So I got a call from my doc today and he says I have tendonitis and we can do nothing or we can refer me to an orthopedist who will most likely give my shoulder a steroid injection. Anybody else ever have one of these injections? Will the euphoria of the large needle be so great that I become addicted? j/k Anyhow, the ortho he is reffering me to did a fellowship specializing in joints and my doctor has a significant amount of faith in him. I am allowed to get back in the water when I feel the time is right but he warned me to take it easy so as not to aggravate it before it completely heals. At least I don't have to worry about surgery and can concentrate on my recovery. Thanks again to all of you who responded to my posts with words of encouragement.
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by gull80
I disagree with your doctor. First of all, doing nothing is nonsense since the tendinitis will recur if you don't address the underlying cause (impingement). Rest alone won't fix the problem. Second, most orthopedists don't use steroid injections as first-line therapy. The treatment consists of physical therapy (to strengthen the rotator cuff and stabilize the shoulder blade), ice, and antiinflammatory agents. This has been discussed in other threads. Isn't this the same doctor who said you had "loose cartilage"? This doctor thought that I might have a torn labrum after he felt the popping and clicking in my shoulder joint. The MRI ruled that out and the radiologist diagnosed me with low grade chronic tendinitis of the supraspinatus tendon. The injury was caused by a one time "violent" type of stretch in which I was swinging my arms in a circle. Provided that I don't stretch in that manner again I should be able to avoid further shoulder injuries for some time. Strengthening of the cuff muscles is not needed because they are not weak. Anti-inflamatory agents will help to soothe the pain which is virtually non-existent at this point. I don't recall anything about any loose cartilage BTW.
Originally posted by gull80
I disagree with your doctor. First of all, doing nothing is nonsense since the tendinitis will recur if you don't address the underlying cause (impingement). Rest alone won't fix the problem. Second, most orthopedists don't use steroid injections as first-line therapy. The treatment consists of physical therapy (to strengthen the rotator cuff and stabilize the shoulder blade), ice, and antiinflammatory agents. This has been discussed in other threads. Isn't this the same doctor who said you had "loose cartilage"? This doctor thought that I might have a torn labrum after he felt the popping and clicking in my shoulder joint. The MRI ruled that out and the radiologist diagnosed me with low grade chronic tendinitis of the supraspinatus tendon. The injury was caused by a one time "violent" type of stretch in which I was swinging my arms in a circle. Provided that I don't stretch in that manner again I should be able to avoid further shoulder injuries for some time. Strengthening of the cuff muscles is not needed because they are not weak. Anti-inflamatory agents will help to soothe the pain which is virtually non-existent at this point. I don't recall anything about any loose cartilage BTW.
