Looks like downtime for me

[Tim]

My left shoulder has bothered me for years, and has gotten progressively worse over the last 2 years. My initial trouble started with a weight lifting injury back in the 1999/2000 timeframe. Thanks to my manly hardheadedness I never bothered to go to a doctor. Over the last 2 years though, I had to give up (in this order): benching, pullups, dips, lat pulldowns, and the final straw was when I could no longer curl without shoulder pain. In addition, my left could no longer withstand prolonged bouts of heavy bag or speed bag.

Long story short, I got MRI results today and I have found out that I have 1) a bone spur sawing into my rotator cuff and 2) a torn labrum. Both of these are to be corrected with arthroscopic surgery June 27th.

I've decided to completely lay off the heavy bag, speed bag, and any other intense exercise before the surgery in the hopes of making a speedier recovery (I willl like take 3 months off after the surgery as well).

The MRI is pretty neat. They knew I had a bone spur from X-Rays, but with the MRI you can actually see it cutting into the rotator cuff. They can also see the torn labrum, which doesn't show up on x-ray, so that was a bit of a surprise (and an unpleasant one). I was really hoping it was nothing but the bone spur, which is a trivial deal. The extent of the labrum tear is such that this shouldn't be to big of a deal as well (at least that's what they tell me).

At any rate, any of you guys with shoulder pain need to get it checked out. Pain = something's not right and/or add'l damage being caused. If you've got health insurance... use it! That's what it's there for. I should have done this as soon as I started having prolonged pain.

[hispanicmakingpanic]

So sorry to hear that chief. I have a similar injury, maybe not as severe, but nagging nonetheless. I have always avoided doctors, as a result I have nerve and bone injuries that are irreversible. Wish I had insurance.:( Post me up on your therapy if you don't mind and we can get a 2 for 1 on your therapy.

[Chris M]

The only advice I can offer is to do what the Doctor says and not try to do anything before he says you should. I know all too well how easy it is to go ahead and do something because you're feeling well.

[Speedbag]

Sorry to hear about the results but glad you're getting it fixed while your younger and it's not an irreversible chronic condition.

Having spent a little time in recovery myself from a surgery or two, I can tell you it's temporarily annoying to be a little inactive and away from the activities we love. However, those three or four months will also allows you to spend some time on the road less traveled (http://www.geocities.com/Paris/LeftBank/2940/frost8.html) in your life. Read the books you always wanted to read, write if you're given to that, practice that old guitar in the corner again, or spend a lot of quality time with the kids and family. I even started looking forward to that time away from my own routine, for I got to smell a whole lot more of the roses in life that I missed on the way to the weight room and standing under the board.

About 3 weeks post-op your start doing some rehab activities, either at home or at a PT clinic. Keep plenty of crushed Ice handy. I keep several bags of peas in the freezer, and throw one of them over the joint after exercise. the small peas let the bag conform to your joint shape, and it's not heavy like a bag of ice.

Here are some links to Shoulder Rehab activities.

shoulder rehab part I (http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/08/23/33.html)

Rotator Cuff exercises (http://www.bodyresults.com/E2RotatorCuff.asp)

passive exercises (http://www.physiosolutions.com/shoulder_exercises.htm)

SLAP repair (http://www.tennent.net/html/info/sho-slaprepairop.htm) *Labral

Bankart Repair (http://www.tennent.net/html/info/sho-bankartop.htm) *Labral

Good Luck and hope it all comes out all right.

[Kyle]

frozen vegies are a life saver for my elbow and shoulder after a long night of pitching
________
CreamMyPussy (http://camslivesexy.com/cam/CreamMyPussy)

[JERSEY KID]

Sorry to hear of your injury but before you no it you will be back hitting the bag and working out. Don't let the little bumps in the road get you down this will soon pass
Here is to a full and speedy recovery

[BillyMack]

Ya man, sorry to hear that...but it is good you're getting it taken care of now and not down the road...now might be a good time to work on your limp wrist variation!

[Roscoe]

I've had shoulder problems hurt like hell, couldn't make a lefthand turn walking without feeling like my shoulder was falling off and forget closing a car door with my left hand while seated behind the wheel:( had to walk around with my hand in my pocket like I was playing pocket billards:o You're young and healthy and will bounce back, just do what they tell you, you'll be fine.

Roscoe

[BillyMack]

with my hand in my pocket like I was playing pocket billards:o


We call it pocket speed bag (bag size is 1x2) :D

[SupergeZ]

thats pretty ruff news mate :( GL with getting it all sorted. theres nothing worse than having to wait agez for something to heal.

my nuckles still not in good shape and its been a few months now, thinking of seing a specialist to determine what exactly is wrong with it and what to do about it coz the doctor just sait to let it heal by itself but im not convinced

[Tim]

Thanks guys. I'll keep you all posted as it progresses.

[jaguiler]

We call it pocket speed bag (bag size is 1x2) :D

hmmm.... you must be advanced to use such a small bag....
I myself have a bigger bag to use......:D

[ashe]

sorry about the injury mang!

most o fthe experts are now saying bad shoulders are the results of instable scapulae.

here's a link;

scroll down to get ot the shoulder issues. hope it comes in handy for everyone. (http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do;jsessionid=51EA84460662EDFDCD145D9F45 A2E247.hydra?id=1618485)

[rainbowsixveg]

man that stinks...:( I have a click in my elbow but its not even close to as bad as yours:)