Need Help With Shoulder Diagnosis

[eDub]

I've been lucky not to need a doctor very often, so I'm completely ignorant when it comes to doctors, insurance, in vs. out-network, etc. and I could use some maggot advice.

Anyway, here's the situation:

About 2 weeks ago, I started experiencing severe pain in my right shoulder. Bad enough that I couldn't lay down without severe pain. I took all of the Alleve, Advil, and Tylenol in the house, but nothing helped (normally, 2 Alleve are enough for any pain I have had.) I had to arrange pillows under my back and shoulder just to keep the shoulder in a position that didn't make it feel like a knife was stuck in it. The shoulder was not immobile, but with certain movements, there was a stabbing pain that caused me to scream aloud and drop anything in my hand.

After about 4 days, the pain went away (now it is a dull ache that doesn't really bother me.) However, now I can't raise my right arm to a position where the elbow is above the shoulder. There is no pain - I just can't raise it. I also have a loss of strength in my right arm.

The loss of rang of motion has lasted 2 weeks now. I called my insurance company and made an appointment, but the only appointment they had available was with a nurse practitioner - and that wasn't for a week.

So here are my questions:

(1) At first I thought this was a bad muscle pull, but now I'm worried that it is a rotator cuff injury. Anyone experienced this before?

(2) Should I go to the Nurse Practitioner, or wait for an M.D. (2 week wait).

(3) Should I demand a specialist? If so, what kind? Sports Medicine?

I can't tie this injury to any specific incident, but the only "impacts" I have sustained are while snowboarding. However, the pain started at least 2 weeks after the last time I went snowboarding.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Vinman]

Wait for the MD visit. From the sounds of it, you may either have an injury to the rotator cuff or the labrum (cartilage ring).

Possible rotoator cuff injury includes
1:strain
2: tendonitis
3. bursitis
4. tear

Chances are the nurse practitioner won't have a lot of experience with ortho related problems. I would hold off and wait for at least the MD visit. With any of the injuries I listed including the labrum tear there is no major emergency, i.e. chances are waiting 2 weeks won't make things worse. Now if things change and do get worse take the quickest appointment you can get.

Good luck

[biggins]

Agree with Vinman on all points. Just don't raise your arm above the shoulder- this could exascerbate the problem. Could have been a dislocation that went back in (hence the no pain eventually). I'd just be gingerly with the arm until you can get in to see an ortho. Good luck, you've got some shoulder impaired comrades here.

[spanky]

Wait to see the MD. No harm in waiting. I tore my rotator cuff and labrum on New Year's Eve - went to the doc the following week and he just told me to rest it and take anti-inflams. After two weeks of continued pain, he sent me for an MRI which diagnosed the tears. I saw a specialist after the MRI and was he told me I needed surgery but gave me the OK to continue skiing as long as I could withstand the pain. I finished out the season and had surgery on May 5.

Bottom line... No hurry and just don't do anything to aggravate the injury.

Also, restful sleep is one of the biggest challenges of shoulder injuries.