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

[indysteel]

This is frustrating, but trying not to let it bother me. Last Friday after my Dr. visit I went to get the x-ray he prescribed for my shoulder. I was told that he would have the results before the day was over. As his office is very good at communication and I hadn't heard anything, I called the office this morning and spoke with his assistant (who actually answered his phone when I called!) For whatever reason they hadn't yet received the results and he would get back with me.

Less than an hour later there was a voice mail waiting for me. He had already gotten the report/images and my doctor (an OD) had reviewed them. "We found a several things, please make certain you make the appointment already scheduled for Friday".

This is TUESDAY, so I've three days to consider what "several things", they found. Frozen shoulders don't show up in x-rays (unless it is caused by a bone spur), nor do (usually) rotator cuff problems. I already know there is very minor arthritis there...but it is minor. I've a too blasted vivid imagination for them to tell me something like that...and they've not had problems telling me things over the phone before.

darn it, I am sure there is a good reason but I wish they would at least give me a HINT, that would be far kinder in the long run.

Ugh; I hate having to wait for things like that. Sit tight and try not to stress (yeah; I know. Easier said than done). Be sure to keep us posted.

[Catrin]

I don't know if he will do it, but I left a message for his assistant inquiring if it would be possible to have an idea of what was found in the x-ray - and I referenced my vivid imagination. It's fine if they don't want/aren't comfortable doing that. It is was it is, and that is only 3 days away. ughhh

[Catrin]

The medical assistant did call and we both observed that there are times when Google is not our friend While the x-ray can't see soft tissues, the bones in my shoulder are in such a position that tendonitis or "frozen shoulder" are still on the table. MRI or CT scan is recommended to find out what is actually going on. While I wish I had done this in December (that scan will be a LOT more expensive now with having to meet my deductible along with the usual 20% co-pay), there is also some relief that there is evidence of something mechanical going on. After working so hard for so long with no progress in that arm I had started to wonder if it was something in my head...

Whatever it is has been there for many years (long before I started working out 3.5 years ago) and is quite entrenched, and part of me wonders the odds of improvement but I refuse to go look THAT up. Part of me is concerned that surgery will be suggested, but there isn't enough information to stress over something like that.

[Catrin]

I had the PT eval from my miracle guy, and he figured my shoulder out in about 15 minutes – and 15 minutes later he had my left arm totally extended – bicep touching my ear – with no pain or stress (outside of some tension in the scapula)! He thinks the shoulder will be completely resolved in about a month, perhaps 5 weeks. All he did was to do some rather painful poking around on my collar bone…

The problem isn't actually in the shoulder – the problem is related to an old broken collar bone in my teen years that wasn't rehabbed properly. Something about that old injury is preventing my left shoulder from really engaging properly. He did explain it and he is sending me an email with the pertinent information to forward to my trainer. His guidance is no over-head lifting at all for now until we strengthen my rotator cuffs. No problems with pushing/pulling, or lower body work – but no over-head work for a bit. The rotator cuff is weak - not because it is injured but because the shoulder isn't working properly due to this collar bone/shoulder joint issue.

The humerus moves properly in the shoulder, but very few of the muscles fire at all and are currently incapable of strengthening because of the old injury. Bill says this is actually a minor problem that is easily solved, but it would have never solved itself. He sees no reason why I won’t be able to finally start building upper body strength when we are done

[indysteel]

Wow! Given the doctor's initial dx, that's awesome news, Catrin! It sounds like you'll be right as rain in no time. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but a good PT is worth their weight in gold.

[OakLeaf]

That's great news!

Lock your PT in a closet when you're done with him and I'll kidnap him for my own use.

[indysteel]

That's great news!

Lock your PT in a closet when you're done with him and I'll kidnap him for my own use.

Count me in on this scheme. I'd keep a PT on retainer if I could.

[Swan]

Woohoo Catrin!! I'm glad your PT went so well! I hope your 5wk routine works wonders for you!

[spokewench]

Wonderful news!

[Crankin]

Yay!!

[Catrin]

Bill rocks - and Indy, he is WAY the he*l up on the north side of Fishers - there at Olio Rd and SR 234. WELL worth the drive however I don't quite understand everything he told me today, but he is a master at what he does. He works limited hours and is hard to schedule, but well worth it.