[mochagirl13]

Has anyone ever had shoulder impingement syndrome? Apparently I may have this. I've gotten 2 opinions and they are different. The first doc said I had a fractured collar bone and the 2nd said impingement. I have scheduled an appt. with orthopedic doc cause I am in pain and range of motion in my shoulder is very limited. Hot and cold compresses don't really work. I remember falling but not exactly when.

[TXBatman]

I had one about 7 or 8 years ago related to some repetitive motions I had to do as part of a field work project. It is basically inflammation in the shoulder joint causing the bursa sacs to pinch a nerve when you move the shoulder in certain ways. I tried taking Aleve for a few days, but it really just took the edge off, but never really got rid of the pain or the inflammation causing it. So the doc gave a cortisone shot and it was gone within about 24 hours.

What I am dealing with now is similar in nature, but in my other shoulder. They are calling it a nerve entrapment. It is caused by spasms in the muscles around my shoulder blade pinching the nerves running from my neck across my shoulder and down my arm. because there isn't a localized cause with what I have now, all they can do is work to loosen up the shoulder muscles to relieve the pressure on the nerve.

If they give you the option, take the cortisone shot. It is a few moments of pain but will almost immediately reduce the inflammation causing the majority of the pain.

[Jomar]

Have they done xray or MRI-- might be good to know for sure if the collar bone is fractured or not???

[mochagirl13]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

Have they done xray or MRI-- might be good to know for sure if the collar bone is fractured or not???

I have had 2 sets of x-rays. The first doc saw a fracture, the 2nd did not. I am going to try and get both to take to orthopedic doc when I go.

[SallyC]

I guess yours must be an injury, but I used to have very painful shoulders when I was going through a MS Fatigue attack.

Feel better soon..

[mochagirl13]

I went to see orthopedic doc and he diagnosed as frozen shoulder and gave me a cortisone shot. Now the bad news, I will need physical therapy 2X a week @$25.00 a visit. And it looks like my tax bill will be $2700 for the 2nd installment. I'm being conservative with that estimate not to mention that my dentist bill is over $4k. I have to pay my bills on time cause I want to refinance later this this year. Doesn't the government realize that increasing our taxes in one area, reduces our dollar power to spend and generate revenue in another.

[TXBatman]

Most of the therapy is probably going to be just doing stretches and strengthening exercises. Once you have been to a couple of visits, see if they will write you a plan to do the exercises at home and you can probably avoid the copay visits after that.

[SallyC]

My PT did ultra sound and hot & cold treatments on my back and then exercises. It was the greatest pain treatment I ever had.