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How does one go about getting the "finesse" of pitching back after shoulder surgery? I had a labral tear repair and can pitch the baseball okay. But I'm noticing some difficulties with pitch control a ...more

Are there some exercises I can do to go along with the injection treatment for my frozen shoulder?

I had one steroid injection for my frozen shoulder so far. There's been no change that I can see so far. Are there some exercises I can do to go along with the injection treatment? Before prescribing ...more

What can I do to stop the loud snapping sound and instant pain when I lift my arm up overhead?

Everytime I life my arm up overhead, I get a loud snapping sound and instant pain. It feels like it's coming from my shoulder blade. This is becoming a major problem in my life because I am a lacrosse ...more

Explain why my rotator cuff surgery never healed

Three years ago, I had a very severe rotator cuff tear repaired. When I went in for a check-up the surgeon did a follow-up X-ray and ultrasound of the shoulder. Found out the tendon never really heale ...more

What kind of rehab should I expect after arthroscopic surgery?

If I have arthroscopic surgery to stabilize my chronically dislocating shoulder, what kind of rehab should I expect? The surgeon will use an all-arthroscopic "bony bank bridge" method of reconstructio ...more

Physical therapy first for shoulder instability?

I have multidirectional shoulder instability from playing hockey as a kid. My surgeon has suggested I try some physical therapy before thinking about surgery. Will this really help? Patients are often ...more

For my frozen shoulder, is it true that I don't need any special treatment?

The nurse practitioner I am seeing for a frozen shoulder told me it is a "self-limiting" problem and I don't need any special treatment. Just wait and the body will self-correct. Is this really true? ...more

Where do I go after acupuncture, physical therapy, and massages for shoulder impingement syndrome?

I developed an impingement syndrome of my shoulder slowly over time. I've had acupuncture and physical therapy and also massages and still have pain all the time. Where do I go from here? Pain can be ...more

Why did a steroid injection for a painful rotator cuff problem not work?

I had a steroid injection for a painful rotator cuff shoulder problem. I was expecting relief from the pain fairly quickly but nothing happened. The surgeon wants to inject the shoulder again. If it ...more

My hands go numb after playing more than one hour on the piano

I am a semi-professional pianist with a serious problem that could put the kibosh on my career. Anytime I play for more than an hour, my hands start to go numb. I've heard that it's possible to do som ...more

My shoulder blade rubs against my ribs causing a grinding feeling. Is this a new problem or part of an ongoing shoulder problem

Last fall I suffered a shoulder injury that still plagues me. Now I'm starting to have problems with my shoulder blade. Whenever I raise my arm up overhead, the shoulder blade rubs against my ribs cau ...more

Is a core training program important for a shoulder scapula problem

I went to an exercise physiologist for some help with a shoulder/scapula problem. She was adamant that I have to do a core training program as part of the rehab. Is this just a craze or is it really a ...more

Injection for Adhesive Capsulitis (shoulder problem)

I am seeing a physical therapist for my shoulder problem (adhesive capsulitis) and I'm doing pretty well. I was looking on the Internet and saw you can get the same injections to the shoulder as they ...more

Please provide information on SLAP injury of the shoulder for my daughter.

I'm looking for any information I can find for my 16-year-old daughter who has a SLAP injury of the shoulder from playing volleyball. There are many different ways to treat this problem. What do you r ...more

What causes rotator cuff tears?

I've been doing some research on the internet about rotator cuff tears. Both my husband and my sister were diagnosed with this as the cause of their shoulder pain when they didn't do anything to injur ...more

What is the typical treatment for a problem of shoulder instability?

Can you walk me through the typical treatment for a problem of shoulder instability? I don't know how it happened, but I ended up with one shoulder that just doesn't work normally. The physician who e ...more

After rotator cuff tear surgery, would it really hurt anything to give a tiny bit of movement?

I had surgery for a rotator cuff tear two weeks ago. I'm wearing the abduction sling but I truly hate it. I've been given instructions by the surgeon but told not to do anything more than dangle and ...more

How many weeks should I wear a pillow splint before rotator cuff tear surgery?

I am getting ready to have surgery for a rotator cuff tear. The surgeon said I would be wearing a pillow splint under my arm for "four to six weeks." I'm just wondering how they know which it is: four ...more

Surgery or PT for shoulder impingement problem?

I am totally for this new approach to medicine demanding evidence that treatments prescribed really work. Right now I'm personally dealing with a shoulder impingement problem. I've been seeing a physi ...more

For a separated shoulder, is there anything better than putting it in a sling and resting it?

Our granddaughter separated her shoulder playing volleyball. They put her in a sling and said to rest it. That's it. Seems like that's how this problem was treated 40 years ago in my day. Haven't they ...more

What's the latest I should know about surgery to stabilize my AC joint?

I am going to have surgery to stabilize my AC joint. It keeps dislocating and exercising it hasn't helped. What's the latest I should know about surgery for this problem? The acromioclavicular or AC j ...more

Bad arthritis of my AC joint from an old football injury, and the surgeon is going to lop off the end of the bone. Anything I should know?

Well, I'm ready to throw the towel in. I have bad arthritis of my AC joint from an old, old football injury. I've tried everything and the pain is unrelenting. I'm going to have the surgeon lop off th ...more

Have you ever heard of something called platelet-leukocyte gel?

Have you ever heard of something called platelet-leukocyte gel? I saw an article in a magazine that said it is used to speed up healing after surgery. I'm having a decompression procedure for shoulder ...more

Do you think it's true that volleyball players have more shoulder dislocations than anyone else?

Do you think it's true that volleyball players have more shoulder dislocations than anyone else? What about second or third dislocations? Two girls on our team are out with their first shoulder disloc ...more

My shoulder popped out of the socket and went right back in. Will I be okay?

I injured my shoulder playing touch football. It popped out of the socket but went right back in. The orthopedic surgeon I saw thinks it will be okay but there is a risk or it popping out again. If it ...more

How is it possible that I have a rotator cuff tear and don't remember injuring it?

The orthopedic surgeon who is treating me showed me the MRI results and I definitely have a tear in the rotator cuff. But I don't remember ever injuring this arm so how is that possible? The shoulder ...more

What results should I expect from joint resurfacing for shoulder arthritis?

I'm thinking about having a procedure done for my shoulder arthritis called joint resurfacing. The surgeon tells me this has been around a good 30 years so it's not new. If that's true, what kind of r ...more

Doesn't it usually take more than a soft fall to dislocate a senior's arm?

I was walking out to the car to take my 86-year-old father to a dental appointment when he went down. No warning at all. One minute he was up and going, the next he was down and out. He didn't fall ha ...more

Is it normal when a doctor pops a dislocated shoulder back into place and a senior can't seem to move it after 3 months?

I'm a little concerned about my 72-year-old mother. She fell at home and dislocated her shoulder. The emergency room doctor was able to pop it back in place but she still can't seem to move it normall ...more

Where can I as an orthopedic surgeon find a report on postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis?

I am an orthopedic surgeon and thought you might be able to help me out. I saw a report on postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis somewhere recently but can't find it again. I seem to recall there ...more

Why do I need more tests if everyone tells me I have a shoulder impingement problem?

Everyone I see tells me I have a shoulder impingement problem yet I keep having to go for more tests. First it was X-rays, now it's an MRI. If they know what's wrong with me, why do I need another exp ...more

Platelet-Leukocyte Gel for Shoulder Impingement

Is a sling for a separated shoulder the best treatment

Open Incision versus Arthroscopically to remove tip of collarbone at AC joint

Do you think it makes any difference whether surgery to remove the tip of the collarbone at the AC joint is done with an open incision versus arthroscopically? I can have it done either way if I want ...more

Is there a risk of my shoulder popping out of my socket again

Is it true that volleyball players have more shoulder dislocations than anyone else

How is it possible to have a tear in the rotator cuff with injury

My right shoulder seems too loose and even hangs down compared to my left

I am in a quandry as to what to do. I have always been athletic but have started developing some shoulder problems in my 30s that I can't seem to overcome. My right shoulder seems too loose and even h ...more

What activity and exercise can I do after a cortisone shot in my shoulder

I just came back from the orthopedic surgeon's office where I got a shot of cortisone in my shoulder for an impingement problem. I forgot to ask what I can and can't do for activity and exercise. Now ...more

Cortisone Injection -- Best Dose

I'm thinking about having a cortisone injection into my shoulder. Since I'm very sensitive to all medications, can I suggest the physician use a lower dose than usual? Is this out of line?

Physical therapy or Surgery for Rotator Cuff Tear

I have severe shoulder pain and very limited motion. The surgeon says I have a Stage I tear of the rotator cuff and wants me to go to physical therapy. I think I need surgery. Should I get a second op ...more

Treat Bone Spur on Acromion or Scapular Dyskinesia?

I'm trying to figure out what to do about my shoulder. The X-ray shows a big bone spur under the part the surgeon called the acromion. The rotator cuff is torn and I have something the physical therap ...more

What should I consider for a failed rotator cuff repair?

I had a rotator cuff repair surgery six months ago that failed. The surgeon wants to redo it. What sorts of things should I consider? Surgeons everywhere are grappling with the fact that rotator cuff ...more

Is it possible to tear the rotator cuff and not know it?

Is it possible to tear the rotator cuff and not know it? I don't have any pain but my shoulder just doesn't work the way it should. I seem to recall injuring my arm years ago. Do you think I should se ...more

Rehab for full thickness rotator cuff tear

I had a full-thickness rotator cuff tear that was repaired using a special blood plasma product. It's supposed to speed up healing and recovery. Right now I'm still in the special pillow sling. I'm no ...more

Rotator Cuff Surgey with Osteoporosis

I am considering having rotator cuff surgery but my surgeon says my osteoporosis may be a problem. I've been told that my brittle bones may make it harder to get a good result. Is there anything I can ...more

My very large rotator cuff repair did not hold

I had a very large rotator cuff tear repaired but it didn't hold. The surgeon said it was both a mechanical and a biologic failure. Can you explain it? Massive (very large) rotator cuff tears are at ...more

What is wrong with my shoulder

I had X-rays and a bunch of tests done to figure out what's wrong with my shoulder. I was told I have a shoulder impingement and need an MRI. The MRI wasn't "conclusive" so now I need "diagnostic arth ...more

Risk in Delaying Rotator Cuff Surgery

Do you think there's any risk in delaying rotator cuff surgery indefinitely? I'd like to take a wait-and-see approach but I'm afraid that could jeopardize surgery if it turns out that's what I'll need ...more

Why can't I lift a bike after a shoulder replacement

I saw a picture in a biking magazine of a guy who could lift his mountain bike up over his head after having a shoulder replacement. I have a shoulder replacement and there's no way I can do that. Why ...more

Why did I end up with a frozen shoulder

How in the world did I end up with a frozen shoulder? I'm 36-years-old, very healthy, and athletic. But one day I woke up with a stiff shoulder and the rest is history. Three years later and I am stil ...more

Rehab and recovery of posterior shoulder dislocations?

I'm finding quite a bit on the Internet about anterior shoulder dislocations but not much about posterior dislocations. What are the guidelines for rehab and recovery for this kind of injury? Shoulder ...more

What's the difference between a frozen shoulder and adhesive capsulitis?

What's the difference between a frozen shoulder and adhesive capsulitis? The term frozen shoulder has been around since the early 1930s. But recent research has been able to show that every stiff, pa ...more

One of my shoulder blades is sticking out

I was trying on clothes at the mall the other day in front of those three-way mirrors. I noticed that one of my shoulder blades is sticking out. What could be causing this? Should I do anything about ...more

Weird shoulder problem

I am having a weird shoulder problem. I don't have any pain but every time I reach back to put my seatbelt on, my left shoulder clunks. What could be causing this? You may have some shoulder instabili ...more

New platelet inject therapy for tendon problems

I have a chronic shoulder "instability." It's not bad enough to justify the expense of surgery yet but it is affecting my daily activities. I've heard that there's a new platelet injection therapy for ...more

MRI misread after a rotator cuff tear?

The MRI I had taken of my right shoulder showed that my rotator cuff tear (repaired 10 years ago) was no longer whole. Somewhere along the line, it tore again. I never felt a thing and the arm works j ...more

Is it normal to have an atrophied muscle after tearing a rotator cuff?

I knew I tore my rotator cuff a couple of years ago but it didn't bother me so I didn't have surgery. When I started developing some shoulder pain, the orthopedic surgeon did an MRI on me and found th ...more

Surgery for a chronically dislocating shoulder?

My sister has a chronically dislocating shoulder. She tried rehab but got kicked out because she either didn't go to her appointments or if she did, she didn't do her exercises. Should she have surger ...more

How would you handle a shoulder dislocated posteriorly?

My 18-year-old son had a seizure severe enough that his shoulder dislocated posteriorly. The shoulder has popped back in but there is a concern that it will pop out again. The surgeon doesn't want to ...more

Is my rotator cuff tear related to the damage of my biceps pulley?

I just found out that I have a rotator cuff tear and damage to the biceps pulley. I'm having surgery next week for both. Are these two problems part of the same thing, separate issues, related to each ...more

Is everything that goes wrong with muscles, etc. related to age?

Is everything that goes wrong with muscles, tendons, and joints related to age? I've had two shoulder injuries that the surgeon says are both caused by "degeneration". One was a rotator cuff tear. The ...more

Is physical therapy with surgery as back-up a good plan to heal from a full-thickness tear of my rotator cuff?

What are the chances I can heal from a full-thickness tear of my rotator cuff? Only the supraspinatus tendon was damaged. Right now they are recommending physical therapy with surgery as a back-up pl ...more

Surgery to release part of my biceps tendon away from my shoulder?

I am a cabinet maker with an unfortunate problem: shoulder pain. The surgeon wants to release part of my biceps tendon away from the shoulder. She says this won't affect my work and will probably redu ...more

Will I need surgery for a shoulder 'Popeye deformity'?

I'm on my third shoulder surgery now. Now I have what they call a "Popeye deformity." Will I need surgery for this? A Popeye deformity is defined as any abnormal shortening or defect of the biceps mus ...more

I still have pain after a rotator cuff repair - should I see my physical therapist?

I had a rotator cuff repair but I still have shoulder pain. It's right in the front of my arm and mostly hurts when I raise my arm up. Should I go back to the surgeon? See my physical therapist? Give ...more

What can a physical therapist do for coracoid impingement?

My orthopedic surgeon thinks I have something called coracoid impingement. She wants me to see a physical therapist before considering surgery. What can a therapist do for this problem? The coracoid ...more

What is chondrolysis

What is chondrolysis? My sister says she got this after having arthroscopic shoulder. Can anything be done about this? Chondrolysis is defined as a generalized (all over) loss of the articular (surfac ...more

Is it possible to have a rotator cuff strain that is not a rotator cuff tear?

Is it possible to have a rotator cuff strain that is not a rotator cuff tear? When it comes to injuries of the rotator cuff, there are actually three possibilities. There can be a strain, muscle tear ...more

Am I doing the right exercises even though I tore my rotator cuff?

Despite my daily workout routine I tore my rotator cuff. The surgeon says I probably had a worn out tendon to begin with and the exercises helped but couldn't prevent the injury. Is this true? Maybe I ...more

What is the recovery time for a 66-year-old after tearing my rotator cuff?

I'm 66-years-old and participating in the Senior Olympics for the first time. Right out of the shoot, I tore my rotator cuff (the subscapularis muscle). What would you predict for recovery time? The l ...more

Can I get a new reversed shoulder replacement?

Can anyone get one of those new reversed shoulder replacements? I had a regular shoulder implant that didn't work so I need to replace the replacement. The reverse shoulder arthroplasty is a new enoug ...more

Info on reverse shoulder replacements?

Can you please give me some basic info on reverse shoulder replacements? Along with hip and knee joint replacements, shoulder replacement has become increasingly popular for people with pain and loss ...more

Will a rotator cuff tear just go away?

If I have a rotator cuff tear but it doesn't bother me, what are the chances it will just go away? The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendinous attachments that surround the shoulde ...more

Is there a easy way to treat a frozen shoulder?

I have a frozen shoulder that just isn't getting better. I've heard they can put you to sleep and manipulate the joint. Is there some other easier way to get the motion back without that kind of traum ...more

What's the difference between adhesive capsulitis and a frozen shoulder?

What's the difference between adhesive capsulitis and a frozen shoulder? I thought they were the same thing but my sister who is a physician's assistant says they are not. Your sister is correct: froz ...more

What's the best way to recover from a frozen shoulder?

What's the best way to recover from a frozen shoulder? Many adults (mostly women) between the ages of 40 and 60 years of age develop a strange case of shoulder pain and stiffness called adhesive caps ...more

Am I too old to have shoulder surgery?

Am I too old to have shoulder surgery? I've had a bum shoulder for 20 years. I'm getting too old to put up with this problem. Is it too late to have the surgery now? In theory, yes, you could have sur ...more

Can I skip surgery for a Bankart lesion in both shoulders?

I'm playing the odds here. With a Bankart lesion in both shoulders, I'm trying to rehab with physical therapy and skip the surgery. What's the likelihood that I can recover on my own? A Bankart lesion ...more

Do I have a subluxation or a dislocation?

If my shoulder popped out of the socket but went back in the socket by itself, do I have a subluxation or a dislocation? Subluxation is usually defined as an incomplete instability event that did not ...more

When lifting my arms overhead, Is it a heart problem when my hands go numb?

Loss of circulation to the hands can occur with arms raised overhead from one of several different problems.

Physical therapy and Rehab or Surgery?

I have a chronic shoulder problem from a degenerating rotator cuff and now bursitis on top of it. The surgeon has given me two treatment choices to consider: physical therapy and rehab or surgery. I r ...more

Do you need surgery for a torn chest muscle?

Mother is 72-years old but fairly frail and immobile. She tore a muscle in her chest when the nurses aide was helping transfer her from the bed to the chair. The doctor says not to do surgery (and we ...more

Can you diagnose a major chest rupture without an X-ray?

Our son is in the military and just ruptured his major chest muscle bench pressing. They made this diagnosis without even an X-ray. Should we accept the physician's assistant's opinion or insist on hi ...more

Are there simpler tests than ultrasound to confirm shoulder bursitis?

My doctor thinks I have shoulder bursitis but wants me to have some ultrasound studies done to confirm it. Aren't there some simpler tests that can answer this? There are some clinical tests examiners ...more

When can I remove my abduction brace after rotator cuff surgery?

My sister-in-law and I had the same surgery for a rotator cuff tear two days apart. She's already out of her abduction brace and I'm still lugging mine around. Is it safe for me to stop wearing mine n ...more

Is reverse arthroplasty or ball in socket joint surgery better?

My mother fell out of bed and broke her upper arm. She will need a shoulder replacement. She has a choice of the traditional ball in socket joint or the new reverse arthroplasty. Can you give us some ...more

Is it normal to experience stiffness six months after rotator cuff and labrum surgery?

I had shoulder surgery about six months ago. They repaired a torn rotator cuff and a torn labrum. The joint just seems so stiff some days. Is this normal? According to surgeon observation and reported ...more

How did I end up with a rotator cuff and labral tear without an injury?

How is it possible for a relatively healthy 53-year-old to end up with a rotator cuff and labral tear of the shoulder at the same time without an injury? Most rotator cuff tears are the result of spor ...more

What type of surgery can be done to tighten up my shoulder joint?

I am 33-years-old and retiring from a professional ball throwing career. My pitching arm has become unstable from overuse. The team doc has suggested I have surgery to tighten up the joint so it will ...more

Can I move on after completing pendulum exercises after rotator cuff surgery?

Two weeks ago, I had rotator cuff surgery. I'm doing the pendulum exercises the physical therapist showed me but I think these are stupid. I'm really ready to start using the arm more. Is there any re ...more

Is rotator cuff operation better now than it was 10 years ago?

My sister had a rotator cuff repair 10 years ago and had a rough time of it. The tear reopened after surgery and she ended up having two more operations. Now I find myself in the same position of need ...more

How soon will I be able to get back into action after rotator cuff surgery?

I just had rotator cuff surgery and start rehab in about a month to six weeks. I don't have a job that involves manual labor but I do enjoy a high level of sports activities on the weekends. How soon ...more

Is there an explanation why ultrasound would show a muscle tear that isn't torn?

I had an ultrasound picture of my rotator cuff that showed something weird. The muscle that was starting to show signs of wear and tear wasn't torn. It was the other (healthier looking) muscle next to ...more

Treatment time for shoulder dislocation

I saw a physical therapist after dislocating my left shoulder. She put me through a complete program until I was ready to get back to work. From start to finish, I was back on the job in eight weeks. ...more

What does Physiotherapy for Snapping Scapular Syndrome Involve?

I confess I'm not much for exercise, so when I was diagnosed with snapping scapula syndrome, I skipped the surgeon's recommendation for physical therapy and just took the antiinflammatory pills. But s ...more

What causes pinching pain in the shoulder?

I just found out my shoulder pain is caused by something getting pinched in there. We're not sure just what's getting pinched but the MRIs should help clear up the anatomy of the problem. What's the c ...more

How is laser used to treat should impingement problems?

Have you ever heard of using laser to treat a shoulder impingement problem? How does it work?

Are rotator cuff tears linked to age?

I was very active in sports during my high school and college years. I never hurt myself and always felt proud of that fact. But now it turns out I have a rotator cuff tear in both shoulders and didn' ...more