I'm going on 25 years as being a pipefitter.In all those years,when I needed to carry pipe,wheather it be heavy steel pipe or lite plastic pipe,I always carried it on my left shoulder,never my right.I think it is now catching up with me.My shoulder/rotator is very painful at times.Last year I went to the doctor for this pain.I was diagnosed with a sprain shoulder an the x-rays showed an arthritic bone spur.The doctor recommended therapy,which helped.Now,the pain is back.I am taking ALEVE,which helps somewhat.Has anyone else had this problem? What can I expect in the near future;more therapy,medicine,an operation? :confused:

I can't really say what will be next for you, but are still doing the same work? If so, I would imagine that it will keep coming back. Also, I don't think that bone spurs go away on their own so that will always be something in the way that can irritate that area or irritate the nerves. The arthritis may end up getting worse over time - mine has, though I don't have it in my shoulder that I know of; I have spurs in my spine and ankles.

Do you still do any of the therapy exercises on your own to keep the strength in that area? If not, then the muscles probably weakened again which can cause problems.

Usually surgery is more of a last resort type of thing unless it's an emergency. So you may want to try therapy with anti-inflammatories. But there are many other things that can be tried before surgery, even different types of shots (one being steroid shots) to the area which may reduce inflammation more quickly. But if you are diabetic, that may be probematic. I do know that steroids can raise blood sugar in diabetics so whatever you do , make sure to discuss that with your doc. So perhaps you may want to try the less invasive treatments again to see if it helps.

Did you ever try ice or heat on the area? For myself anyway, moist heat helps alot (although once I take the heat off, my pain comes back).

I injured my left shoulder & neck over a year ago and had an xray of my shoulder and was told I had osteo arthritis in it and went to therapy for awhile which didn't help much. I think I also injured my rotator cup but I was told by my mailman (who had surgery on his) the only way they can detect a problem was with a MRI. My pain comes and goes when I do lifting or housework on use my left arm. So I try and use my right as much as possible. I use antiflams sometimes when I have them but usually I will put Icy Hot or Aspercream and that does help and I heat up my rice pillow and that feels ahhhh so good. That's about all the advice I can give you. Good Luck! Jules;)

Hi Diabetic1,

The others have good advice, - ice, heat, aspercream, anti-inflammatories, ect.. Have you had an MRI or Arthrogram study done of your shoulder? Some Dr's will do an arthrogram first to spare the cost to the patient. These 2 tests are the only ones that will show a tear. Preferrably the MRI since it will show everything, including if you have arthritis. If you have not had these done you should suggest strongly that you need help & want to know if it's torn. If you have good insurance do not chaulk it up to a sprain as the DR. may think.
Been there & done all that...please check further.

Take Care