Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Rotator cuff pain

I just tore my rotator cuff 2 weeks ago Monday. Can’t get into physical therapy till January. Is it like that everywhere? They ask “who is your regular doctor ? “ Now I say whoever is one duty that day. For the last decade or so anytime I call to see my doctor it is 2 months out to see him. What kind of healthcare is that?shot the crossbow thinking I could go hunting, that was a mistake. I need to look up the exercises you are talking about. I am glad I saw this thread. Thank you Jim 1611.

ICE and Ibuprofen. LOTS of ICE. Will help manage the inflammation until you can get it fixed.

If you have a rotator cuff tear, it will NOT heal on its own. Dealing with the pain is a recipe for disaster. The best therapy in the world can’t repair a rotator cuff tear.

If it is truly a tear, the only way to keep it from getting worse is surgical repair. I spent decades moving heavy vending machines and eventually tore both rotator cuffs. I had them repaired and with proper therapy, got all my motion back. I can’t throw a ball like I used to, but I don’t need to.

I can do anything I did before the tear and without surgery, I would be a wreck. Living with pain is a personal decision, but it is unnecessary and stupid. Get it fixed and get a good therapist and you won’t be sorry…

I went to a good ortho doc. He did a good job on the repair. BUT, after the shots wore off twelve hours later, I found out quick he was too conservative with the pain meds. He would only prescribe Hydro. My wife drove me to his office, so I could look him straight in the eyes and demand Oxy. He couldn't do it over the phone. Get Oxy for a week. Or something stronger. Then switch to the hydro after that if you need it. I was ready to kick his ass and he knew it.

It may not be a rotator cuff problem at all. It could be bursitis which is an inflammation of the bursa sac inside the shoulder. It also can be very painful.

Recliner. Now, that brings back memories. I could only sleep in a recliner, couldn’t get comfortable in bed. I had to get one with electric controls, as I couldn’t manipulate the handle on the right side. It was my right shoulder.

After surgery, it took months of PT. My surgeon is a hunter and shooter. Some years later, I was sighting in my Bud’s .416 Rem. I sent a video to my surgeon, bragging on his work. He got a chuckle.

Actually gun recoil doesn’t directly stress the RC, more shoulder girdle involvement. But, it would be hard to shoot big guns if the shoulder anatomy was “mad”.

I don’t know if one actually gets 100% original function. Pretty close, for sure. The best surgeon can’t rebuild it as well as God made it. But when it’s broke it needs fixing. And waiting too long can be counter productive.

DF

I had a tear and surgery in April 2022. Dr said it was just hanging on by a thread, so I had the surgery. The post-surgery pain wasn't bad at all. I never took the pain meds they sent me home with. Recovery was a serious inconvenience though. They make you wear this sling for 6 weeks, even to sleep. I had to quickly learn to shave, brush my teeth and wipe my butt left handed. I went to PT as prescribed and did every bit of it. After 6 months, I was about 75% healed. 99% after one year. I'm glad I had the surgery though. I am now pain free. I hope you don't need the surgery, but if you do I bet you'll be glad later. Just my 2 cents. Oh, and if you do have the surgery and need to sleep with the sling, a reclining sofa will be your best friend. Sleep upright until you need to move, then lay down on the good shoulder. Switch as needed.

I missed this post. I just did as you suggest and none of that causes any pain whatsoever. This morning most of my pain and stiffness are at the base of my neck and back side of my shoulder blade but it's not bad at all, more of a dull pain.

Appointment date is December 21st with a specialist. As many have suggested I have been using a lot of ice on this. It helps immensely especially when I try to sleep. One thing that sets this off is sitting at my desk and looking at a screen. It makes my neck sore and the muscle on top of my should sore. Fortunately it's not my job and this is the extent of my online interaction. I sure am glad to hear about all of you that have gotten back to normal after having what I may or may not have.

Shoulder girdle, shoulder muscle pain is often referred to as “shoulder” pain, when it’s not.

That’s why a good evaluation and correct diagnosis is critical.

DF

Its pretty easy to miss those spots until you hit them exactly, but the back side of the blade with the pain running up the neck or around under to the bicep is one of the spots for sure for what I mentioned.

Do get the MRI done

Absolutely. I wish my appointment was sooner and in the mean time may try to find another doctor to take a look at it but I do plan to keep the one on the 21st.

Thanks. I intend to do just that. It would be nice if this is just a strain and not the rotator cuff.

Sometimes its easier to fix when and if things show up on MRI

This sounds more like a cervical disc issue that is putting pressure on a nerve. That can cause pain and/or numbness from the pressure point all the way to the finger tips and any place in between. It can also magnify any existing pain points along the way. For example, making a minor rotator cuff injury seem major. Be careful not to guide the doctor to a conclusion.

What Shrapnel said +1000 !

JOG is right too

Same here it doesn't hurt anymore but it's never going to be like it was before the injury.

There can be lots of overlap between cervical issues and shoulder issues. You'll see ortho specialists ordering cervical MRI's to clarify those kinda questions.

Scapular trigger points can also mimic other issues. A good exam helps sort it out.

In our state, patients have direct access to physical therapists without a doctor's referral. That's another good source of info and those guys generally do a really good evaluation and can guide you in the right direction. That beats the heck out of a trip to urgent care. And generally you'll get seen quicker.

DF

I did, no help at all. finally had a complete shoulder replacement. No pain anymore. PT went smooth and easy, glad I did it.