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.
I was diagnosed with tendonitis (after an MRI) in October after several months of increasing shoulder pain. (Probably swimming with pain and old age.) My doctor never mentioned shots, but referred me to a physical therapist.
I first had an evaluation (tests to determine range of motion, type of motion that brought on the pain.) I had 3 weeks of physical therapy with exercises designed for me, twice a week at the PT gym, and exercises at home. The main goals were to reduce the inflamation and irrataiton, improve range of motion, strengthen everything that holds the joint together, and "stretch those things out in there" to prevent the tendons from rubbing against whatever they were hitting. (I do not have a medical vocabulary.)
At first it didn't seem to work at all. But, after 3 weeks back in the pool, the shoulder is much much better, (although my "tired" butterfly and backstroke at the end of a workout can bring on the fireworks.) Popping and clicking?...My shoulders both sound like an old vinyl record.
The therapist mentioned surgery if the PT did not work and I could not live with the results, but no shots. I too am surprised that shots were the first recommendation, but I do not know the severity of your problem. Sounds pretty bad.
I was diagnosed with tendonitis (after an MRI) in October after several months of increasing shoulder pain. (Probably swimming with pain and old age.) My doctor never mentioned shots, but referred me to a physical therapist.
I first had an evaluation (tests to determine range of motion, type of motion that brought on the pain.) I had 3 weeks of physical therapy with exercises designed for me, twice a week at the PT gym, and exercises at home. The main goals were to reduce the inflamation and irrataiton, improve range of motion, strengthen everything that holds the joint together, and "stretch those things out in there" to prevent the tendons from rubbing against whatever they were hitting. (I do not have a medical vocabulary.)
At first it didn't seem to work at all. But, after 3 weeks back in the pool, the shoulder is much much better, (although my "tired" butterfly and backstroke at the end of a workout can bring on the fireworks.) Popping and clicking?...My shoulders both sound like an old vinyl record.
The therapist mentioned surgery if the PT did not work and I could not live with the results, but no shots. I too am surprised that shots were the first recommendation, but I do not know the severity of your problem. Sounds pretty bad.
