Rotator cuff treatment?

[Zeb_Carter]

So, what, nobody uses WebMD anymore?

 

[SweetErika]

No MRI? I'm confused. Muscle/soft tissue tears are usually diagnosed with an MRI. All of my muscle and tendon tears were thought to be strains/sprains until an MRI showed the true nature of the injury. My right knee was operated on twice because the first Dr thought it was a meniscus tear based on x-ray and ultrasound. When he got in there he found no ACL left. He was very embarrassed, he doesn't do ACL's. Had similar stories with my hamstring and shoulder, minus the extra surgery.

If your pain persists, get a second opinion or insist on a MRI.

Best of luck!!

I'm sure the MRI is next if the cortisone doesn't work. But, honestly, I'd prefer to avoid an MRI if a thorough exam, ultrasound and cortisone shot can get me back on track. The doc could see there was no major AC tear on the ultrasound, although the inflammation from the impingement was clear as day, even to my untrained eye. I don't care to spend the time or money on an MRI if I don't truly need one. I have a long track record of imaging of all sorts NOT showing what's really going on, and the MRI in particular is typically just a precursor to more invasive treatment/surgery to find out what the real problem is. For instance, with my last knee surgery, the MRI showed a small meniscus tear, and while that was certainly one source of my pain, the main issue was a bunch of debris that was irritating the joint.

That said, I'll definitely get a second opinion if the cortisone doesn't work and/or surgery gets put on the table down the road.

What does your gut tell you is wrong with your shoulder? I ask because I knew immediately with my three major injuries, that they were serious. I gather from your post that you were a competitive swimmer. If I am correct then you know your body better than most Dr's. Go with your gut until the Dr proves your gut wrong.

My gut tells me I have some soft tissue damage that keeps getting reaggravated, and there's a very good chance it'll get better with rest and proper care. So far, the cortisone is helping a little bit, so that's encouraging, at least WRT the AC injury (the impingement pain hasn't improved much, if at all).

I'm not a competitive swimmer, but I was swimming laps for 60-90 mins almost daily for exercise this winter/spring. I was using resistance gloves to build strength and I believe my technique was off enough to cause the impingement. And then I kept swimming as much as possible without the gloves until June - breaststroke didn't hurt much, so I foolishly kept doing that. I fell before it got better and I haven't even been able to play in the pool with my son without causing A LOT more pain afterwards since then.

Never fear, I have strong instincts about myself and other people, and I know how to use them!