Good shoulder cutter needed ( UKHMO aproved though )

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bazoqop
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Good shoulder cutter needed ( UKHMO aproved though )

Post by bazoqop »

My doctor thinks it's really about time to see an ortho about my fucked shoulder. It's really gone down hill in the last couple of months ( limited range of motion..can't even press a ten pound dumbbell overhead..)

Since I've gotta stay with somebody who's been approved by my hmo ( UK ) the field of choices is limited. But since surgery is going to be involved, I'd like to hook up with the best doc I can...Not to mention one who'd be sympathetic with my desire to get back climbing ( even at some kind of pathetic level )

Anybody care to share any knowledge, experiences etc..
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SCIN
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Post by SCIN »

My shoulder was, at one time, so bad that I could barely lift my arm. I had to put my arm in a sling. Doc said something bad was wrong (can't remember what it was) and I needed surgery. I waited it out, quit gastoning with that arm for several months, and eventually it healed. It has been about 9 years since then with a crap load of plastic pulling and no pain.
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rhunt
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Post by rhunt »

Avoid surgery at ALL cost!!...can't say that enough. Find and talk to the best PT's out there and give yourself months and months of rehab. If truly your goal is to climb again at some "pathetic level" you don't need surgery. If you see an ortho then he ao she will try to "sell" you on surgery because that is what they do. Stay away from the ortho's and just get on a good rehab program. Surgery should be your very last resort!
"Climbing is the spice, not the meal." ~ Lurkist
trog
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Post by trog »

Not an ortho surgeon but I agree with Ray;
Surgery will rarely make your shoulder new...at best will eliminate pain a little quicker.
General program for all shoulder injuries: gentle range of motion only, daily until all pain is gone (may take weeks); then progressive resistance bands very gradually, stop if any pain returns. Don't even think about a pullup.
Beware of physical therapists and chiropractors too if they have any Unique treatments.
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rjackson
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Post by rjackson »

I've been battling shoulder injuries since a gaston in the gym a few years back. Ortho sent me to a PT who healed me up with exercises (and some deep muscle stimulus) then I re-tweaked it while setting routes. Quite the gym and healed myself again until I started feeling it. Back to the Ortho who said there's something going on, but without a bunch of testing hard to say. Bascially said save the testing money, go climb till you blow it out really good and then we'll put it back together. My Ortho has been very non-invasive and the PT was very good about working with me to get me back on the rock. I trust them both.

Been about a year now since the last official Ortho visit and I'm climbing fine (albeit carefully and watchful). The shoulder feels better and better and I expect if I continue down my road it will be quite some time, if ever, before I need any surgery. Of course, I follow my execrcise regiment almost religously.

Moral of the story: Not all Ortho's and PT's are bad. You could nurse it back to health yourself but then you may go right back out and blow it and then 'really' be messed up. You need to know what you're dealing with (could already be a mess) and just because you go see an Ortho or PT doesn't mean you have to do what they say. And anytime you're ever faced with a major medical issue, get a second opinion! There's a reason they call it 'practising' medicine...
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff »

I agree with the PT route.
I had tendinitis in my right shoulder a couple of years ago and could barely bench press (bad move for the shoulder anyhow), and had to assist my right arm with my left while reaching for the seat belt.
Doc said it was from over-use - weight lifting, climbing, and building.
Did PT for a couple of months and basically limited my activity to about half. It got better.
Rags
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Post by Rags »

PT won't repair a tear.
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rjackson
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Post by rjackson »

Rags wrote:PT won't repair a tear.
Exactly; which is why he should start with an Ortho.

Don't do the self-healing unless you can make the diagnosis. You may get lucky, but then again...
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SCIN
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Post by SCIN »

Rags wrote:PT won't repair a tear.
But won't a tear heal with time?
Yo Ray jack dynomite! Listen to my beat box! Bew ch ch pff BEW ch ch pfff! Sweet!

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Rags
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Post by Rags »

not necessarily. especially with re-injury or the debilitating effects of age.

if the injury is serious enough (like tendon or ligament damage), especially in shoulders, I've been told some tears will never heal. In my case, Dr. Scott Maire re-attached the bicep tendon--which I don't thing would have ever grown back...
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