Tendinitis vs Rotar Cuff Tear ...

[charlie_red]

I posted last week about having a possible rotar cuff tear.

Well I went to the doctors today for a review appointment, to go over my X-ray result and to get steroid and anaesthetic injections.

Today the GP suggested tendonitis which I have had before and the pain was nothing like this.

My symptoms are -

- Pain keeping me awake at night

- Cant lie or lean on shoulder

- It is clicky when I move it

- It is stiff & often inflamed

I've been doin some online research about symptoms etc & my symptoms seem more fitting with a rotar cuff tear. However, my X-ray was clear and didn't show a shift which would suggest a possible tear. I suggested going to orthopedics again, but he said they would just X-ray and do injections first, which I've already had. My understanding is that a rotar cuff tear would only show on MRI or Ultrasound, but the GP wants to see how the injections work.

Hmm, so confused!

[clare_hart]

That is exactly what I was going to say, even the last time you posted, but thought it would be good to see what the x-ray showed first. An x-ray only deals with the bones and the more pornounced tissue. A CAT scan or MRI shows all the rest of the body parts. Some doctors are reluctant to do this. Maybe because of the pressure from insurance companies. Maybe they are just being conservative.

Treating symptoms might work, but if not, trust your own reactions. Sometimes you have to advocate for yourself, push to get what you need, speak up and don't stop till someone listens. I wish you the best with that.

Chin up!

[TheAuthor]

Hi charlie_red

I am so sorry to read that you have been left feeling somewhat let down and disappointed after your appointment. And you are quite right as soft tissue does not show up on x-rays! I can understand his wanting to see how the injections go prior to undertaking anything else at this time, as they may help the problem? I have had steroid injections in the past for other issues and they have helped right problems with my mobility.

I want to wish you all the best of luck with finding the answers that you so desperately desire and deserve.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[Lruk]

How long has your GP suggested that you wait to see if the injections give any relief? If they don't help within a week, they are not likely to actually help at all. If they are going to work you should see a significant reduction in your symptoms, especially the pain.

I would push to get a scan done and also a possible referral to physio before ortho as they can determine where a soft tissue injury is just as easily but probably quicker and they may be able to provide advice that may stop you damaging it even more. I hope you manage to get something resolved soon. Linda

[Jjudith]

I really think you should look at trigger points - fibro people have them, tension spots in the centre of the muscle (different from tender points), and your symptoms sound identical to mine. I have had trigger point therapy with a superb physio and have been doing more therapy on my own rotator cuff muscles and also doing simple exercises and stretches. It takes a few minutes a day only, and they are easy. My shoulder is now better than it has been since 1988 after 4-6 weeks work on it.

The medical profession let me down for decades. Now I have had the treatment I need. Look at Jim Johnson Treat your own rotator cuff and Clair Davies Frozen Shoulder Workbook. It's magic.

It does not matter if you have a rotator cuff tear. It will never heal, and at least 50% of people have them over 50, and in themselves they do not cause symptoms unless it is a full thickness tear, so they are not treated. The symptoms are probably caused by the trigger points, which if you have a tear, caused it in the first place.

As Clair Davies and Jim Johnson state, the medical profession is remarkably unlikely to diagnose and treat trigger points, even though they have been proved to be the problem - President Kennedy had myofascial pain syndrome (pain caused by trigger points) and his doctor, Janet Travell, did lots of detailed research into it. They are not imaginary - you can see them on autopsy, and you can identify them with a special machine that measures electrical activity in the muscles.

Good luck, really, really, really, really, do think of trigger points, and if you buy these books, it will be the best money you EVER spent.

Love and hugs, (I can do it now!!!!!) Judith x

[mitziblue]

I think its probably a tear. Can you raise your arm out in front of you? What about over your head? That's one symptom of a tear. Hope this helps, it sounds terrible. Hope you get some relief soon sweetheart!!! xxx Mitzi