Three hours for a hospital appointment

[Phillylou]

And I'm not complaining. I had a lovely registrar who listened to me , asked sensible questions and then after looking at me X-rays suggested a few treatments to try before taking the giant step of a shoulder replacement. So now it's more nerve tests to be done at Preston to check for trapped nerves in my neck/ shoulder, an ultrasound to accompany cortisone jabs into said shoulder and an MRI of my cervical spine to see if the trapped nerves are due to a problem there. I've got scoliosis in my lumbar spine and this is causing spinal canal stenosis in my legs & feet. So all in all I'm very happy cos at least they're trying to help rather than just putting me in the OA box and stuffing me back on the shelf X

[Crusee]

Hi Phillylou,

Sorry to hear your diagnosis but also glad they have taken the time and looked deeper into your problems.

At least now they maybe able to start treating you for the conditions that you have.

.

Good luck with your continued tests etc and I suppose looking back on it 3 hours was time well spent.

All the very best

Crusee

XX

[PFKAAde]

Hi Phillylou

Like you I have degenerative scoliosis and spinal stenosis. Also like you I have a bad shoulder. This was looked at several years ago and the surgeon said that I have a torn rotator cuff and damaged (forgotten the word used) collar. Apparently this contra-indicates a total replacement, although he said this was also my only surgical option and he would do it if I insisted.

I used to get excruciating pain in my shoulder that would come on suddenly and the only way I could get rid of it was to slowly (over about 30 minutes) extend my arm by resting my hand on something and with a straight arm moving until my arm was straight in front of me. Eventually I would hear and feel a click and the pain would go off, relatively, until the next time. I don't think I'm exaggerating to say this was the single most painful thing I have ever experienced. And I have experienced a fair bit.

Over time and with some physio things improved, and these days I 'just' have greatly reduced mobility (can't lift my arm above my head or put my hand behind my back for example) and a throbbing ache. I can't sleep on that side. It hurts. Other things have since taken over priority for me so I have learned to live with it.

However due to problems caused by slipped discs (the cause of the stenosis) I have recently started exercising and have found that as my shoulder get stronger the pain has also improved. I'm becoming a bit evangelical about this, but I really can recommend it as a way of helping with all sorts of pain and mobility problems.

My efforts are focussed mainly on regaining lost muscle in my legs and increasing the back-supporting muscles to attempt to regain mobility and slow progression of the condition, so reduced shoulder pain is a bonus, but it has taught me the importance of keeping joints mobile and not allowing the muscle to waste away. I know it's common advice, and easily ignored - but it is definitely food for thought.

Regards

Ade