Absolutely NGC ... question is, rotator cuff or computer mouse issue?

[ohiorider]

Right shoulder totally crapped out a few days ago.  Saw the doc today.  He thinks I may have a rotator cuff issue.  Quite possible.  Then I began wondering if I had the dreaded 'computer mouse shoulder' problem.  Since I assumed the role of co trustee for my brother's trust, I've been on the computer 2x as much.

Any thoughts?

Bob

[rodekyll]

My rotator cuff is gone on the mouse side.  Yes, unless my arms is supported it becomes uncomfortable in a hurry.  So it might be one or it might be the other -- or one begets the other in either sequence.  The only way to know for sure is to have an mri of the shoulder.  If the cuff looks like a lace doily it's bad.

[Dick]

I had both rotators go at about the same time. I have no idea how it happened. Could barely dress myself. Doc. told me it takes about a year for one to heal. He was right. You can probably speed up the process with PT at home. Good luck.

[dilligaf]

Right shoulder totally crapped out a few days ago.  Saw the doc today.  He thinks I may have a rotator cuff issue.  Quite possible.  Then I began wondering if I had the dreaded 'computer mouse shoulder' problem.  Since I assumed the role of co trustee for my brother's trust, I've been on the computer 2x as much.

Any thoughts?

Bob

My rotator cuff is gone on the mouse side.  Yes, unless my arms is supported it becomes uncomfortable in a hurry.  So it might be one or it might be the other -- or one begets the other in either sequence.  The only way to know for sure is to have an mri of the shoulder.  If the cuff looks like a lace doily it's bad.

Very surprised a MRI hasn't been ordered.

I had both rotators go at about the same time. I have no idea how it happened. Could barely dress myself. Doc. told me it takes about a year for one to heal. He was right. You can probably speed up the process with PT at home. Good luck.

Proper Physical Therapy is the key to a speedy recovery.  :BEER:
Matt

[redrider90]

Right shoulder totally crapped out a few days ago.  Saw the doc today.  He thinks I may have a rotator cuff issue.  Quite possible.  Then I began wondering if I had the dreaded 'computer mouse shoulder' problem.  Since I assumed the role of co trustee for my brother's trust, I've been on the computer 2x as much.

Any thoughts?

Bob

what are your symptoms? Pain  and lack of strength? Where are they? MRI is essential.
A good doc and PT you can recover in 6 months if you do not have any scarring.

[Orange Guzzi]

Maybe you have lacathrottle.  You need to get on your bike more often and exercise your hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder.  I find that my spinal stenosis is much better while riding. 

[M0T0Geezer]

My working life from the early 1980s was as a software engineer.

I had severe shoulder and elbow pain in my right arm ... but that was 25 years ago.

I bought a trackball mouse in the early 1990s and that totally relieved the pain.  For $30 you can too.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/trackman-marble?crid=8

A standard mouse requires that your whole arm needs to move from the shoulder on down.

A trackball only needs your fingers to move the on-screen pointer.  Another advantage is that the trackball mouse will work on any surface and in limited space.  My wife uses one that sits on her lap.

Just get one.

'Geezer

[dilligaf]

Maybe you have lacathrottle.  You need to get on your bike more often and exercise your hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder.  I find that my spinal stenosis is much better while riding. 

Worked for me until I was no longer able to get on my motorcycles.     Anything to get you leaning forward reliving pressure on the spine. Not sure how much value the sitting position on a Cruiser would be.  :BEER:
Matt

[Triple Jim]

A standard mouse requires that your whole arm needs to move from the shoulder on down.

Some guys do it that way, but it's not required.  I put my mouse pad far enough from the front of the desk to allow me to rest my whole forearm on the desktop, and  move only my fingers and wrist.

[ohiorider]

Thanks, guys.  Good advice and info.  The doc did schedule me for an MRI.  Didn't think I had any degree of claustrophobia until a few years ago for my first 'in a tube' MRI.  I hate that feeling!  So, I wimped and asked if an open MRI wouldn't do the trick.  Answer 'yes.'  So I'll be doing it in about one week.

I've had each shoulder become useless in the past for several days due to pain when arm was elevated, but this is the first time I noticed weakness.  Right arm feels like it weighs double as much as the left if I attempt to rotate it upwards.

I actually was seen by an excellent PA (physicians assistant) who reports to the sports doc that works with the Cleveland Indians.  X rays showed all hard parts in pretty good shape.  The MRI should tell the story on the rotator cuff.  Hopefully there is some minor fix that'll get me thru the summer (I can ride .... it's just impossible to use right hand to turn off the ignition!)

Again, thanks to all you good members here on the WildGuzzi Clinic.

Bob

[redrider90]

My trick to keep myself in the MRI is to do due 2 things. 1. I make the technician promise that if I freak out and  press the button the will take me out immediately. They always agree. 2. I have them stop the table right when my head first enters the machine. I think about it and ask them to give a moment and then say OK. It gives a sense of control.
My last MRI (last fall)  was of my brain so my head was firmly encased in a cradle to make sure I could not move. Talk about feeling trapped.
The other thing they will do for you is give you a set of prism glasses so you can look out of the machine via the glasses. That helps.

[rodekyll]

Two words for MRI preparedness:  Xan ex.

[Triple Jim]

Two words for MRI preparedness:  Xan ex.

 :D  Actually I was thinking of three:  India Pale Ale

[ohiorider]

:D  Actually I was thinking of three:  India Pale Ale

I like your solution!

[normzone]

All rotor issues aside, I have trained myself to mouse with either hand. I use the left at work and the right at home - distributes the wear and tear.

Cannot stress ergonomic issues enough. I use one of those split keyboards and lay it in my lap to minimize the weird postures that computering drive us to.

[Markcarovilli]

Bob

Had that problem a few years ago - MRI indicated a slight tear.  Doc gave me a shot of cotozone (sp?) and said it was 50/50 if it worked. If it didn't I would need to go under the knife.  Luckly it has been pretty good wiyth minor issues.....

Hope the best for you.

Mark

[rodekyll]

The cortisone shot is one of the first things they try -- it's either curative or ineffective.  The doc told me that the way I volunteered to filet him and burn down his office with the staff inside while he was still administering the injection indicated that cortisone would not be my cure.  It was truly one of the most uncomfortable things I ever sat still for, even with anesthetic.

[redrider90]

The cortisone shot is one of the first things they try -- it's either curative or ineffective.  The doc told me that the way I volunteered to filet him and burn down his office with the staff inside while he was still administering the injection indicated that cortisone would not be my cure.  It was truly one of the most uncomfortable things I ever sat still for, even with anesthetic.

Two words for the most uncomfortable thing in the world.  Prostate biopsy   

[rodekyll]

You missed the part where I said I'd sit still for it.   :D

[balvenie]

                  Takes me back to the first cotisone injection I ever had in my shoulder. The procedure is quite straightforward. Insert needle until it hits bone. That means you have gone too far. Withdraw needle a little so that the "soup" goes into the soft tissue. Trouble was, the doc had me standing and when the needle hit bone, I hit the floor in a dead faint. Woke up and said, "What happened?" Yes, people really do say that, just like in the movies.

[ohiorider]

Prostate biopsy.  Oh, yes.  Remember it well.  After the first painful snip, I recall saying 'damn, I'm glad this is over.'  Response from doc, 'well, not quite .... I have to do another 20 or so snips.'

First cortisone shot in shoulder years ago.  Doc asks, 'do needles bother you?'  "Nope."  But needles the size of basketball inflators do!

[ohiorider]

Bob

Had that problem a few years ago - MRI indicated a slight tear.  Doc gave me a shot of cotozone (sp?) and said it was 50/50 if it worked. If it didn't I would need to go under the knife.  Luckly it has been pretty good wiyth minor issues.....

Hope the best for you.

Mark

Mark, the good news (at this point) is .... I can still jump in the saddle and go for a ride.  I will no doubt need some repair work done, if the damage isn't too scarred so as to prevent surgery.  I couldn't believe how quickly this hit.  Maybe catch up with you 3rd Sunday of month at Mikes in Kent.  That's always a pleasant event.

Bob

[redrider90]

Mark, the good news (at this point) is .... I can still jump in the saddle and go for a ride.  I will no doubt need some repair work done, if the damage isn't too scarred so as to prevent surgery.  I couldn't believe how quickly this hit.  Maybe catch up with you 3rd Sunday of month at Mikes in Kent.  That's always a pleasant event.

Bob

Don't assume the worst. I had a very good top notch shoulder specialist diagnose me with a torn rotator cuff. The MRI proved it not so. I had a cortisone shot that took me 2 weeks to get over!

[Markcarovilli]

L

Mark, the good news (at this point) is .... I can still jump in the saddle and go for a ride.  I will no doubt need some repair work done, if the damage isn't too scarred so as to prevent surgery.  I couldn't believe how quickly this hit.  Maybe catch up with you 3rd Sunday of month at Mikes in Kent.  That's always a pleasant event.

Bob
[/quote

Mark, the good news (at this point) is .... I can still jump in the saddle and go for a ride.  I will no doubt need some repair work done, if the damage isn't too scarred so as to prevent surgery.  I couldn't believe how quickly this hit.  Maybe catch up with you 3rd Sunday of month at Mikes in Kent.  That's always a pleasant event.

Bob

Glad to here this isn't stopping you.  I'm planning on seeing you at Mikes....

Mark

Mark, the good news (at this point) is .... I can still jump in the saddle and go for a ride.  I will no doubt need some repair work done, if the damage isn't too scarred so as to prevent surgery.  I couldn't believe how quickly this hit.  Maybe catch up with you 3rd Sunday of month at Mikes in Kent.  That's always a pleasant event.

Bob

]

[redrider90]

So Harv , did they find one ? ;D

  Dusty

What do you think. They are still trying to figure it out!  ;D :PICS!: :pop
I dunno what it means man but on the far right there are an awful lot of negative values posted.
I guess you can say it is not always what they find that is scary but what they do not find is scary.  :D

[rodekyll]

I wouldn't worry about that too much -- all it's saying is that except for that inferior part, you have an abnormally small brain mass. 




(ducks and runs)     :bike   :bike    :bike             :bike

[mtiberio]

mouse use does not do in rotator cuff, it does in forearm tendons.

mri is no sweat, just close your eyes and never open them. you'll never know you are in a tube...

[canuguzzi]

My working life from the early 1980s was as a software engineer.

I had severe shoulder and elbow pain in my right arm ... but that was 25 years ago.

I bought a trackball mouse in the early 1990s and that totally relieved the pain.  For $30 you can too.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/trackman-marble?crid=8

A standard mouse requires that your whole arm needs to move from the shoulder on down.

A trackball only needs your fingers to move the on-screen pointer.  Another advantage is that the trackball mouse will work on any surface and in limited space.  My wife uses one that sits on her lap.

Just get one.

'Geezer

 :+1

[ohiorider]

Well .... did the MRI thing, and the result of that is .... no torn rotator cuff or torn tendons.  Today at the Cleveland Clinic, the next guess is nerve damage, ie, not enough nerve pulses to the bicep muscles to allow me to lift my arm over my head fully extended.  Next ... a test tomorrow to determine where the nerve circuits are failing.  This all began 2 days after my first longer ride of the year ..... Cleveland to Charleston WV and return via the long route, lots of two lane roads.  I've made this trip a dozen times, but maybe it catches up with you later in life.

I'm thinking:
- 30 years and several hundred thousand miles on K100RS/K1100RS/K1200RS/1200 Sport/Griso ..... in other words, bikes that aren't pure sport bikes, but bikes that put a load on hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders for someone who is short and has a rather long reach to the bars.
- Spending the past six months working on a family trust that has doubled my time in front of a computer screen, and more importantly, double the mouse time.

Pure speculation on my part .... tomorrow will provide more of an answer.

I see lighter bikes, with more 'sit up and beg' in my future ........ damn!

Bob

[toma nova]

Switch to a trackball mouse and use it with your left hand.  You'll adapt in a matter of minutes.

I use a left trackball at work and a regular righty at home - no issues.

Save that right arm / hand for important things - like the throttle.

Tom