Need a little help Torn Rotator Cuff ..symptoms?

I think I have a torn Rotator Cuff. Can't reach behind to grab something, hurts in upper arm. Can't sleep on shoulder. Seems any movement backwards causes pain. If I hold my arms out front with my fists towards my chest I can only raise my left arm level with my shoulder, right arm almost touches my ear.


This started about 2 months ago when I tried to keep a box from falling while getting it out of attic, and is getting worse, 3-4 Advil 3 times a day..

Another 2 weeks before I get to see the doctor.

You should probably just go see a doctor now.

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

You should probably just go see a doctor now.

This. Two years is a long time to "put up" with a problem. Hopefully they don't have to amputate.

Ice it down, then heat it up. Go to Dick's Sporting Goods, or something similar and pick up an ice pack for baseball pitchers. Pick up a heating pad, too. Rotate them while taking Ibuprofen to take down the swelling.

Source: former college pitcher.

Originally Posted by IdahoToyo

This. Two years is a long time to "put up" with a problem. Hopefully they don't have to amputate.

2 years =/= 2 months.

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

2 years =/= 2 months.

Read to fast, my apologies for ruining your day.

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

Ice it down, then heat it up. Go to Dick's Sporting Goods, or something similar and pick up an ice pack for baseball pitchers. Pick up a heating pad, too. Rotate them while taking Ibuprofen to take down the swelling.

Source: former college pitcher.

Exactly.

I had a sore shoulder with the same symptoms for months, thought I had a partial tear. MRI came back negative. Took 2 months off with ice bath and problem is gone.

Originally Posted by IdahoToyo

Read to fast, my apologies for ruining your day.

Sorry to rustle jimmies.

Search youtube for rotator cuff physical therapy exercises. I had mine nearly severed with no insurance and no money. I went 6 months without using my left arm, and those movements are the only thing that brought the use back into my arm. Also take aleave, or another type of anti inflammatory drug instead of advil.

Originally Posted by Vin Vega

Search youtube for rotator cuff physical therapy exercises. I had mine nearly severed with no insurance and no money. I went 6 months without using my left arm, and those movements are the only thing that brought the use back into my arm. Also take aleave, or another type of anti inflammatory drug instead of advil.

I would.. but Aleave gives me insomnia..stayed awake for 48hrs when I was taking it..had lots of time to do stuff..

I have been taking it easy, just odd how it snuck up

Holy shit your arm is going to fall off.

Apley's scratch test is the typical orthopedic exam for a torn rotator. Reach up and around to your back and try and scatch your back between your shoulder blades. Then reach down and around to your back and try to do the same. Most people with torn rotators will not be able to do this. Whether the dysfunction is by going over or by going under will pinpoint which of the 4 muscles is torn.

You probably have AIDs

If only there were some sort of person you could go to who would be willing to help you and be knowledgeable about diagnosing and treating such a thing.

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

Sorry to rustle jimmies.

Appreciate the apology, all is well in jimmy land

Maybe you could have a shoulder impingement. I am dealing with this in both of my shoulders right now and it hurts like crazy. Dr put me on Naproxen and I am going to have to start doing physical therapy for them.

Fatrusty, I had the exact same problem that persisted for years while in the military, just pushed through it till I could not even do a push-up or even the swinging motion of running killed me! After 2 surgery's by a surgeon who specialized in sports injuries, to this day I still can't hand wax my B. He fixed it once, and started back to my training. Tore it up again a year later, second surgery. Still only have half range of mobility, and endurance is gone in the right shoulder. If it has to be operated on, it takes a lot of time and physical therapy, to get it back. I did not let it heal long enough, and paying for it almost daily. Buy an excellent back scratcher!

Originally Posted by sfcjetjr

Fatrusty, I had the exact same problem that persisted for years while in the military, just pushed through it till I could not even do a push-up or even the swinging motion of running killed me! After 2 surgery's by a surgeon who specialized in sports injuries, to this day I still can't hand wax my B. He fixed it once, and started back to my training. Tore it up again a year later, second surgery. Still only have half range of mobility, and endurance is gone in the right shoulder. If it has to be operated on, it takes a lot of time and physical therapy, to get it back. I did not let it heal long enough, and paying for it almost daily. Buy an excellent back scratcher!

Reading this response is pretty scary since I also just posted a shoulder injury thread in the H&F section. I go to my first PT appt on Monday for it, but I don't think mine is as bad as yours. I can do push ups pull ups lift other muscle groups but just certain shoulder movements hurt me a good amount. I will definitely be letting this heal 100%

Why would you seek medical advice on a car forum? Why would you not use google or even visit a doctor?

Grow up.