How many, if any, have rotator cuff injuries on the opposite arm?

[christy]

I was doing some "research" today and ran across a case where the patient had an unnamed traumatic injury to the left arm many years ago. Now he was faced with severe pain, etc.. in the other arm. The Dr. was listing it as a "rotator cuff wear out" that he related to the result of overuse secondary to the nonfunctioning of the previously injured arm. WHen they opened this joint up this man's shoulder was a mess, like he had just worn that arm out. So my question is have any of you been diagnosed with injury to your opposite arm? I know the subject of overuse has been discussed, I was just wondering if anyone had actually been diagnosed?

Thanks

Christy

[francine]

Christy - I read your post and wanted to answer from a different perspective. My dad always had shoulder pain - he was a chef in an institution and always had to lift very heavy pots and pans, etc. He got cortisone shots a few times a year as long as I can remember. Finally when he was around 60 years old his rotator cuffs starting shredding. They did surgery on his right arm first and they put in over 400 stitches to get it back together. Then a year later they did it on the 2nd arm. The specialist told him that it was the cortisone shots that caused this kind of damage. Just wanted to pass this on - it's something to ask a doctor about in case anyone here is getting cortisone shots.

-francine

[patpxc]

I'm glad you wrote that Francine. I have a lot of shoulder problems-especially in the unaffected arm. The rheumatologist called it bursitis and wanted to give me cortisone shots-I refused--mainly because he did no X-ray or MRI. He doesn't seem to think that overuse is a problem--anyway--he told me to get the shots or find another Dr. I'm looking for another Dr. I really think that when a patient has Erb's-the reason for pain in the unaffected arm shouldbe checked out--if for no other reason than the importance of maintaining the function that is remaining --We Erbies can't afford to lose anymore. I'm a nurse and I think the tugging-lifting pushing etc. all helped contribute to my overuse. Thanks for sharing. Pat

[francine]

Pat - what about those shots that they are doing for knees.... something that replicates synovial fluid. I haven't heard that they are doing this in any other joint but I wonder about the shoulder joint. Maybe you can ask about this?

[francine]

pat - here's a link about it

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/18/1681_50322?

[patpxc]

Thanks,Francine. Pat

[christy]

Sorry I hadn't had a chance to check for a while. Thanks for the posts ladies. This particular Dr. states it (the "unaffected" arm that had the torn rot cuff) was entirely due to overuse. Maybe it is because he does BPI repairs on adults and some secondary surgeries on older teens that makes him aware of the overuse problem. I just wondered if any of the "older" posters had actually been diagnosed. I know that we, as parents, have been made aware by these posters to encourage the kiddos to take care of BOTH arms because of the overuse problems later on. Thanks again--and thank for the heads up on the cortisone shots. I have had them in the trapz areas but never a joint. Yikes!

[admin]

Cristy. I was just diagnosed with a complete rotator cuff tear after a fall about 4 months ago. While I was in the doctor's office (I've known him for quite awhile), I commented "hey doc, you aren't going to believe this but my other arm is hurting now too. Come to find out, I have worn out the rotator cuff on my right arm just trying to take on the load of the left. So, yes, it can happen. Now I face not a one-year recovery and one surgery, but a two year recover from beginning to end, with TWO surgeries.

[patpxc]

I went to the Dr. this week and again asked about rotator cuff problems because I am having so muchtrouble puuting my coat on and driving. He's calling it tendonitis. I am seeing an upper extremity specialist next month-mostly because the arthritis in my middle finger has worsend to the point that when I wash my hair and put any kind of pressure on it, it pops and shifts and causes some ungodly pain. I hope he's good and I finally get some answers. Pat

[Kathleen M]

I have had rotator cuff injury - both arms were so bad about 3 years ago I started to do research on Erb's Palsy to see if I could get better use of that arm... That is how I found UBPN....

I have had two years of intensive PT... I did Aqua therapy on my own - massage therapy - vioxx - (great but could only take it for a matter of days before I swelled up )celebrex (did no work on me) I definately have wear and tear and my left arm is worn out... shoulder - neck and especially my hand... I have severe arthritis in my fingers on unaffected hand... osteoarthritis... They think I might have to have my joints replaced but won't do it until my quality of life is gone... my unaffected arm and hand burns and stings all the time... my neck is bad I have every symptom of a worn out arm, hands and neck.

No one has ever undertaken a long range study on bpi nor on problems connected with this as a birth injury...

Pat I wish you luck... I just had my shoulder xrayed... my spine and both hands... and the doctor put me on Relafen... it helps a little.

Kath