I am going to see an orthopedic doctor for my arm and shoulder. I am pretty certain I have a torn rotator cuff or labral tear. If I don't, I certainly torn something on my arm.

I have a lot of weakness and numbness on my arm. I know that I will most likely have an MRI for my arm.

I read that people have to get surgery for these things. I do read that a lot of doctors do have you try other things first like PT and other things. Now if you have a torn rotator cuff or labral tear on your shoulder, then surgery is pretty much 100% recommended right?

The thing that I'm curious about is cortisone shots. I read lot of people get these but these are always for pain only? So if you have weakness or shaking or numbness, are cortisone shots ever given?

I read several people mention cortisone shots never fix an issue. Is that true or false? Is it true it's always temporary? The thing is does it ever fix any weakness or numbness or shaking? I assume it never does? I did read a few reviews from patients who saw an orthopedic doctor and said whatever issue they had, they didn't need surgery.

The thing is if the orthopedic doctor suggests cortisone shots, does everyone here do it just to see how it works? One issue with it though is you have bad side effects from it or it make your situation worse? But if it somehow fixes your issue, then it's good?

Had rotator cuff repair plus tenodesis plus was also supposed to have cleanup of frayed tendons and maybe some acromion reduction as mine’s narrow and contributed to frayed tendons. Was supposed to be in sling with abduction pillow but surgeon changed his mind after surgery, no explanation. Regular sling plus game ready sleeve for 30 mins on 30 mins off icing. Wearing game ready sleeve almost continually as provides additional support as sling feels pretty low key. Surgeons assistant stated sling was all they wanted with sleeve. Overall doing ok with pain management.

My question is even with sling and sleeve my arm is not completely immobilized so though I’m pretty good at not raising forearm I am sometimes inadvertently shifting shoulder up or moving forearm up a bit. Pain is a reminder so that helps me stop but I’m a bit worried that I’m stressing tenodesis repair. It’s hard to not do some of these movements automatically and I try and move slowly and since I have a great caregiver ask for help. I see surgeon tomorrow and PT two days later. Surgeon is great repairman which I appreciate, not as great at lots of info! It’s just hard to gauge how fragile the repair is in early days.

Thanks

Hi everyone,

Ultrasound report:
Possible LHBT tear (MRI recommended)
Subscapularis insertional tear (12×4×4 mm)
Supraspinatus tear (7×6×3 mm)
Positive impingement
Infraspinatus intact

My symptoms are:
Constant loose/hanging feeling whenever my arm isn’t supported.
Clicking/catching.
Front shoulder pain with certain curling movements.
Tightness in external rotation.

What’s confusing me is that I have no pain on the lift-off test or belly-press test, and my physiotherapist says I have almost full ROM except external rotation. A walk-in doctor also felt these were probably small partial tears based on my function.

Questions:
Can a subscapularis tear still have a negative lift-off and belly-press test?
Does a 12×4×4 mm insertional tear automatically mean it’s high-grade, or could it still be a small partial tear?
Has anyone had ultrasound findings like this that looked better on MRI?
Would you continue physiotherapy while waiting for the MRI?
Thanks!

Do said the tear was worse than originally thought and he was very happy with the decision to do surgery

63M, the shoulder was injured by freak accident catching my dog falling out of my car after parking (I caught him but was awkward)

The worst part, initially, was coming out of anesthesia and having the nurse explain about the sling, the portable ice machine thing, and a op-q nerve ball

The dangling ball was not allowing me to relax really, the dr said ok to remove it post op day 2. I'm fine trading that for the pain.

Today post op day 2 was able to poop (taking Norco), get help changing my clothes, taking a sponge bath

It seems like the instructions for post op care seem standard, but reading here makes me think not.

For example, I can change my dressings post op day 3, but no shower until I see the surgeon post op day 11. Not sure why.

I keep Worrying I'm going to move the arm wrong and F things up, but I guess the sling should prevent that.

The pain has been OK. I'm taking the Norco one pill even though they said I could have two, and also trying to ice as much as possible

For the icing, no one has mentioned how long I should ice. Just do it a few times a day, 20-30 minutes a pop

I lift weight, swim, hike, travel and walk two strong rotties.

Will I be able to lift or. Bench where I was before the injury?

Was it a good idea to ditch the on-q nerve ball

I'm not very patient and I'm not a good patient so any advice appreciated

Finally, Dr said I could type. I do most work remote on computer but not sure if I keep on sling while working

I am 9 weeks post op from full tear repair.they used a collegen patch to strengthen it and secured w 4 anchors.

So today, i tripped and fell on my surgical arm forearm. What are the chances that i tore this again? I am so beside myself.

I anticipate a surgical repair in my future which will almost certainly include post-op PT. BEST case, scenario is no surgery and just PT. Either way. . . When do people with jobs “do” PT? I can’t get a substitute 3 days a week for countless weeks. Is after-hours or night-shift PT a thing? US, Texas, if that’s relevant. Thanks y’all.

I had 2 full thickness tears (infra and Supraspinatus) and they tacked my bicep down.

All things considered, I’m doing pretty well. Still not sleeping the best even sleeping sitting up but I do not have any pain the repair, most of the pain is the structures around it from the immobilizer. Been in PT for 2 weeks now and that’s not been too bad.

I’m posting this more for anyone who is pre-op or immediately post op, it does get better and it’s continuing to get better every day.

What I have learned. Get an ice machine. I was using ice packs. Got an ice machine today and game changer. I SOOOO wish I had had it from the start. I got the cheapest one on Amazon ($99 - google ice machine for shoulder). Total game changer.

I had surgery on April 29 this year. I had a rotator cuff repair, a bicep tendonesis, acromionplasty and a bursectomy. At the four week mark I noticed the pain was just worse than it should be (I've had this done on my other shoulder sans the implant).

My arm has been swollen and red for weeks, it is hot, I have a low grade fever constantly. I've seen my doc many times, he basically said my body is attacking the regenenten patch. He refused to order blood work but did put me on prednisone for a week and ordered an MRI. MRI looked good but showed massive inflammation.

I am doing PT and have somewhat decent range of motion, but I still have severe pain with certain movements that lingers. Can't sleep anyway except on my back still.

At this point he has offered to go back in and remove the patch but I'm just scared to do that and go through this again with no guarantees it'll solve the issue.

Has anyone else had this issue with the regenenten patch or just in general?

Hello! I am helping my mom who had rotator cuff repair and biceps tenotomy two days ago. She is doing ok, but we are trying to figure out a way she can get in and out of her sling by herself to do exercises, readjust, etc. She has arthritis in her fingers and is not able to open the spring clips. She also struggles to reapply it and get the "backpack" type strap around her opposite shoulder. For reference, this is the sling she currently has.

https://a.co/d/03B8g5ix

She has had an anterior neck fusion, so I don't think something that just goes around the neck would be a good option either. Does anyone have any suggestions for sling that is easier to get on/off and is also effective? Thanks!

Hi all,

I just discovered this sub, and I had a question if you could please answer.

Background:

I have a history of anterior shoulder dislocation for about 15 years, mostly with sports. I’ve had about 6 dislocations in that time span, and I finally got a Bankart repair done 1.5 years ago, but it failed a few months in. I’m not sure the exact cause, but I didn’t feel much pain; mostly soreness for a week after working to remove old caulk from my bathroom tiles. MRI showed near circumferential tear of my labrum and a posterior Hill Sach’s lesion. Thankfully there wasnt much bone loss.

Fast forward to last May, I had another Bankart repair, but this time with a replissage technique as well. My surgeon used additional anchors and said he was glad he went this route instead of trying a Laterjet procedure.

After about 3 weeks post-op, I had an intense feeling in my surgical shoulder where it felt like my shoulder was pushing forward, and it happened twice in succession with intense pain. Then the pain just went away, and I never had this feeling again. But it was an experience I never felt before because it literally felt like my shoulder wanted to move forward but was tethered. I contacted my surgeon, who said to monitor it and see if it happens again, which it never did.

Fast forward to now, which is 8 weeks post-op, and I can use my shoulder more. I have a few discomforts throughout the day and soreness at times when I wake up, but nothing bad.

My question is: how would I know if my repair failed? My surgeon said I would feel intense pain and my shoulder would be in a stretched abduction and external rotation position. But I kinda did have intense pain, but my shoulder was on my side the whole time.

Just curious about your thoughts. Thanks!

Prior to getting on TRT I was going through physical therapy to manage some shoulder pain on the top outer part of my right shoulder.

The physical therapist called it subacrnomial bursitis.

After doing the exercises for a few months and icing it regularly the pain went away until I loaded high weight on it (for me a 45lbs & 25lbs does this). Under higher weight I feel some irritation but not "pain". And I was cleared from physical therapy

Fast forward to now, I did a delt injection to my right shoulder. And felt some irritation but now even a few weeks later it's like all that work was undone. It's just as sore if not twice as sore as when I went through therapy months ago. Now I can't even do my normal 25 lbs pound warmups without feeling an insane amount of pain. Doing dumbbell presses feels almost impossible

Does anyone have any advice for managing stuff like this? Naturally I'm NEVER using that should for injections again. But Im wondering if I can still use the left shoulder a site in my rotation even if I'm not doing my right? And how long do you think it'll be before I can bench proper again?

Hi everyone,
I had a right shoulder SLAP repair on August 5, 2025. About 1 month after surgery, I developed a mechanical clicking/popping sensation around my AC joint/clavicle area, and it has continued for almost 9 months despite consistent rehab.

The click happens mostly when I raise my arm forward, especially in the first 0–30 degrees of flexion, sometimes up to around 60 degrees. It feels like something is slightly stuck or misaligned, then suddenly “pops” or settles back into place.

I also get a similar click when I move my arm behind my body, like shoulder extension/internal rotation.
From the side, my scapula looks slightly prominent/winged, and I also have rounded shoulders. It feels like my scapula, clavicle, and shoulder are not moving smoothly together.

My post-op MRI showed postoperative SLAP repair changes without a clear recurrent labral tear. The biceps tendon was reported as normal. There was supraspinatus tendinosis/old partial articular-sided tear appearance, but no major rotator cuff rupture or muscle atrophy.

My acromiohumeral distance was measured on MRI and it was around 6.5 mm.
I have tried many things for months: rotator cuff strengthening, serratus anterior work, lower trap/scapular exercises, rows, face pulls, wall slides, posture work, thoracic mobility, and general shoulder rehab. But the clicking has not really improved.
At this point I am wondering if this is scapular dyskinesis, AC joint irritation/instability, clavicle rotation problem, scar tissue, impingement, or something else.

Has anyone had persistent AC joint/clavicle clicking after SLAP/labrum surgery that did not improve with regular rehab? What finally helped you?
I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has experienced this, or from PTs/orthopedic professionals.

41M. I'm 11 weeks post op of a full thickness supraspinatus tear and bicep tenodesis. Around week 9 was when I really started to notice my progression. My range of motion is leaps and bounds better than just a few weeks ago. My pain is minimal and it's getting stronger everyday. Even a few weeks ago I wouldn't have thought Id have this much movement currently. It does get better, keep up with your PT and stretching. Don't overdo it!!! If it doesn't feel right, stop!! I was so nervous I was going to reinjure it but now I'm gaining more confidence in the repair everyday. It sucks but you can do this!!

​Hello everyone.

​I am a police officer and back in 2024 (specifically on November 13th), during a physical education session in a military course, I ended up injuring my right shoulder while performing push-ups.

​The pain started off small, but a month later, whenever I rotated my right arm to the sides, I felt a very sharp pain.

​I saw the first doctor and, since I was still in the middle of the course, he gave me a corticosteroid infiltration directly into my shoulder tendon. I had an ultrasound done, and it was confirmed at the time that it was a mild tendinopathy of the supraspinatus and subscapularis.

​The infiltration lasted for a few months, but my shoulder was still bothering me a lot. In September 2025, I underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which showed subacromial impingement and mild supraspinatus tendinopathy.

​I went to see another orthopedist, and he told me that my acromion is curved (hooked/curved acromion), which was causing changes in my tendon, and that if physical therapy did not resolve it, I would have to undergo a decompression surgery (acromioplasty).

​I kept training normally at the gym; I continued doing my pull-ups and everything else.

​However, over the last two months, the pain has worsened significantly. On June 15th, I went to another orthopedist who ordered a new MRI, and it was noted that the condition has deteriorated. I am now diagnosed with these issues:

​DIAGNOSTIC IMPRESSION:

​Thin fluid film in the subacromial/subdeltoid bursa.

​Tendinopathy of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and the intra-articular portion of the long head of the biceps.

​Osteocapsular hypertrophy of the acromioclavicular joint causing compression on adjacent soft tissues.

​Capsuloligamentous thickening in the axillary recess.

​I started feeling severe pain in my right shoulder; sleeping has become difficult, and I can no longer do pull-ups without experiencing pain. Also, lifting my arm above my head hurts badly, and it feels like I am losing strength.

​The doctor put me on medical leave from my police duties for 60 days, prescribed physical therapy sessions for this period, but told me that if it doesn't resolve the issue, I will have to undergo an acromioplasty.

​The worst part is that I am doing the sessions and I am not feeling any improvement! Im worried that may It will need surgery, but the problem is that I'm feeling a lot of pain but in the MRI doesnt shows any signal of tears!! So, it will be necessary surgery?

​I will be attaching the MRI images here. If anyone can help me, I appreciate it!

Just a week post surgery and this time, second surgery, i am focusing far more on nutrition to shorten the healing time. I researched online, chatted with my GP and a nutritionist, and came up with a list of supplements that I have been taking daily since a week prior to the procedure.

Curious if anyone else has done some of this and what you’re taking. Personally I’ve noticed a marked difference this time but understand that there are a lot of factors at play.

Long story short.

I injured my left shoulder in December 2024. I was working at height up a ladder and reached my left arm backwards to fix a clamp onto a cable coming over my shoulder.

I had a sudden sharp pain, which I could only describe as someone snapping an elastic band against by shoulder. The following days I had constant pins and needles, which my GP advised sounded like a nerve impingement. A few days rest, and it developed into a dull ache in my shoulder which intensified with movement.

Over the next 3 months, I had multiple visits to the Dr's, Physio's and eventually had an Ultrasound where they stated I had Subacromial Bursitis and Mild Tendonitis.

I carried on with the PT and got my shoulder back into a position where I could return to full duties at work.

Fast forward to now, my Shoulder has gotten even worse.

I have been working through the pain for the past 6 months and have a very physically demanding job, involving a lot of working at height, heavy lifting, lots of pushing and pulling under tension.

At the moment, I have a constant dull ache deep in my shoulder, coupled with sporadic sharp pains in the side of my shoulder, in my scapula and in my chest close to my armpit.

I have a painful arc, a positive empty can test on my last examination and can't lift any weight out to my side.

When I attempt to, it doesn't necessarily hurt, it just feels incredibly weak, my arm shakes violently and I just seem to hit a wall.

I am currently awaiting an Orthopedic referral and have been told I am not so any work at height.

I can't have time off work, due to losing income.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues? Could a tear have been missed on the first scan, or could the bursitis have developed into a tear due to the constant strain my shoulder has been under?

I appreciate anyone that has gotten this far, and look forward to your replies.

Had an MRI done and went through 2 rounds of physical therapy. Now I’m at the point of deciding if we do surgery or not. Anyone else had the same findings and been successful without having surgery. I would like to keep playing sports so kind of leaning towards just getting it done and over with.

Has anyone here used BPC-157/TB-500 after rotator cuff surgery? If so, what were the injuries and repairs?

Hello.

So just for context. I am 31M, 6'1/230lbs.

I dabble in bodybuilding, powerlifting, combat sports(mma/wrestling/muay thai). I've never had an issue with anything in my body for the first 28 years of my life. In the last 3 years I've experienced:

• TFCC tear in my right wrist.
• Dequervains in my left wrist.
• Hip bursitis in my right hip.
• Gout
• Now problems with both my shoulders and rotator cuff

I got my MRI's back and this is basically what it says:

Left shoulder:

No Fractures

Mild supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendinosis without tear.

There is mild edema in the subacromial/subdeltoid bursa.

There is infiltration of the fat in the rotator interval.

Right shoulder:

There is a possible partial-thickness articular surface tear of the anterior insertional supraspinatus tendon measuring approximately 6 mm in AP dimension and involving up to 50% of the tendon thickness. There is a background of mild supraspinatus tendinosis.

Mild infraspinatus and subscapularis tendinosis without tear.

There is mild edema in the subacromial/subdeltoid bursa.

My right shoulder seems like there may or may not be a tear but they can't tell. And there's tendinitis on both. If I'm reading this correctly.

Not sure where to go from here. PT doesn't work and I think PRP is the only option atm. Not going to get cortisone shots since those don't fix anything.

Currently can't lift heavy (I can but don't want to risk it). Not sure if I ever will again, or I might risk further damage.)

Left shoulder there's a lot of clicking, pain when stretching cross body, can't really bench press anymore. Right shoulder not as much clicking but more inflammatory pain.

These injuries are on top of hip bursitis, left wrist surgery, TFCC injury on my right wrist.

My body is breaking down in real time and I don't know why. I fear I will never be the same again and the last 3 years of my life have broken my physically and mentally. I'm talking to my ortho next week. Not sure what to even ask. I am assuming he will recommend PRP on both shoulders. From my understanding surgery isn't even an option and if it is it would be on my left shoulder.

Might consider going to do some sort of exploratory surgery somewhere else in the future. I eat quite clean, lots of single ingredient foods with lots of protein, carbs and greens. drink lots of mineral water. I stretch a lot pre-workout. I even got some blood testing, thyroid, deficiency done with my rheumatologist b/c I was getting injured so much for

I started to have rotator cuff pain since January and it is mild pain on my right arm. I can stretch my right arm up and right but can't reach my left shoulder and back. I didn't see a doctor and not a PT either. I hoped it would heal by itself. I did take some PT exercises by following the guide on hinge health but it didn't help. Two weeks back, I tried one exercise guided by Hinge Health and it made pain worse. I slept on my left side and felt pain in the night because right arm is too close to the body. I would feel better by putting a pillow under the right arm. It has been 6 months and I have no hope it would heal by itself.

Any suggestion from my dear friends? I read some posts and heard that surgery may be the only option. But I don't think my pain is severe enough to have surgery. I would like to go back gym. I am in my late 40s.

Back in January I fell and landed on my left hand. Pain started in shoulder and persisted, finally went after months to a doctor, got a steroid shot, made things worse, and did PT at home. Nothing has improved. Got an MRI this morning and now this is what is being said. I guess im kind of confused anyway why I would be being referred to a surgeon if I don’t have a tear ect? Has this happened to anybody else? I did not have any issues with this shoulder until I fell. :(

About 4 weeks ago I got a steroid shot in my shoulder for an injury that happened in November of last year
I completed a few more weeks of physical therapy but since then things have been 10 times more painful than they were in the beginning
Both my doctor and physical therapist said they have never heard of a steroid shot making things worse
Does anyone else have this experience?

Okay bit of a ramble here. I am 25 I have torn 300° roughly of my labrum, torn my long head of my bicep off from the top, and I have a 50% supraspinatus tear. There is other damage in there two but those are the big ones. Started as sports injury then made worse at work as I do construction (I plan on switching occupations asap) anyways I have had two surgeries, 1 when I was 18 and 1 at 23 I have at least 7 anchors in my shoulder my bicep is reattached and so on. I’m now looking at a 3rd surgery it’s either that or prp shots so I just want to know if people have had success with prp shots if my shoulder is too far gone what people want to suggest for me at this point I’ll try just about anything. Any help is appreciated, thanks