Shoulder MRI results

I just spoke to my doctor; she has the MRI report (the MRI place still has the films) on my right shoulder. Summary: it's not as bad as she expected.

There is a "very small tear" at the tendons of the supraspinatous muscle [fixed name], where it attaches to the bone, and some arthritic damage.

The next step is to see an orthopedist, and find out whether I am a candidate for a cortisone injection. The orthopedist will need the MRI films; this may mean a trip up to Yonkers to pick them up, or Inter-County Imaging might be willing to send them over. (I have to be up there a week from Friday for a mammogram anyhow, so I may call, ask how they do it, and arrange to combine the two trips.)

Whether or not I get a cortisone injection, I'll probably be going for physical therapy. Surgery seems unlikely. Dr. Kump (that's my GP) said the cortisone would be to "improve range of movement," and my problem is more that movement hurts than that it's not possible, but I suspect those are two aspects of the same problem.

Also, I should stop taking ibuprofen regularly: I asked about that, thinking there might be a reason she wrote a prescription with no renewals. I can use it occasionally, if the pain is particularly bad or the shoulder is particularly stiff, but not on the 600-mg-every-six-hours (=1800 mg/day) I was doing. Fortunately, icing the shoulder does not carry the risk of damaging the liver, kidneys, or stomach, so I can continue to do that at will.

So, can anyone recommend an orthopedist in New York City? One with expertise in shoulders would be particularly welcome, of course, and if they call themselves "orthopedist" instead of "orthopedic surgeon" that's also a plus.

Shoulder MRI results

I just spoke to my doctor; she has the MRI report (the MRI place still has the films) on my right shoulder. Summary: it's not as bad as she expected.

There is a "very small tear" at the tendons of the supraspinatous muscle [fixed name], where it attaches to the bone, and some arthritic damage.

The next step is to see an orthopedist, and find out whether I am a candidate for a cortisone injection. The orthopedist will need the MRI films; this may mean a trip up to Yonkers to pick them up, or Inter-County Imaging might be willing to send them over. (I have to be up there a week from Friday for a mammogram anyhow, so I may call, ask how they do it, and arrange to combine the two trips.)

Whether or not I get a cortisone injection, I'll probably be going for physical therapy. Surgery seems unlikely. Dr. Kump (that's my GP) said the cortisone would be to "improve range of movement," and my problem is more that movement hurts than that it's not possible, but I suspect those are two aspects of the same problem.

Also, I should stop taking ibuprofen regularly: I asked about that, thinking there might be a reason she wrote a prescription with no renewals. I can use it occasionally, if the pain is particularly bad or the shoulder is particularly stiff, but not on the 600-mg-every-six-hours (=1800 mg/day) I was doing. Fortunately, icing the shoulder does not carry the risk of damaging the liver, kidneys, or stomach, so I can continue to do that at will.

So, can anyone recommend an orthopedist in New York City? One with expertise in shoulders would be particularly welcome, of course, and if they call themselves "orthopedist" instead of "orthopedic surgeon" that's also a plus.

Cozy

cattitude got home at a reasonable hour this evening (not bad, for a cat who's already worked about 45 hours this calendar week, and it only Wednesday), and we had Chinese takeout (I didn't feel up to cooking) and he did laundry and I put most of it away (as in, mine and some of his). julian_tiger did his famous gargoyle imitation on top of the wardrobe while this was going on. I had a cheering conversation with adrian_tigeradrian_turtle, who I hope won't mind that, half-asleep, I mangled her username.

I still have practical things to do--call Land's End, since their online chat doesn't love me, and sort out about these pants; find an orthopedist; buy cat food; the usual stuff--but it will be fine.

Cozy

cattitude got home at a reasonable hour this evening (not bad, for a cat who's already worked about 45 hours this calendar week, and it only Wednesday), and we had Chinese takeout (I didn't feel up to cooking) and he did laundry and I put most of it away (as in, mine and some of his). julian_tiger did his famous gargoyle imitation on top of the wardrobe while this was going on. I had a cheering conversation with adrian_tigeradrian_turtle, who I hope won't mind that, half-asleep, I mangled her username.

I still have practical things to do--call Land's End, since their online chat doesn't love me, and sort out about these pants; find an orthopedist; buy cat food; the usual stuff--but it will be fine.