I cannot lift my arm

[klyball]

I heard two "pops" while training and felt severe pain in my shoulder. I iced and am taking anti-inflammatories. No swelling, no discoloration and no diformity but I cannot lift my arm forward or to the side.
X-ray was taken - negative.
Does it sound like the two deltoid muscles?
What can be done? I still have many months of training prior to a mission.
Need help fast!

[Heidi]

Hi,

If you literally cannot lift the arm up away from the side then this indicates a muscle rupture. Deltoid is unlikely because it is such a large, strong muscle.

I would think, depending on the exercise you were doing at the time, that one of the rotator cuff has been torn. Possibly supraspinatus:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/shoulder/supraspinrupt.htm

You need to get an MRI scan to confirm this, an x-ray won't show anything soft-tisse wise.

[klyball]

I believe it is the supraspinitis. How long is too long to wait?
Concerned!

[Heidi]

You need to ideally get an MRI scan to confirm the damage and the extent of the tear. Return to your Dr and apply some pressure!
Only then will you really know what treatment will work best and how long it will take to heal and allow you to train again.

[klyball]

Based on physical tests it is the infraspinatus.
I cannot go directly to the DR because I have training (Navy) I MUST finish.
Based on testing it appears it is a complete tear. How long before the muscle/tendon contracts too far to be repaired.
Also, how long is the recovery and can it be repaired arthroscopicly(sp)?