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Featured Replies

I’m an old guy (59). For the last six months, I’ve had a sharp pain in my shoulder when I extend my arm and try to lift or reach awkwardly. It’s fine when I lift something and keep my arm close to my core. 
 
Any reason to not just go straight to an orthopedic doctor? Any reason to see a general practitioner first?

Anyone got a Rex for an orthopedic in the DFW mid-cities (Arlington, Mansfield, Hurst, Bedford, Euless)?

Go straight to the specialist.  Have fun with PT, those ladies will torture you.  Then after that doesn't work, prep for surgery.  better start getting used to your other hand when you touch yourself at night.

yeah, go to a cutter and get an mri/xray

- i had a bone spur once and did surgery to file it down and they also tried to abrade some arthritis off the joint.  worked ok, but i have gone back to get cortisone shots when some inflammation would not go away

i have always gone to the Carrell Clinic in Dallas

10 hours ago, statsman said:

I’m an old guy (59). For the last six months, I’ve had a sharp pain in my shoulder when I extend my arm and try to lift or reach awkwardly. It’s fine when I lift something and keep my arm close to my core. 
 
Any reason to not just go straight to an orthopedic doctor? Any reason to see a general practitioner first?

Anyone got a Rex for an orthopedic in the DFW mid-cities (Arlington, Mansfield, Hurst, Bedford, Euless)?

What kind of insurance do you have?   If it's HMO, you're heading to the GP for a referral.

  • Author

It’s a PPO, so I think I get to self refer (but it’s better in network)

I went through that shit a couple of years ago. It would hurt like hell for about 25 seconds then it would subside. It lasted about nine months then it was gone.

Welcome to my world. Torn rotator cuff, right arm. Using VA and luckily they are sending me to private practice. I have an appointment to make an appointment.

On 12/6/2022 at 8:17 AM, statsman said:

 

Anyone got a Rex for an orthopedic in the DFW mid-cities (Arlington, Mansfield, Hurst, Bedford, Euless)?

https://www.carrellclinic.com/doctors/dr-todd-moen

They are the best in DFW, many of the docs have worked for the pro sports teams.  I saw Kristaps Porzingis (sp?) from the Mavs there when I was following up after rotator cuff.  

And as mentioned, get ready for some painful PT. 

Are you a side sleeper? Do you sleep on any memory foam? If you do, get a firm mattress and it will go away in a few weeks. 

 

 

 

Fuck PT. For years I was in agony with shoulder pain. Couldn't lift my right arm without wincing. Fondren Orthopedic in Houston kept telling me that PT was my only option, but it didn't help one bit. When I moved to the Metroplex a friend sent me over to the Carrell Clinic. After an exam and MRI, Dr. Burkhead asked me when I wanted to schedule surgery. I had my rotator cuff repaired, a bicep tendon reattached, and my AC joint cleaned out. He said my AC joint appeared as if a hand grenade had gone off in it. No amount of PT was going to fix that. Ridiculous. Recovery from shoulder surgery was grueling. I'm on my third ACL and I'd have three more before I had shoulder surgery again. But, I've been pain free ever since I recovered and I thank Dr. Burkhead every time I reach for my seatbelt or toss a football without any pain.

2 hours ago, Saint Tacky said:

Fuck PT. For years I was in agony with shoulder pain. Couldn't lift my right arm without wincing. Fondren Orthopedic in Houston kept telling me that PT was my only option, but it didn't help one bit. When I moved to the Metroplex a friend sent me over to the Carrell Clinic. After an exam and MRI, Dr. Burkhead asked me when I wanted to schedule surgery. I had my rotator cuff repaired, a bicep tendon reattached, and my AC joint cleaned out. He said my AC joint appeared as if a hand grenade had gone off in it. No amount of PT was going to fix that. Ridiculous. Recovery from shoulder surgery was grueling. I'm on my third ACL and I'd have three more before I had shoulder surgery again. But, I've been pain free ever since I recovered and I thank Dr. Burkhead every time I reach for my seatbelt or toss a football without any pain.

Yeah, he's supposed to be the man.

His kid was a pretty good RB at Corn when they were still decent.

13 hours ago, RPM said:

Welcome to my world. Torn rotator cuff, right arm. Using VA and luckily they are sending me to private practice. I have an appointment to make an appointment.

I thought I had a torn rotator cuff, did X-Rays and MRI and turned out to be a Labrum (sp?), which if caught early enough, is much better. Still sucks.

I have slight tears of rotator cuff, labrum, and bicep tendon. That pretty much covers it all so OP has one of those. You’ll learn to not reach and lift things and never throw something hard. PT didn’t help me and I never went for surgery. Things have been pretty good for a couple of years though. Forget it was an issue most of the time, but never throw a ball. Can still lift light weights if I keep things tight.

NTO in Grapevine off Hwy 26.  They have in-house PT, which is nice.  I did a lot of PT there between/after elbow surgeries (had the surgeries elsewhere).

NTO = North Texas Orthopedics

On 12/6/2022 at 11:16 AM, freyguy said:

better start getting used to your other hand when you touch yourself at night.

It’s like being with a clumsy stranger. 

Finally got an appointment this morning for a doctor in Ft. Worth. Dr. Brook Adams at Texas Bone & Joint. Did a little research on him and he's got good reviews, 4.9 out of 5.

This looks fun.

 

Edited by RPM

On 12/8/2022 at 9:11 PM, TwiceHorn said:

Yeah, he's supposed to be the man.

His kid was a pretty good RB at Corn when they were still decent.

He’s still playing in the NFL for the Texans. 9 years in the league now.

Saw Dr Adams this morning and I like him. Thinks my rotator cuff is torn, but not that bad. Gave me my options and his opinion, which was go slow and don't rush surgery. It's mostly bursitis and he gave me a shot of steroids. Said it might take a couple days to work, but I feel better already. Going back in 6 weeks to follow up.

  • 2 weeks later...

I would go to Dr Jay Pond at Arlington orthopedic. He is the orthopedic surgeon most docs use. He did my carpal tunnel surgeries, cleaned out my wife’s rebuilt knee.

Shoulders are tough compared to knees and hips. Do your PT after your surgery religiously.

He’s still playing in the NFL for the Texans. 9 years in the league now.

pretty sure Rex Burkhead’s father is not a physician.
On 12/27/2022 at 1:55 PM, RPM said:

Saw Dr Adams this morning and I like him. Thinks my rotator cuff is torn, but not that bad. Gave me my options and his opinion, which was go slow and don't rush surgery. It's mostly bursitis and he gave me a shot of steroids. Said it might take a couple days to work, but I feel better already. Going back in 6 weeks to follow up.

In my experience the steroid injection works for 2 days rather than takes 2 days to work. 

I find the shots help me hit dingers.

 

 

30Novitzky-articleLarge-v2.jpg

On 1/11/2023 at 1:18 PM, PantsTent said:

In my experience the steroid injection works for 2 days rather than takes 2 days to work. 

most cortisone shots are preceded by a lidocaine shot, which is pretty awesome and makes your shoulder feel bulletproof for the rest of the day.

I have had good luck with cort shots relieving pain that simply was not going away in my knee (torn meniscus) and shoulder (arthritis).   Had a buddy i play bball with who gets the gel shots in his knee.  Said his doc told him the gel was better long term than a cort shot for the joint if you were going to be getting either on the reg for years.

The shot was good for about 3 days and it was right back to square 1. Looks like I might have to try Plan B.

2 hours ago, RPM said:

Looks like I might have to try Plan B.

Using your other hand?

15 hours ago, RPM said:

The shot was good for about 3 days and it was right back to square 1. Looks like I might have to try Plan B.

More painful than child birth, confirmed by my wife’s OB who has done both. Hope that helps. 
 

as mentioned I went to 60 PT sessions, the first 20ish will bring a tear to your eyes at times. I’m good now but it’s human nature for you to think about it daily.  

On 12/20/2022 at 11:10 PM, Helobious said:

He’s still playing in the NFL for the Texans. 9 years in the league now.

Corn was not good 10-12 years ago. We were still making sure of that. 

  • 2 years later...

I sustained full thickness, partial rotator cuff tear in January.  The surgeon was fairly optimistic that PT might do the trick.  But, while PT has been positive - increased strength, improved range of motion, and somewhat reduced pain, it is all relative.  It is my dominant arm and there is discomfort all day long with anything that engages the rotator cuff - opening a door, holding card key out the car window to enter my office parking garage, upward resistance against a towel when drying off after a shower....  And, the dog is pissed that I no longer throw him tennis balls.  I've just scheduled an ortho follow-up for next week to talk next steps.  Furk!

6 hours ago, Tonesky said:

I sustained full thickness, partial rotator cuff tear in January.  The surgeon was fairly optimistic that PT might do the trick.  But, while PT has been positive - increased strength, improved range of motion, and somewhat reduced pain, it is all relative.  It is my dominant arm and there is discomfort all day long with anything that engages the rotator cuff - opening a door, holding card key out the car window to enter my office parking garage, upward resistance against a towel when drying off after a shower....  And, the dog is pissed that I no longer throw him tennis balls.  I've just scheduled an ortho follow-up for next week to talk next steps.  Furk!

I think get it fixed. Stay active. I worry that the minute I succumb to an injury and just let it go is the minute I turn into a lazy old blob. At a minimum the rehab will be a good challenge in your life to take on. Keep us posted. I've potentially got shoulder surgery in my future, so I'm subscribed. 

19 hours ago, Tonesky said:

I sustained full thickness, partial rotator cuff tear in January.  The surgeon was fairly optimistic that PT might do the trick.  But, while PT has been positive - increased strength, improved range of motion, and somewhat reduced pain, it is all relative.  It is my dominant arm and there is discomfort all day long with anything that engages the rotator cuff - opening a door, holding card key out the car window to enter my office parking garage, upward resistance against a towel when drying off after a shower....  And, the dog is pissed that I no longer throw him tennis balls.  I've just scheduled an ortho follow-up for next week to talk next steps.  Furk!

I had my shoulder scoped 12 weeks ago (rotator cuff tear, debridement, bone spur shaved down).  Go for it, you’re going to wonder why you waited so long.  

  • Author

So, after starting this thread, I did nothing. After about a year and a half, my right shoulder stopped hurting. A few months later, my left shoulder stopped hurting. 

On 12/8/2022 at 6:12 PM, Deej said:

Are you a side sleeper? Do you sleep on any memory foam? If you do, get a firm mattress and it will go away in a few weeks. 

 

 

 

I went through this a couple of years ago and I suspected side sleeping and the new soft mattresses was causing the shoulder pain. My shoulder would sink a little into the mattress and was like my shoulder was being compressed all night. 

Purchased another mattress, got a body pillow and stretched a lot and the pain disappeared within a month. 

 

On 8/2/2025 at 5:56 PM, statsman said:

So, after starting this thread, I did nothing. After about a year and a half, my right shoulder stopped hurting. A few months later, my left shoulder stopped hurting. 

And now you are 63.
3 years closer to Sheol.

kidding, I’m in my 60’s as well and went so far as to get x-rays done and get a consultation for a surgery. Just never pulled the trigger. I throw a football with the grandsons like a girl, but that may because I’m weak and old now though I like to blame it on the shoulder.

 

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