2 months of destructive physical therapy before an MRI.

Kakodaimonos

Tell the physical therapist everything that's been bothering you about your shoulder.

It does sound like bursitis, with some impingement. Possibly a separated shoulder, but that's not too likely. But no one can make a decent diagnosis without actually seeing it.

jungleroomx

The doc I saw said the shoulder slips may be "subluxation"

see317

Is there any way you can see a non-military doctor Jungle?
I just remember the horror stories from my sister from when she was in the navy. Medics treated nearly everything by throwing handfuls of aspirin at it until it went away or they ran out of aspirin. Granted, these are second hand stories at best, but it seems you have some of the same experiences ("2 months of destructive PT before an MRI").

MercedCG

I had a shoulder subluxation playing basketball a few months ago.

Long story shorter: I got an MRI due to immense pain in joint and up and down arm. Turned up negative for torn labrum, positive for subluxed shouler and bad strains of tendons and muscles around it. Rested for 2 weeks to deal with pain (Yay Percocet!). Went into PT 2 months ago, feel SO MUCH BETTER now, but prognosis is still 3-9 months for full recovery of strength. Shoulder problems are incredibly complicated and delicate - get tested and don't fuck with your arm until you know what's what for sure.

I am not a doctor, and even a good shoulder specialist had trouble seeing my problem, so you should absolutely see a shoulder specialist, and discuss your options with them.

Iceman.USAF

You can ask for a referral to a civilian doctor, or barring that you can go into the clinic during hours when they are closed and they can refer you. If you're using Tricare online, there should be an option right there to see a civilian doc.

jungleroomx

Due to the backlog of physical therapy sessions in the military hospital I managed to snag a civilian physical therapist/sports medicine off post. The pain is still there, but I'm still more worried about the loss in strength and the fact that I can't complete a steering wheel rotation with my right arm. It doesn't hurt to do it, it simply just stops.

mts

sounds to me like you have a torn labrum or less likely a torn bicep tendon. though the fact that pushups don't hurt is weird.

therapy will be good for you, its not destructive

Fantasma

According to my own experience, rest and anti-inflammatory medication is what you need in the meantime, until the exact cause of the problem can be determined, the more physical exercise and therapy the worst.

Please, try to see a real specialist such as an Orthopedist if you can.

Best of luck.

jungleroomx

Unfortunately, the military doesn't work that way.

First is sick call, then physical therapy if loss-of-motion is seen (along with anti-inflammatory meds, and pain meds is needed), and if that doesn't work then it gets bumped up to a physical exam, and then an x-ray, and THEN more physical therapy, and if it still doesn't fix anything, then you may get lucky and get an MRI and, if a problem is detected, a specialist.

Seriously.

Iceman.USAF

That's not at all how it 'works' if you actually take charge of your own health.

Go see the military doc. Ask for a referral to a specialist. If they say no, press the issue. If they refuse, use your chain of command.

jungleroomx

No offense intended, sir, but there are two different ways these things work. The easy and common-sense way with those with rank, and the destructive way to those who don't. I've sat and watched a junior enlisted soldier languish in the middle of an 18 month med board for 5 compressed vertebrae, utterly useless in a military context, and even with the backing of the commander of the company, BDE, and BN, the civilians who are in charge of this shit just don't give a fuck.

I asked to see a specialist today, was denied, and told that they can't even get people with career-ending injuries out the door (or, in some cases, to see a specialist) quick enough.

Whereas our sick call the day after the Superbowl was populated with more than five 1LT's who requested an IV bag to counteract their hangover and got that, shoving quite a few the soldiers with red-level sickcall appointments to amber (had a soldier puking his guts out all morning, but got amber because all the red appts were taken).

That's how it works.

Derrick

This is your health. Don't follow a system you know to be fucked; go see a real doctor. Get a referral from a general practitioner if you can't set up something with a specialist right off the bat.

Seriously, this is your life bro. Joint injuries are nothing to fuck around with and if you re-injure your shoulder (which is likely) you're going to be even worse off. Permanently.

I know, the army sucks. But look, if you had a gunshot wound and the army staff was telling you to walk it off, would you? Fuck no. You'd see a doctor.

Do it.

Iceman.USAF

Use your tricare online to schedule an appointment yourself then. You don't need the base doctor to refer you.

Also, I'm done here. Enjoy destroying your shoulder(s).

jungleroomx

Registered with TriCare Online.

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Awesome.