Recovering from Shoulder Tendinitis
Greetings! First and foremost, I want to stress that any guidance I receive here should not be considered a replacement for the professional medical advice provided by my doctor. I am fully committed to verifying any suggestions with my healthcare provider before taking action. Thank you in advance for your understanding! I am a 30-year-old male and, aside from this shoulder issue, I'm generally in good health. My profession requires a high level of physical activity. Normally, I engage in weight lifting between three to six times a week, practice jiu jitsu two to three times a week, and train in judo one to two times weekly. Up until now, I have not experienced any significant injuries or surgeries on this shoulder. For the past couple of months, I've been dealing with pain in my right shoulder. I'm uncertain about how the issue began, but I suspect it may be related to overtraining. After the pain started, I promptly consulted with a physical therapist, who diagnosed me with shoulder tendinitis. I immediately ceased my lifting and stopped any jiu jitsu and judo sessions. To aid my recovery, I have been following these steps: - Attending physical therapy sessions one to two times weekly. - Steering clear of heavy lifting and any activities that could strain my shoulder. - Engaging in very light stretching and lifting exercises once or twice a week, strictly adhering to the guidance given by my physical therapist. Around a week ago, I noticed some positive changes; my shoulder felt more stable and I experienced little to no pain when moving my arm without added weight. However, this week, I needed to travel across the country for work and had to carry some luggage weighing approximately 20-30 pounds. Following this, it seems like my shoulder has returned to its previous painful state, akin to where I started. I'm seeking advice on the following: - Given that I am two months into my recovery with only minor improvements so far, should I consider an MRI to eliminate other possible issues and consult with an orthopedic specialist? Can they provide insight into any potential diagnoses beyond tendinitis? - Would a steroid injection be beneficial for my recovery, or would it merely mask the pain and risk re-injury? - Should I utilize ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medications? Would they be effective, or would they simply serve to temporarily alleviate my discomfort? - At what stage in the recovery process do medical professionals typically deem surgery necessary? How advanced in the timeline would surgery be recommended? Again, I acknowledge that any advice offered here should not be considered a substitute for the medical expertise of my healthcare practitioners. I welcome any insights or personal experiences relevant to this injury, and I will ensure to discuss them with my doctor and physical therapist. Thank you!
Answers (1)
8/6/2025, 2:01:58 AM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing such a detailed overview of your situation. It's great to hear that you've been proactive about your shoulder tendinitis and engaging with physical therapy. Since you're experiencing setbacks after physical activity, let's address your specific questions and provide some guidance to support your recovery.
Main Points:
- Consider Imaging and Specialist Consultation: An MRI can help rule out other underlying conditions.
- Evaluate Pain Management Options: Ibuprofen can be used to alleviate discomfort, but use it judiciously.
- Surgery Considerations: Surgery is typically considered if conservative treatments don’t lead to improvements over several months.
Explanation:
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Imaging and Specialist Consultation: Given that you have not seen substantial improvement and had a setback after carrying luggage, an MRI may be beneficial. It can help rule out other potential issues like rotator cuff tears or bursitis. Consulting with an orthopedic specialist can provide a clearer picture of your shoulder's condition and any other injuries that may be contributing to your pain.
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Steroid Injections: While steroid injections can reduce inflammation and pain, they are generally considered when conservative treatments haven't worked for a significant period. They can help you participate in physical therapy more effectively, but they may not fix the underlying condition and do come with risks like potential weakening of the tendons.
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Anti-inflammatory Medications: Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help manage your pain and reduce inflammation in the short term. However, they should not be a long-term solution as they won't address the underlying cause of your tendinitis. Always follow dosing guidelines and consult your healthcare provider regarding the frequency of use.
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Surgery Considerations: Health professionals usually consider surgery if there hasn’t been improvement after 6-12 months of conservative treatment, especially if you are still experiencing significant pain or disability. Surgery aims to alleviate symptoms and restore function, so it’s typically viewed as a last resort.
Next Steps:
- Discuss with Your Doctor: Consider scheduling an appointment for an MRI based on your recent setbacks. Also, discuss the possibility of seeing an orthopedic specialist for a second opinion.
- Pain Management: If you’re experiencing significant discomfort, using ibuprofen as directed may help temporarily. However, always consider discussing its use with your healthcare provider.
- Return to Therapy: Continue with your physical therapy as advised, and do not rush back into heavy lifting or strenuous activities until your shoulder has significantly healed. This is critical to avoid further injury.
You are taking wise steps by prioritizing your health and planning to consult with your healthcare providers regarding these concerns. Continue to communicate openly with them, and best of luck with your recovery!
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