[jtc]

I am not looking for advice, just some thoughts. I have injured my shoulder, I think it is bicep tendonitis and i have a ortho appt in 3-4 weeks.<br><br>
so my question is this, is there a way to tell if it is torn? I have done nothing for the past week and the pain hasn;t subsided, i take 2400 milligrams of ibuprofen a day. I have tried ice and heat. i have tried to do some PT but doing that hurts. The arm swing during runs, hurts.<br><br>
So if i tore it, is there a way to tell or suspect it?<br><br>
j

 

[merigayle]

i think an MRI would be the only way to know.

 

[fox-runr]

is the range of motion of you neck okay? Sometimes upper body tightness can affect your arms. I had a knot in my neck that affected my arms really bad, but after a week I wasn't able to turn my head either. If your pain is generalized to one area, something's going on.<br><br>
Why is your ortho appointment so many weeks away?? I can understand the ortho trying to dx based on range of motion and area of pain......and then if it doesn't subside order an MRI, but not seeing the ortho when the pain isn't subsiding with ice, rest, and NSAIDs?? I'm not saying that it can't be a stubborn case of tendonitis, but if I were unable to function without pain in 2 weeks, I'd be seeing the ortho and wanting an MRI. Having had torn muscles before <img alt="sad10.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad10.gif"> , even a tear would start to feel better (unless you are re-tearing it---which it probably "is" difficult not to use your biceps in general, everday life??????)

 

[jtc]

Neck is ok. it is limited to the shoulder, top right. I agree that there is definitely something wrong, especially since i can;t hold weight above my head.<br><br>
As for the Ortho, i wanted to see a specific ortho, who specializes in shoulders and who came highly recommended by a cow orker whose husband used him (he was a pro hockey player at the time) so that was very important to.<br><br>
j

 

[merigayle]

can you get an MRI prior to the consult with the ortho? Because most likely you will see him, then he'll send you out for an MRI, wait for the results, and then see you again.

 

[jtc]

you know meri, i never thought about that. i don't know that i could just schedule an MRI without a Dr script. I guess i could call my insurance and see what they suggest.<br><br>
thats an extremely interesting thought, thx<br>
j

 

[merigayle]

or ask your primary dr for a script for it.

 

[fox-runr]

sometimes an MRI takes longer than a doc appt. When my DH broke his wrist, it was 5 weeks before he could have the MRI...yet the MRI was really needed to see if he needed pins. He called another surgery clinic one town over and got the MRI the next day.

 

[drgenie]

I agree, get the MRI now. My occu doc sent me ASAP and then made the consult to the ortho, because he knew they'd do it anyway and this saved time.