Severe Shoulder Pain

[hlaibo22]

Hello all,

I was playing basketball about 2 years ago when I went up for a rebound. I came down with the ball, and was holding it above my head with both hands, when an opposing player attempted to steal the ball from BEHIND me. Both my shoulders were pulled back and my arms went behind my head. I experienced some discomfort, but kept on playing.
Ever since I've been unable to lift heavy weights that involve either of my shoulders, particularly in vertical and lateral directions (think shoulder press and butterfly). The most noticeable changes have been a loud popping noise when I move my shoulder (particularly the right one) side to side, and a severe tenderness of the muscles in each one (surprisingly, more on the left side).
I've had an X-Ray done and the doctor said that the bones looked fine. Another one of my doctors said that it could be a tendon issue. Any clue? What should my next steps be?

Thank you for your help,
Sammy Halabi

[Tuckamore]

Thank you for the update. I think you have made a good decision. I will be interested in hearing the opinions of your Sports Physician.

Good Luck to You, Tuck

[hlaibo22]

Thank you all so much for your help. I've scheduled an appointment with a local Sports Doctor for later this week. If he (or she!) tells me that I need an MRI I'll head down to Buffalo sometime to do it. Public healthcare is a great system, but sometimes it just plain *****.

For now I'm just resting it. A friend of mine told me it might be a rotator cuff injury so I should refrain from damaging it further.

Again, thank you all!

[Mollyrae]

Hi, The waiting lists in Canada are incredibly long. Their Medical is not like ours here in the States. My Uncle lives in England where like Canadians (same Medical by same Government) they can wait for up to a year to be seen or have a test run. So, many people travel to the States for their care.
Just something I thought you'd be interested in.
Mollyrae

[Jaybay]

Wolf, why would you avoid CT scan and MRI?  Is it because of the Canadian medical system or other reasons such as cost?  Nobody can order these studies without a doctor's order; and either CT scan or MRI are necessary to correctly diagnose soft tissue injuries when an x-ray is negative.  Just curious.

[lonewolf07]

I'm in Toronto too.  A few years ago my son suffered a similar incident when he was playing baseball, except his upper arm was broken.  He went to an orthopedist who advised him to try physiotherapy.  My son is a graphic designer and needs to use his hands but nerve damage made them "numb".  The orthopedist said this would heal in time, especially with the physiotherapy - and it did.

You would have to have a dr recommend a CT scan or MRI and the waiting lists are incredibly long.  Some Canadians go to Buffalo where it is easier to get an appointment.  If it's a tendon problem - IMHO - you should go to an orthopedist or a dr whose area is sports injuries.  You don't have to pay anything except for bus tickets or gas.  One of the best hospitals for injuries like this is the Toronto Western.

Personally, I would avoid the CT scans and/MRIs unless your dr recommends them.

I hope some of this helps.

[Tuckamore]

I am sorry I can't answer that question either.  I live in Wisconsin. I know a member that is from Canada and I will contact her to see if she can answer your questions. I know there are at least 2 but only 1 name comes to mind. Let me see what I can do. I'll send her a message. Tuck

[Jaybay]

I'm in Texas so I can't help with that question.  Hopefully someone else who IS from Canada will pop in to help.  :-)

[hlaibo22]

Thank you both so much for your advice. I'm going to see a sports doctor sometime in the next week so I'll see which of the tests he recommends. I don't know if any of you are from Canada or Ontario but does the government subsidize any of these tests? Also, how much do these kinds of tests and surgeries cost?

I'll let you all know how it goes.

Thank you so much,
Sammy Halabi

[Tuckamore]

Hi Sammy,

Welcome to the Pain Management Form at MedHelp. I am glad you found us.

I agree with JayBay that you require a more complete diagnostic work up. There are two very good tools that your physician may choose from. A CT or an MRI. Both are very helpful with diagnosing. It will be up to your physician to determine which one is better for you. You may have injured your tendons, muscles or ligaments but I would also consider a disc or similar structural injury that could also be effecting your arms and shoulders bilaterally.

CT (computerized tomography) uses a sophisticated X ray machine combined with a computer to create a detailed picture of the body’s tissues and structure. Usually a special dye called a contrast material will be injected prior to the scan. This makes it easier to see abnormal tissue due to specific absorption rates.

Nuclear magnetic resonance is produced by measuring the magnetism of spinning electrons and protons and their interactions with nearby atoms (usually protons) when they absorb energy. This provides information about the chemical structure of organic molecules. The use of the word “nuclear” has recently been avoided and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is now preferred. MRI uses a magnetic field from super-cooled magnets and can often distinguish more accurately between healthy and diseased tissue. A contrast agent is usually used. MRI can provide pictures from various angles and construct a three dimensional image.

I would refrain form doing the activities that produce pain at this time. Once you know what you are dealing with your physician may want you to do specific exercises through a PT Department.

I wish you the very best. Please let us know how you are doing and take care, Tuck

[Jaybay]

The next step is an MRI to evaluate damage to soft tissues like tendons and ligaments.  Something tells me that's what your problem is.

I had a similar injury and the same exact problems in the gym that you're having.  Turned out to have a ruptured ligament that was allowing my clavicle to pop out of position.  The surgeon tightened up the ligaments but the shoulder was still partly frozen.  A couple years later I had a Mumford done (the end of the clavicle was shaved off about 1/2") and once the rehab etc., was done, I can't complain about the results.  I never could do a shoulder press again.

In the meantime, I would say either forego the press and butterfly altogether, or have someone spot you and make certain you maintain perfect form at all times.  If you insist on doing the shoulder press, change the motion a bit forward so that you can see your elbows and arms from the corner of your eye.  If you push the weight straight up to where your arms align more with your ears, it puts much more strain on the shoulder ligaments and tendons without doing much for strenghtening your muscles.  And don't forget to use less weight.  You'll get the same benefit using lighter weight and seriously slowing down your reps.

Can you tell I used to be a gym rat?  LOL!  I worked with a trainer for six months when I began weightlifting and ended up helping other people in the gym after that.  Had other health problems not reared up I had planned on getting certified as a trainer myself.  Oh well, so much for that idea. At least I had a few years of being buffed up.  :-)