Help! 3 different doctors are telling me three differenet things about a long term shoulder problem!?

Question

i injured my shoulder joint 5 years ago, broke my collarbone, dislocated my shoulder. I have been stubborn, as I am a violist and I am scared that I will not be able to play anymore. I finally went to an orthopedist and he did an MRI, without dye, and x-rays, and came to the conclusion that I have tendinitis in my shoulder, and he gave me a prescription for naproxen, and sent me to physical therapy. I couldn't do the exercises without being in too much pain to even get up in the morning, so i was stuck with massage and tens unit therapy. I went to a new doctor, who said I have glenoid hypoplasia, which means my shoulder socket bone is too small and the treatment is major surgery to reconstruct the socket and tighten the joint. He sent me to a specialist, who said I don't have glenoid hypoplasia, I have hypermobile joints leading to multidirectional shoulder instability, so he gave me a cortisone injection and said 8 weeks of physical therapy. I don't know what doctor to believe. help!

Answer 1

Do some research and find the closest sports orthopedist and make an appointment. Get that doctors opinion and then and only then ask him to explain why you don't have what these other doctors have said that you have.

It will take some time but you will find a doctor that knows what they are doing. It is just sad that in this day and age we can't trust that all doctors are good.

Answer 2

Well I 'm not a doctor or anything, but it sounds to me like the third guy, the specialist, might have the best answer. If you are a violinist, then it makes sense that you move your arm so much that your joints are not handling it naturally. It's funny that they make it sound so confusing, with words like "multidirectional shoulder instability," when all that means when you break ot down is that you move your shoulder in many directions causing it to be unstable lol But it's the same with secretaries getting carpal tunnel syndrome because they type on the computer so much.

Anyway, it sounds like "the specialist" knows what he's doing. But I'd try looking into what you can do diet-wise to help yourself out too. It may be that you have a deficiency of some vitamin like vitamin A which, if taken, can help your body strengthen the joints. You might also try taking the glucosamine supplement.

Answer 3

In a nutshell, I want to say that tendonitis means your muscles have been strained or overextended, and the injury is having long-term effects. Glenoid hypoplasia might mean, if I understand it right, that after your injury your body reacted or healed by depositing more bone growth on your shoulder bone where it meets the socket, and now the growth makes the joint too big for its socket. Hypermobile joints means that more than your tendons were injured the first time, and that muscle and joint connections were messed up at the same time, and so during your healing time the connections that were broken either did not heal correctly or made new connections that are causing your extended injury.
I think you should get a look at those x-rays taken by the orthopedist and have him show you exactly what he means. Ask about unusual bone growth affecting your bone's fit in its socket, and ask about how to find out if your muscle connections are messed up too. If you can, bring in someone like your personal trainer or someone who knows and understands medical terminology to help explain it to you, but make sure you see those x-rays for yourself!
Good luck and God Bless, permanent pain is lame.

Answer 4

Sounds familiar! I've experienced the same kind of crap from doctors concerning an upper back and neck injury I endured some 20 years ago.
My wife is an RN and we strongly urge you not to trust the doctor that wants to use a knife on you!
Stay away from doctors and hospitals!
Physical therapy, exercise and Tylenol when necessary will probably be all you need.

Answer 5

I would trust the specialist the most because that's ALL he works with and they would know better than a general practitioner. You can also ask for a second opinion from another specialist, you're entitled to it. TELL THEM about your concerns, part of a doctor's job is to make sure you are not confused or anxious about your treatment.

Answer 6

Maybe you have food allergies. Did your doctors tell you to start back on food gradually? Start with a liquid diet and then gradually add solid foods, keeping a food diary to see what foods cause your symptoms. I see in your postings two instances of chicken in your diet that made you ill. The GERD could be from food allergies. Acid Reflux can be treated with a change in your diet. Good Luck and Best Wishes.

Answer 7

I'd stick with a specialist's opinion, they'd be more knowledgeable that a general practise doctor. Don't get surgery without really investigating the situation thoroughly.

Answer 8

I have a shoulder problem too and my doctor told me to have surgery but what I want to do with my life that will not help so I went to the hospital and they said the best option was phisio thearpy. Hope I helped

Answer 9

The cortisone should do the trick it sounds like third time lucky and good luck with your violin playing build up the strength gradually and anti inflammatory should work now like neurofen tablets .

Answer 10

OMG i saw this same thing on oprah...u need a 4th opinion and if thats different then go back to ur main family doctor and have them examine u again....o and ask for a longer appointment, that will give them the chance to run more tests