Anyone here have experience with torn rotator cuff?

[Treesap]

I completely agree with trying a chiropractor before doing anything too extreme. They do "funny" things, but I've had some really good results with them. I only use them when I need them. I'm not one who gets regularly adjusted.

The electronic stimulation they used saved my life (IMHO ) when I over exerted my sacroiliac joint. This was the worst pain I have ever felt. I couldn't get out of bed without help. That therapy was miraculous.

[jsmythe]

Is it possible for someone who is in a wheelchair to injure the rotator cuff in their shoulder? My mom is wheelchair bound, and has had severe pain in her shoulders for several months now. One shoulder in particular is worse. She gets to the point that she can not lift her arm to even feed herself. The doctor (an older man) just treats her for arthritis. The meds he gives helps her knees but does absolutely nothing for the shoulder pain. I have repeatedly told her that I do not think it is arthritis in her arms. She told the doc this, but he just brushed her off. And after reading this thread, it makes so much sense to me now that this may be her problem, pulling herself around in that chair all the time...Anyone got opinions on this?

[tnmom]

do you truly have a TORN rotator cuff? or just impingement? (not "just" impingement, that is painful too! I mean impingement rather than an actual tear?)


I had impingement for several years and was able to manage it with pt, exercises, etc. Last December, I made the leap from impingement to torn though, and there was nothing to do but have it fixed. I couldn't lift my arm up more than 10" from the side of my body and it was really popping and cracking all the time. Had it repaired in January, and now I have full range of motion. Since I am only 40 (only?) I had to do something. my ortho said that a true tear won't heal itself, impingement or a partial tear or minimal tear can be managed or lived with, not not a complete tear.

for what it's worth!

[dieselgal]

I think at worst mine is a partial tear but I see the Dr. again next week so I will know more at that time. I can lift my arm higher than 10 inches, but can't reach to get things off shelves or above my shoulder level. Sometimes the whole arm aches, elbow to wrist as well.
When this happened to me 10 years ago I did it when I fell out of a chair and tried to catch myself on a desk. After several months of pain I had mostly recuperated for many years. Now the same arm is hurting even worse than it did then. I have seen the Dr. but they have not done xray's or further testing yet.


jsmythe: I would think it is entirely possible to hurt your rotator cuff even if you are comfined to a wheel chair because you would have more use of the arms, shoulders etc. Maybe pulling yourself up etc.