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Suspected Rotor cuff injury

(17 Posts)
travelsafar Fri 30-Jun-23 19:18:41

After speaking to a physio over the phone she thinks I have an injury as above. I can't lift my arm horizontally or vertically it's so painful. I am now waiting for an appointment to be given exercises.
Anyone had this problem, if yes, how long till it was better.

Suki70 Fri 30-Jun-23 20:40:57

I had this about a year ago, fortunately on my left shoulder as I’m right handed. A physio gave me exercises to do daily and it gradually got better over about six months. The exercises are also on line.

Jaxjacky Fri 30-Jun-23 20:43:35

Very similar to Suki70 again fortunately left shoulder and about six months with the physio exercises.

lixy Fri 30-Jun-23 20:51:28

Yes. very painful left shoulder so saw my GP. He advised a steroid injection.
However before the injection could be arranged I coincidentally had my first ever (and only so far) back massage. Lots of 'knots' massaged out and problem solved.
That was just before lockdown 1, and my shoulder is still fine.

travelsafar Fri 30-Jun-23 20:56:12

Lily pleased to hear that massage helped as I was actually thinking about having this done. Think I will go ahead in the hopes it relieves my pain. Thank you.

PaperMonster Fri 30-Jun-23 21:07:27

Had this and was given exercises to do - which didn’t help at all and it got worse and turned into a frozen shoulder. Which was excruciating.

lixy Fri 30-Jun-23 21:18:41

travelsafar: I think it's worth a go if you can.

I lost a lot of sleep due to the pain of it before hand and the massage certainly sorted my shoulder out. It was just an ordinary massage at our local beauty parlour and she did a lot of work on my neck and upper back.

Hope it helps you too,

Grantanow Fri 30-Jun-23 22:17:30

Yes, if you do the exercises recommended by the physio it will get better. It's painful but that does abate over time.

Charleygirl5 Fri 30-Jun-23 22:40:10

Rotator cuff injury is debilitating as well as very painful. Surgery used to be offered but I appreciate times have moved on.
If massage helps the pain I would go for it. Try it once and see how you get on.

Callistemon21 Fri 30-Jun-23 22:54:43

Charleygirl5

Rotator cuff injury is debilitating as well as very painful. Surgery used to be offered but I appreciate times have moved on.
If massage helps the pain I would go for it. Try it once and see how you get on.

I had a discussion with a surgeon about a rotor cuff repair but he said it's not always successful in older people.
The problem was I also had a dislocation which was exceedingly painful, it had to be put back in with pain relief and took a few weeks of recuperation.

I really do think should see a GP or go to Minor Injuries, not just have a phone consultation, travelsafar.

Best wishes.

Nannytopsy Fri 30-Jun-23 23:16:16

My possible rotator cuff injury was in fact tendon damage from rubbing on bony outgrowths from arthritis. It was found on an ultrasound scan so you should seek a referral. Surgery sorted that years ago and no problems since.

Hetty58 Fri 30-Jun-23 23:30:09

Very painful for several months - then gradually back to normal. Yes, massage and gentle exercising helped (as did sleeping propped sideways/forward, in a chair, so I wouldn't roll onto it).

Whitewavemark2 Sat 01-Jul-23 01:53:32

Give it time and patience. I would say it took much longer than 6 months, but maybe there are degrees of injury, but it does heal eventually.

I found it most painful at night in bed, and had a load of complicated pillows to support it - got there in the end.

Mitzigem Sat 01-Jul-23 03:58:51

Yes , I had 2 torn tendons , The infraspinatus and the supraspinatus. I had limited movement in my arm like you mentioned, and it was sore at night to sleep on it . The physio gave me exercises to do with a rubber band and a cane . It took a good full year before I was back to normal, it is a very slow process ,so good luck with it . They don’t really recommend surgery or steroids if you don’t need it . So try just for the exercises . You might not think they are working but they are . Just slow process 😊

HowVeryDareYou2 Sat 01-Jul-23 20:58:50

I had a supraspinatus tear, and had physiotherapy for a few months, as well as a steroid injection. I also did aqua aerobics (still do). That was almost 2 years ago, and although the pain has gone, I've still got stiffness and some limitations of movements.

Deedaa Sat 01-Jul-23 21:04:40

My husband had a torn rotator cuff after a fall at work. Unfortunately the MRI of his shoulder showed that he had Multiple Myeloma and all thoughts of surgery were forgotten. He did have a couple of steroid injections over the years and they helped a bit.

Mizuna Sat 01-Jul-23 22:43:43

Ouch, really painful, isn't it? I had physiotherapy and was given a rubber band for exercise and that helped a lot. It took about six months for it to ease gradually and now is just a tad sore sometimes.