Hi,everyone just had the worst OP appointment ever, My Dr. did not explain results from the MRI w/contrast stated small tear in rotator cuff,he would not give an answer as to if this small tear was causing my pain, now the wants to send me back to a neck guy to rule out neck before he will proceed with shoulder. I am at the breaking point with this no one seems to listen to me,and all the while my shoulder seems to be getting worse, I would love any advice?

Sounds like a very conservative doc, this is actually a good thing. There must be some feeling that he has that perhaps your shoulder pain is disproportionate to the shoulder MRI findings. It would be then, prudent to just make sure that there is not radicular referal coming from the neck that is more accountable (or at least in part) for your shoulder pain. Very frustrating but hang in there; there is usually never a problem with being too thourough!

Brian

Thanks Brian, I just dont understand what he is doing, I had an MRI on my neck and EMG, the doctor told me it all came back fine, I had a Cortisone shot which made the shoulder worse,he has not done anything for pain, I can only take so much advil. Does anyone think I should get a second opinion

You didn't mention that! If your cervical MRI and neurodiagnostic studies were done recently and all were reportedly negative, then that is curious. Perhaps a second opinion is warrented. Are you in an HMO? or can you go anywhere for your second opinion? Either way, try to see another ortho who isn't affiliated with or preferably knows yours.

Cortisone shots for shoulder impingment work pretty good a couple days later. Otherwise, mostly useless. If you are getting nothing for pain control, talk to your PCP about pain meds or at least get a referal to a pain managment doc and let him know your hurting!

Brian

Thanks Brian,this has been 7yrs in the making my shoulder has given me trouble since the dislocation. My regular doctor doesn't seem to listen tells me pinched nerve in neck(everyweek) Finally get to see OP Doctor and he starts on my neck then my shoulder and now back to my neck. So when I asked why the neck he said just to rule it out as a possible problem,either way I dont care what it is, I just want them to fix it so I can get back to normal. FYI tried to make appointment with Neck Spec.He doesn't have anything available until October 29th, that will make five months and still no where, Sorry for being long winded, depression has set in.

My OS was insanely tight lipped for months as well. Dealing with the pain (which was so bad I felt like I was going to pass out or throw up) for an extended amount of time with no help (Kept being told the shoulder was normal.).... I got severely depressed and patience went out the window. Have you tried talking to a GP about decent pain meds? The only help I got with that was when I went to a local clinic. Wondering if everyone who shows up on the doorstep of an OS is in pain so they mute that part out. I had to push for exploratory arthroscopic surgery to get the labrum tear acknowledged. The tear was bad enough that it took three pins to fix. Keep trying. Get another opinion and definitely talk to another doctor about getting some relief from the pain.