gcl8a

Oh, Machka! This sucks. But most of the physio -- at least the strengthening -- can be done on your own with weights and the big rubberband thing. It is very important to keep at it -- I could really tell when I didn't do enough of my exercises when I went in for my weekly PT appointments. Range of motion can also be done with ropes and pulleys.

Again, I'm not a medical professional, so ask your doctor or PT'ist.

Bublu

I tore my labrum snow boarding about 3 years ago. It dislocated and then relocated itself. I knew immediately I tore something. Without health insurance, I never went to a doctor. The soreness largely went away although my overall strength and certainly range of motion were severely affected. Finally after a year I decided to see a doc, got the MRI that showed a SLAP tear of the labrum. I had the surgery (outpatient). Four weeks of immobilization (no driving and you will need help taking a shower--I hope you are married). Once the four weeks are up, you can take off the sling--although your arm will not move anyway because it is now frozen stiff. As the previous poster mentioned, you will then go to physical therapy for 12-16 weeks where you will endure the most painful pulling and stretching you could ever imagine. I can't stress this enough--take your vicodin prior to going to pt. It's been 2 years since my surgery and my shoulder is stronger than ever and my range of motion is almost what it was before. I do have a bit of an awkward throwing motion, but I can throw without pain and lift weights without pain. Cycling should be a piece of cake after you complete PT.

Good luck, it's a difficult decision to have the surgery, but after I lived with the pain for a year, I couldn't sleep at night anymore, so I decided to do it.

Machka 

I am on the waiting list for an MRI now.

My Dr, who I saw today, is almost positive that I do have a labral tear in my left shoulder. It has been 3.5 weeks and still no improvement, and when he ran through a bunch of tests again today, he says I've got the classic movement range (or lack thereof) of someone with a labral tear. I can do some movements very well ... but others not at all.

I don't care so much that my range of motion is limited ... I can learn to compensate for that. I just wish the pain would stop. But I guess it is possible from reading Bublu's post that it won't for a long time ... maybe not till I have the surgery!

2manybikes

Sorry to hear about your injury. Feel better soon.

Did you post about your crash somewhere else?

Machka 

I talked about it a bit in the VanIsle thread in the Long Distance forum. I don't remember a whole lot about the crash because I was knocked out for a moment. My hip landed first (and is still bruised), and I remember thinking, "My head is going too fast!!" and then bracing myself for the impact. Everything went white and sparkly, and I cracked my helmet.

But I have absolutely NO memory what my arms were doing during the crash, so I have not been able to help the medical practitioners I've seen by telling them how I landed. They keep asking me to describe what my upper body was doing when I landed, but it is a complete blank.

However, the eye-witnesses described my crash as "spectacular".

2manybikes

That's scary, glad you had your helmet on. How's Machak?

Mchaz

I had quasi dislocation of my right shoulder last fall. It was also due to an over-the-bars crash. After the initial injury I had difficulty moving it without pain for a week. I didn't see a doctor because it seemed to have healed. Three weeks or so after the crash I popped my shoulder out and back in throwing a frisbee. The pain came back, and I decided to see a doctor.

My doctor took some initial X-rays, and found small fractures in the bone where the ball on the humerus collided with another bone (scapula?). He suspected a labral tear, but an MRI arthrogram (big needles ) came up negative. I went to PT for a month or so to recoup my shoulder a bit. That involved a lot of exercises with a resistance band, isometric exercises (i.e. pushing against a wall in different positions), shoulder shrugs, and arm lifts.

After the initial injury, and after the re-injury the immobilizing pain lasted a week or so. The first few days it was excruciating to even lift a glass of water. After about two weeks the pain would only partially come back after moving my arm around a lot (i.e. light weight, but repetitive tasks at work). I rode my bike short distances the whole time, as it is the only way I can get myself to school and work. The commute is only 3 miles one way, so I would just ride with most of my weight on one hand. I didn't start to ride normally again until about 3 weeks after.

Even though my injury wasn't that bad, my shoulder still gives me some pain/soreness when compared to the other on occasion. Usually it happens after throwing a frisbee for a while, or after a long ride. I'm planning on some light strength training of my upper body focusing on my shoulders this summer, as recommended by my therapist. On account of my noodle arms, she suggested rowing exercises as a good way to strengthen and stabilize my shoulder. It would also serve the purpose of strengthening my back and arms as well. Hopefully that training will help with the remaining problems.

Good luck Machka. I wish you a full recovery. Thankfully the worst injury you sustained was a torn up shoulder.

Machka 

Machak is just fine. He has a little scuff on the handlebar tape on the left side and that's it. I broke his fall!

The story is here, complete with a link to photos: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=267463&page=2

dagna

I remember going through much the same thing. Unluckily my BF got sent out of town, so I had a friend come over every two days to open cans and stick them in the frig so I could eat (it's impossible to open a can one-handed with a manual can-opener ). And the completely frozen joint...it felt like it would never move again. But it all works great now, and I've got at least 95 per cent of my range of motion back. The only thing I *can't* do is a nice backstroke with the right hand entering the water directly above my head (it's off to the side), and I *chose* not to bowl with that arm. Which means bowling becomes hilarious as I have to do it left-handed...and I am NOT left-handed. Built-in excuse for all the gutter balls, though.

Machka 

OK, I might actually be getting somewhere finally!!

First, I've had an X-Ray (still awaiting results, I'll give them a call tomorrow), and I'm on a waiting list for an MRI.

Second, I ran out of money for physio, but did some hunting around based on some rumors. Rumor was that I could get free physio for several visits at certain physiotherapists in town. Trouble was, there are only two physiotherapist offices listed in the phonebook under "Physiotherapists", and I was seeing one of those two already. So I contacted the other one, and after exhanging a few emails, they gave me a list of physiotherapists in town who offer their services for free (subsidized by the government, I guess). If you want to get well .... you've got to work for it!!! Lots of hunting!!

Nevertheless, I had my first appointment today ....... and my new physiotherapist is a cyclist!! He understands!! After a fairly extensive investigation he also told me he suspects an AC tear (like a Grade II separation, I guess). My shoulder is not sitting properly in the socket, and it is very loose. My shoulder blade is pulled up into an odd position. And I'm also in a lot more pain than I should be at 4.5 weeks.

My previous physiotherapist (or more accurately, an "athletic therapist") prescribed exercises to build up some of the surrounding muscles, and told me I probably wouldn't hurt anything by working at my active part-time job. And yet, regular sessions and regular activity didn't seem to be helping at all. I'm still in just as much pain (if not more) than when I had the accident. If it were just a labrum tear, exercises might have helped.

My new physiotherapist (a real physiotherapist) has told me to stop doing all these exercises, and that I should not work at my active job ... he advises almost complete rest for at least 2-3 weeks. He is working with me to help me regain my range of motion through gentle stretching.

But it really irks me that the two medical Drs I've seen have barely given my shoulder a glance. And neither one has told me more than, "oh you probably just pulled a muscle".

Here's hoping my new physiotherapist will be able to help me.

Carbonfiberboy 

Yeah, isn't it frustrating, though! So how'd the 200k go? That was probably a bad idea, too.

This new physio guy sounds much more reasonable to me. What's the waiting list on the MRI? My totally uninformed opinion is that tears like this don't fix themselves. Not totally uninformed, really. I've had several friends with similar shoulder problems. They all took surgery and a year's recup to get the shoulder back really usable again. Yes, I am trying to be a wet blanket and I know you don't want to hear it.

Keep us informed. We're all pulling for you, or at least wish we could!

Machka 

The 200K was all right. Fortunately I don't move my shoulder much when I cycle ... the only time it really hurt was when I was climbing. I guess the shoulder is a bit more active during climbing.

They say the MRI will be 4-6 months. I got into a CT scan in November in about 2 weeks, and I can just walk in anytime to get an X-ray, but for some reason MRIs take forever.

This guy did seem to know what he was talking about ... and I'm pleased that he understands cycling and cycling related injuries. He broke his collarbone in a cycling-related incident some time ago, and has healed and continued cycling. He even expressed interest in trying long distance cycling! It's much nicer than some of the medical professionals I've encountered in my time who have basically told me to stop cycling when I've gone to them for one thing or another.

And thanks!!

2manybikes

Jackpot !!

one, of only two in town, wow.

irishwiskey

i just had a 3rd degree seperation of my ac joint. the ortho says those operations aren't done any more as they where in the past. i have a pretty good knot and my shoulder has droped 1.5 inches. Range of motion is good with some pain. Any suggestions would be appreicated thanks

Machka 

I'm just seeing my physiotherapist fairly regularly, and I've been told to stop lifting things.

My shoulder sits forward quite a bit ... enough so that clothes don't fit quite right ... and I've got very limited range of motion. My physiotherapist is working on getting my shoulder to sit back a bit, and on improving my range of motion. It's gotten a little bit better, so that's good. So I guess my advice would be to find a good physiotherapist.

My biggest problem right now is that it is still sore all the time, and it is SO hard to find a comfortable position. Sitting and standing is just completely uncomfortable (and yet I do that most of the day). Lying on my back makes my shoulder blade ache. Lying on my left side is out completely. Lying on my stomach makes the front of my shoulder ache. And lying on my right side is all right as long as my arm is in one particular position, which is not all that comfortable for sleeping.

I sort of doubt they would do surgery for the separation, but there is still some question about doing surgery for the torn labrum. I guess it depends how badly it is torn.

dagna

When my shoulder was healing, the only comfortable lying-down position was on my stomach with a pillow under the bad shoulder, my arm alongside or under my body, with the hand twisted around palm up. It's a weird position, but comfortable for some reason.

Machka 

I saw my physiotherapist yesterday, the day after I completed my 600K brevet, and my shoulder is doing remarkably well, all things considered.

It has been 7 weeks now ... and perhaps I'm finally starting to heal.

Enthalpic

Isn’t the body amazing? I’m a sicko in that I love watching myself heal. When I accidentally cut my hand or something it never ceases to amaze me how well the body repairs itself.

Soon you will forget that you ever had the injury. One day you will catch yourself using it at full strength and go “hey my shoulder is all better.”

Machka 

I'll just be thrilled when I can lie on my left side again! I can manage it for about 10 minutes now before it gets too sore, so I guess I am making some progress there too.

Machka 

Just found out that I should get my MRI in July!! That's a lot earlier than I thought!!

Machka 

OK, about these big needles ......

My MRI is booked for July 17th, and apparently is going to involve big needles. The technician told me that I will need someone to drive me home or wherever I'm going because the pain is going to be so bad, I won't be able to drive. Is this true?? If so, that could be a bit of a problem!


Meanwhile it has now been almost three months, and I still can't sleep through the night because of the pain in my shoulder. I'm getting really frustrated ... and exhausted ... and cranky.

Shubox

Wow never heard of an MRI with needles =/

But I just had a slap II repair on Feb 13th had doctors visit today which is kinda funny because this is the first I seen of this thread.

Anyway had the surgery and 16 weeks of therapy and shoulder still feels the same going for another MRI on July 9th and may have to have another surgery .

Just something else to think about make sure you find a really good doctor to do it right the first time and a good therapist who wont hurt the shoulder in recovery.

Been off of work (Garbageman) for a year now.

dagna

Before they would do my shoulder surgery, they did a diagnostic procedure that involved using a big needle to inject air into the joint to make everything move apart so they could get a good detailed look at it with some kind of machine (don't think it was an MRI, but I don't remember exactly what it was). When I asked how much air they were going to put in, they told me, "Until you can't stand the pain." So maybe it's something like that?

However, I don't remember it really continuing to hurt after they quit adding air. What I *do* remember is them saying I couldn't have surgery until all the air had been absorbed by my body, which would take about two weeks. What they didn't tell me was, everytime I moved my air-filled shoulder it made a f*rting sound--a really loud, ripe raspberry sound . For *two* weeks! People near me in stores or next to me in line would turn around and give me the most horrified looks--and there was nothing I could do about it. "It was my shoulder, I swear!" "Yeah...right."

Machka 

My impression is that they will be injecting some sort of dye in there so they can see the labrum better ... but I could be wrong.

snhrider

Just curious ... how long after suffering from a separated shoulder (grade 2 or 3) were you able to ride outdoors ?