Friday, November 10, 2023

Snow and Cuff

It wasn't our first snow, but it was the first one worth noting. It won't stay with us, for all days for the next two weeks will reach above freezing, and I see no more snow on the horizon. Soon enough, however, it will snow again and quite possibly stick for the duration of the winter.

Yesterday Morning from my Den

Thankfully, the car was in the garage overnight, so I didn't have to do any scraping to take it to the shop for the winter tire change, which I had booked at least a month ago. In my heart, I thanked the previous owner of our domicile for building those storage shelves that allow us to clear enough space for our vehicle to squeeze in. The shelves make it possible for us to be one of the few families on the block who actually use the garage for the car.

On the way to the tire shop, I stopped to take this phone photo. Various trees and bushes held some snow, but the shape of this one appealed to me most.


I have told you about the X-Ray report, but the ultrasound report came in yesterday. It is a little more revealing than the X-Ray,
SUPRASPINATUS: Region of hypoechogenicity along the articular surface of the
supraspinatus measuring 0.5 x 0.3 cm. This could represent a small articular
sided partial-thickness tear.

IMPRESSION:
1. Potential partial thickness tear of the supraspinatus. As could be further
assessed with MR imaging for confirmation.

Tear, eh? When I look up SUPRASPINATUS, I see that it is part of the rotator cuff group. I don't yet know what the implications might be.

25 comments:

Barbara Rogers said...

Glad that snow was just a dusting. Now your clean warm car will have happy feet for the next 5-6 months! Hope the results on shoulder will indicate something to relieve the pain. Potential tears doesn't sound good.

DJan said...

I wonder if it can heal on its own or if you will require surgery. I suspect the doctors will think you need them to sew you up. :-)

Marcia said...

A tear doesn't sound good. My husband had something similar and he had to have surgery.

Kelly M said...

Hi. Just finished a whole fiasco with my shoulder. Ultrasound showed a full thickness tear of my rotator cuff. Surgeon ordered an MRI (he says ultrasounds aren't very clear). Turns out there was no tear and a shot of cortisone fixed me right up. Good luck!

Jeanie said...

Yup. You're definitely in a world of hurt. I see a couple of options based on past experience.When I had a partial tear they did PT first (I actually had two partial tears) and it was quite helpful but a long haul. When I had a full-on tear it was rotator cuff surgery. I vote that you have PT... the surgery is a long healing time.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I know that pain.

The snow is lovely -- but WAY too early for this kid!

Ed said...

Although perhaps your neighborhood is afflicted with it, I suspect America in general is worse. Almost everyone I know has so much stuff, that they can't fit their vehicles in their garages and some of them had two and three car garages.

The only time I've not parked my vehicle in the garage at night is because I had some important wood working project going on.

Debby said...

Tim had surgery for a torn rotator cuff. Good luck with that. Gees. You and Sue have had an awful time this year! Have you managed to pick up an ancient curse?

Boud said...

It sounds to this amateur doctor like a rotator cuff tear which might respond to PT. Let's hope so.

gigi-hawaii said...

When I threw something heavy into my closet, I tore my right rotator cuff. It took a year to heal. During that time, I couldn't pull my clothes on, so David had to dress me. It was such an ordeal. But, time heals everything, and I now have more mobility. However, an MRI showed inflammation in that shoulder - Arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, and synovitis. Nothing but rest and Ibuprofen are needed. Good luck with yours.

Marie Smith said...

Wonder what the treatment will be?

Vicki Lane said...

A real, usable garage is such a great thing. Wish we had one.

PipeTobacco said...

We have had one no -sticking snow so far too. I do not feel fond of snow at the moment…. but I am going to work at finding (or re-finding) a few fun Winter outdoor pursuits this year…. and hopefully corral my wife into participating as well…. she is liking snow less than me at the moment.

PipeTobacco

RedPat said...

My local garage called me last week and said to bring my car over and they would do my tires right then. I was going to call them next week and was amazed that they called me!
I hope some PT does the trick for your shoulder.

Margaret said...

John also has a partial tear although he doesn't complain about it anymore; in fact, there is little to no pain these days. Fingers crossed. I hope you can get to that point! Snow?? I need to have my winter tires put on too.

Catalyst said...

It may mean your last chance to pitch in the Big Leagues is fading away. 😁

Once last winter I came out and saw the lady across the street scraping snow and ice off of her car's windows. I sympathized with her because she doesn't have a garage. I relish ours.

roentare said...

The first image is looking artistic!

Granny Sue said...

Let's hope the MRI is more conclusive. That is a lot of doctors peak, a language I do not understand.
Love the snow pics. Not even a flake here yet.

Joanne Noragon said...

Our first snow has come and gone. The snow brush still is not in my car, and my car will not be in a garage. Darn.

Red said...

If it's torn rotator cuff, get it treated right away. Leave it and it only gets worse.

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

What is it about snow that seems to bring life to an otherwise drab landscape. Even if it is around for just a day or two, it is beautiful!

Jenn Jilks said...

That tear would explain your issues.
We're getting snow tires on this week.
JB has bone scan in December in Ottawa. Yuck. I hope there is no snow.

Celia said...

Had one of those, owie. It healed on it's own but can still be cranky. Doesn't like me to sleep on it. I think that's partially because I am such a spud and don't really exercise much.

Kay said...

Ouch! That was very hard to understand. I just hope you heal quickly and are not in too much pain. I broke my arm, close to my shoulder and it did take all 6 weeks to heal.

Jenny the Pirate said...

Ugh, rotator cuff tears! I have a few myself but no flare-ups for a very long time. Wow that snow looks ... too cold for me, hahaha! Stay cozy. xoxo

William Kendall said...

Much the same here- snow, but it doesn't stay on the ground yet.