There's Something Else Going On Here

I went to the orthopedic doctor friday. I love this guy. Not only is he a terrific doctor, he is also very compassionate towards people with arthritis. Right off the bat, he took a whole new set of xrays, because he didn’t like the views provided by my GP.


First of all, yes, I do have arthritis in my shoulders. Does it explain the level of pain I’m now experiencing? No. He showed me the evidence of arthritis in my xrays. There were numerous examples that he pointed out to me. But it isn’t bad enough to explain the horrible pain I feel when I get dressed.


He interviewed me about my symptoms, and asked me all kinds of questions. Then he tested me on my range of motion, and strength/weakness. He would have me provide resistance as he pushed on my arms or my hands in various positions. He also informed me that I have carpel tunnel, but that's another issue.


He said what I have is rotator cuff impingement. This can be caused by three things. 1) tendonitis/bursitis 2) a tear in the rotator cuff 3) a hole in the rotator cuff. If it is tendonitis or bursitis (sort of like tennis elbow, only in your shoulder), he will continue to treat me, and likely put me into physical therapy. If it is the tear in the rotator cuff, or the hole in the rotator cuff (and a pin hole is all it would take), both of these require surgery, and he would refer me to the shoulder specialist that he’s partners with. (This is an office of numerous specialists).


He said I need an MRI to determine what the problem is. He wanted it done immediately, and had the nurse call the hospital right then and there to schedule it. So I go for the MRI Monday morning, at 5:30 am. (They were shocked that I didn’t even hesitate at the early hour, lol! But I’m a morning person. Early doesn't bother me at all.) Dh will go into work late, and stay with Nathan while I go for the test. My meds have been changed, to increase the anti-inflamatories and gave me a stronger pain killer to help me sleep at night.



So my GP was right and wrong. Right in the fact that I do have arthritis, but wrong in the fact that this pain is not typical of my level of arthritis. And now I’m headed for either physical therapy, or shoulder surgery.


I feel vindicated and scared, all at the same time. I knew this didn’t feel like just arthritis. But wow, I didn’t expect shoulder surgery, either.