Shoulder pain

Oh my, so many stories about this! SallyWally, I too have a rotator cuff injury. Had this about seven months - had two phone physio appointments and two visits to the physio at the MSK clinic. Awaiting an appointment to be referred for mri/cortisone injection. Can barely dress myself and can’t work. Oddly though, I can sleep - possibly due to the exhaustion of the pain. I’m on cocodamol. I have gentle resistance exercises to do.

I had a full thickness tear in my right rotator cuff 6 years ago and had it repaired via keyhole surgery. It took 3 months of painful physio but worth it. I swim for exercise and am pleased to say that I am back to my previous strength so would recommend the surgery.
Before the surgery I had lots of discomfort and swimming was difficult. Physio wasn't sorting it and steroid injections won't fix a full thickness tear. Advised the surgery wasn't essential as the shoulder can (may) compensate but after suffering over a year of discomfort was very pleased I had the surgery.
If it's a full thickness tear find a good specialist and see what he can offer.

Mine isn't a torn rotor cuff, but rotor cuff impingement. It started after a car crash, 14 years, ago, then settled down after 18 months. It started again in January after I'd cleaned a window. I've got physiotherapy exercises to do (I didn't get to see a GP or anyone, the Physiotherapist rang me then emailed the exercises). I take Naproxen at night, which allows me to sleep for 5 - 6 hours before the pain starts again. I've got limited movement but the GP won't inject it.

I also damaged my shoulder when I fell - almost 10 years ago.
And it was very painful
My doctor eventually gave me a cortisone (steroid) injectiom and that helped a lot.
Now painfree for many years but very limited movement and power with my right arm. I've learnt to do some things with my left arm and hand eg lifting cups to mouth. I'm naturally right handed.
Eldest son had similar damage and had an operation plus physio and is now back to normal.

If it reaches the stage where you have to see an orthopaedic consultant please make sure he is a shoulder specialist.

My excruciating shoulder pain was initially mis-diagnosed and by the time x-rays showed that osteophytes (bone spurs) were the cause, it was too late to do the keyhole surgery that could have been successful at an earlier stage. I had a part-replacement of the joint, followed by six weeks of physio, but that was 15 years ago and it's still going strong - though three years ago, I broke it but it did recover normally. So my advice is to have your shoulder x-rayed/scanned to be sure that the diagnosis of a torn rotator cuff is accurate. If it is accurate, the steroid injection will work wonders - I've had that with my other shoulder!

My advice would be to ask for a referral to a shoulder specialist. I have a torn rotator cuff, and had very restricted movement and was in a lot of pain. I was in the fortunate position of being able to afford see a shoulder specialist privately, after being discharged by the NHS with no treatment. A carefully administered steroid injection relieved the pain permanently and quickly, and and after months of sleepless nights, I was able to sleep pain free. I do feel for you and hope you manage to get some help soon

My husband had this and doctors kept giving him steroid injection which seemed to help short term. Eventually when he saw a consultant and was eventually operated on, the consultant said the steroid injections just mask the problem and, in fact, you can make the problem worse because you can’t feel it. Funnily enough, our son had an operation on his on the same side a few years later. Completely different causes but basically, overworked shoulder joints. They are both fine now, touch wood!

I’ve had a torn rotator cuff which stopped me also bending my elbow. Had physio and a op to correct the elbow by trying to repair rotator cuff but they left it too long. Shoulder ok but elbow still won’t bend after twelve years best I can do. Get it seen to early that’s my advice.

I’ve had rotator cuff repair on both shoulders done under general anaesthetic. Waited 6 months for the first one and about 18 months for the second. That was a few years ago now. Waiting lists are ridiculously long now though.

I wasn’t offered a steroid injection ( sounds painful). I did have physio after both Ops.

Thanks everyone. I have been referred for physio, though I think there is a long waiting list. Sometimes the pain is so bad I feel almost faint. I will ask about the injection, thanks for the tip. Voltarol gel is quite good.

Mine weren’t torn, just inflamed, I had physio exercises to do and used voltarol gel along with painkillers. They took about a year to heal, one still has the odd twinge.

I think a torn rotator cuff needs more than just painkillers, possibly a steroid injection or an operation. If you Google, you’ll find lots of info about the condition.

If it’s any consolation Sallywally, my shoulder pain lasted for a short while (few days) and then, just spontaneously disappeared. Hope yours disappears too ….

These guys are really good...
CAVEAT as they say, if anything you try gives pain
DON'T DO IT
If you are in any doubt at all, get proper professional advice.

www.youtube.com/user/physicaltherapyvideo/search?query=rotator%20cuff

Sallywally1I’ve had it in both shoulders and it’s an utter misery. I put up with it for months till I eventually had a steroid injection into the joint and I was pain free within 48 hours. It was miraculous. I’d advise you to ask your GP to inject it or refer you to someone who is able to do it. I had one by GP and the other by a physiotherapist.

Yes! I fell and suffered that as a result.

Look on u-tube for advise about sleeping, pillows certainly helped me, I was also sent for physio. Yes movement was very limited as well.

I fell over Easter 2019 and it took a year before I could sleep more comfortably, but it still does wake me even now if I lay on it for too long. But day to day it is now fine.

So be prepared for the long haul, it very slowly gets better, so patience is the key.