Shoulder MRI results

[redbird]

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.

Comments

[rosefox]

I don't know of an orthopedist, but when it gets to time for PT, I highly, highly recommend Patricia Ruiz of Moving Strength (http://www.movingstrength.com/). She combines Pilates and yoga and her own experience as a dancer, and she's just phenomenal. She's the reason my arms don't hurt anymore; two months of seeing her did more good than all the chiropractic and massage therapy I got over the previous year. As a bonus, she works out of her apartment on 101st near Bway, which is very easy to get to from where we are. Tell her I sent you.

[copperwise.livejournal.com]

OW. I do hope it feels better soon. Sounds like the cortisone might not hurt, either.

[copperwise.livejournal.com]

I know, I've had them, I meant hurt as in "might not be a bad idea." But if you are going to be doing pt it's not at all a bad idea to get the swelling as much under control as possible before you start.

[truepenny.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you've got it diagnosed.

Also? Ouch.

[catelynn.livejournal.com]

Unfortuately mine was Orthopedic Surgeon but he is good. Dr Mc Cann at Beth Israel..he only does shoulders.

[redbird]

Thanks. He seems to be in my plan (no surprise). In case they ask where I heard about him, is it okay to mention your name? (If so, please ping me with your full name.)

[negativeq.livejournal.com]

Oh man, that sucks.

I recently had a shoulder MRI done myself. Somehow I gave myself tendonitis.

There are orthopaedists at the Hospital for Special Surgery in the east side, but I don't know any shoulder specialists.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

Qualified relief, then :-S

I've been told that cortisone injections can have negative effects if there is pre-existing scar tissue - I don't know any details, unfortunately.