Nagging injury

A while ago i injured my rotator cuff muscle on my left shoulder as well as some ligaments around my left elbow and something at the upper part of forearm/bottom of bicep. I ran it past you oaks and started rotator cuff excercises and hammer curls (light weights). Also went to doctor to get anti inflematories.

I went on business trip for 2 weeks during which time i did not do any training. Also no heavy training for 2 weeks before that.

Problem is its not getting any better. Im on the super circuit now 2 days a week amongst other cardio. Should i go for cortisone injections in the affected areas? Doctor thinks there might be some calcification in the shoulder joint as well. He says the problem on the elbow side is tennis elbow. Just feel like im wasting my time. Also starting my next cycle mid august and im getting worried now

www.shoulderinstitute.co.za/

Have it sorted out. A shoulder injury will nag forever.

Chiropractor or physiotherapist take your pic.

Why be 40% for ever and a day when u can get it sorted and be 100%.

I agree that it needs to be sorted. I believe in chris but i dnt see how one can help me in this case. Planning on going for chortisone injection next week and then move on to a physio. Would a cortisone injection do any good though?

ABC01 wrote:

I agree that it needs to be sorted. I believe in chris but i dnt see how one can help me in this case. Planning on going for chortisone injection next week and then move on to a physio. Would a cortisone injection do any good though?

the injection will help but wont fix the problem. its a shit situation but you need to fix permanently even if it takes a while (which im afraid is probably going to be the case) otherwise your cycle in august could be a waste... good luck man!

yeah dont go for the cortisone, its just gonna mask the problem... Has the injury been correctly diagnosed? If not see a chiro, remember physio's are therapists and not always up to scratch on the diagnostics. What does your doc say about the problem? I opften find GP's are not properly equipped to diagnose or treat musculoskeletal injuries... They tend to stick to NSAID and cortisone injections that dont get to the root of the problem. Physios's are best at rehabilitation of injuries and post surgery. Chiro's better at joint and muscle injuries, diagnosing injuries, and shorter term treatment.
I think first things first you need a complete assessment and diagnosis of the injury to actually determine what is goin on before you start with any futher treatment. You need to go to someone who is profficient in all the relative orthapaedic tests... Where about are you from?

I've only been to GP so far. So the diagnoses might not be 100%. According the the movements i can do with my shoulder with and without pain it def points to rotator cuff. I live close to Cape Town. I see a chiro once or twice a year in Stellenbosch. He deals with lots of sports people so he is good choice. Quite worried about my arm as well. Cant point exactly where problem lies. It seems that its somewhere at bottom of bicep (GP says its not the brachialis) and on the outer side of the elbow. I asume where the ligament attaches. For instance, when i open a lid, its extremely sore at the upper forearm to the upper outer side of the elbow (hope this makes sence).

Friend suggested i go see the docter that operated his arm recently. Assume he is some kin of orthropedic surgeon. So is it going to be a chiro or straight to a specialist?

I've got a fucked up shoulder and all my doc wants to do is inject cortisone. I need to get it operated. Full recovery is 6 months.

The elbow pain you're getting sounds like a straight forward tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). I'd go see your chiro before you move on to a specialist. Specialist surgeons have one form of treatment, and that is surgery... Try avoid invasive treatment first. An old classmate of mine is practising in stellies, Dr Tjaart Van Der Merwe, Brilliant guy, give him a try.

@milktuds, have you seen anyone else for the shoulder? GP's are not musculoskeletal specialists and not to insult them but they tend to have their hands full with systemic problems and never gain enough experience in the treatment of such injuries

milktuds wrote:

I've got a fucked up shoulder and all my doc wants to do is inject cortisone. I need to get it operated. Full recovery is 6 months.

Shit bro how do you manage to get desent training in?

Yeah my doc told me straight they don't deal with these type of things and referred me to a specialist. The specialist just operates shoulders, that's it. Did X-Rays and Sonar. It's an old high school rugby injury that I never had looked at. Calcification, water in the joint or something like that and the whole rotator cuff and everything is messed up. A whole list of things wrong.

I will get it operated next year.

I think this is the main cause for my left side being smaller than my right.

I just push through the pain. I do a lot of rotator cuff exercises and warm up properly before any gym session, but every now and then I can't lift or move my arm and have to go for injections. Oh and Var kills my shoulder.

ABC01 wrote:

...Quite worried about my arm as well. Cant point exactly where problem lies. It seems that its somewhere at bottom of bicep (GP says its not the brachialis) and on the outer side of the elbow. I asume where the ligament attaches. For instance, when i open a lid, its extremely sore at the upper forearm to the upper outer side of the elbow (hope this makes sence).
...

I have the same, but i would say the quickest way to point it out is maybe bottom of By, inside the joint where the Branchialis runs?

Thanks Spike, I will see a Chyro - a Dr Bud of mine keeps telling me to go. Maybe i'l listen for a change!

jackrabbit1 wrote:

ABC01 wrote:

...Quite worried about my arm as well. Cant point exactly where problem lies. It seems that its somewhere at bottom of bicep (GP says its not the brachialis) and on the outer side of the elbow. I asume where the ligament attaches. For instance, when i open a lid, its extremely sore at the upper forearm to the upper outer side of the elbow (hope this makes sence).
...

I have the same, but i would say the quickest way to point it out is maybe bottom of By, inside the joint where the Branchialis runs?

Thanks Spike, I will see a Chyro - a Dr Bud of mine keeps telling me to go. Maybe i'l listen for a change!

Yip! thats about where the pain is and then off course with the added tennis elbow bonus. I can hear a little birdie whispering that i might have to postpone my cycle till Jan 2011.

Pleasure jackrabbit, pity none of you injured guys are in durbs, could sort you out quick quick Thats the market im trying to focus on, bodybuilders... Hoping to corner the market by being the only competitive bodybuilding chiro with steroid knowledge... haha

Milky, before you sign up for the surgery how about a second opinion from someone who doesnt earn their living from operating...? Cant do any harm to first try a noninvasive treatment and then if that doesnt work go for the op...

Always try to prevent as to fix hey.

Guys sorry don't want to hijack but quick question. keeping the story short.

My left shoulder gave problems from young age. It didn't develop quick enough. Bio gave me exercises it was 100% after that, in martial arts i got a shoulder injury same lefty.

Well i strengthened it again and is 120%, NOW at present time its giving k@k on the heavy weights. Losing a bit off power, and it feels a little restricted in movement ( a very little bit ).

The heavy noticeable thing is when i put my right hand on my left shoulder and move my left arm up and down like a swing motion. you can actually feel as if the 2 bones are scratching each other. very irritating what can be the main cause. I am going to see the doc after my cycle and chiro for blood work and chiro to check the shoulder as i change med aids still on waiting period. haha

spike wrote:

Pleasure jackrabbit, pity none of you injured guys are in durbs, could sort you out quick quick Thats the market im trying to focus on, bodybuilders... Hoping to corner the market by being the only competitive bodybuilding chiro with steroid knowledge... haha

Milky, before you sign up for the surgery how about a second opinion from someone who doesnt earn their living from operating...? Cant do any harm to first try a noninvasive treatment and then if that doesnt work go for the op...

Who or what do you suggest spike? I live in the states, the free states. :laugh:

Well milky there are a couple Chiro's in die vrystaat, Dr Roodt went to college with me, she's in bloem... Otherwise look on chiropractic.co.za for a list of other chiro's in the area.

Go to one of these guys for a full, comprehensive assessment of the shoulder and the surrounding joints and see what they suggest. Give the treatment a try before considering the long path of surgery and recovery from it.

Unfortunately the shoulder is often one of the trickiest joints to treat, so there are no shortcuts... Just treatment and exercise, day after day. Good luck.

Did my trip to the chiro this morning. Seems that the problem might be in rotator cuff as well as anterior deltoids. Back on some anti inflamatories for 10 days and staying out of gym. Will get couple of rubbings from a biokeneticist and then maybe onto a sonar of the shoulder. This will be a expensive excersice for me since my medical aid is dry for the year. But hey.... a fixed shoulder is priceless

Bummer, had an episode with my rotator cuff a while back ... well around 3 yrs back and its still bugging me ... you actually hear a loud clacking noise when i do shoulder presses. Did the chiro thing but alas its still there, so i dont know man if you find a solution i would like to know.

Something i've learned from this: dont neglect good form in doing your weight training. I went passed the point of heavy enough weight while maintaing form. Went heavy and by gymming alone i dont have someone to spot me. Irratic moves getting first rep up = fucked up arm!

dirkgreeff wrote:

Bummer, had an episode with my rotator cuff a while back ... well around 3 yrs back and its still bugging me ... you actually hear a loud clacking noise when i do shoulder presses. Did the chiro thing but alas its still there, so i dont know man if you find a solution i would like to know.

Ja my shoulder also makes popping/cracking sounds when pressing or doing flyes etc.

Mine too hahahaha Its so ironic, But with all kinds of hobbies and sports every one has their negatives

milktuds wrote:

spike wrote:

Pleasure jackrabbit, pity none of you injured guys are in durbs, could sort you out quick quick Thats the market im trying to focus on, bodybuilders... Hoping to corner the market by being the only competitive bodybuilding chiro with steroid knowledge... haha

Milky, before you sign up for the surgery how about a second opinion from someone who doesnt earn their living from operating...? Cant do any harm to first try a noninvasive treatment and then if that doesnt work go for the op...

Who or what do you suggest spike? I live in the states, the free states. :laugh:

Drop me a mail - I also live in the "Staat" and know a couple of people who have been very helpfull/skilled in the non-operating field when I was hurt.

Cool thanks man.

ABC01 wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote:

ABC01 wrote:

...Quite worried about my arm as well. Cant point exactly where problem lies. It seems that its somewhere at bottom of bicep (GP says its not the brachialis) and on the outer side of the elbow. I asume where the ligament attaches. For instance, when i open a lid, its extremely sore at the upper forearm to the upper outer side of the elbow (hope this makes sence).
...

I have the same, but i would say the quickest way to point it out is maybe bottom of By, inside the joint where the Branchialis runs?

Thanks Spike, I will see a Chyro - a Dr Bud of mine keeps telling me to go. Maybe i'l listen for a change!

Yip! thats about where the pain is and then off course with the added tennis elbow bonus. I can hear a little birdie whispering that i might have to postpone my cycle till Jan 2011.

Went to the Chiro on Tuesday - Best move EVER!


ABC01 wrote:

...Quite worried about my arm as well. Cant point exactly where problem lies. It seems that its somewhere at bottom of bicep (GP says its not the brachialis) and on the outer side of the elbow. I asume where the ligament attaches. For instance, when i open a lid, its extremely sore at the upper forearm to the upper outer side of the elbow (hope this makes sence).
...

Turns out to be the Supinator. He stuck a needle in the lump and voila - pain gone. Same pressure movement without ANY pain. This got really bad last week up to the point where i couldn't even do shoulders.
Will see how arm training goes tomorrow. Still tender from the treatmnt.
Have follow up on Friday.

I asked him if this injury will go away by itself, and no such luck.