My shoulder has continued hurting, so I finally got in to see a sports doctor. His diagnosis: I have a torn labrum. The labrum is shoulder cartilage, in the socket part of the joint.
I wondered how it could be a shoulder injury, when, in fact, the pain is in the upper arm, sort of where the arm and shoulder meet. That's because it's "referred pain," he said--it's being referred to that part of the body by nerves from the actual injury. And sure enough, when he presses on the part of my arm where I feel the pain, it doesn't hurt. It only hurts when I move my shoulder the wrong way.
I will need an MRI to confirm the diagnosis. More medical dollars spent--I think my health plan charges me $300 for MRIs.
I might be able to fix it with physical therapy, the doctor said, and I should try that first. But I may need it "scoped," he said.
What a drag.
Meanwhile, Wall Street is falling apart and I'm too busy covering it. Worked last Sunday, will need to work this weekend also, and it feels impossible--it IS impossible--to do as good a job on it as I'd like.
And I'm having heartbreaking problems with a family member. So it's been a tough week.
I did enjoy, though, my two classes this week (had to miss the others). Friday night sensei had us work on footwork in sparring class--there were six students, and we didn't work at all on free sparring. Today I went to a "core" class and got an excellent workout then as well. What would I do without this outlet.
7 comments:
That is a bummer. I'm so sorry to hear about your shoulder. Shoulder injuries can be especially annoying and they can linger. So, do what you need to do to get it better. Don't push it!
Thanks, BBM. I'll try to take your advice and not push it. Glad to hear you're back in class now--AND taking it easy.
My brother is working through the same injury. He saw a surgeon who recommended PT. He is a fly fisherman. He slipped on a rock and landed wrong on his shoulder.
Hope you feel better!
We are having a rash of shoulder problems at our school. One gent is due back within the next few weeks from surgery for a torn rotator cuff. Last night I heard that another student injured his shoulder at work, so he may be gone a while.
I hope things go well for you!
Thanks for the well wishes, Michele and Hack. I'm now planning to find another doctor for a second opinion before I launch into a lot of PT or even surgery.
Oh, man, I feel for you.
And with you, too, as I've been working through a shoulder injury of some sort as well. I've been doing some weight exercises recommended by my knee PT. It's getting a bit better, but I'm still in the crossing-my-fingers mode that'll it be alright.
I'll keep 'em crossed for you, too.
Thanks, blues, I'll do the same here.
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