Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
I've received a few messages asking about my shoulder and how I'm doing. So I thought I'd just post an update.
To bring new members up to date; I had an MRI 2 months ago. The MRI showed that I have lots going on with my shoulder....severe bursitis, cysts in the humeral head, tendinitis, tendinopathy, thickening of the joint capsule, bone spurs and arthritis. Lots. We did an injection into the bursa to "help" that first. Then I did PT for a month.
New information; The ortho and I had a long chat yesterday about what options are there. Surgery, replacement, nothing, etc. In the end we just went with some injections into the joint capsule. He injected a steroid (not cortisone,) and antibiotic, a NSAID along with lidocaine.
Thought process on surgery is that any surgery will create scar tissue...and I don't need anything additional hindering my mobility. Right now my movement is very diminished - no movement behind my back, less than 45 degrees to front and about 25 degree to the side. Not quite "frozen" but limited. In 30 days, if this adhoc patch is unsuccessful then I will have to decide do I just live with it (adapt and move on) or risk surgery.
I hope everyone is doing well!
To bring new members up to date; I had an MRI 2 months ago. The MRI showed that I have lots going on with my shoulder....severe bursitis, cysts in the humeral head, tendinitis, tendinopathy, thickening of the joint capsule, bone spurs and arthritis. Lots. We did an injection into the bursa to "help" that first. Then I did PT for a month.
New information; The ortho and I had a long chat yesterday about what options are there. Surgery, replacement, nothing, etc. In the end we just went with some injections into the joint capsule. He injected a steroid (not cortisone,) and antibiotic, a NSAID along with lidocaine.
Thought process on surgery is that any surgery will create scar tissue...and I don't need anything additional hindering my mobility. Right now my movement is very diminished - no movement behind my back, less than 45 degrees to front and about 25 degree to the side. Not quite "frozen" but limited. In 30 days, if this adhoc patch is unsuccessful then I will have to decide do I just live with it (adapt and move on) or risk surgery.
I hope everyone is doing well!
Ortho did look at my knees yesterday and wants to do x-rays when I go back. It's always good to have some baseline views to refer back to.
Hugs to you RASally....you set quite an example for all of us as well!
Sorry that dang shoulder is still giving you fits. I hope you find the right mix to fix
Be well and Rest
Bluedogs2
Had shoulder decompression. Arthritis, tendinitis & bursitis along with bone spurs.
I don't regret it but was no cake walk.
Limited ROM, be careful it does not end up completely frozen.
Not sure if its a possibility for you, tension bands & over the doors pulleys may help. If & that's a big if you can manage. Many days I'd struggle with doing either with these hands.
The very best of luck to you.
Sammy