Torn labrum

[honker23]

From what I understand prolotherapy involves a glucose mixture designed to irritate the stucture to stimulate the inflammatory reaction your body goes through during the acute stage of an injury. I have heard miracle stories, but most have been with chronic muscle/tendon injuries, for example a hamstring injury in a sprinter. I've also read about adverse reactions to this where the athlete "thinks" it's all better then completely ruptures the structure in competition. Not sure it would be indicated for the labrum (cartilage), as this is a structure that cannot repair itself. But as you said it is way too early to know if this is a good option due the fact very little research exists on the science behind this and for what injuries it would be indicated.

To help summarize some of the info you've been given....Please go to a respected othropeadic surgeon and follow through with the rehab and you have an excellent chance of having no limitations down the road. Every shoulder is different and best case scenario you just have a labral tear, 6-10 PT visits, complete recovery in 3 months. Worst case, there's more damage than they thought, 20 visits of PT, still stiff, manipulation, 15 more visits, 1 year later it's about 80% and you are stuck with a stiff shoulder that lacks strength.

Or you can live with the pain, stuggle to sleep, avoid surgery now and in 20 years your shoulder has more arthritis/osteophytes because it lost the stability the labrum helps provide and wore out earlier than it should have.

Did I say summarize....sorry this got a little long. Good Luck!

[united jigsticker]

I have 2 bad shoulders.

Chiropractic adjustments help for about an hour, and then the pain is worse then before.

PT helps to a degree for temporary relief, but the pain progressively gets worse over time.

I get daily deep tissue massages, that helps for short term (1-2 hours) as well.

I take Flexeril when the stiffness and immobility gets unbearable, but makes mush out of the rest of me and helps only minimally.

Vicodin ES and Oxycodone for the worst of worst times, but still only makes things bearable.

I have associated headaches with the shoulder pain.

I have been to the Mayo Clinic, pain clinics, several MRI's, yadda yadda.

Good luck with your situation, I hope it goes well and the discomfort can be minimized.

[fisherdog19]

First off, the Labrum is cartilage and doesn't attach anything. It is a cartilagenous cup that deepens the shoulder socket for the end of your upper arm bone (humerous) to fit it. As it is, the shoulder is one of the most unstable/shallow joints in the body, and the Labrum helps stabilize it. The type of cartilage the Labrum is made of WILL NOT heal itself. You either live with the pain, or have the tear repaired surgically. Some people have minimal to no pain with a labral tear, thus requiring no treatment. If the pain is so bad that it effects your way of living, or what you do, as it did me (professional baseball), get it fixed. If it's not that bad, let it be.

[hoggs222]

I am on my third as a result of a rear dislocation. The last time was a torn labrum before reconstruction. The best advice I can give is know your body and your pain tolerance. This will help in the recovery process. The recovery period can be minimal if you stretch and rehab correctly. I believe I was golfing and throwing a softball within a month. If you can get the nerve block instead of the anesthesia I would recommend it Good luck.

[Gator Slayer]

Let me paraphrase....Your milage may very depending on driving habits... I believe there are 2 keys to Arthroscopy. (I've had Arthroscopy w/ reduction of the capsule) The first and foremost is the procedurist. Look long and hard..it is a very technical procedure. 2nd is PT..It should become your new "religion" follow it consistently and faithfully. I will give my 2c about anesthesia if the capsule is shrunk the only way I've heard to test the joint is to sub-lux or hyper extend the shoulder. I don't think you want to be awake for that...Versed is your ally and Fentanyl is your friend.