Shoulder Pain

[CCMD]

Did you see an orthopedic surgeon? Probably so, as almost any other doctor will probably not have even heard of the term multi-directional instability. 

 

If it is truly multi-directional instability (or MDI for short), then it developed atraumatically (absence of injury) and likely affects both shoulders to some degree. Did you receive any focused physical therapy? Typically, MDI responds well to a good therapy regimen. Therapy should include 3-6 months of certain specific things: strengthening of the dynamic shoulder stabilizers (rotator cuff and periscapular musculature) and closed chain kinetic exercises (especially in the early period). The majority of MDI cases do respond to non-surgical treatment. If you haven't tried a focused therapy program under the supervision of a good occupational therapist (especially one with a good background treating Sports Medicine patients), that would be the first thing to do.

 

If you have tried extensive (over 6 months) of non-surgical treatment with minimal improvement, then an inferior capsular shift surgery (arthroscopic) with a possible rotator interval closure is a consideration. The decision to have surgery depends on how symptomatic you are. If you are able to avoid activities that reproduce your symptoms without taking all the fun out of life, then surgery certainly isn't necessary. However, if you can't fish, exercise or generally have any fun, then you should consider surgery. If you're thinking about having surgery, seek out a reputable Orthopedic Surgeon with a specific fellowship in Shoulder or Sports. Don't go see a General Orthopedic surgeon and let him operate on you. Bad idea there, my friend.

[T Dot]

Overhand throwing is not a natural movement. I use to pitch ... And then I got hurt. I stopped, but I pitched so much before it came back in other ways.

 

If you are looking to gain distance on your casts, switch over to a round reel. It's leaps and bounds beyond the Curado. I started with a Curado, and I feel if I switched to a round reel earlier - I would have had less aliments.

 

I now sleep in a cast that puts my arm in a proper resting position. I recommend you telling your PT about your sleeping patterns and positions. Keep them updated with your progress or lack there of. They will provide you with alternative solutions.

 

If it really hurts - listen to your body and stop. I know now I am not as invincible as I once thought I was.

 

Another option is to learn throwing with your other arm. Your last resort is surgery - and you don't want to go down that road.

[CCMD]

Overhand throwing is not a natural movement. I use to pitch ... And then I got hurt. I stopped, but I pitched so much before it came back in other ways.

 

If you are looking to gain distance on your casts, switch over to a round reel. It's leaps and bounds beyond the Curado. I started with a Curado, and I feel if I switched to a round reel earlier - I would have had less aliments.

 

I now sleep in a cast that puts my arm in a proper resting position. I recommend you telling your PT about your sleeping patterns and positions. Keep them updated with your progress or lack there of. They will provide you with alternative solutions.

 

If it really hurts - listen to your body and stop. I know now I am not as invincible as I once thought I was.

 

Another option is to learn throwing with your other arm. Your last resort is surgery - and you don't want to go down that road.

Surgery is a great option if you have the correct diagnosis, a good surgeon, and a proper set of expectations. Mix any of those variables up, and you're going to be unhappy. 

 

First step is to make sure you have the correct diagnosis. See a good Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in Shoulder/Elbow or Sports. Try appropriate non-surgical treatment if you haven't. 

 

I agree that surgery should be the last resort (always should be for non-traumatic situations), but it can be a great option.

[T Dot]

Surgery is a great option if you have the correct diagnosis, a good surgeon, and a proper set of expectations. Mix any of those variables up, and you're going to be unhappy. 

 

First step is to make sure you have the correct diagnosis. See a good Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in Shoulder/Elbow or Sports. Try appropriate non-surgical treatment if you haven't. 

 

I saw/met with a practice that specializes in sports.  So I too would recommend seeing such a practice.  The one that I saw caters to the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and Whitesox.

 

I agree that surgery should be the last resort (always should be for non-traumatic situations), but it can be a great option.

 

Unfortunately for my diagnosis - surgery wasn't a guaranteed fix.  However, if you give them all the proper information - that can lead you to quick and effect results.

 

I am pretty much pain free and can fish for days.  However, when I do feel discomfort - I slow down or stop.  Those were also the Doctor's orders too.

 

 

Good luck

[waynem]

1 - like anything, if it hurts you should stop what you are doing or possibly take a rest.  especially since you have pre-existing issues.

 

2 - what rod, reel and baits are you using?  having the right rod/reel (tools) helps with the bigger and heavier baits

 

 

i have/had arm, elbow and wrist problems.  dont do what i did and take advil to numb the pain, just so i could keep on fishing.

 

in the end, i got into a better rod/reel setup.  this alleviated alot of the work i did, and the rod did all the work for me.

 

the last thing you want to do is to have surgery.  after all surgery is not a guaranteed fix.

 

 

hopefully this helps

Hi Louie- I'm curious as to what change in rod helped you: more moderate action? Longer length? Longer handle?

Thanks in advance.

[bassing305]

Listen to the recommendations your Ortho Doc gives you so your shoulder can heal well,even if it means taking a break from fishing for a while. Your health is much more important than any fish!

[Ceaser]

pain meds and fish more. that always works for me. 

[mnbassman23]

Surgery is a great option if you have the correct diagnosis, a good surgeon, and a proper set of expectations. Mix any of those variables up, and you're going to be unhappy. 

 

First step is to make sure you have the correct diagnosis. See a good Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in Shoulder/Elbow or Sports. Try appropriate non-surgical treatment if you haven't. 

 

I agree that surgery should be the last resort (always should be for non-traumatic situations), but it can be a great option.

Being in the physical therapy field this is sound advice. Surgery is always the last option. A good round of PT focusing on shoulder and scapular stability and strength (as CCMD stated) would be a first choice before surgery. I've seen a few shoulder surgeries go less than planned when it came to the recovery phase and you don't want that at 21 years old. 

[bdpettit]

 

Dr. told me it was "multi-directional instability" the only thing outside of fishing that ever gives me trouble is bench press style exercises and throwing overhand like a baseball or football (which I never really do). 

This is Dr language for "I don't know whats going on."  Instability in a joint is caused from an injury/tightness/weakness in an area.  Like the others said, workout everything in the shoulder, not just the "pretty" muscles.  I've been doing personal training for 10 yrs and nearly all shoulder injuries, except for tears, are fixable with the right training.  If you need some guidance, let me know.

 

As far as casting goes, learn to cast with both hands.  When you are in the awkward positions casting, just switching hands can eliminate a lot of the problem.

[SwimbaitinJ]

First of all Id recomend streching before you start and like at lunch time . Take a break if need be and good gear will keep you less fatigued and more efficent and less stress to your body . Also I wear a compession shirt as I have nueropathy badly..... might help a little . In the end Ive accepted Ill be in pain rest of my life just came with the accident I had and outcome but Im still very blessed and lucky to be even typing this. So like others said take a break if ya need to. Hopefully you dont need to get surgery as thats def last thing you wanna do but sometimes its a must . Main thing is dont over do it and your just gonna be wear and tearin. So ill leave ya with a saying that youve probably heard before .....NO PAIN NO GAIN ! But when you reach a certain limit of pain your body is telling you to stop and sometimes you need to listen to it . Best of luck to ya tight lines and dont be scared to take a breather if need be bro. I was forced to put the rod down for a long time and didnt know if Id ever get to pick one back up . In the one pic I shared thats me in the hospital (made the hospital get it) holdin a snoopy pole that I use to flip with a lil plastic fish on the end like i was at the docks flipping a texas rig . I just couldnt picture me not having fishing in my life so thats where I started and then I grinded in rehab therapy months n months and hand specialist to get where I am now and im not no where near the same . Im 35 now and now I finally know what the most important thing in life is ....ONES OWN HEALTH . good luck ! Also heat pad and icing can help ya a little bit .

Edited April 13, 2016 by SwimbaitinJ

[billyo]

spend more time dead sticking them.  No kidding .  I have got bit more than I can count with a Pats floating while resting or feeding the dog.

[CCMD]

This is Dr language for "I don't know whats going on."  Instability in a joint is caused from an injury/tightness/weakness in an area.  Like the others said, workout everything in the shoulder, not just the "pretty" muscles.  I've been doing personal training for 10 yrs and nearly all shoulder injuries, except for tears, are fixable with the right training.  If you need some guidance, let me know.

 

As far as casting goes, learn to cast with both hands.  When you are in the awkward positions casting, just switching hands can eliminate a lot of the problem.

That's actually not even remotely true. Multidirectional shoulder instability is a well described and studied condition in the medical literature. While I agree that there are times doctors don't know what's going on and should say so instead of spouting a bunch of complicated words to distract, the majority of the time, a doctor will know what they are talking about (if you're seeing a halfway decent doc). 

 

And not all instability is caused by injuries or tightness/weakness. There are lots of congenital abnormalities (some subtle, some not) that change the architecture of a joint and predispose it instability. Developmental dysplasia of the hip and scapular dysplasia are 2 of the more common, and they represent a spectrum of disorders that can be very obvious or even very subtle depending on the severity.

[bigpoppabass]

Just adding an idea, but maybe try casting standing from shore or in a bass boat on a tril to see if jon posture is the issue.

[bdpettit]

That's actually not even remotely true. Multidirectional shoulder instability is a well described and studied condition in the medical literature.

 

And not all instability is caused by injuries or tightness/weakness. There are lots of congenital abnormalities (some subtle, some not) that change the architecture of a joint and predispose it instability.

Abnormalities might be the pre existing problem, but they all lead to soft tissue changes of some sort.  Your body has to adapt to anything that is not "normal."  Its going to find a way to get the job done, regardless of weather or not its healthy for you. 

 

To the OP, I would suggest finding someone who is practiced with ART.  Finding the knots that you most likely have, while also strengthening the area is going to be your best bet to avoid surgery if its structural.

Of course, all of this is assuming that nothing is torn.  If there is a tear, just listen to the doc and hang up the rod for a little while. 

[egoodnow]

Thanks for all the advice y'all, finally got back to dong some of my PT exercises today and hoping that will start to help eventually.  If any of y'all who know what you are talking about, or have been through this sort of thing,  know of good exercises feel free to PM me, cause honestly I only remember a few of the ones from my last injury and would love the help.  Thanks again SU.