So, during this past 'cross season, some of you may recall that I had some issues falling - three times in two weeks to be exact - and landing on my shoulder. The first was at a skills clinic where I bungled a dismount, then I hit a hole warming up for a race at about 18 mph and broke my handlebars (but still raced ), and a week later was taken down by a junior during a race.

Each time, my shoulder hurt. But, I got back on, and continued racing through the rest of the season. With the change in the weather, and the end of racing season, I decided it was time to have the shoulder checked (it had continued to bother me....)

After a brief visit with the PA and x-rays before the holidays, I went to the ortho yesterday. It would appear that my humerus is higher than it should be, my shoulder is VERY swollen, and the muscles there have started to atrophy. I am going in for an MRI on Thurs., but the doc suspects either a tear in the tendon, or REALLY BAD tendonitis.

Have any of you out there had a rotator cuff injury? It sounds like my options will be surgery or cotisone treatments depending on what the MRI shows. I would REALLY prefer NOT to go down the surgery route, if possible. Just looking for some other experiences.

Thanks!

SheFly