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Shoulder/Back Injury Self-diagnosis and treatment

Original Post
ssimonson09 · · Portland, OR · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 5

So I slipped and fell while doing a training hike yesterday afternoon and tweaked something in my back/shoulder area on my left side in the process. When I went do I caught myself a bit with my left hand, but my arm twisted a bit and it felt like my shoulder blade popped "out" then back "in". It was a little sore at the time but not bad.

The only thing that hurts now other than my pride is the muscle group at the base of my shoulder blade, more on the left side of the left shoulder blade. It only really hurts when I move my arm like you would when taking off a shirt or if I pull from across my chest, like you'd do when starting a lawn mower. Other than that it feels fine. Any ideas what I messed up? Am I safe to go climb and not mess it up more? I tried doing some pullups last night and it felt fine.

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

I know this is wacky, forgive me, but have you considered seeing a doctor?

ssimonson09 · · Portland, OR · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 5

I know this is wacky, forgive me, but have you considered that some of us have a full work/class schedule and the doctor will just refer me to a specialist that's going to cost more co-payments?

If it gets worse or doesn't start feeling better soon I'll go to a doctor, but between now and then I'm trying to get an idea of what may be wrong.

Edit to add: I don't mean to be a dick, I'm just trying to pick people's brains here. Seems to have worked will in the other thread where a guy posted about a back injury.

Aerili · · Los Alamos, NM · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 1,875

A lot of rotator cuff tears present with pain in abduction and external rotation but your pain is in an unusual place, although posterior pain can happen sometimes. Depending on severity, treatment by a doc and/or PT may be warranted. Generally, you will recover much faster with some physical therapy guidelines vs just 'waiting to heal' on your own.

I've seen frozen shoulders occur from precisely your mechanism of injury; if you begin to have problems with restricted shoulder motion you should seek medical treatment right away.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Injuries and Accidents
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