Rehab?

[Mrbobcat]

Hey guys, I had my first rehab yesterday for my shoulder (good shoulder bad thread). Today, it is worse than ever. I can't even raise it without intense pain. I can't lay on that side either and it now hurts to the touch. She thinks its either a small rotator cuff tear or impingement. We did stretches, range of motion (left side is bad), tested strength (left side 3 on a 5 scale). Then I did some pulling on a rope above the head (one side pulls the other). That did'nt bother me until I had to do it with the elbows out (that hurt like you know what). Then some various shrugs and such without weight. Then some ultrasound therapy that did'nt seem to do anything. She says these stretches and exercises will help cut down on inflammation. I don't see how if its aggravating the shoulder and we're not sure what the problem is (esp. if it's a tear). I have'nt seen the specialist yet (see him a week from Mon.) and am not on any anti-inflammatories since I'm not supposed to take ibruprofen or aspirin. I don't know if I should go back. I'm also worried about the charges. They won't tell me how much it is, but insurance should pay 80%. I also know MRI's are outrageous and I have'nt been able to keep up with bills since I graduated the LPN program a couple months ago (still no nursing job). I had to go back full-time at the factory and that is aggravating it. She did say d no pushing or pulling for the upper body if I must work out (only do legs, arms and cardio). I did try to do chest and back for the first time in about a month on Sat. and could do light chins once I got my arm up there, but could'nt do 1-arm rows or peck flys without pain. I could'nt even hold the bar on bench, so I said the heck with that and bent laterals with only 5lb hurt, let alone rotator cuff exercises. Now I'm confused, since I have pain while doing the rehab exercises, whats wrong with pain while doing light rotator cuff, peck flys or partial lateral raises? I know now, I should'nt try to do the flys or rows for awhile. Heck, I can't even take a shower, put on a coat or tie my shoes without pain now. BTW, she did'nt say if heat or ice would help. Any advice on the rehab or what I should be doing?

[joemomma]

Get yourself an MRI ASAP. My last one ran about $1400 before insurance, so you'll be out a couple hundred bucks maybe (and of course there was nothing wrong - YEAH RIGHT!). Anyway, I would alternate ice and heat and stay off anything that bothers it.
I just took a week off and it did wonders for my shoulder.

[Mrbobcat]

Ok, I did'nt go back to rehab. I can't even find a comfortable position to sleep and it hurts all the time now. Anyway, I finally got approved for workers comp (at least for initial diagnosis) so I went to urgent care today. The doc on duty thinks its a torn rotator cuff, but not sure how bad. The x-ray revealed some calcification, but will probably need an MRI if I can get approved. I don't see the specialist for another week. They gave me some vicodin and suggested I don't use my arm and gave me a sling (yeah right-took it right off). He said I should take the week off of work, but I would'nt get paid and need the money. Think I should go in and just see if I can do light duty? There are'nt that many light jobs there though.
I guess lifting is out. The only thing that bothered it on leg and arm day was stiff-leg deads, but squats may not be good either because of the weight on the shoulders. I'm not sure about curls either, but I was going real light. My chest and back workout is now a joke. I could do chins, pullovers and low chest presses a week ago, but yesterday I could'nt do any of those (maybe 40lbs on the press hurt). I probably should'nt be doing the 1-arm shrugs either. All I was left to try was light long pulley rows and they did'nt feel great. So, I thought I'd at least try to do some neck since I have'nt done them in awhile. Well, I can't even hold the weight with the left hand and sort of awkward holding with one hand. You guys think I should continue the leg and arm workout, maybe without bis and discontinue the upper body workout or just take a break altogether since its messed up now anyway? Maybe I could start some cardio and do some leg presses and curls. Although my upper legs are my only body parts that don't really need any more size compared to the rest of me.

[Hawkwind]

As much as it sucks that you cannot lift. At this point until you know for sure what you are dealing with I would just stick to cardio and avoid further injury. Never hurts to keep the cv system in good order. I can understand you not wanting to miss work so I myself would be apt to see about 'light' duty. You already know it's going to bother the shoulder so again...I would skip the training until you know exactly what is wrong.

[Mrbobcat]

Yeah, it would probably be smart to not risking it by trying to work around it. I'm still not sure about work this week. I don't know how workers comp works. I have'nt been officially approved I think. They did give me a packet with a prescription card. I heard if you are off 8 days, they start paying you. Right now I have a slip for 7 days, but my next appointment is next Monday right before work. If it does feel better by then, maybe I could still say it hurts and get another couple days off. I would rather go to work (since there is'nt much to do with a bad shoulder anyway), but maybe the rest will help. I just can't afford no pay for a week. I also hope going to the doctor on my own a few weeks ago will not hurt anything. I don't think it will since I did say it has gotten worse at work and I don't know when or where it happened for sure. Anybody know how the workers comp works or advise what to do?

[Mrbobcat]

I was denied workers comp because I went to the doctor on my own a few weeks ago and did'nt report it until a week later. I guess I should have researched the WC rules, but then again, I thought the cortisone shot would clear it up. They did say I could file for FMLA which should help if I'm off for awhile. BTW, I've been sitting around resting it and it seems to be getting worse, I can't hardly move it at all without pain. My shoulder hurts to the touch and is now red around the front and side. I'm using ice and heat (ice does'nt seem to help. I read that you should'nt keep it perfectly still and should do some ROM and stretching, but I hate to because it hurts and made it worse last time I tried it. I tried to do the easy one where you bend over and let your arm dangle-can't even get the arm to relax. I think I'm screwed-I already probably have a $300 bill and I'm sure an MRI is gonna be at least that with my 20%. What can you do though. I have to get this better. I don't even know if I could get a nursing job (pass the physical) if one of the places calls me back (but its not looking promising). Maybe they'll be hiring after the holidays, but if I need surgery, it will probably be several months before I'm back to near normal...