Shoulder progress :)

[Catrin]

I want to thank all for your encouragement and support as I've been working to deal with my shoulder problem. The ART treatment did a world of wonders for me but it isn't over yet. I visited an OMT specialist this morning - he has also done a lot of work with different types of athletes (and my insurance covers him). Everyone (PT and Chiro) I've seen so far has focused on only one facet of a multi-faceted problem. I've certainly learned a lot, and there is certainly improvement. This guy is drawing back and focusing on the entire picture

One last thing to check is whether my humerus is aligned properly with my shoulder. When I was 12 I broke my clavicle and upper arm - and all they did was to strap my arm to my side until it healed. That was old-school, and I was still growing at the time. If it isn't aligned correctly then there is nothing else to do with that shoulder.

My OMT specialist is examining my prior shoulder x-rays and cervical spine MRI. If it is aligned properly then there ARE things left to do :) It isn't just the break(s), or the whiplash, or the adhesions, or the thoracic outlet syndrome (he says it is rather dramatic ) - but all of the above. You can't treat one of them and expect the others to follow along like little chicks in a row ;) With my neck as it is he wants to proceed cautiously - which I greatly appreciate!

It was encouraging to hear that he can tell how much work I've been doing, and he could tell how much work I've put into retraining my scapula. Apparently I've some stabilizers and core muscles that fire oddly - but whether we do something about those will depend on how "fixable" this shoulder actually is. Regardless on how this turns out I think this is really the first time we've managed to clean up enough of the "noise" (adhesions) so we can really see what is actually going on. He says my case is "interesting" because there are so many layers to it.

Oh yes, I managed to ride my bike the other day WITH hydration pack and NO neurological symptoms ;) I only had 18 ounces of water in the pack and had everything else in my trunk rack. For longer rides I intend on having several water bottles with me (I've two cages) with which to refill the pack. While I may no longer be able to carry 100 ounces of water in my back, this gives me more freedom ;)

[OakLeaf]

Yay! That's great news. I am sooooooo tired of reductionist medicine on so many different levels, it's wonderful to hear of someone who still believes in looking at someone's body as a connected unit.

[Catrin]

Yay! That's great news. I am sooooooo tired of reductionist medicine on so many different levels, it's wonderful to hear of someone who still believes in looking at someone's body as a connected unit.

Agreed! I think the ART was a very important treatment - but I needed to end that as soon as possible since it was $60/visit...and he knew that I didn't have a large budget for this so we focused on the most important part.

[Catrin]

I find out tomorrow if there is a permanent mechanical shoulder problem.... <gulp> I really hope there isn't, but my mom's situation certainly puts everything into a very different context!

[Catrin]

So the news is in, while I do have a mechanical problem with my shoulder it is not a deformed humeral head... whewwww! It IS, however, caused by the presence of large calcium deposits that prevents the arm from rotating when I raise it overhead. There are some things we can do that might help, eventually we might try injections to attempt to dissolve those deposits but that isn't our first approach. He is also going to treat my neck and thoracic outlet syndrome. I had my first OMT treatment yesterday.

[thekarens]

Some good news. Sounds like this guy knows what he's doing. I hope it brings you great results!

[Catrin]

Some good news. Sounds like this guy knows what he's doing. I hope it brings you great results!

Thanks! You know, I have been fortunate, so far everyone I've worked with has known their stuff, my shoulder is just so blasted complicated... How far do I go with this? I draw the line at surgery as long as it is functional for everything outside of overhead lifting. There are injections that CAN dissolve the deposits - but I guess that is hit and miss - and the main source for the medication is British, there wasn't large enough of a market for the US makers to continue it.

It is interesting the ART was so bloody painful but left no soreness. The OMT had no pain at all but the soreness started within the hour and lasted for about 28 hours.

[Catrin]

I've been trying to figure out the difference between adhesions and "fibrotic changes" in a muscle. I know the first is scar tissue, but I've been unable to find an online source that really explains the latter. We have some very smart women here, so I figure someone here has to know the difference :) My OMT says there are some fibrotic changes in some muscles attached to my problem shoulder - he thinks it is due to the shoulder not healing properly after an injury and thus not working properly for at least 41 years.

[OakLeaf]

I would ask him specifically what he means, unless someone here can help. In my experience, DOs and LMTs use different language than MDs and PTs when it comes to describing muscle composition, injury and neuromuscular function. What you might find in a cursory online search is almost certainly unduly alarming, because it's going to be MD-type stuff.

Bottom line, does it matter? It's going to be slow and very possibly incomplete progress. You want a ballpark idea of how far you're going to be able to get and how long it's going to take, obviously, but does it make much difference the particular language they use to describe the sequelae of your old injuries?

[Catrin]

I would ask him specifically what he means, unless someone here can help. In my experience, DOs and LMTs use different language than MDs and PTs when it comes to describing muscle composition, injury and neuromuscular function. What you might find in a cursory online search is almost certainly unduly alarming, because it's going to be MD-type stuff.

Bottom line, does it matter? It's going to be slow and very possibly incomplete progress. You want a ballpark idea of how far you're going to be able to get and how long it's going to take, obviously, but does it make much difference the particular language they use to describe the sequelae of your old injuries?

Good question, and I had wondered if there was a different vocabulary being used. In the end it matters if it helps me to understand what is the root of the problem and the odds of measurable improvement. Right now I am trying to understand the odds of the outcome for more aggressive treatment. More conservative methods don't appear to be working from what I can tell, though those methods have certainly decreased certain types of pain. Would more aggressive treatment fix the problems or just add to them? That has to be determined. Then again, I've got to be careful to not get lost in the details! There are large calcium deposits that are easy enough to remove from what I've been told, but that is only one layer of a complex condition.

Thanks for getting me thinking :)