January...must be time for Physical Therapy again! (long)

[Catrin]

I am frustrated...for the THIRD January in a row I have to go into PT, though it won't be for so long this time. Different reasons each time.

I've complained...errrr...mentioned here before an apparently lack of ability to strengthen my left arm. I worked with a great trainer at my last gym for 3 years, and am currently working with another fantastic (and very different) coach/trainer at my current gym. My entire body has responded well to this...outside of that left arm. It is no stronger than it was 3.5 years ago, perhaps a little better but not significantly.

I visited my doc today (an OD) to rule out a spinal misalignment being the root cause. We never got to my spine...after abut 3 minutes he became convinced that something different is the root cause. Apparently there is a HARD stop in that shoulder socket when he was manipulating it and he thinks I've a frozen shoulder. I hadn't realized it was so apparent, but he could tell a significant difference in my muscle development between the two sides, from the Traps to the Delts. I am unsure how a frozen shoulder would encourage muscles to not fire properly, but that is what he thinks. He is the bone doc, I am not.

X-ray today to rule out other things, an MRI is likely in my future. Headed for a few sessions with a PT to help him confirm the diagnosis and to decide if I need to head to an Ortho.

I've done some reading on this condition, and in some cases it does resolve automatically after a year or so...but it has been like this at least 3.5 years (probably longer) if he is correct. That arm has been broken several times over the years, so it is possible that it is related to some post-traumatic issue and I never noticed. I've always ignored pain, and if it ever did hurt it was so long ago that I've forgotten. Ok, so perhaps it does get my attention when I try to push it further than it wants to go...

I am trying not to panic, I can't really afford to deal with this...hopefully it will respond to conservative treatment. From my discussion with him however, all of the corrective exercises I've been doing for months to target that shoulder are exactly the same that a PT would use and they have had little to no effect.

All I've read appears to indicate that a frozen shoulder is painful - well, mine isn't (if his dx turns out to be correct). So, we will see what happens. I am following up as I need to do so and we will just see. Does anyone have any experience with a "frozen shoulder" ?

[murielalex]

Ugh. I have nothing helpful to say other than I feel for you and hope you get the help you need to heal fast. That must be extremely frustrating.

[emily_in_nc]

Ugh. I have nothing helpful to say other than I feel for you and hope you get the help you need to heal fast. That must be extremely frustrating.

What she said...sorry about this! Chronic injuries/physical issues are no fun. I wish you the best with it.

[Catrin]

I've known for some time that something was going on with that arm, or at least I suspected it. It is probably better to know what it is than not to know. I guess I can't stick my head back under the sand and go back to assuming what I don't know can't hurt me I want to be that strong, active and agile senior citizen if I am around that long!

[girlontheroad]

No information to provide other than support and good thoughts. Chronic issues really suck!

[OakLeaf]

Ugh. No personal experience here either. Hope you get it resolved soon.

I would note (and this is very much my personal current experience) that the ENTIRE shoulder girdle functions as a unit, and if one thing is out of balance, nothing else will work properly; if one thing is out of balance for a long time, EVERYTHING is going to need correction. That's everything from scalenes and SCMs through the intercostals down to the diaphragm. They'll need to be targeted with myofascial release, stretching, balanced strengthening, possibly with direct manual realignment ...

Good luck.

[Catrin]

I use a memory foam cervical pillow that my PT recommended. I am a side sleeper and it has really made a difference in that I no longer wake with neck/shoulder pain. After 11 years I probably do need a new mattress but that isn't in the budget. PT and trainer both have me doing long list of stretches & exercise and they know what the other have me doing. wheww..

[murielalex]

Like the videos!

I started physical therapy for my ankle two weeks ago, and though doc and PT agree there is not much that can be done ("end stage" arthritis, and actually zero cartilage), he's been able to manipulate the joint in a way that I feel better (not locked, if that makes sense), at least for a day or two. This is a Workman's Comp. deal due to injury in a dunk tank, so he can only technically deal with that, but after taking one look at my other foot, which is has some scary pronation, and doing a couple tests, he basically said, there's nothing wrong with my foot that a few months of hip exercises wouldn't take care of for the most part, and told me what to do at home. I've spent hundreds of dollars on podiatrists, not to mention rounds of expensive orthodics and shoes to find out I have very weak hips when it comes to external rotation. WTH???!!!! This PT is the most competent I've ever had (I've sadly had many), and it doesn't hurt that he's extremely good looking and a cyclist to boot (was recommended through friends in the cycling community). I have another appointment tomorrow, and am looking forward to joint free pain, unless I do something stupid, for another two days.

[OakLeaf]

I did maybe 15 of those yesterday and man is my right shoulder sore this morning! Sore and feeling in better alignment. Wow.

Tell your PT to watch out because I am definitely coming to kidnap him.

[Catrin]

I did maybe 15 of those yesterday and man is my right shoulder sore this morning! Sore and feeling in better alignment. Wow.

Tell your PT to watch out because I am definitely coming to kidnap him.

I want to bring him home with me, or at least make him move next door to me For that first exercise, the "flossing", make certain that you are holding your shoulder down with that other hand so the nerve will glide properly.

[OakLeaf]

make certain that you are holding your shoulder down with that other hand so the nerve will glide properly.

Thanks. It also seems to make a big difference if I'm careful to keep my whole arm and shoulder in the horizontal plane vs. rotating internally the way it wants to. Is that an important cue too?

[Catrin]

Very good point Oakleaf. It wasn't that I was expecting too much out of BILL, but too much out of my body in a short time period I am not a spring chicken any longer even if I FEEL like one most of the time. That was pretty much the gist of our discussion Tuesday. I need to focus on my total fitness, not just the one body part that has a pathology. He understood that because he said that he has been there himself, and that he is even more a perfectionist than I am...