Shoulder bursitis issue

[Keezheekoni]

I'm hoping that someone here can help me out. :) I have bursitis in my right shoulder and was doing my upper body workout today. When I was doing the machine press today, I heard a really loud pop in my shoulder and then couldn't lift or do any type of movement without pain. I've been doing the exercises the PT had me do to strengthen my shoulder, but I guess whatever I did today messed it up again.

Is there something that I can do to help my shoulder out? If really hurts with any movement right now. I don't know if I should ice it or heat it... I wish I still had the TENS device I had while I was pregnant. :(

Any advice appreciated!

[notme]

Gosh Rikki, are you sure it is bursitis and not adhesive capsulitis?

If it is actually bursitis, I would venture a guess and say heat followed by ice. :(

[kidg]

If you say that it's bursitis, I'll take your word for it. However, if you are unsure, I'd recommend Googling "rotator cuff injury" and taking a look at some of the exercies recommended for strengthening it. You mention that you were doing some kind of "press" which, if done poorly, can easily damage the rotator cuff. Bench press-type movements on a flat bench are a common source of this type of injury. I had this myself. The key is to find alternatives to the movements (use dumbells instead of a bar, etc.) that aggravate the inury and incorporate regular targeted exercises to strengthen the area.

The "pop" that you heard may have been the sound of your muscle moving over the joint due to misalignment. However, if it is anything more than that, you should make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon for an evaluation.

[Keezheekoni]

Well, my official diagnosis has been bursitis. I don't have the problem with rotator cuff, since my sports med doc did some tests for it... I'm going to assume it's bursitis until told otherwise. If it's still hurting tomorrow I'll call my doc. He did say that the next step would be MRI and possible surgery. :(

[notme]

My "frozen shoulder" was also diagnosed as bursitis originally rikki....that is why I asked. I also would have popping as the adhesions would break.

Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis starts off as just a nagging pain in your shoulder. As time goes on it gets worse until it is almost unbearable with quick movements. I was unable to put the back of my hand on my backside or lower back. It hurts non stop and is very very painful.

I am sure an MRI will be able to see if it is bursitis. Good luck. I hope it gets better for you soon.

[Wolf]

Before I was diagnosed with diabetes, I had a problem with my shoulder (terrible pain when making quick movements). After a couple of months of this, I finally went to the doctor and they had me do physical therapy, which didn't help, and then wanted me to undergo surgery.

Anyway, about a week before the planned surgery, I noticed that the shoulder was feeling slightly better, so I called it off to wait and see if it healed, which it gradually did.

Nobody ever linked the frozen shoulder to diabetes. I found out I had diabetes a couple of years after the shoulder problem.

Also, the same problem (though not as severe) happened with my other shoulder, which has almost completely healed.

For both shoulders it took at least 18 months to heal. The only thing I did was stretch gently to prevent "freezing" up. I didn't lift weights because that seemed to make it worse.

[fgummett]

Ouch! Meantime I suggest, painkillers so you don't make it worse by holding your arm stiff, plus alternating ice and heat, plus gentle movements. :)

Are you already seeing a Physiotherapist..? If not I'd go with one of them first, before the orthopedic surgeon... 'cos the clue is in the name "surgeon"... guess what they love to do..? OK as a last resort, but the physio will try and help you heal without cutting if at all possible.

[Keezheekoni]

I'm seeing my doctor in about 30 minutes now, so I'll update with what she thinks when I get back.

[CrazyGramma]

I have adhesive capsulitis in both my shoulders and was told by my endo and my shoulder guy that there is no connection to diabetes. Hummmmm..... My right has been bad for 3 years and my left started this year. The odd shot of cortizone and yoga keep me from getting crazy about it.

[Keezheekoni]

Well I've found out that I actually have a torn or sprained (have to get that MRI, but I'm guessing sprained) AC Joint. A lot of people get this injury doing the same weight lifting that I was doing...

Rest, ibuprofen, and ice are the prescription right now.

[mzteacher]

rikki...
sorry to hear about your shoulder....glad you could get an answer right away...hoping you feel better soon!!!
susan

[Chappo]

Hi Keez,

I've just recovered from 3 years of bursitis in my retrocalcaneal bursar (right ankle joint). Originally i was putting topical anti-inflammatory gel on the site (due to fluid and a serious amount of inflammation around my heel), but after a few months my physio sent me to a specialist to start on Cortisone injections.

The injections themselves are very painful, especially if your bursar is already fairly inflamed. However, upon needle removal after the injection, it starts to work nearly immediately, and peaks at around 3 hours post-injection.

Cortisone saved me from walking with a limp for the rest of my life. It helped get the strength back in the ankle, and now i have fully recovered and have full strength back (a long long change from 2 years ago when i couldn't walk on a cold day).

If they offer you cortisone, i would definitely advise to take it. It raises your blood sugars for a few hours after the injection, but the cortisone works for months. It is great stuff and will help you get strength back and alleviate all that pain.

In all i was receiving them around every 4 months.

Best of luck!

[Keezheekoni]

Alex, I did get the cortisone shot, and it helped the bursitis issue. Now I'm dealing with the AC joint which can't be helped with a cortisone shot, unfortunately. :( Thanks though!