Shoulder Injury

[Cerpin Taxt]

So last Saturday was our season-opening rugby game. I played really well up till the last 10 mins of the game or so when I got t-boned by a huge prop while I was charging with the ball. He knocked me onto my side, landing on my shoulder with this 300+lb oaf on top of me. I went out of the game immediately.

The pain was rather excruciating at at the outset. Taking off my jersey and underarmor was a nightmare. It wasn't dislocated, and I'm pretty sure nothing is broken, because here it is nearly a week later and it's been steadily improving in terms of pain-free range of motion.

Also, I'm relatively certain that the rotator cuff is okay, being that I had some rotator cuff problems about 6mos ago that took me out of rugby for a half-season.

I guess I'm wondering if there are any other signs or things to watch out for. I'm pretty certain that I've torn a significant portion of my left trapezius tendons, as well as likely the deltoid tendons, and even a lot of ligaments. I don't have the arm immobilized, however, because I have to work, and being a repair technician, I need to have both my hands. I have been minimizing my usage of it, anyway.

I guess that's it. I don't know what more questions to ask but any general advice on how to best recover from the injury would be appreciated.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Even if you don't have a shoulder dislocation, you should definitely worry about torn ligaments and shoulder separation. You can tear ligaments such as your acromioclavicular ligament, coracoclavicular ligament, and coracoacromial ligament. If you tear all of them, it results in shoulder separation, meaning your clavicle is separated completely from your shoulder region on the acromial side. You definitely should go to the doctor though since this can affect shoulder stability and function. Surgery may be a valid option here.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Saw the doc today. The diagnosis is a Type I AC Joint Separation. Probably won't require surgery. Seeing a specialist on Monday afternoon.

Thanks for the advice, SC. Still a shitty deal to happen in my first game of the season.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Ah, I'm sorry to hear about that, man. Did he say anything about affected function or ROM? What about PT? It's definitely not the worst thing that could happen though. Sorry again, bud.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Ah, I'm sorry to hear about that, man. Did he say anything about affected function or ROM? What about PT?

The primary care physician did not make any comments about ROM or PT. I imagine that's what I'll get from the Orthopedic Surgeon on Monday. The guy's name is Carl Basamania, MD, FACS, and several people at the clinic today independently claimed that he's one of the best in the country. Googling around on his name reveals that this is in fact the case, and he's arguably the very best in the country.

It's definitely not the worst thing that could happen though. Sorry again, bud.

Yeah, quite frankly if I can get out of this without getting cut open, I'll be a happy camper.

 

[ichy]

See a doctor, and get a good physical therapist once you start to heal. I fracture my shoulder a couple of years ago, and PT helped me a lot.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Saw the specialist. He reckons that I'll be okay without any surgery. I guess the X-ray shows that I likely still have 2 out of the 3 main AC ligaments in tact. As part of the examination he did test my rotator cuff, and I admitted that it did hurt me trying to make rotator cuff exertions. According to him it's virtually impossible to tell between real rotator cuff injuries and pain from mere inflammation, so to be safe we've agreed to have an MRI. It's scheduled for Thursday.

I'm going to see about getting digital copies of my X-rays and even see what I can do about getting the MRI images in something like a pass-thru video posted online somewhere, just for fun.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Saw the specialist. He reckons that I'll be okay without any surgery. I guess the X-ray shows that I likely still have 2 out of the 3 main AC ligaments in tact. As part of the examination he did test my rotator cuff, and I admitted that it did hurt me trying to make rotator cuff exertions. According to him it's virtually impossible to tell between real rotator cuff injuries and pain from mere inflammation, so to be safe we've agreed to have an MRI. It's scheduled for Thursday.

I'm going to see about getting digital copies of my X-rays and even see what I can do about getting the MRI images in something like a pass-thru video posted online somewhere, just for fun.

Ah, good news about the other ligaments. Did they say whether it's going to be an MRI with contrast or without? Because MRI's with contrast hurt like a bitch. I had one to rule out a labrum tear the summer before last and it was quite unpleasant.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Ah, good news about the other ligaments. Did they say whether it's going to be an MRI with contrast or without? Because MRI's with contrast hurt like a bitch. I had one to rule out a labrum tear the summer before last and it was quite unpleasant.

No, he didn't specify, but thanks for giving me something else to worry about unnecessarily for another day and a half.



:awe::biggrin::awe::biggrin::awe::biggrin:

 

[SociallyChallenged]

No, he didn't specify, but thanks for giving me something else to worry about unnecessarily for another day and a half.



:awe::biggrin::awe::biggrin::awe::biggrin:

I think he would've told you if it was with contrast, but some doctors don't really care. Well, if you like 4+in long needles getting shoved into your shoulder capsule and adjusted until it's in the exact right place, you'll have a rip-roarin' time. Oh, and when they inject the dye, it makes your labrum swell up majorly and keeps you uncomfortable for a good 2 hours.

Haha, it's not the worst thing though. I would do it again to rule everything out. Just be patient, breathe, and know that it will help give you a better idea of your shoulder health. I got through it and I'm not known for being good with needles. You'll be fine, Mr. Rugby. I'm sure you've braved much worse.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Checked my paperwork again today. The MRI is prescribed without contrast. Yay me.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Checked my paperwork again today. The MRI is prescribed without contrast. Yay me.

Haha, surprise contrast would be the best I don't understand how they could get a good look at the labrum without it, but I'm glad you get the test minus the pain.