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[sikora]

I think several forumites have dealt with shoulder injuries. 

Three weeks ago I dislocated my right shoulder (4th time).  I was 10 days in a sling, and accepted practice now is to get patients out of the sling as soon as possible. I saw an ortho resident on Monday.  I will go back to PT, but probably not have surgery.  There are some anatomical changes in my shoulder joint which make me a poor candidate for surgery. 

I'm trying to decide if I should go back to the ortho clinic, or wait until I see the PT person March 11.  The problem is, I hurt. A lot.  I have an ice on my shoulder or in my armpit all day.  The ortho resident was very reluctant to prescribe any pain meds, wanting me to instead us an OTC drug.  They don't work.  So I'm taking tramadol (Ultram).  Helps some.  She's not going to prescribe more (I think she thinks I am engaging in drug seeking or attention seeking behavior.  That is a common result of carrying a psychiatric diagnosis).  As per her advice, I'm driving, doing the ROM exercises, etc.

Part of me says call back.  The other part says, no, this is something you just have to live with, and it will get better.  I've researched shoulder dislocations on the Interwebz, and every thing seems to say that the injury is not that serious, and that most people get better with conservative treatment.  Complications are common but not that big of a deal.  I'm confused, I shouldn't have this kind of pain.

Is three weeks too long, and if not, how much pain is to be expected and accepted?  It wakes me up.  I am able to use some cognitive techniques (mostly active acceptance and distraction) to get through the day.  But this can get really old. 

[msparticularity]

Sikora, are you taking the Ultram along with an OTC inflammatory like ibuprofen or naproxen? That's the first thing that occurs to me; I don't find it terribly effective alone, but it takes just enough of the edge off if I take it with the NSAID.

Secondly, I wonder if the ice at this point may not be making things worse in the long run. I know it is good for reducing inflammation and numbing the pain early on, but a lot of more recent research points to using heat instead once the original inflammation has subsided. The heat both increases circulation and loosens up surrounding muscles, and also works well alternating with ice if needed.

[see_wolf]

Discomfort is to be expected after this length of time.  Pain is not.  If pain wakes you up, you need to go back to the ortho clinic.

[elsie]

I agree with moving to heat at this point. Personally, I love Thermacare heat wraps, and you can find storebrand versions as well.

[sikora]

My shoulder is all better now.  Like nothing ever happened.  Thank god, and please don't let me do it again.

[elsie]

Yay for being better.