In addition to all that is going on with my elbow and hand, I have been struggling with my shoulder. My physical therapist and I have been discussing it for weeks, and over the last month I have a heat treatment on the shoulder before we start working on my elbow. I have noticed that as the elbow pain is improving, this annoying shoulder is not. So, last week I told the therapist that I had a special request - that we NOT worry about the arm or hand and concentrate on the shoulder because now it is keeping me up at night.
Because of the shoulder pain, I am unable to lift my arm out to the side or over my head. I was given a series of exercises to help stretch my shoulder that I have added to my daily repertoire but unfortunately there is no improvement.
So, today I was told that they suspect I have a torn rotator cuff. Really? They believe that I injured it in my accident but because I have been so focused on the elbow, I just kind of ignored the shoulder. Ugh! That's all I can say!
It actually makes perfect sense. It has bothered me since I was in the hospital. I first noticed that I couldn't lift my arm almost immediately, but I really thought it was because my arm hurt so bad I wasn't really trying. I then spent 6 weeks in a sling where I didn't need to, but still struggled getting dressed.
Next stop: MRI.
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