Shoulder Still "Hurty"

[just jim]

So in the middle of October I had what I think was quite nasty crash on a mountain bike trail. I fell heavily onto my left shoulder, but I can't remember the details. I was lucky not to dislocate or break anything. Call it a hunch.
At the time I could raise my arm above the shoulder, and wasn't reeling around in agony, but it was pretty darn sore.
I didn't get an X-ray, but the local g.p didn't leap up from his desk and recommend it when I seen him. Perhaps I should have at the time as it is still aching. He thought a cracked rib was a possibility.
O.K, my point is, do I just put the aches (emanating mostly from shoulder blade) down to tissue damage and MTFU, or is it " not normal" to have it bother me after 3 months?

 

[jefmcg]

That doesn't sound right to me. My recent-ish broken wrist was painful for a week or two, but by the time the plaster came off 6 weeks later, the pain was a distant memory. See your doctor and get referred to an orthopaedic specialist.

 

[Kies]

Even cracked ribs would have healed by 6-8 weeks, so shoulder pain after 3 months suggests you may have ripped some muscle/tissue. I am not a doctor,but do suggest you go see the GP again

 

[PK99]

So in the middle of October I had what I think was quite nasty crash on a mountain bike trail. I fell heavily onto my left shoulder, but I can't remember the details. I was lucky not to dislocate or break anything. Call it a hunch.
At the time I could raise my arm above the shoulder, and wasn't reeling around in agony, but it was pretty darn sore.
I didn't get an X-ray, but the local g.p didn't leap up from his desk and recommend it when I seen him. Perhaps I should have at the time as it is still aching. He thought a cracked rib was a possibility.
O.K, my point is, do I just put the aches (emanating mostly from shoulder blade) down to tissue damage and MTFU, or is it " not normal" to have it bother me after 3 months?

Daughter had the "same" fall skiing a week ago. With the same symptoms

X ray when we got home showed no break but ligament damage likely with bone on bone bruising. Consultant today recommended early physio intervention (booked for tomorrow with sports injury clinic) with breast stroke swimming. Danger, he said, was Frozen Shoulder.

my advice: go see a sports injury physio, ignore the NHS, cough the £50 for a first session with assessment. If funds are limited, tell them and say you need a home exercise programme.

Too late now: but best advice is to see a physio asap after an injury like that. mobilisation is SO important. Mrs PK fractured pelvis, shoulder and thumb skiing two years ago. Thumb and pelvis were ok within 6 weeks, shoulder (bit of bone pulled off by ligament) took 12 months of physio. Shoulders are very complicated joints

 

[just jim]

Thanks all. I will seek out a dose of physio.

 

[fossyant]

Physio and GP.

Shoulders are the second most pain in the ass joint after the knee for a cyclist. Shoulder injuries follow the same as rugby players. Even minor strains can need surgery.

 

[HLaB]

Yikes GWS Jim. I badly bruised my ribs the year before last (god how time flies ) and had a shoulder problems; maybe coincidence but they seemed to improve rapidly when I got back on the bike, perhaps the vibration/ massage of the road and the position (on the hoods) were good for it or perhaps I'm talking garbage; anyway things came good for me and I hope they come good for you.

 

[Winnershsaint]

Had accident in August resulting in a shoulder fracture. Have had extensive physio and still have limitations in movement. Have initial diagnosis of a secondary frozen shoulder. From what I can gather if this happens they will normally knock you out for a short while and manipulate it. Unfortunately in my case they can't do this because of the break so surgery is the only solution other than waiting for shoulder to un-freeze. If it's not a frozen shoulder it could be rotator cuff tear. Either way I'd get along to your GP.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

rotator cuff injury. oh so common off-road. Sports physio pronto.