Scared newbie with questions. Shoulder OA.

Thanks Talon.

i do have an excellent orthopedic surgeon, ao that's the good thing. Actually, I haven't seen her yet but she has already called me on the phone and told me I can call her cell if I get into trouble before my appoiuntment next week. She is a shoulder specialist and ... here's the amazing thing ... she was the team surgeon for an NFL team so she's been trusted with million-dollar shoulders. i feel really good about this doctor, not only because of her amazing qualifications but because of her bedside manner before I even set foot in her office. (Ok, we have a mutual friend so I might be getting some special treatment here. That's ok with me!)

Interesting thought that this may be more than arthritis. i hadn't thought there could be multiple problems. My GP, who I don't have a lot of trust in, always gives me the first diagnosis he sees and sends me on my way. when i first went to him with my shoulder, i mentioned the pain radiates up my neck. he said i have a neck proble, not a shoulder proble. he did a chiropractic type manipulation and said i was cured. ummmmm, no. so it wouldnt surprise me that a radiology report showing OA was enough for him to stop looking any further. Totally hadn't thought about this being more than OA until you said it, but that makes sense.

I am sorry you have gone through so much with your shoulder. sounds like a lot of painful procedures with little result. I'm really sorry for you but it sounds like you have a good attitude. I need a good attitide like yours. Working on it. I had a good night's sleep last night so I'm hoping for a good day today.

Thanks so much for your response.

News,
Sounds like you have everything under control. That is great that the surgeon is attentive- always helps to have a positive professional relationship!
Hopefully all will go well, and you will get a diagnosis that can be worked out.

Forgot to answer your question, Talon. Yes, it is the AC joint.

Thanks, Bill. I do hope I don't need surgery, though, because I live alone and have nobody to help me get through recovery. I'm not sure what I would do.

This pain is so weird. I was pretty good for a couple days, even had zero pain at some points yesterday. But right now at this moment it hurts so much that it's making me nauseous. Or maybe the nausea is a Celebrex side effect. Not sure but I feel awful right now. Sleepless night means tomorrow is going to suck, too.

I don't mean to whine. I know there are people on this board who have it worse than I do. This just particularly sucks right at this moment.

Thanks Nogod and Talon. I do tend to try to think through the worst case scenarios. Speaking of ... Talon you gave me a new worst case to think about. Hadn't thought about FAILED surgery yet. Yipes! And sorry you went through so much. Sounds miserable.

And Nogod, it makes me feel better to know you got through major surgery alone so it's good to know it's doable. Thanks for sharing that. And I didn't know insurance sometimes covers home health aides if necessary. Good to know that's a possibility.

I've been lucky my whole life health-wise. Never been hospitalized or had any surgeries other than minor dental stuff, so it's all new to me, including this pain. it's not as bad as what either of you have been through, but I've never hurt this much for so long before. Can't wait for some relief. Two more days til the ortho. I've never been so looking forward to a doctor's appointment in all my life. I'll let you know what she says.

Thanks for the support. I very much appreciate it.

News girl,

I have both shoulders compromised from over use in my wackier full of it younger days of playing and living. Both shoulders have screws in them to keep them from dislocating. This is only way to keep them from dislocating other than joint reversal surgery. Just have to wait on that ..my hippy club is calling me, need revision surgery first. The THR..ORTHOPEDIC club that is...I helped formed a support group at the local hospital. We all remember the 60 and the hippies ..thus the hippy club.

I did rehab learning how to build strength and move without reinjuring my shoulders. I tried injections ETANERCEPT helped the most it is a biological drug three injections over 18 month period. It gave me back my life. Then the injury was so severe screws were added . Lots of rest and icing helped on bad days a immobilizer to keep shoulders in proper place for healing was another technique to healing.

Now the pain has been tolerable and mobility is a lot less than normal. Lifting is a real non weight bearing issue. Nothing heavier than a gallon of milk.

I have OA, PSA, RA FM. All complicate long term mobility and pain issues.

I admit all the sports hobbies and activities were all stressful on all my joints. When younger u feel no respect for injuries that will effect UR life as u age.. As arthritis runs in our family and I still wait
for the next journey so I can still do what I luv. Maybe a little slower and a lot different as I have changed things to meet the limitations I have with no regret for all the wear and tear in my past life. Hehe..
I'm happy I did them all..

TC & stay well
(( hugs))
Chotti

ket = MET

NewsGirl

Glad to hear you got a good medical team and some answers.

Take care,
Bill

This thread is a bit old but I'm replying in case others have the same question.

I found that in fact my shoulder pain did improve considerably, but it took 8 years, which is an awfully long time.

It can be hard for you to know the actual cause of the pain. I always assumed that my pain was bone rubbing on bone. But when it finally improved 8 years later I suspected that much of the original pain was INFLAMMATION after an injury. You can't grow back cartilage as far as I know, but inflammation can subside.

It's important to know the difference between loss of cartilage and inflammation, because it will affect your decision to have surgery. I was adamant that I needed a shoulder replacement because my pain was so bad, and in fact the x-ray showed severe damage to the cartilage. Now I'm very glad I didn't have the surgery because if I do have it later, the new joint will last longer. If the pain is tolerable, I think it's best to postpone surgery given the limited lifespan of a replacement joint. Also, if you wait there's a chance that replacement materials and procedures will improve.

Some tips. For sleeping, I think what causes the pain is the weight of the arm hanging down for a side sleeper. The best solution is to put a pillow between your arm and your side to support your shoulder. This opens up the joint, relieving pressure. For typing I guess it doesn't really matter whether the injury is to your left or your right shoulder. I didn't have pain while typing. l wonder if putting a small rolled-up towel in your armpit would take pressure off the joint? I did that at the gym for weight liftting and it helped. It also supports and stabilizes the joint.

For me the main repercussion of my shoulder arthritis was the huge impact that it had on my overall fitness. You have to find ways to continue to be active. Try to see the dysfunction as limited to that one joint and figure out how to keep the rest of your body active, functioning, and toned.

I also advise being very attentive to your overall health, especially nutrition, exercise, and rest. I say this because 42 is considered very premature osteoarthritis. In my case the arthritis spread fairly severely to my hips, back, and the other shoulder. I fear that I hastened it along with poor overall self-care. Knowing that you have premature OA, I thing you should do whatever you can do maintain health in the rest of your joints and your body in general. There are several foods that can help or worsen inflammation.