Originally Posted by
GhostRider62
They make you do a bunch of stuff first. I had to do two rounds of PT. Then, the Doc shot some lidocaine or something into my shoulder. He was surprised to see that I could then lift my arm up (my wife had to dress me, that is how bad it was). That shot test got me an MRI from the insurance company. Then, some steroid injections IIRC and then after 12 months of pain, I simply told the Ortho Surgeon Doc that I was not leaving his office until he agreed to do surgery. He laughed and said they would work it out with insurance or something along those lines. Saying all that so you follow the steps they want you to take, some of it unfortunately is to satisfy the insurance company, but hopefully conservative treatment will work for you. I even tried accupuncture, chiro, massage, etc. Nothing worked.....until I had surgery, I am so happy with my result but getting there was not so quick.
I am 'ahead' of your situation in the sense that my current problem is not as bad as yours. I am mostly anticipating (assuming a surgical solution) the inevitable outcome of a significant loss of fitness during recuperation. And at age 72 I have no doubt that I will never get all of that fitness back. So I am trying to get ahead of the curve if that is possible. Quite frankly as I interpreted what I heard at my first shoulder specialist appointment the only meaningful changes will be surgical. So I am seeing just exactly what I am willing to put up with. It is not NEARLY as bad as what you described. However, if playing baseball left-handed is ever a requirement, I am totally screwed.
dave
ps. Surprising to me, physical therapy was not recommended.