(yea, I know I'm a mess)

So about 3 1/2 years ago (mid Oct 2007?) I did something to my shoulder. I don't know exactly what, but it while it was on a crux of a climb, it wasn't weight-bearing (I made a swimming motion with my left hand which was free and my shoulder made a sound like a carcass being run over). This was just before a climbing trip so I probably aggravated whatever it was. Basically, it really hurt to pull back on holds to my left or above my head. It also hurts (seems to get inflamed) if I try to lift a weight over my head or attempt a headstand push-ups, which I could easily do 10 in a row prior to the injury. Also, my left shoulder visibly rests higher than my right.

I've tried some low-weight rotator cuff exercises but I really don't think they've done anything. My healthy weight is probably 145-155lb and I immediately dropped to 138lb and couldn't gain a pound for two years (which I partially attribute to not being able to work out). I've recently been able to gain a bit and my shoulder feels a tad stronger, but I think this is mainly due to learning how to avoid using those weak motions. It still rests higher than my right.

Has anyone heard of these symptoms before?

Yea, I did see a doctor, and he was less than worthless.

LESS than worthless.

I believe someone who is a U.S citzen that is injured and needs medical attention should not be denied.

That's interesting. Well, not really. An irrelevant too.

Umm, maybe you didn't thoroughly read, or comprehend the OP's post.

He DID get medical attention. He found it unsatisfactory, but he DID get quick medical attention.

NO ONE ever got better because he or she had an MRI. An MRI shows the anatomy, but DOES NOT tell you what is causing the pain. For example, a shoulder joint MRI in this case might show, (say), rotator cuff tendinitis, or even a partial tear. But it is possible that the actual symptoms could be caused by, (say), a herniated cervical disc, or a brachial plexus injury.

I cannot tell you how many times I have seen patients who had IDENTICAL symptoms post-operatively, when the surgeon did surgery based solely or mostly due to an MRI. The anatomical problem seen on MRI was repaired, but the PAIN was caused by something else. It's pretty common.

Do yourself a favor. Google "MRI false positive" (and false negative)

That said, MRIs are great. Wonderful. But they need to be used with clinical testing, manual muscle testing, and really good interviewing skills to determine exactly "where the pain is coming from".

You could just be helpful and offer even an X-ray or a clinic where he could go.
Maybe he needs an MRI , but whatever.
It seems like you are in a position to give back. Now is the time.
Obviously you are or were a doctor, and he needs help.
I'm sure you can P.M him and offer some help to this rockclimber who has suffered for 3 1/2 yrs.
Hasn't he endured enough pain ?

Enigma, you seem to have all kinds of ideas about what other people should be doing.

I help people on a daily basis to feel better, and to have improved function. Usually, I even get paid for it, but often, I do it pro bono, either at my private practice, or on this website, or a couple others. Take a quick look through the injury forum over the past few years, at the posts I've done, and the people I've helped here, all for free.

If you don't like it, you are free to go to med school, or PT school, and offer your own free advice. You can even get a 2 year PTA degree at a community college, and offer sound advice.

"Hasn't he endured enough pain"? Please. Spare me the bleeding heart.

I don't think (most) people believe doctors should work for free. I think they (many) resent a system of 3rd parties taking their money and not delivering results.

What I WOULDN'T do for a healthy shoulder. Unfortunately, health care is mostly based on faith and mysticism.

A cash based system? Bring it on!

Thanks, altelis. I don't help people for any accolades, and it's kind of embarrassing to be singled out. Thanks though.

It does bother me, though, when people seem to suggest doctors should work for free.

Why isn't free plumbing, or electrical work, or house painting, something that all American citizens should get for free if they can't afford it?

I wonder if enigma works for free, or if she thinks all Americans are entitled to her skills (whatever they may be) for free?

Yes, I have given people free advice in the field I'm trained and have a profession in.
You are a doctor and I would hope a decent human being,( and would hope would help this rockclimber if he needed help with his shoulder injury.)
I do think the medical system in the U.S falls short especially considering illegal immigrants and their anchor babies get free health care versus U.S citzens born here.
I am also personally aware of many medical students from abroad, and minorities that not only get a free ride for medical school but are accepted with MCAT scores 30 percent below other applicants.
Onceahardman , pro-bono to work to help a fellow rockclimber would have been a good-natured act of kindness.
I'm fairly certain you could have easily afford to do.

You mentioned above that you "tried" some rotator cuff (RC) exercises a few years ago.

RC strengthening is very specific and targeted. It needs to be done EXACTLY correctly, and often in a very dedicated fashion, for a long time (months, rather than days), in order to judge whether it is effective or not.

That is why sports med doctors refer these patients for PT, rather than just handing out a sheet of exercises. They must be done right.

That said, there is much to be said for the "let your body heal itself" approach. The normal state of a health body is healing. But 3.5 years later, you could probably use some help.

Get some skilled hands and eyes on your problem. Find a good PT who treats athletes. If you don't have insurance, then pay privately for a few visits. Most PTs are pretty nice people who like helping others, but they also make their living with their brain, eyes, and hands, and deserve some compensation, same as anybody else.

I guess in your world, I should by people plane tickets from Oregon to New York so I can treat them pro bono.

I kindly suggest you knock it off.

I agree with the other post that it sounds like you have impingement. Google "impingement shoulder shrug". Your upper trap is probably compensating.

A) After my post-injury climbing trip, I didn't lift anything except a clipboard for six months (while campaigning). I didn't climb or work out. I would say I did nothing to aggravate my injury, but holding the clipboard did hurt.

B) My symptoms haven't changed in type, only severity. I'm not disagreeing with you, but nothing seems to have changed except I can hold a clipboard without pain.

As for faith and mysticism, it takes a great deal of faith to pay up front for 'treatment' which may or may not work (and may in fact make things worse), and while western medicine may have less mysticism than, say, homeopathy, I don't know what other term so aptly describes both the lack of humility and self-delusion of our modern day sooth sayers who prescribe (dictate) what's best for all of us. Surely a bigger problem in psychiatry than orthopedics, so I'll withdraw my charge of mysticism and try to have a bit more faith.

That sounds kinda like a slipped rotary cuff. Try going to a chiropractor. I have a slipped cuff due to an old injury and I was able to get noticeable help from a good chiropractor. It does take a few weeks of therapy before you notice a difference. But it's well worth it.

Good luck :)