Shoulder Injury/ Poor Insurance Policy: Please Advise

[Veerinson]

Hello all,

I have just graduated from college and I have a rudementary insurance policy with I believe a $1k deductible. I recently (about 4-5 weeks ago) had a shoulder injury. It is tough to pinpoint exactly when it happened because there was no searing pain, but I believe it happened during training. The pain is in the shoulder, (lateral and anterior deltoids) but extends, when I lift my arm, into the tricep area. It is also worth mentioning that I have some tightness in the neck and middle back on that side (this has been from before the recent injury in my shoulder). All research I've done points to a rotator cuff injury. It seems to be getting slightly better, but it could be my imagination. My question is : Should I definitely see a doctor at this point, or will the problem correct itself if I ice and stay off lifting. I've never had an injury such as this before. The doctor appointment and the MRI will end up costing a couple hundred bucks at least, so I'd hate to go to all the trouble if it will correct itself (but this is probably wishful thinking).

Thanks for any advice or links that could point me in the right direction,

Erik

[Bill Hartman]

If you can get your arm overhead, an MRI probably isn't necessary.

Check your neck motion (forward, back, side to side, and rotation both ways) to make sure you don't have a neck problem presenting as a shoulder problem. If neck movement of any kind intensifies your shoulder issues, go see a therapist or doc. If you live in a direct access state, you can see the PT directly and save the doc appointment.

Which way are you raising the arm to get pain in the triceps?

Does load make it worse (taking a bottle from the fridge)?

Any pain at rest or at night?

Bill

[Veerinson]

Bill,

Thanks for your reply, that is reassuring to say the least.

The shoulder problem is on my left shoulder. The tightness in my neck and middle back is also on the left side, if I haven't mentioned that. If I touch my head to my right shoulder, I feel some stretch in my left shoulder, but not really any pain. It is probably also worth mentioning that I have had the issue with my neck for quite some time (since maybe last fall.)

The pain in my tricep is when i lift my left arm straight out, to the side. I feel it mostly in my lateral deltoid, and in the tricep in the back of my arm, directly above my elbow (I believe this is called the triceps brachii muscle, but i'm not entirely certain) when I do this.

There is no significant increase in the pain when lifting things like a bottle. In fact, I only have the pain when I lift my arm to shoulder height or higher.

There is additionally no pain at night. In fact, I often favor sleeping on my hurt shoulder for some reason unknown to me (just more comfortable that way).

Thanks again for your help, it is much appreciated.

Erik