I have been in 8 weeks of PT for a mysterious and troublesome shoulder injury, as yet undiagnosed, making progress that amounts to 2 steps forward one step back, and the therapist is talking about referring me for a cortisone injection. I have had 2 cortisone injections in my spine and they did nothing for me. I am not excited and am quite dubious about the prospect of getting one in my shoulder. I have unstable joints in general and this shoulder is particularly unstable. I have read that cortisone can weaken tendons and ligaments and that seems like the last thing I need.
Can anyone share their experience with cortisone injections for shoulder problems? I am feeling very frustrated but am getting to the point where I might try this. I cannot do freestyle at all and my daily life such as personal care and home maintenance is greatly challenged by this darn shoulder. Plus my border collie is depressed because I cannot throw his frisbee. Things are getting desperate!
Former Member
Jim you could be right. I did get lower body happenings, calf and thigh cramps but after that season no upperbody problems.
I did a lot of swimstroke modification which helped.
Former Member
well, tell us what swim stroke modifications you did. Did you still swim butterfly?
Former Member
Thanks everybody, for your responses. To answer Paul's question as to why I am in PT without a diagnosis, well, because that is what my family doctor told me to do. The PT has helped a great deal in getting me out of pain, stabilizing my gumby scapula, building up my lil rotator cuff muscles and increasing my range of motion. So I am happy I did PT. I have gone as far as I can go in it now, though and still have restricted ROM in a few key movements and so I will be seeing an ortho doc to see how he wants to proceed.
I don't want a cortisone shot. I'm a big baby about big needles and pain!
