Rotater cuff or pulled muscle ! ?

[N Florida Mike]

Got a problem . I sometimes have to crawl under houses with my job.  About a month ago after a crawl I began to get a pain that feels like a pulled muscle in my upper right chest up near the shoulder. My shoulder has occasionally given me problems too. It has not gone away, if anything its gotten worse. Yesterday I noticed my right arm was a little numb and felt kind of tingly. It feels connected to whatevers wrong near the shoulder. In my life I always heal well from these kind of things, but not this time. The pain is down deep, and more than a little bit annoying.

At least casting and fighting fish dont seem to bother me any!?

But I am getting concerned. Any thoughts ?

 

[MN Fisher]

Get thee to Urgent Care and have it checked out - pulled muscle isn't too terrible, but a torn rotater cuff if left untreated can become serious enough to end your fishing days. Better to be safe than sorry.

[N Florida Mike]

Yeah I'll check n see what my insurance covers tomorrow.

[greentrout]

numbness & tingly in the arm deems immediate medical attention ... warning of possible heart complications ... i'm no dr. ... get to one asap ...

[N Florida Mike]

Thanks. I feel fine. It just sometimes seems to run from the pain area near my shoulder down my arm. Had my heart checked twice - full tests and they said it was fine  . But I appreciate  the concern.

[slonezp]

From a guy who has completely torn up his shoulder, get an MRI. Don't screw around. 

[N Florida Mike]

Thanks, I guess Ive probably thrown a million balls in my lifetime, not to mention all the casting. Guess its catching up with me.

[FishTank]

X-Ray then MRI.  The X-Ray will show if there is a tear and if fluid has built up in the shoulder.  The MRI will give finer detail about the complete issue but I would start there.  It could be an impingement as well, tendinitis or just a good old fashioned tear.  Range of motion in the shoulder can dictate where to begin as well.

[N Florida Mike]

Ive got complete range and a lot of motion doesnt bother it. It seems to be kind of connected to head movement, esp. looking up or down, or the motion of raising a cup to my mouth. Tried to find some exercises that would help, but what Ive tried hasnt worked. Think I may try some Blue Emu or whatever that is.

It does seem to help if I rest it as long as possible.

[slonezp]

I'm no doctor, which is why I don't diagnose myself. The problem with finding exercises off the internet, without knowing what is wrong, you could be doing more harm than good.

[volzfan59]

I agree with everyone else, go to your MD. That said, did you feel a "pop" or something like that while under the house? My wife and one of my close friends both tore their rotator cuffs a few years ago. Both have said that they felt a "poping" sensation when it happened.

[Sam]

Suggestions:

1. When you felt the pain was anyone with you to confirm what you felt?

2. Consider filing Workers' Comp claim to pay 100% of your medical bills and 66% of your weekly income.

3. Be ready to explain why you were late in reporting the Work Comp claim.

4. Get a list of approved Work Comp "panel of physicians" and go to one of them for starters.

5. Do this today so as not to continue to be "late reporting" and opening up a box of a lot of questions.

 

Sincerely hope it is a muscle problem that is impacting your nerves and not a rotator cuff situation. From what you wrote it sounds like a muscle problem that is being magnified by your neck movement.

 

Good luck.

[Oregon Native]

Well on the humorous side....I guess just fish...don't work.  On the serious side go to doc and get it checked.  Good info above.

[N Florida Mike]

Thanks. I plan to file an accident report today, and check into the other stuff.

I really did not feel a sudden pop or immediate pain. I have done a lot of crawls in the last 6 weeks and at some point I started noticing a little pain and it has got worse. But if I dont do a crawl for a few days the pain usually eases off. I am starting to think it isnt a cuff injury but something in the upper chest.

I do feel what I can best describe as a " grinding " sound when Im crawling in both shoulders but theres no pain  with it.

[slonezp]

The grinding could be bursitis or an impingement. 

[lo n slo]

sounds alot like O.L.D. ?

 

i have it too ?

[roadwarrior]

My son is a doctor. When anyone asks about a health issue, including me and the wife,

his answer is always the same...You probably should see your doctor.

 

 

[thedilettantedad]

My wife is also a medical professional and she would say, "Go see your doctor." May be nothing now and can be rehabbed, but you do not want it to get worse.

[N Florida Mike]

1 hour ago, lo n slo said:

sounds alot like O.L.D. ?

 

i have it too ?

Yeah . Tell me about it ! I have done so much physical stuff in my life but never been seriously injured. Im just one that wont go to the doctor for every little thing. 

 

[12poundbass]

Hopefully it’s nothing serious because the chances of you getting a workman’s comp claim now is very unlikely. I’m outside every day walking along the road and at construction sites and our project manager say several times a year “big or small report any and all injuries”. I told a guy a few years ago when he called and said he twisted his knee to report it. He didn’t listen to me and woke up the next day and it was swollen and he’s SOL. 

 

Even if it’s a small cut I report it because you never know. CYA 

[Jigfishn10]

15 hours ago, greentrout said:

numbness & tingly in the arm deems immediate medical attention ... warning of possible heart complications ... i'm no dr. ... get to one asap ...

Couldn't agree more. I had the same symptoms back in '09 and the first thing I got check for was stroke...Don't screw around with this

[N Florida Mike]

Im set up to see the Dr today. I'll let yall know what he says. I think its either a pulled muscle or pinched nerve maybe. Symptons have slacked off a little today.

[deaknh03]

good luck with that. On a side note, you live in fla and have to crawl under houses? Jesus, I can only imagine the treats waiting for you under there.

[N Florida Mike]

Its the least favorite  part of my job other than the politics.

Ive been doing that for 5 years now and honestly havent seen much that could potentially hurt me.

A dead possum was the nastiest.

My biggest fear  is getting bit by a spider, getting stuck, or touching a live wire.

At the Dr right now. Hoping they at least give me a note saying I cant crawl under houses for awhile.

[lo n slo]

36 minutes ago, N Florida Mike said:

Its the least favorite  part of my job other than the politics.

Ive been doing that for 5 years now and honestly havent seen much that could potentially hurt me.

A dead possum was the nastiest.

My biggest fear  is getting bit by a spider, getting stuck, or touching a live wire.

At the Dr right now. Hoping they at least give me a note saying I cant crawl under houses for awhile.

keep us posted brother. hoping for a good report.