Cortisone Shots

JJOntario
JJOntario Member Posts: 356
edited February 2020 in Pain

Just seen my family Dr for pain in my shoulder. I shredded my rotator cuff last year (no big injury but attributable to radiation and scar tissue on my BC side as per my mri). I was given a cortisone shot back then and now they are suggesting another followed by intense PT. I’m concerned because first, the pain is intense , second, I’m worried that if I get in the hands of the wrong therapist who doesn’t understand radiation and the effects of it it will make it worse, and lastly....do they even know if the tissue will stretch (?.) or will it tear? Lastly...I’m worried about getting another shot in this bad arm. I’m seriously so done with this. I sound like a cranky record.,,”oh my arm”. It’s affecting my mood, ...and to top it off, I’m job hunting after 22 yrs and this is the arm I use (with the mouse). I’m terrified of starting a new job and this arm failing..

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Comments

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2020

    Ontario - I'd go back and talk to your original orthopedic surgeon. And maybe also talk to your radiation oncologist. That's who that helped to get the right PT treatment.

    That said, I have several friends who have had cortisone shots for various thing - as I have for a trigger thumb. We have all been told that one cortisone shot won't solve the problem, and probably will require 3 over time. Since my 4th cortisone shot over a period of 15 months, I haven't had any recurring or residual pain in 5 years.

    If the issue is a shot in a lymphadema compromised arm, that's another issue.

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  • JJOntario
    JJOntario Member Posts: 356
    edited February 2020

    Thank you. I’m more concerned with the ability of everything to stretch vs shred due to the amount of scar tissue.The pain from my shoulder last year was totally unreal. Also, I never had an orthopaedic surgeon. I’m 5 years out fro dx and kind of feel “let go” from my original care team.

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited February 2020

    JJOntario, Are you able to see a orthopedic surgeon? Did you wear a sling and immobilize that shoulder/arm? I wouldn't let PT touch me until I had the okay from the orthopedic doctor. You should have a MRI first to see how bad the damage really is. Congrats on being 5 years out!!

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  • JJOntario
    JJOntario Member Posts: 356
    edited February 2020

    I never saw an orthopedic surgeon but my mri showed shredding on my rotator cuff and family dr said radiation fibrosis. I’m nervous of starting pt and tearing instead of stret

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited February 2020

    I'm wondering if your family doctor can really make that diagnosis. Even though you haven't seen your RO I would make an appt and bring the scan report with you for the RO doctor to review. He or she might give you a referral to see ortho. Even if the RO Np can fit you in it is worth a try. They are the ones who are trained to diagnosed this issue. PT might not touch you or should not without getting an okay from another doctor.

    Good luck !!

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