Had surgery to repair a SLAP lesion in 2007. Pain when throwing softball at all arm angles continued to present, when it finally got unbearable and I could no longer throw ball with any strength. Just had an MRI and am confused with report as compared to doctor s suggestions... Of note on the report were the following: ROTATOR CUFF: There is a 2 mm focus of contrast extending along the articular surface of the infraspinatus myotendinous junction which has the appearance of a small cyst. Findings suggestive of a 3 mm articular surface tear is noted involving the distal and posterior aspect the supraspinatus tendon. The subscapularis and teres minor tendons appear intact. There is no evidence of rotator cuff related muscle atrophy. GLENOHUMERAL JOINT: Normal alignment. No evidence of an intra-articular loose body. Regions of grade II chondromalacia demonstrated throughout the glenoid fossa. GLENOID LABRUM: There is a single suture anchor traversing the mid to posterosupier aspect of the glenoid related to a superior labral repair. There is a smoothly marginated sublabral recess noted superiorly. No definite labral tear is identified. Small focus of labral degeneration posterosupier labrum. IMPRESSION: Status post superior labral repair. No definite labral tear identified. Chondromalacia glenoid fossa. Small partial thickness articular surface tear distal and posterior aspect of the distal supraspinatus tendon. Probable small partial thickness articular surface tear with small cyst infraspinatus myotendinous junction. Degenerative signal changes posterosupier labrum. Now, my doctor just left a message on my phone with the following. No tears to the rotator cuff. Just some tendonitis and a small lesion. Should be fine with anti-inflamtories and stretching. Let me know if you d like a cortisone shot. So the pain has been bad for seven years and is now unbearable. I spent the whole last winter not playing any sports, working out at a moderate intensity, doing the upper body exercise bike, upper back exercises, shoulder exercises and rotator cuff exercises. The report and my symptoms seem to suggest more than my doctor believe there to be, and I did everything you re supposed to do over the winter to no avail, so I am just confused and want to get back to playing ball. HELP!
Hi there. You need to rest your arm now because of inflammation. You can get a steroid shot by your Doctor as he recommends. This will offer good relief for a few months. Also, you need to take the painkillers and do cold sponging for relief from the tendinitis. Besides get into a Physiotherapy program to help you get back into shape with minimal damage to the shoulder.