Lost my virginity today.
It’s true. But it’s not what you think.
You see, up until 2 days ago I was a surgery virgin. Not counting the wisdom teeth I had pulled decades ago, which seems like it was in another incarnation.
As it turns out, though I’ve been blessed with good health, a strong constitution, and solid big-girl bones, I came into the world with the precursors of a curve of the bone on my acromion bone, capping the shoulder.
Now, in some circumstances, curvy can be good. But not in this one. It’s actually more like a hook than a curve, and occurs during formation of the bone when fusing from its 3 starter bones to one.
What’s The Problem?
Here’s the problem.
Sometimes this fusion can take on creative dimensions, causing the hook or curve.
Then this curve of the bone shrinks the subacromial space and impinges on the supraspinatus muscle and its tendon friends in that fragile, complex shoulder joint. This causes compression, and over time, results in rips and tears.
Ever heard of rotator cuff injuries? Sure you have. This is one of the causes.
Flashing Back a Year
This shoulder situation brought itself to my attention over a year ago, when I started experiencing reduced range of motion and shoulder pain, and with the inflammation that ensued, frozen shoulder.
An MRI confirmed my doctor’s suspicions. A top notch orthopedic surgeon (yeah, the cute one) and exemplary physical therapy have been very helpful, and an important precursor to getting my shoulder joint in the best condition profile for possible arthroscopic intervention to reshape the bone and relieve compression. I’m grateful for the option, especially after seeing what non-treatment can do. My Dad pretty much lost the use of a shoulder and arm in his later years due to rotator cuff issues.
Surgery Virgin
Still, to a surgery virgin such as myself, though full confidence in my medical team, in these days of Michael Jackson drips I’ve been somewhat edgy. Surgery on the day of the Summer Solstice was a good sign, and all went well. A with my dreamy doc in attendance, and my dear husband Greg fetching and hovering in all the best of ways post-op, how could I lose? On to recovery!
A Word To The Wise: Take Shoulder Pain Seriously
Frozen shoulder can actually be serious business and is an official diagnosis, not just a description of limited range of motion in the shoulder.
Rotator cuff injuries, including tears to the supraspinatus muscle and tendon tears, create OR can be the result of inflammation of the shoulder joint. In some cases, such as my own, this is simply due to the shape of the acromion, the bony protrusion on the shoulder blade.
This inflammation can take on a life of its own as the relatively fragile shoulder joint seeks to protect itself. Pain upon movement or even without it then becomes prevalent. Voila, frozen shoulder.
Specific manipulation of the joint capsule is extremely beneficial in this case – as I had in physical therapy with a very skilled therapist – as is avoidance of specific joint stresses while engaging in appropriate rest, flexibility training, and building strength balance in the shoulder. Often it is advisable NOT to raise elbows to side above shoulder level until some of the inflammation has subsided except in directed, passive stretching. Each case is different.
And repeated, overhead pressing movements can exacerbate and even stimulate inflammation and injury, whether your bones are “curvy” or not.
The point is, don’t take the situation lightly, try to push through it, or think that just proper alignment will necessarily take care of a shoulder problem. Though we think we’re too busy to take time to address these issues, in the long run, these things are important. When in a shoulder crisis, pay proper attention!
Have you ever had a shoulder injury? Share your experience in comments below!
© Lani Muelrath, M.A. 2010 All Rights Reserved
image: cubacool
