Rotator Cuff???

[Skinny]

I am sure there are some of you out here that have had a Rotator Cuff injury of some sort. If so, what are the symptoms? Pain levels? Range of Motion?

My right shoulder has been killing me here lately. I lifted something too heavy up over my head and it kinda fell behind be in my hand and I hung on to it...since then, my right arm has not been the same. The pain is constant, strength limited at times, and range of motion is sometimes limited as well. Does this sound like a Rotator Cuff injury?

Thanks for the input!!!

[DrenalinJunkie]

go get an MRi on it........

I had 6 tears in mine...... 4 major and 2 minor. The doc could not believe I had been working with it like that for two weeks. He also could not believe I didn't know it when it happened.

[strangmusic18]

I think I had a strain and not a tear. I had limited range of motion while lifting straight up. I gave the shoulder time to heal and didn't pull the bow back or do anything overly strenuous for a few months. I have no more pain in the shoulder and I am back to 100%. If you were to start with your hands at your side and lift the arms as straight as possible from your side how quickly do you feel pain? Some tears will heal on their own but most require surgery and a lot of down time. Hope it's partial and not full.

[ballisticbudda]

I am sure there are some of you out here that have had a Rotator Cuff injury of some sort. If so, what are the symptoms? Pain levels? Range of Motion?

My right shoulder has been killing me here lately. I lifted something too heavy up over my head and it kinda fell behind be in my hand and I hung on to it...since then, my right arm has not been the same. The pain is constant, strength limited at times, and range of motion is sometimes limited as well. Does this sound like a Rotator Cuff injury?

Thanks for the input!!!

The pain and range of motion will be different for each individual. X2 on the MRI. Fours hours on the table and I haven't felt this good in a long time.

[rtread]

The rotator cuff I found out is a very complicated piece of equipment. I snapped the top most tendon last year and the detached tendon migrated several mm and the doc had to pull it back up and reattach it to the bone. The surgery was relatively routine (for them). The rehab was extensive. I had my surgery April '09 and was in a sling until the first week of June. I started therapy the third week of June and finished it the second week of August. I still have minor pains in certain positions but have full range with that shoulder. Most importantly, I was bow hunting for mule deer Sept. 1 and scored with probably my best shot ever!

I knew I had damaged my shoulder after I tripped loading some furniture in mu PU....fell using my right elbow as a cushion....jammed my shoulder and snapped the tendon. Besides a nagging pain in the shoulder, I couldn't raise my arm above chest high......period. Couldn't brush my teeth, comb my hair, shave etc. right handed. Went to my primary doc and he said I probably had rotator cuff damage.....sent me down the hall to the orthopedic surgeon who happened to be there that day. He sent me for an MRI and it was plain as day on the MRI. He said waiting for the surgery was not good.....the sooner the better due to the migration of the loose end.

The six weeks after the surgery with that bulky sling is the worst part. You will need help showering and other things. Had to sleep in a danged recliner! Good luck!!

[muley4x4]

I tore mine. Then ruptured it with a dislocation. That was about six years ago playing college football. I had surgery on it. I tore it again about three years later. Haven't wanted to go through the surgery again. Good luck brotha get a mri.

[mhbaseball]

I played baseball as u know and had a torn labrum and had surgery on it. Very similar to rotator cuff surgery minus 2-3 months in recovery. Labrum/rotator tears can and should be fine to deal with for the avg person in my opinion without surgery. I would not have had the surgery if I wasnt playing baseball.

The overhead throwing motion is what caused it and triggered the pain. Most pain is caused by an impingement and feels like a deep painful pinch deep in the shoulder. Usually felt when the arm is lifted over the shoulder or when lifting something over your head. My shoulder feels so much better now, thanks to alot of therapy and strengthening.

Get an MRI if it is that bad, but main if the pain can be controlled or limited to only overhead then I would be cautious about surgery. It can be expensive, long rehab, sleeping with sling for 2-4 weeks after, and painful to stretch it

[Skinny]

I am still able to draw my bow, lift feed bags...do my normal work...I have a high pain tolerance, but like right now, laying here on the couch typing this, my shoulder has a dull pain and I can feel it down to my elbow. It is driving me nuts!!! I am hoping it is muscle related, but I have dealt with that before and my gut feeling is this is something a bit different. Guess I better get an MRI to see what is up. Thanks for all of the info so far Brothers!!!

[mhbaseball]

If it is going down to your elbow my guess would be nerve related.....I think this for 2 reasons. 1. With my sports experience a pain that travels like this to the elbow is usually nerve related(pinched nerve), 2. A rotator cuff with usually be a sharp pain and usually only when triggered(hand above shoulder, lifting stuff) and not an all the time pain

[Skinny]

If it is going down to your elbow my guess would be nerve related.....I think this for 2 reasons. 1. With my sports experience a pain that travels like this to the elbow is usually nerve related(pinched nerve), 2. A rotator cuff with usually be a sharp pain and usually only when triggered(hand above shoulder, lifting stuff) and not an all the time pain

Oh it is triggered at times...just a constant pain the rest of the time. Sitting here kinda lifing my arm and I can feel pain down in my shoulder. As long as I can handle the pain and still draw my bow I guess I am good!!!

[Ol Thumper]

I had pretty much exactly what your describing, I had an MRI and had 2 small tears, I opted to bybass the surgery and took it real easy the next 3 months and it finally got better, no more pain at all for me but I didnt pull a bow or anything that could possibly strain it. I'm got enough scars from surgery and those things take forever to heal, if you have it cut on now you can kiss this hunting season goodbye. I've spent hundreds and hundreds of hours in rehab with my knee surgerys and I have seen dozens of people go through the rehab on one, "NO THANKS" If you want some good self rehab advice pm me,

[Skinny]

I had pretty much exactly what your describing, I had an MRI and had 2 small tears, I opted to bybass the surgery and took it real easy the next 3 months and it finally got better, no more pain at all for me but I didnt pull a bow or anything that could possibly strain it. I'm got enough scars from surgery and those things take forever to heal, if you have it cut on now you can kiss this hunting season goodbye. I've spent hundreds and hundreds of hours in rehab with my knee surgerys and I have seen dozens of people go through the rehab on one, "NO THANKS" If you want some good self rehab advice pm me,

Exactly. If I was not a nut about bowhunting I would be at the doctor tomorrrow. My wife thinks I am crazy. I agree!!! I will PM ya'!!!

[KG68]

Surgery isn't always the answer to all our hurts. I had problems for years with strength and pain in my shoulders . I finally opted for the knife and after several months of misery I still have the same problems. I was 57 when I decided to go under the knife and now 60 and I don't have the pain anymore but have less strength. I have many close friends that have gone the same route I took for the pain. All I really am saying is don't expect to become young again after the surgery. Yes if you take the right rehab and follow the doc's advice you will be in less pain but don't look for it to be the miraculous cure.

[Indianhunter]

ive had a lot of experience with shoulders and different pains can mean a lot of things. without seeing exactly what happened there is a good chance you just strained something or caused impingement and now its inflammed. i would take anti inflammatory for roughly 4 days and if its not improving significantly then time for the ol MRI machine. Doctors normally recommend two aleve in morning and two at night for 4-5 days

[tadmaryperry]

I've had a lot of problems out of my left shoulder lately. It actually got where I wasn't sleeping due to the constant pain. I inquired about surgery. I have been through an ACL replacement in my knee and three other "scopes" to my knees. I opted not to get the shoulder surgery (yet) and try to take it easy. The pain is subsiding (compared to a month ago). There are still bad moments, but it is easing a bit. I do shoot every day. I just can't give that up!