Last week I visited my third Orthopedic Specialist - FUN - up in Pasadena. This visit was above and beyond any office visit I could have expected. No good news. No bad news. Just a very sober review of, and look ahead into my shoulder's condition. The review.
The Bicycle accident which happened last November was NOT the major traumatic factor that we thought it was. Nope. Degenerative Fraying of the Labrum and and Posterior Rotator Cuff has been the result of a lifetime of aggressive physical activity - most notably, the last 10 years of high level swimming and related activities. The trauma from bicycle accident was the tipping point in a fragily-balanced condition. The damage was already done, and the accident threw the joint into a difficult-to-control state of inflammation and disrepair.
Over the past eight (8) or so weeks, I have undergone continuous physical therapy and strengthening sessions in an effort to strengthen and stabilize the joint, along with a steady regimen of anti-inflammatory medicine. While my activity levels have increased to a sufficient height for maintenance training, inflammation control has been sporadically problematic. As such, under heavy deliberation and consultation of multiple individuals, I received a one-time-only Cortico-Steroid (Cortisone) injection into the right shoulder capsule.
For those who have never received such an injection (which I consider a last resort method of treatment, and not for repeated use - like many insurance companies prefer) it is quite the experience. After watching the Ortho sanitize and mix a three-part solution into a syringe, he then attached a black 16-gauge needle. Not a small prick. Sitting on the exam-room table, facing away from the Doc, I focused on my breathing - concentrating on the rhythm and rate - a method to deal with pain tolerance taken from the breathing practices of yoga. The unfamiliar 'pinch' on the back of my shoulder - he was taking a posterior entry approach into the capsule. The feeling of fluid being injected, while the needle is being driven deeper into the tissue, is an indescribable one. Needless to say, its not one I would recommend for a daily experience.
Within 30-seconds the procedure was complete. Now, a 3-week rest period lies before me. So it's another sit-and-wait period for me...Not a Fan. But se la vi. That's just what has to be done.
After these 3-weeks, I will be reevaluated, and from there we will see how the body will react to physical therapy and training. And from that future decisions about treatments and training regiments will be decided.
So that is where we're at. To Pre-empt many thoughts - Don't be sorry; I'm not! I have a wonderful Life. And while this is potentially a big deal, it is not the end of me or my competitive ventures - merely a bump in the road. I have been blessed for many years with a relatively-clean bill of health, and we all have to pay the piper sooner or later.
Thank you all for your support and encouragement.
No comments:
Post a Comment