COMMENTS
I had an MRI with arthrogram on my left shoulder yesterday. The process of entry into the shoulder joint to inject the dye, saltwater solution etc. was a bit painful and a somewhat unnerving sensation. The MRI itself was about 25-30 minutes long, but being a bit claustrophobic, it was uncomfortable being headfirst past my waist in the MRI tube. For an hour or two afterwards, my shoulder throbbed from the inside out and felt swollen from the injection of fluids into it.
I had an mri of the shoulder with contast dye. For most of the mri, my arms were at my side. However, for the part of the scan, I was told to put my hand behind my head with my arm raised and elbow bent. This position was excrutiatingly painful, and I had to hold it for about a minute. Afterwards, it was painful to make any shoulder movement. This improved the next day, but I wonder if putting my shoulder in this painful position may have damaged the joint in some way. The week after the scan, I noticed my range of motion was decreased. Did anyone else have this experience or know where I can find out more about this?
i had an mri done with the dye 12 days ago on my shoulder i could not move my arm out from the side,now i;m in agony ever since, icant even do anything like i could before,i;m on painkillers but they don;t help much,i lost 10 lbs in less then a week thats how much pain i;m in i can;t even eat.
Chris, I had an MRI yesterday, and had the exact same thing happen. I can't move my arm without pain now. Did you find anything out yet?
Does anyone have any experience with malpractice claims for this situation? I am considering consulting a lawyer to see if I can recover damages. My range of motion went way down, and I was diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Now my pt visits have run out and I have to pay on my own because my insurance only covers 30 visits per calendar year. I believe the frozen shoulder was caused at least in part by this stressful scan with my arm in stress position with extra fluid in joint from the injection. When I told technician it was painful, she wanted me to go ahead anyway, and even pushed my elbow up so I could get it into the mri scannin chamber! I thought I didn't have any choice, but if I had to do it over again I would refuse that position. The contrast injection, while not pleasant, was not in itself a souce of extreme pain, just when I had to hold that position in the MRI.
I am going for a mri arthrogram and i just to know how much pain i will be in when they inject me.
I did not find the injection itself particularly painful. However, with the extra fluid in you joint, it is harder to move your arm without pain. I strongly suggest that you refuse any requests by the MRI technician to place your arm in a painful position for the MRI scan. I was placed into such a position (see previous post), and the pain was lterrible, with aftereffects.
This kind of article is worth spending a lot of time. It is not just an article it will surely going teach a lesson about anything. Wish that you post more blog just like this.
I have to go in for an MRI scan on my shoulder. The doc said they would inhect dye directly into my shoulder joint. Ouch. I'm hoping someone will write back and reassure me that it's not that painful!
I just had an MRI done on my shoulder last Wednesday (2/24/10). The initial injection was somewhat painful especially as the needle went deep into the joint (ouch!). After that it was ok, just felt kind of strange having the contrast solution fill up my shoulder joint. MRI was ok except for raising my arm above my head. I had pain afterwards for 2 days and felt my range of motion had diminished. Today It feels better and my motion is the same as before the test. Now waiting for my dr. appt. to see what the problem is.
Interesting comments. I didn't have to have the dye injection. I wondered why I didn't but I am pretty glad at this point I wasn't required to. I will see what kind of results my doc sees today when I go in. I am hoping, after reading some of these experiences, that I don't have to go the route of the dye, my shoulder is in such pain as it is, I don't think I could tolerate much more.
I have right shoulder and upper arm pain. I'm not sure why this started a year ago. I tried the first MRI Thanksgving Eve 2009. The pain in my shoulder was so severe I was screaming to be let out of the MRI tube. Second MRI Feb 10th 2010. I took pain meds before and had designated driver. The MRI was still painful and I almost didn't get through it. I thought I would pass out in the tube. Unfortunately, the orthopedic doc said "not enough info" so we went back for the third MRI two days ago, this one with the dye first. I had taken three Valium , prescribed by doc, not sure of the strength. Then after dye injection, took two pain meds. I got through this 3rd MRI without any trouble, no pain, and am awaiting the results next Thursday April 15th. I am really sad about all of this. Surgery? OH MY GOD. I just don't want surgery but neither do I want another year of living with pain. I fear the surgery wont' work. And I also fear that the doc will tell me that I've got a bad case of arthritis, that there's nothing he can do, that I've got this to live with the rest of my life. I am 57.
I want to suggest that anyone who is fearful or claustrophobic, please tell your doc. Get some valium or something to relax you, take pain pills first, even if you have to get a designated driver. It makes this whole experience easier for you and the people who are trying to get the job done.
I'm not an expert on this procedure or the different types of shoulder problems, but my sense from my own experience and those of others on this blog is this: The MRI with contrast dye is not necessarily painful if you have your arms at your side, but becomes painful if you have to put your arm up while in the MRI machine due to excess fluid in your joint. This may result in a few days of reduced range of motion and pain and the shoulder returns to "normal" after that. In my case, this event was a contributing factor in me developing a frozen shoulder, where the capsule that surrounds the arm/shoulder joint shrinks down and becomes stuck together. So the bottom line as far as I can see is this: if you fit the risk profile for getting a frozen shoulder, beware of putting yourself into a painful position through this test. The risk factors for a frozen shoulder are:
female age 50-65, previous trauma, diabetes or thyroid disorder.
Last Friday I had an MRI with dye. I started to panic about three hours before procedure so I took Valium. Then procedure was not bad at all. I got results today: the news is not good , need total shoulder replacement but I will get through this. I am living alone that's the hard part for me, but the MRI w/ dye was nothing once I took Valium. One step at a time, kid.
14 months ago I fell heavily on my right shoulder. Loas of pain. Had an op. No improvement. Had mri before op. Now dr tells me I have osteoporosis which I doubt!! Am headed for another mri without dye, I hope. May have to go for shoulder replacement. I am 70.
I had to hold my right arm up sort of crooked when I had the dye. I had the valium first, not a lot of pain, some when it was going into the joint, but nothing all that terrible just a few seconds of OH MY GOD and then it was over.
Right now I'm facing surgery for torn tendons, then after they repair I am told I need a shoulder replacement. I am 57. I am about ready to call it all off and live with the pain. I am single, I have no support system in place. I have lived alone and independent all of my life, no family near, the only brother I had died eight days ago, so I'm here without help. If I can get through the tendon surgery and come home to an empty house, I'll do it, but if I have to have help, then I cannot get it done. As for the shoulder replacement, I guess I'll never have it because that's MAJOR surgery and I have no support and I refuse to go to a rehab hospital, nope, not gonna do that.
Had surgery on left shoulder in 1996 with Arthoscopic Bankarts'. Had minor discloation 4 days back, surgeon recommended Arthoscopic Bankarts' repair. I am planning to get MRI done on left shoulder and take alternative opinion. Unable to figure out why did it recur after 14 years & if no surgery is done, will I have more regular recurrence of dislocation. I am 42 yrs old male and was major sports buff & athelete till I was 25 yrs.
I had MRI done on my left shoulder in May and believe me I am very claustrophobic and wasn't sure I could do it but my key was to keep my eyes closed and think of happy things. Haha. I found I have 2 torn tendons and now seeing orthopedic doctor on Wednesday of this next week. I am really in a lot of pain and don't know what to expect. I don't know whether I will have surgery or PT...I just know I want something to stop the pain. Good luck to anyone having an MRI...I hope I don't have to have another one!
I had an MRI with anthrogram (dye injected into the joint) on my left shoulder. I would definitely recommend taking something for pain prior to the procedure. A cuff-like sleeve was put over my shoulder during the MRI. I did not have to move my shoulder into different positions, but it was uncomfortable because of the pain from the injection (the lidocaine didn't last that long). I am 24 hours post-procedure, and my shoulder joint hurts. The worst part was having the dye injected. It was not comfortable. I am slightly claustrophobic...but I made it through the MRI session without having to use the "panic button". The techs I had did a great job of making sure that I was okay and telling me that I was doing fine. I am glad that I had the procedure (no results as of yet), but I am not so sure I would go through that again.
After having the MRI and getting results....torn Rotary Cuff...I am in physical therapy trying to build my arm up so I can face surgery....I have already been told its a tough surgery...If anyone has any thoyughts on this please let me know...I am not looking forward to this at all. Thanks.
Re: Debbie Carroll
I am going through the same thing. I am currently going through physical therapy to build up my shoulder prior to my surgery. It is supposed to help with the recovery and healing process. I'm not sure what will happen...but I would be interested on others experiences too.
Good luck to you!
On 20 December 2007, I underwent surgery for a frozen left shoulder due to torn rotator cuff. This did not stop the pain but alleviated most of it and allowed movement in my shoulder which I had not had for months. After a few months of physical therapy I had almost full range of motion and - more importantly - no pain. Today I have full range of motion. I am writing to let people know that surgery is THE way to go and not to be afraid of it. I am now scheduled for an MRI on my right shoulder for the same thing -- another frozen shoulder due to torn rotator cuff. I am more apprehensive about them manipulating my arm for the MRI. I KNOW I need surgery and am just waiting and hoping the VA will approve it.
Had MRI today Aug 4 2010 with dye the shot felt like a bee sting but was not bad, ,ake sure you turn your face away when they are putting in the dye the tube came off and the dye went on my face and in my mouth.
I had MRI scan on 6th,Aug. and the doctor advised me to go for a physiotherapy for 15 days and ultra sound treatment which will reduce the pain and the mobility of the shoulder. Only thing not to take strain while doing the exercise.
I am 13 and injured my shoulder swimming. I have to get dye injected to my sohulder this friday to find out why it is clicking. Doctor thinks it is a laboral tear. Im hoping not though. I have heard that the dye injection is painfull but I plan on taking pain meds before it, hopefully it helps and the MRI isnt too bad.
Well, the time has come for surgery. I am really not looking forward to this. I go today for my pre op tests and I hope to find out some answers to some questions that I have. The pain I have had lately has been really bad and I can't seem to do the things I want to do so I am hoping this surgery will help me. Good luck to all that are facing MRI's or surgery, I know for a fact its a long road to recovery. My surgery is scheduled on Tuesday, Sept 7th, and I will let you all know how things go. Thanks!
Debbie,
Thanks for sharing. Good luck on your surgery and let us know how you do.
I had my shoulder surgery on June 16th. It turns out that I had much, MUCH more wrong than just torn rotary cuff. I had abnormal bone growth, spurs, torn tendons, torn rotary cuffs. It was a mess. The aftermath of the surgery, the post op period, was far worse than I expected. It's been almost three months now. I can only now begin to feel halfway normal. I am one of those who will need the full eight months to a year to heal. I'm 61 and Type Insulin I diabetic. Plus, can you believe this, I live alone and had to get through this myself. It's been really hard, but I'm going back to work part-time in mid Sept.
I have had all the above-mri; dye injection;panicked in the Mri-i will never have another. my injury began with a bad fall landing me sideways on the kitchen floor with full impact to my shoulder-excrutiating pain. This was nov 2009 and it is now sept 2010. my rotator cuff is completely destroyed all 4 muscle torn and un-operational. for the past 2 weeks since i went to my dr and he was winging my arm around.i have been in constant aching;nerve shooting agony. i had an x-ray the other day & my shoulder was dislocated again!! i was told my shoulder is set where it should be but for how long the dr shook his head and told i am not to move my right arm in any way & must wear sling fot 6 weeks & then reassessed. my shoulder is not supported by anything-i am stressed knowing it could pop out at any time. the emerg dr told me he had to reset it twice because with all the tissue damage it kept popping out. i just can't believe what i have done to myself. i am diabetic so he will not risk an operation-nice. i am typing with my left hand so excuse the use of only lower case letter's. i am not angry about it just disappointed i suppose. i am taking tridural; tramadol; flexerill; aleve for pain sometimes it helps enough so i can sleep because i didn't know it was dislocated again i laid in bed unable to sleep-just cried and rubbed my arm and took too many pills in hopes of easing the pain. so here i am with a pretty useless sling and will be for six weeks. i have ordered a shoulder support that is like a sleeve and covers my shoulder and does up with velcro. good luck you all.
How does rule out labral tear on an MRI prescription effect the test and what they image? Will they still image the whole shoulder, tendons and muscles and cartilage?
Matt,
Yes the whole shoulder is still included. Are you going for a standard noncontrast MRI or one with dye?
Keep in mind that some shoulder MRIs especially for labral tears are done with a direct injection into the shoulder aka MR Arthrogram.
I don't know about dye injection or not. Just wanted to make sure the labrum as well as the rotator cuff would still be imaged. I've had the dye injection for my wrist and I remember almost passing out when I tried to sit up. It doesn't say arthrogram on my prescrip so I assume its regular.
When they say "rule out labral tear" it means they are going to do the MRI with the emphasis being to determine if there is or is not a labral tear. They should do a complete MRI on the entire shoulder to get a look at the entire shoulder. However, their primary area of emphasis will be that specific area indicated to determine if there is a tear where they think it is or not.
Hi Christine, Matt
Just to clarify - an MRI of the shoulder will include the entire shoulder so that not only is the labrum evaluated but also the rotator cuff tendons and ligaments, nearby muscles and bones.
The exam is done that way so that other issues which could be related to a labral tear or mimic the symptoms of a tear aren't missed or overlooked.
That said, a MR Arthrogram of the shoulder is tailored to looking at structures like the labrum and certain ligaments but even in that exam the field of view includes the entire shoulder.
one week ago, tomorrow i had rotator cuff repair. i had to be opened up and this has been a nightmare. i had complications from anesthesia an dcouldn't wake up,,,stopped breathing....bp dropped,,,,then nausea set in....which meant admit to hospital,,,left arm was put into a sling like apparatis appearibg to be from another planet.....iv in r hand along with o2 monitor,,,o2 in nose......horrible,,,,thank God for morphine,,, any way i keep this brace on for another week...until staples are removed...sorry 4 the typing but i can only use one hand...if i had known it would have been this bad not sure i would have done this. be sure to have someone lined up 2 be with you if you have this done. as 4 me i pray this gets better soon,,,,no more surgery 4 me....first week has been horrible.. good luck 2 anyone facing this.
RE: Shoulder surgery - cuff repair.
Prepare your home before surgery.
Put in easy to fix foods, prepare
a bed (a wedge pillow is so helpful),
put your 'necessaries' in a easy
to reach spot - mail, bills, food,
tv control, etc. Have someone
be with you or schedule home help.
Just get organize with everything in
easy reach. One can get thru it if one
follows the after surgery instructions.
Have had pain in Rt shoulder for almost 20 yrs. Finally went for opinion and had an MRI w/o injection. Was told (radiologist report) that I had a rotator cuff tear and needed surgery to repair so I would not have more problems. Consulted w/ 2 other Drs - same diagnosis. The 3rd Dr did surgery and now tells me there was no tear, but he manipulated (frozen) shoulder and removed scar tissue, but I have severe arthritis and will probably need a replacement. I'm having PT 3x/wk, have lots of pain and less range of motion than before, but it's been 4wks so I'm hoping this is temporary. Has anyone ever heard of an MRI showing a tear and there wasn't one? Husband thinks I should consult w/attorney.
I kinda had the same thing happen to me...I had MRI and it showed 2 tears. Consult with orthopedic surgeon and suggested surgery to repair. I had the surgery Sept 7 and was then told no tear, just a lot of bursa, and bone spurs on the rotater cuff and they had to clean it all up in there...this was done by an incision NOT arthoscopic like I was told. Had to wear a sling and it was velcroed to my body with a wrap around device for 2 weeks without removing it...This in itself was horrible....I am 4 weeks out of surgery and still have pain....I am terapy 2x a week and it causes excruciating pain...I also hope this will be temporary. I can tell shoulder is getting better but I still wish I would have never had it done. This has been a horrible ordeal and the other shoulder will stay the same.....I will NEVER go thru this again.....They keep telling me it will take TIME for me to heal.......well this is moving too slow for me.....a thousand times I wish I had never had this done......I still wear sling to keep the arm from aching......sigh
I'm a basket case right now knowing i need to go in an MRI tomorrow. When I read someone wrote head first, I almost fainted. My shoulder just doesn't work. No range of motion what so ever. It's my left side, and I also have cubital tunnel which doesn't help with the pain. The EMG was also very painful. I let this go on too long out of fear. Not sure if i have a frozen shoulder, rotary cuff tear, etc - but i will find out tomorrow. I want to thank the person who wrote: wear loose clothing, no jewelry, and take a sedative.
Hope everything went well today for you judi k! I have always told myself that if I had to do it all over again...I wouldn't. But I have changed my mind about that. I have been struggling with this for about 11 months now (left shoulder; surgery in July 2010). I now have to use what is called a JAS brace 3x a day. Does anyone else use this contraption? Anyway, I can at least sleep pain free for the most part, and I am VERY thankful for that!
Take Care!
i had a mri with the die injected in my shoulder wasnt that painfull until she got done in my shoulder the mri was uncomfortable i have broad shoulders so i could barley fit into the tub tight fit but after it was all over my shoulder hurts pretty bad i go to the doctor today to find out what wrong with my shoulder
recently had mri on right shoulder, although i had full movement in was painfull. Scan revealed several tears, one muscle nearly through and one snapped plus other damage. Had surgery, 19th Oct 2010, in hospital over night, had to keep arm in sling 24/7 for 4 weeks and even though i have started pysio still have to use sling most of the time. Have been told recovery will take at least 3 months, can not work, no money sick pay rubbish. But come on you wimps the end result will be better than the pain before the operation, yes physio is slightly painfull, and it is uncomfortable having to wear a sling, but like i said its not as painfull as before the operation. Would i have the operation again YES. The whole process is not that bad. So anyone faceing a similar procedure think positive, you will be ok, and much better after as a result.
Well, I had shoulder surgery on Sept 7 and if you read my blogs you can tell I have had a horrible time. I am still in pain and it is NO better than before surgery. I go to therapy 2 times a week and its very painful. If I am a wimp then so be it. I would NEVER have gone thru this if I had been told about the bad and LONG recuperation is. I think there is still something wrong with my shoulder but I will live with it.....never again another MRI or surgery. For someone to sit and call others a wimp is not nice. He has no idea what other people have gone thru. I think my shoulder is going to give me problems forever, after all this. I am glad he had good results as others have. I just hate all the pain i am still in.
well i went to the doc for my mri results and he told me i needed ac surgery but my workmans comp wont pay for it till i have physical therapy on my shoulder im so ready to get this over with its getting very hard to sleep at night w my shoulder and painpills arent workin anymore so now im waiting to start physical therapy let yall know more later
Well, I go in for surgery tomorrow on my frozen right shoulder. Hope everyone is doing better by now. Wish me luck! Happy Holidays.
Jonathon -- That figures -- Worker's Comp wants to get out of it as cheaply as possible. They refused to pay any of my surgery on left shoulder although it was caused by a fall at work. Thank goodness I had good insurance. They don't care for the pain YOU are in. And, they are soooo much smarter than your doctor. Can you tell I despise Worker's Comp. Maybe you can get stronger pain pills to help you sleep at night. Good luck with the physical therapy.
I just had the dye injection last week it was a little painful.sore the next day had a hard time moving my right shoulder.the mri I had was in a bigger one where you don't feel to enclosed it hurt the way mt arm was positioed.I just listion to music and closed my eyes.waiting for results
I have to get a MRI in 4 days. Had been putting off going to the doctor for over a year. Hurt it throwing a softball form outfield to home (heard a pop then pain).It went away then came back this summer playing ball again. Stupid insurance company actually has had me going to 6 weeks of theropy before they would even let me get MRI. Theropy helped strenghtened it up but pain still there. I am hopeing MRI will show something. Anybody know what could be wrong? After reading everybody elses comments, don't know if I want the surgery. It seems the pain before is better than the results.
I'm a 46yo mom, kayaker and stand-up paddle boarder. I also have a stupidly high tolerance for pain. I fell on my outstretched arm 2 years ago, and have been doing my activities anyway. I can see the muscle in my neck taking over for the shoulder. Given lots of useless unrelated tests, too. Until...pain so bad I couldn't sleep, or move, or sit still. Painkillers are almost as bad as the pain. I also wish the doctors could feel the pain so they'd act human about it. MRI was a breeze though (no dye.) I want to be able to lift my arm again. You guys make surgery sound awful.
10 months ago i injured my shoulder, i will go for my 1st mri tomorrow because the right arm strength did not return to normal. is it too late for an mri now to show what damage was done ?
Have frozen shoulder diagnosis from office visit. No improvement after month of PT. Scheduled for Arthrogram MRI. Not sure this is necessary. Thinking of refusing and having standard MRI first. Any experience with frozen shoulder diagnosis and improvement without Arthrogram MRI with dye? Seems MRI without dye should be tried first?
To ELIZABETH, RON and LALA: I have had TWO frozen shoulders (aka Adhesive Capsilitis) in the last 4 years. (I am 59yo.) Here is what I can tell you from my experience only. Go with whatever doctor recommends...he/she is the expert. MRI's show various things that could be wrong with shoulder (e.g., torn rotator cuff) but it will not show Adhesive Capsilitis. So, they diagnose that by process of elimination, sypmtoms and touch. If it is Adhesive Capsilitis, they will not normally do surgery until after 10-12 months have gone by from original date of injury as the surgery usually won't correct it completely and may make it worse if done earlier (according to what my dr. told me last month). I have had standard MRI's without the dye so don't know anything about the ones with the dye and how much pain they cause as standard MRI is painless. The pain from surgery in my case was a lot less than before surgery (until I started Physical Therapy two weeks ago). The big difference after surgery was I had more range of motion and could live without Hydrocodone pills which I needed to kill the pain so I could sleep at night (I lived w/the pain during the day w/o meds cause I hate taking pills and have high pain tolerance). Six months after surgery on left shoulder, I had complete range of motion in arm and shoulder and have been pain free ever since (summer 2008). I am currently going through physical therapy for right shoulder. Surgery was Dec 3, 2010 for that one. Pain is worse than what I remember because bicep has atrophied...or at least that is what they think has happened...from lack of use. Frozen shoulder/Adhesive Capsilitis is one of the worst injuries to get (per physical therapist) as it is one of the few times that you HAVE to work through the pain (and there will be pain and a lot of it) in order to get better. BUT, if all goes well, within 6-8 months you are usually back to normal and pain free. So, there is light at the end of the tunnel. In case you are wondering, I have a matching set of scars....three on each shoulder that are about 1/2 inch wide. The older ones I have to look really hard to even find. They look like a cat scratch. lol Hope you all have as positive an experience as I have had in the past and hope to have with my right arm over the next few months. If you want, you can e-mail me at chelsa51@gmail.com
Lala,
I developed frozen shoulder after having MRI with dye. The problem was not with the dye injection, but having to position my arm in the back of my head, which was extremely painful with the joint full of contrast fluid. Since you already have a FS, you won't be able to put your arm in that position anyway, so maybe the contrast dye would be ok. Personally I would never get another with the dye injection again. I think they can inject the dye into a vein and do it that way, if contrast is seen as necessary. But I wonder, why do they want to do the MRI in the first place?
Elizabeth, I had FS and it was awful. I went through 3 PTs before I found one that got me better. He manipulated the arm to stretch out the adhesions and I saw immediate and steady progress. In fairness, the other 3 therapists were dealing with it when I couldn't move my arm more than 30 degrees, or even wash under my other armpit with the affected arm. It may be that you need to get it to a certain level of mobility before a lot more progress can be made. It took me about 8 months to recover.
Hope this helps.
After I had a MRI with contrast dye, an orthopedic surgeon told me that it was overly invasive, that it had not been needed to determine what was going on in my shoulder. Your situation may be different, but I developed FS after this very painful MRI, possibly as a result of having to put my arm in a very painful position in the scanner-painful due to the fluid in my joint from the dye injection.
WOW...glad I never had to have an MRI with the dye. It sounds AWFUL and dangerous. IF the problem is indeed a frozen shoulder OR adhesive capsilitis (they are similar but not exactly the same), I have been told by both my Orthopedic surgeons that they will "thaw" on their own...the kicker is, it usually takes about two years for it to do that. When you consider that they won't operate on a frozen shoulder until a minimum of 10-11 months after initial injury and then it take another 6-8 months of physical therapy (at least in my case).....I wonder which is the lesser of two evils. AGAIN, this is all just from my personal experience. ALWAYS listen to your doctor(s).
Marianne...I hope you are still following this blog and I sincerely hope you are better by now. I was just re-reading some of the posts. I, too, was alone for the surgery on my left shoulder. No support system whatsoever. Check into the possibility of a home nurse or home health care worker coming to your home for a few days or weeks. That is what I did. Some insurances will pay for them even. Some helped me with the exercises; others with helping me to shower, fix meals, etc. Worth checking into at least.
I had a shoulder MRI w/ contrast today. Have had no major problems. Just a lil pain but nothing Advil hasn't fixed. However I did look at my results and can see a huge pool of the dye. Will be interesting in hearing my orthos interpretation of it on Thursday. I cant move my arm past a 15 degree angle, been that way for almost 6 months, due to a head on car wreck.
Anyone know what the pool of dye could/does represent??
Chris and others, Family dr first thought I had torn rotator cuff sent me to Ortho. Ortho thinks Frozen shoulder. PT thinks classic Frozen Shoulder. I am 56 but other than age don't have any other reason why have Frozen Shoulder. Not an athlete, no injury, not diabetic, etc. Healthy up til this diagnosis, was doing yoga up til summer. Now Ortho wants to do MRI with Dye, to determine if tear or frozen. Says without dye cannot tell if cartilage might have tear. I feel regular MRI should be done first before going through risk of injection with substance being introduced to body unnecessarily. I prefer to avoid risks of this seemingly invasive procedure if regular MRI will suffice.
I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder in 2003. Had MRI without dye then. excellent results after therapy. My tennis serve is as good as ever. Full range of motion and no pain. 2 1/2 years (June 2008) ago went to same doc(he is the best shoulder surgeon in town) with pain in left shoulder, especially in biceps. Had an MRI, no dye. Confirmed small tear in the supraspindus tendon(the most common tear), small tear in the infraspinadus tendon (back of rotator cuff area) and small tear in the biceps tendon. He suggested therapy as a conservative approach and see how I do. Had P.T. for 2 months and it didn't help much. Then talked to a Chiropractor that I play tennis with. He suggested we try a new therapy he had. 10-12 treatments of 5 min. each over a 6 week period. It was "Cold Pulse Laser" therapy with a machine made by a company called Terraquant. After 6 treatments pain was subsided and range of motion was better. By the 10th treatment I had almost no pain except in extreme reach positions. After 12 treatments, no pain, full range of motion. I thought it was like a miracle. I do not work for this company, nor do I have any financial interest in it, just a consumer that wants to share a great experience. Since the laser reduces inflammation in the early stages and then is set for healing in the later treatments, I would think it would help frozen shoulder too.
I began a training program with a personal trainer in 2009. Some of the exercises he had me doing caused some minor discomfort in the same (left) shoulder. He decided I needed to warm the shoulder up good before starting to work out. This helped. Then in Nov. 2010 on a cold rainy day, I did something stupid. I loaded 3 50-lb bags of concrete over the side of my pickup truck. My body was cold too. First bag fine, second bag ouch. 3rd bag almost impossible to get over the side of the truck. I had the shoulder pain again & I knew I had screwed up. Went back to the Chiro with the laser & tried to rehab again. It helped some, but not enough, so back to the doctor I went, knowing full well that this time I was going to schedule surgery. Having to cover all his bases for the insurance company. I had to have another MRI, No dye. This time the MRI showed full tear in supraspinadus tendon and same two small tears in the other 2. I just had surgery Feb. 3rd. I know that the initial pain is a lot better than the ongoing pain and lack of sleep due to the same. Bottom line... If this excellent Dr. did not see a need for an MRI with contrast (dye). I can't imagine why anyone would have to go through the pain and post dye issues with their MRI. I would either ask the doctor to do the MRI without dye or go for another opinion. From my experiences, I would also suggest the conservative approach of therapy before surgery and also to find a therapist that uses the Terraquant Machine for therapy. Best of luck with your shoulder issues!
I have a friend who is getting an MRI tomorrow and he's only 12 years old. I really like him and care what he has to go through. It sounds really scary... and I dont know if he's clausterphobic, but I just hope he doesnt have a shoulder tumor. =(
I'm on the list for an MRI with an injection of dye first, I don't have a problem with the MRI it's the injection that is freaking me out. I have a needle phobia.. Do you reckon they'll sedate me if I ask, or will it end up with me losing the plot just before the needle comes and I'll start running around the place like a demon posessed, anything that comes at me with a needle is going to regret it... HELP!
Tee,
Sounds like you're scheduled for an MRI Arthrogram of the Shoulder. If that is the case, then you'll have dye injected directly into your shoulder joint before going into the MRI room.
The exam is not done with sedation as you need to be able to move around and walk to the MRI room after the injection.
Had a MRI w/contrast yesterday. Pain is worst now than before. Afraid that the Dr. will come back and say he can't find anything wrong. I just can't imagine going through this pain day in and day out with my shoulder. I have an appointment tomorrow with my Dr. to get my results - hope it is something that can be fixed because I can't pick up or hold anything with my left hand, my arm will not raise to the side or to the front except for a couple of inches. This could be really depressing.
Had the MRI Arthrogram of the Shoulder and found it not too bad. The initial injection was not that painful, but the sensation of the needle going into the joint made my heart flutter with nervous energy as its such an unusual feeling, asides from that all was ok. The scan was uncomfortable, as many here have said, and the position where you have to put you arm behind your head was painful indeed. After the scan, my arm grew progressivly stiffer with movement massivly restricted for a couple of days afterwards, but the pain was controlled easily with ibuprofen gel directly on the shoulder. I would describe the whole procedure as uncomfortable and unusual, but in no way prohibitive due to pain. The main source of pain is the injury i currently have which i hope this will identify so it can be rectified.
Had an MRI with die injected into my shoulder. I already had frozen shoulder going in and yes it all hurt inside the MRI tube because of the positions I had to get into.A week later, most of the pain has been where the needle actually was, not the tear. I am still waiting for this new pain to go away, throbs at night. Just hope it's all not in vain- it's been 5 months since the initial tear in my shoulder.
Had an MRI done today on my right shoulder. I didn't require an injection and found the procedure quite easy. 20 minutes being in a confined area is a small price to pay for such beneficial technology.
Can I insist on a MRI shoulder scan, who has the final say i.e. budgets, what if my GP says no, can I appeal and if so who to?
Had 16 weks of physio, not convinced physio knows what is wrong, had injection in shoulder 3 weeks ago, no better in fact my shoulder/mobility feels more restricted and painful
Observations from my experience and advice of physical therapists: 1)If you are raising your arm and the shoulder hurts, pay attention to that pain and don't repeat the action. Unlike with other joints such as the knee, it is not a good idea to "work through" shoulder pain. You could be tearing tendons in the rotator cuff. 2)Pain in the front (on the upper arm) usually signifies something wrong in the BACK of the shoulder such as the superspinatus or infraspinatus. The pain you feel in the front is usually referred pain. Pain occurring as a result of an assisted manipulation by a PT is probably ok.
Anne - A lot of it depends on the type of insurance you have. If you have a really great plan, insist that you be referred to an Orthopedic Surgeon. I have had two frozen shoulders since 2006 (surgery Dec 2007 on left; Dec 2010 on right). The Orthopedic Surgeon most likely will require an MRI of the shoulder -- especially if your insurance will pay for it.
Whatever is causing it, if it is left untreated, it is only going to get worse with the pain and restrictive movement.
To the best of my knowledge, if GP says no, then the only thing you can do is switch doctors. GOOD LUCK to you.
i need the die injection and was told it was painfull want to know if it is true can someone let me know if the injection is the painfull part or the days after? does it fell the same as the cortison (steroid) shot
I have a partial tear of the subrinatus tendon shown by 2 MRI's however my GP says no surgery is required. I am now into 7.5 months of the injury , had laser light treatments, physio therapy (still) and still have frozen shoulder and bad shoulder joint pain. Wondering if I should pursue surgery or wait it out til a year has passed?
The die injection needle hurts for about a week after. They freeze your injection area so the die shot is bearable, but it does hurt for sure. I would not reccommend it unless you are definetly headed for surgery as the regular MRI shows a tear.
On Nov. 28, 2010 I was hit by a drunk driver causing pain in my shoulder and feels like its dislocating, also back and neck issues, about a week or so ago my chiro sent me to get an MRI of my Left Dominant shoulder. I got the results back and it said everything was normal( i had just a normal MRI, no dye or any injections) but something is causing my shoulder to pop in and out of place.....i can hear it pop. limited movement, and severe pain when it pops. i do not know what else to do or where to go from here. I do have an appointment to go see an orthopedic but my dr says if he cant find anything then thats just gonna be that. so im stuck and not sure where to turn to because i know something is wrong in my shoulder but no one is able to give me answers and what makes it qorse is that it is in my dominant arm.....please any advise????
Bruce -- According to my orthopedic surgeon, no surgery will be done until the injury is at least 11 months old as surgery prior to that time may make it worse and not be as effective. So, after having two frozen shoulders since 2007, I would suggest that you follow all exercise programs established by your doctor or physical therapist until at least the 11 month mark and THEN talk to your doctor about surgery. Understand that even after surgery, there will be a LOT of pain and still limited movement. You will require additional physical therapy to help get the movement back and reduce/eliminate the pain. GOOD LUCK to you.
Jarrett -- Listen to and do whatever your orthopedic surgeon recommends. That is why he is the SPECIALIST. I know it sux, been there done that, twice. It might just be as simple as strengthening exercises to keep it from popping in and out. Might be as serious as surgery. GOOD LUCK to you and keep us informed.
I've been having pain in my right shoulder and upper arm. It hurts to cross my arm to do anything on the upper part of my left arm. I have some range of motion so I'm not sure if I should just deal with the pain or what. I'm 42, almost 43yrs. old, type II diabetic, along with other medical problems. I'm recently widowed, and I don't know how I can pay my bills if I have to have surgery and be off work for a long time (especially since I'm right handed). Any suggestions?
I have had shoulder pain for awhile now. My left shoulder hurts when i golf and put it across my body. I can also feel pain all of the time. X-rays showed possible arthritis. The doctor scheduled an MRI with dye. I had it done today. I thought for sure the dye would hurt to put in but i was surprised, i didn't feel a thing. The doctor numbed it first with my arm on my side while i was laying face down. I was sitiing there wondering when he was going to put in dye and all of a sudden he said its almost done. i was relieved since i felt no pain. I went to the MRI tube and they put me in with my shoulder at my side. At first i was feeling a little claustrophobic but i just closed my eyes and tried not to think about it. If you are claustrophobic you want to make sure you have something to calm you down. 20-30 minutes later i was out. They gave me some film and now i have to wait for the results. I looked at the film but i have no idea what i am looking at. I am actually hoping they find something wrong and the pain i feel isn't from arthritis. i will update as soon as i get the news.
WOW! this is the most amazing situations, cause yesterday I HAD MY SECOND ATTEMPT FO4R A MRI ON MY SHOULDER, WHICH I INJURED SOMEHOW BUT HAD TO WAIT FOR MY SECOND APPT WITH THE SPECIALIST SINCE HE WAS CALLED OUT OF TOWN. I ASSURE YOU I WENT INTO THIS APPT WITH NO KNOWLEDGE ON PAIN CAUSED BY WRISTS, ELBOW, AND SHOULDER JOINTS. THE DOCTOR LOOKED OVER MY X-RAYS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING UNUSUAL BUT A 5.0 GAP BETWEEN MY UPPER BONE AND MY TENDON WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 5.7 THEREFORE THE WORD MRI CAME UP. I FOR ONE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROCEDURE LIKE AN MRI EXCEPT MAYBE A COLONOSTROPY A YEARLY CHECKUP, SO I WAS NOT TO DISTURBED ABOUT THE PROCEDURE. BUT LET ME TELL YOU I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH PAIN JUST LAYING ON MY BACK WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO STOP THE PROCESS AT ABOUT 10 MINUTES INTO THE SESSION. I TOLD THE TECH THAT IT WAS UNREASONABLE TO CAUSE SOMEONE SO MUCH PAIN. SHE SEEMED LIKE IT DIDNOT MATTER THAT PAIN WAS PART OF THE PROCEDURE AND THAT GETTING THROUGH THE SESSION WAS THE ONLY ISSUE. SHE REQUESTED I COME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND TRY. I EXPLAINED TO HER THAT WAS NO PROBLEM EXCEPT I NEEDED SOMETHING TO DEADEN THE PAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT MRI ARE NOT PAINFUL AND THAT I WOULD ONLY NEED TO TAKE 1 VALIUM PILL TO RELAX ME, AGAIN I TOLD THEM I NEEDED SOMETHING FOR THE PAIN. WELL THE NEXT DAY RESULTED IN THE WAY EXCEPT I FOUGHT MY WAY THROUGH THE WHOLE 50 MINUTES OF TORTURE ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE AN EXTREME TOLERANCE TO PAIN ONY TWO PICTURES CAME OUT OF THE SESSION. WELL I GUESS THE DOCTOR WAS VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT MY COMPLAINTS THAT HE OFFERED NOT TO BE MY DOCTOR BECAUSE OF THE REACTION I HAD TO THE MRI TEST, I GUESS FROM HE SAYS THAT OF 100,000 CASES HE HAS NEVER HAD ANYONE COMPAIN ABOUT PAIN DURING AN MRI. WELL MY ONLY CONCERN IS WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT FOR MEDICAL PEOPLE TO LISTEN TO PATIENT ISSUES WHEN KNOWLEDGE OF THIS COULD HELP IN FINDING OTHER WAYS TO HELP TREAT PATIENTS WITH MRI PAIN IN A WAY TO ELIMNATE THE SITUATION. WELL I GO TODAY TO GET SCHEDULED FOR MY SURGERY GOD ONLY KNOWS IF I WILL BE OK CAUSE I DON'T SEE ANY CHANGE IN HOW WE ARE BEING TREATED BY OUR MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVES. MRI NO PAIN?
had a dye injection into the shoulder joint yesterday so that I could get an MRI done. Had I known how painful the injection was goint to be, I would have requested some sort of painkiller first. I screamed like a baby. but thanks to the surgeon who just apologized and walked away after giving me the shot, leaving me in agony.
I have the most horrendous shoulder and arm pain, movement has become extremely restricted over the last 2 months. I have been going to the doctors for the past 7 years (with shoulder, back and neck pain)and always come away feeling that i'm being 'fobbed' off. I have had am MRI scan on my neck and been told i have cervical stonosis and i have fractured vertebrae T4 twice in the last 10 years but it is and always has been the pain in my shoulder that consumes my every thought. I barely sleep. I teach a class of year 1 children (5/6 year olds)and have 4 of my own children. Went to docs the other day and i asked about having my arm removed as i can't see any other way of living a pain free life. Have had loads of different types of medication and spent £100's on physio therapy. I am such an unhappy 38yr old. How many more times must i visit my GP?
I have a brain aneurysm & is due for CT Angiogram either this Sept or Oct of this year. This procedure uses dye.On Sept 22, 2010 I will undergo MRI for my left shoulder. Is there an MRI procedure for my shoulder that doesn't use dye? If there is, what is that procedure? I know that injecting dye twice a year would adversely affect my kidney. Please advise
I had an MRI done today on my right shoulder with dye injection. I hurt it playing hockey a few years ago. The dye injection part had to be one of the most painful things ive ever experienced and i've experienced a lot of pain. It's been 7 hours and I still can't move it and can feel a new aching/throbbing pain. I hope this injection does not continue to hurt being that I have football practice twice a week. The doctor said I was really slim and young(19 years old) for a labral tear but it is what is suspected. Hope it isn't, i'm not down to be out of hockey for the season
I had an MRI on wednesday, and they did not use a dye in my shoulder just the MRI went to the doctor and he didn't get any results back by my appointment, but said he saw enough MRI's to know what he is looking for. And there was no tears in my rotaotr cuff, that if must be just sore muscles and tendons. What can I do now cause I don't feel that I have been diganosed right, if anyone has any ideas please let me know.
I hope someone might shed some light or help soemone who has been struggling for at least 8 months or longer.
I had a motorcycle accident in July 2010 that may have caused my injury but not sure...2 months after coming home from my rehab stay my right shoulder was starting ti hurt in the joint area and soemtimes cause it to ache in the hunerus bone, but only the top 3" or so...I aslo was having numbness and tingling in right hand and once in while my forearm muscle would feel weak. Those sysmptoms may be a quirk and have nothing to do with shoulder pain..I advised my dr that had at the time (before i lost insuarance) of this and she thought maybe getting some carpal....but nothing else done.....as time went on it would let up but never really went away...There are times (not all the time) that the shoulder would her so bad i would have to have help to move it, as it felt dislocated...i know it is not, but that is just how it would feel and would last for a day sometimes a few days...but mostly hurts consistantly and worst trying to go bove head, push outward, especially with resisitance..it feels in the joint...but thats a guess....months would pass and lost my dr for lack of insuarnce, not being able to work yet...anyway few months ago got a new dr that i recived financial assiatnce and he sent me to an orth and said my shoulder was extremelu unstable and had crepitus. I finally got inot ortho and from get go he made me fell little, he took xray and no fratcures, so he ordered CT arthorgram because i can not have MRI because i have pacemaker...I am 42y.o. female...while waiting for test still hurts and been in therapy for couple months and shoulder getting worse, finally got in to see ortho for results, right of bat he still makes me fell small, almost like he doesnt believe me, he said CT arthorgram was fine except small tear (forgot where) but he said that wouldnt be causing the pain cause its nothing major says its something that happens.. I said ok what next..i know soemthing is wrong and has been getting worse for last 8 motns or so....he said well dont know what to tell ya go see a pain management place i dont see anythign that would caus eyou problems...and he said only other thing is could try a cortisone shot....having already on my recorde i am allergic to prednisone, he actually suggested having stating well it might not have an affect sine not really getting aborbed into system just your shoulder, but maybe it nmight, but said, your call, i give it if think might help..i said absolutely not, i cant have that im allergic..and for him to even recooomend it knowing i cant have it bothered me, and it went down hill after that.. i said am i to do i cant figure this out im hurting and its afffecting my driving i am right hand dominat and its my right shoulder....he said well could do exploroatory, but i dont think i would even do it because i dont think theres anything wrong...
so please help what should i do and is there anything that a CT Athrogram WILL or DOES NOT show or xrays, that an MRI would show, if i could have one???? i told my orthor i wish i could have MRI cause i know somethings wrong, he stated wouldnt do any good anyways, the CT athrogram shows nothing and an MRI wouldnt show anything differant....
PLEASE HELP......Thank you.
I'm scheduled for a shoulder mri w/o contrast this Friday. Some of you mention having saline injected for the mri. Is this standard procedure. I can't have contrast dye because of chronic kidney disease, so was wondering whether saline is used instead. TIA
I have had several MRIs, I'm a little claustraphobic, so the techs put a small cloth over my face, which kind of tricks me into not feeling like the top of the scanner is not cm's away from my face. Works every time. I had open shoulder surgery 4 years ago, then a couple of months ago i hurt my shoulder again. The pain is excrutiating, so off I toddle for an MRI. The results come back and show NOTHING wrong, I cant believe that this amount of pain is in my head. There has to be something wrong. I had a steroid injection, but it hasnt helped. I searching for what might be wrong, all I can come up with is mild arthritis that wouldnt show on an MRI (it doesnt feel mild at all).