[HELP] Orthopedic Specialist I have been working out for several months on the regular and injured one of my shoulders(deltoid?) two weeks ago. I'm not sure where it went wrong because I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. I'm guessing I just didn't stretch enough. It was really bad to the point where I couldnt even lift up my arm. I've pulled a muscle before(near my elbow) and from experience knew rest was the best remedy. However this injury seemed more serious and took much longer to heal. My fear is I may have done some permanent damage and this will be a reoccuring situation, forcing me to quit working out. I just let it rest for a while consciously limiting movement with that arm. Also I've been putting on alot of ICY-HOT . I'm not sure if I 'tore' the muscle or 'pulled' it, because I still feel some tightness/pain. This injury really set me back and I would like to hit up the gym again ASAP, however I do not want to self diagnose myself and would like opinion from a specialist. The last thing I want to do now is injure it again. By the way I do have health insurance with BlueShield-BlueCross. And I'm not originally from Houston but actually here for school so I do not have a general family doctor. So I have to turn to Clutchfans for medical advice . Any recommendations?
Is you insurance PPO or HMO. Regardless, you will need to download the "book" of available doctors in your area and choose one from that list. If you require a referral, choose a family doc/internist and see them. Let them know what happened and get the MRI (if needed). Do you have full range of motion right now?
For my ACL surgery i went to Dr. Michael Mann, he's a really nice guy and a great surgeon. He's off of Westeimer and Fondren if you're from Houston. I think they take various insurances so you might wanna call ahead. If you need his info or any more questions about my experience with him, just pm me or email me at weirdo8717@hotmail.com.
doboyz.. thanks for the referral. I just emailed you.. Anybody else have a similar situation as me? Any advice would be great!
I have almost full range of motion.. i would say i feel at 90% or so. But i've felt this way the past 3 days. There was alot of progress during the week prior to that, however these past few days the progress has stalled. That's what got me worried Like when i move my arm like a windmill(as like swimming) I feel some strain. When iI do the backstroke motion, it feels fine, or atleast 95%, maybe very slight strain but not really. When I do the front stroke motion(freestyle) i definitely feel the strain as i pull it up from the back to the top of the apex. I also can not reach back as far as I can with my other arm without feeling the strain. When the injury first happened i could not even lift up my arm laterally, like when u stretch ur arms out to make a "T". Now its much better than that now i can function(daily living) fine, like driving, picking up things etc. etc. Before i even had trouble getting out of my car. i've been loosening up my joints and mild stretching; such as the swimming motions mentioned above. I'm really tempted to begin very light weight training.. atleast giving my muscles SOME exercise.
I'd give it atleast another week or two. This sounds like a strained muscle. I don't think its a bad idea to give your PCP a call and visit if you have time (maybe to get some pain meds and/or muscle relaxers). With these types of injuries, most conservative orthopedist would treat with PT and time before even considering surgery.
I would agree and say it is a sprain/strain or a partial tear. I work as a massage therapist and the best thing you can do is get it evaluated professionally. Its always better to be proactive in these situations. I would recommend Kenneth Berliner, M.D. on I-45 North and Richey rd. He is a friend and I'm sure he will take care of you.
Hey man, I tried to pm you but it doesn't work. Do you have email? edit:: oh yeah btw, mine is accordblaze@gmail.com