| Being an older dad with young kids I try hard to keep | | | | rather than bone and doesn't grip the bone of the arm. |
| myself active and in shape so that I can keep up with | | | | Instead, a group of four muscles hold the joint together. |
| the kids as they get older. I also enjoy a game of golf, | | | | These make up the rotator cuff. What I had done was |
| a good walk ruined as they say. I'm not a great player | | | | tear one of these muscles which caused inflammation. |
| as I never get to play as often as I would like but I do | | | | Because all the muscles fit snuggly together any |
| enjoy it, so was really hacked off when I developed a | | | | inflammation causes pressure and pain. |
| shoulder injury that stopped me playing. | | | | The muscle that I had torn is called the supraspinatus. I |
| It wasn't actually as simple as that. The shoulder injury | | | | had torn a tendon that runs under my collar bone. |
| turned out to be a torn rotator cuff which stopped me | | | | Because it was inflamed, every time that I moved it |
| doing any kind of activity. It was painful when I walked | | | | got pinched and was aggravated. Surgery was |
| or ran, even though I am right handed, any movement | | | | recommended to shave off part of my collar bone to |
| caused serious pain in my left shoulder. If I forgot and | | | | free up the tendon and allow it to heal. It all sounded |
| made a sudden movement I could end up in agony. I | | | | very logical but I was a bit nervous. |
| can remember exactly when I did it. I was being | | | | Being in the UK we are used to waiting for surgery so |
| impatient and trying to lift some furniture on my own | | | | I took the time to do some research on the subject |
| rather than waiting for help, felt something go in my | | | | while I waited for my surgery date. Having studied my |
| shoulder and that was that. The next day I woke up | | | | injury extensively I finally came across a therapy |
| with shoulder pain and it just got worse as each day | | | | programme which seemed to offer an alternative to |
| went by. | | | | surgery. I signed up to it and was surprised to find my |
| I couldn't reach much above shoulder height, reaching | | | | shoulder improving with careful exercise. Within six |
| for anything was impossible, couldn't reach behind me, | | | | weeks my shoulder was pain free and the movement |
| couldn't sleep because I couldn't get comfortable and | | | | was about ninety percent returned. A few more |
| couldn't do a thing with the kids. So it was off to the | | | | weeks saw me return to what feels like one hundred |
| doctor who sent me to a specialist. He diagnosed a | | | | percent fitness. I have postponed the surgery and may |
| torn rotator cuff, which was confirmed by an MRI | | | | well be canceling it altogether if I remain pain free. |
| scan. Your shoulder joint is a simple ball and socket | | | | In the meantime I am back playing golf, still losing but |
| joint. Unlike the hip, the socket is made up of cartilage | | | | hey, I do have a bad shoulder! |