Right shoulder injury

[Apurimac]

Hi folks,

In March 2010 I had a shoulder reconstruction (I think modified Weaver-Dunn. There is a screw in there somewhere and some surgilig) after 7 months previous copping a grade 3 AC joint separation. Good rehab and was pretty much back to 100% when in September was kayaking and smashed the same shoulder into a rock. From that knock I scored a distal clavicle fracture (non-displaced) millimetres inside the screw from my recon which was lucky. Again got it back up to near 100%.

I should add I train 3 times a week Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (wrestling or grappling), as well as general conditioning with sandbag etc and both whitewater and sea kayaking.

2 weeks ago all good paddled on a Friday and some shoulder pain but nothing extraordinary. Sunday went for a 5 hour sea kayak and started to get pain in my anterior deltoid and some pain on the end of my clavicle which after AC joint, clavicle fracture and recon is not real pretty.

The next day training BJJ and in warm-up the pain just became too much. No single event, noise, or immediate sharp pain but was certainly enough that I could not continue. Iced, rested, took Ibuprofen. Limited pain reduction.

Now 2 weeks later still in some pain. Not massively as I have not taken much Ibuprofen. None today and just 400mg yesterday.

Problem is in 6 weeks I am due to paddle 6000km in a kayak. At the moment my shoulder is in no state to do this.

I am having an x-ray Monday I hope which reveal any damage to the bone. I have a friend who is a therapist who says the recon still seems ok. The pain feels very much like a bone problem. Perhaps a micro-fracture in the previous clavicle fracture?

Most pain when raising straight arm in front against resistance. Other planes seem ok. Feels a bit unstable.

Thats my story. Any thoughts appreciated. Understand that getting the x-ray will reveal a lot more. Just bummed if it is some sort of connective tissue tear which requires surgery etc.

Cheers

[Heidi]

Hi
As there was no incident which caused instant pain I would guess that it is unlikely anything structural and more likely a muscle imbalance problem or muscular injury of some sort.
Obviously go for the x-ray and see what this shows.
If nothing, then this would be my guess. Rest it as much as you can and try to get a proper assessment to determine if there is a specific muscle injury or if the pain is more of a radiating pain caused by general shoulder imbalances and postural problems. This is extemely common, especially given your shoulder injury history.

[Apurimac]

Hi Heidi, thanks so much for your knowledge. This is what my friend thinks also (ie. muscle imbalance/muscular injury rather than structural) but as you also said, I will get the x-ray done to see what might be happening. I will post the results when I get them. Thanks again.

[Apurimac]

Well I have had xrays on my injured right shoulder. Good news is no news fractures. Bad news is after 3 weeks my shoulder is still in pain. I think maybe a MRI is needed. My symptoms match quite closely a labral tear I tthink. However I have excellent range of motion.

The most pain is raising straight arm front lateral against resistance. Side lateral and overhead press against resistance is fine.

Pretty frustrating. Maybe cortisone injection?

Any ideas folks?

[Heidi]

An MRI would be useful if you can get one to rule out a labrum tear. My feeling is still that it's muscular related.
Have you tried a rehab programme and some soft tissue therapy? Your friend may be able to help with this

[Apurimac]

Hi Heidi, will try and get an MRI. I have an appointment on Monday with a Musculoskeletal and Sports doctor but have to wait until June 7th to get into UCL ortho clinic.

I am hoping muscular as well. I have been doing some exercise sessions and the pain must have decreasea bit.

Will let you know.

[Apurimac]

Hi Heidi, saw one doc yesterday and he gave me a cortisone injection. 20 hours on and my shoulder feels a lot better. Fortunately I have manged to get an appoitment at UCL with the fracture clinic and the guys who did my recon. Hope to have a good answer end of the week.