Question for Marius & Rickson-arthritis in the shoulder

[basil J]

So For the last month or so I thought I had a torn rotater cuff and I come to find out today after an MRI, that I have some arthritis in my shoulder and some floating bone chips, Most likely causing the clicking and pain in my shoulder. At 45 yrs young, I have had a life full of competitive hockey,baseball, I have been weight lifting since 18 years old and now a soild 6 years of the sport of I have come to love the most- tennis. I never injured my shoulder so I am shocked that I have arthritis. I received training as a personal trainer back in the 80's, so I have always been careful to form and the amount of weight I have used, especially for execrcises involving my shoulders or Knees. My doctor has recommended a cortizone shot and then athroscopic suregry to clean up my shoulder in the next month.
What kind of issues can I expect? Are my tennis days Numbered? Does Glucosomine supplements help? I want to keep playing competitive tennis and other sports till I am an old man. Are there specific movements I can do in the Gym that will help? Are there movements I should avoid? I am freaking out! Any advice guys??

 

[Rickson]

Arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive, but before you go under the scope so to speak, get a second opinion. You want to make sure your doc is correct about the bone chips so after it's confirmed, go ahead and scope it out. If he was wrong, you're in even better shape so start doing some shoulder stretches and increase that range of motion.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

On cortisone:

Safin: BIG WARNING - Cortisone - destroying the tissues
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=90800

I'd advise you to not lift things above your head too much, to avoid impingement.

Toss the ball well in front of you, even for kick serves, not behind you. Use head-light racquets (your is), preferably with nat gut or multis in the lower half of the stringing range.

Read other threads on shoulder.

Heavy weights aren't so important as the light weights with the shoulder, use surgical tubing.

I'd do serious rehab with surgical tubing before going under knife, as the recovery from surgery could be well over 1/2 year.

2nd opinions from very good surgeons, working with pro athletes, are recommended.

I am using Glucosamine for knee cartilage and it works (50% from reports here). No idea about its effects on the shoulder. If it isn't the cartilage which is affected, it might not. Ask your docs.

 

[basil J]

Thanks for the feedback. I do not do any overhead presses so I don't worry about that. I have switched to a dunlop 200g revelation strung down low 53# and it has been easier on my shoulder. I used to use Glucosomine and it seemed to have helped my knees a while back, so I have already started taking it agin. As far as the cortisone goes, will one shot do any damage? My plan is to get a shot on thursday, take a few days off before playing again, and then schedule a surgery in September. My doc told me that it will relieve some of the inflamation. I have heard in the past that cortisone actually can hide the damage, thus making it worse??? Thoughts?

 

[Marius_Hancu]

I would not use cortisone, based on what I read from others, also based on my tendency of not using any medication, if I can avoid that.

Your call.

 

[basil J]

So basically work the area to get it as strong and as flexible as possible and then when ready go under the knife? That seems like the sensible thing to do. Are there any natural supplements or less hazardous meds to help reduce inflamation? That is really the only reason I would take the cortisone.

 

[Rickson]

So basically work the area to get it as strong and as flexible as possible and then when ready go under the knife?

Don't you mean under the scope? Arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive and will not leave you with a large surgical scar.

Are there any natural supplements or less hazardous meds to help reduce inflamation?

Try glucosamine although you won't get any anti-inflammatory effect from it. Advil is a simple and effective med until you get enough rest to bring down the swelling.

 

[Bolt]

Don't you mean under the scope? Arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive and will not leave you with a large surgical scar.

And how do you think they get that scope inside you?

 

[Rickson]

And how do you think they get that scope inside you?

With a tiny incision as opposed to a big ass cut.