Don’t you love technology today? And how most clinics now have these great things called “portals” where you can look up your medical records and such. Because goodness knows, the doctor doesn’t tell you anything. Mine just says things like, “You are healing on schedule.” or “I don’t see anything that needs surgery.” Blah.
So, even though I can’t even look when they take my blood, I have been staring at the black and white MRI visions of my shoulder just trying to understand a bit more about what is going on inside me and exactly what I did to myself. I think I did pretty good at isolating the stream of images to find these stillshots.
This doesn’t look good…
Neither does this…
The good news?
No labral tear seen. No significant shoulder effusion. No
significant fluid in the subacromial/subdeltoid bursa. No spinoglenoid
notch cyst. Mild increased signal within and thickening of the inferior
capsule consistent with adhesive capsulitis or prior moderate capsular
sprain.
Conclusion?
Probable nonunion of the greater tuberosity fracture. Small avulsion fracture fragments along the deep surface of supraspinatus tendon with partial tear of supraspinatus tendon in the critical zone, with small near full-thickness component just proximal to its insertion. Distal infraspinatus and distal subscapularis tendinosis.
In English, I still have a lot of recovery to do. And from these images it leaves no wonder as to why my shoulder still aches. Bruised marrow, and all. I have a great physical and massage therapist helping me with my slow but steady progress. I can stick my right hand in a side pocket now without sharp pain and use both hands to take my bra off. It’s the little things!
I’m nowhere near back to where I’d like to be but it’s only been 4.5 months and healing takes time. When I get frustrated with the thought of that, I have these lovely images to remind me there is a reason my shoulder isn’t doing what I would like it to.
Patience, young padawan. Patience.
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