Cortisone injection shoulder - Take it easy???

[Muse]

I'm sure some of you folks have some knowledge and experience with this. I had maybe two cortisone shots in my left shoulder around 2002 (xrays and MRI didn't reveal anything), don't remember anything except that there was no discernible relief. The doctor said I could then live with the condition or try arthroscopic surgery and he'd go in and see if he could find anything, meantime "clean things up" for possible improvement. I elected to have the procedure and they found a labrum tear (Type IV SLAP lesion), and repaired it on the spot, it was the first thing they told me when I woke up from the anesthetic. The doctor told me in a visit after the operation he thought I'd be 100% in a year (after extended physical therapy), I'm not sure I ever got to 100%, it was way way better, but now I'm feeling a lot of pain sometimes, generally more than anything at night in bed trying to get a good night's sleep.

I could go to that doctor now, but it would be out of pocket because I'm with Kaiser HMO now. My primary care physician had me xrayed and an MRI and he said they don't see a labrum tear, just "normal arthritic deterioration" (I'm 72). He said I could have a cortisone shot and see if there's an improvement, maybe a followup in 6 months.

Well, I work out in the gym, weights, some pulley machines for ~1:15 every other day.

So my question is, if I get this shot (scheduled two days from today), should I curtail, modify my workouts? What can I expect, what can/should I do? I figure to workout BEFORE that shot, which is scheduled for late afternoon. It would be (if I follow my normal routine) two days from then when I'd return to the gym. My doctor hasn't responded to my questions about this, so I'm posting here. Thanks for your insight, help, etc.

 

[hightree]

My humble personal opinion is that with the history of labrum tear and surgery after which you have pain at 72 with some arthritis...it does not make sense to lift weights.

Cortisone shots may give you some pain relief but can mask the pain and you could do additional damage by not feeling the pain.

 

[Muse]

My humble personal opinion is that with the history of labrum tear and surgery after which you have pain at 72 with some arthritis...it does not make sense to lift weights.

Cortisone shots may give you some pain relief but can mask the pain and you could do additional damage by not feeling the pain.

Well, I don't know what to make of your assessment. I'm not saying that I'm sure you are wrong, you may not be wrong, however you are the only person who has put forward these ideas to me. Noone else has recommended stopping lifting weights. I will continue my workouts because I want to be fit and active and believe that my workouts are fundamental in this. Yes, I do other things, I bicycle, skate, play golf, but these things aren't enough to keep me strong, and I'm pretty strong.

I am scheduled to have the shot tomorrow, but before I get it I will ask the doctor (I imagine it will be an orthopedist) about how I should modify my workout routine, or if I should at all. I may ask not to have the shot, depending on what I hear.

Based on what you say I will certainly be careful not to push myself beyond what I normally do in the gym. I have a routine and will either stick to it or let up some, depending on what I'm told and how I feel.

I missed my workout yesterday because I had a lot to do around the house and yard. I will workout today, and will the day after the injection if the doctor says that's OK, otherwise will delay a day or more, depending.

I recall having no discernible benefit from a cortisone shot in that shoulder around 2002 and the doctor telling me that another cortisone shot in a different place in the complex shoulder joint could work and I had that one, again with no noticeable effect. I don't know if they know the best place to place an injection tomorrow. I am told that MRI's these days are a lot better than what they had 10 years ago, so maybe they have a better idea what's going on. I kind of wish I were dealing with the doctor who did my surgery because he's known as one of the best. I have no idea what to expect from my current provider!