Suggest Treatment For Torn Ligament In Right Shoulder

Posted on Wed, 22 Apr 2015

Question: Hi my name is XXXXXX 87 years old in excellant health, after an MRI SCAN i have been diagnosed with a torn ligament in my right shoulder caused by a spur. The muscle has torn but is not painful unless i extend my arm right up over my head. I have played golf all my life and have just stopped due to the spur. I am very fit and realise that my golfing days are probably over.

My question is will the spur continue to grow? If this is the case then i will opt for the operation. if it is not likely to grow then i am quite content to leave it as it is and not go through the operation and rehabilitation.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
This spur will not grow

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. I can assure you that this spur is nit going to grow. Indication for surgery is repair of ligament and pain .
So if you are not having any pain in shoulder and happy with limited movements of the shoulder than you can avoid this surgery.
If you do not go for surgery, you should continue with physiotherapy to maintain shoulder movements otherwise it will become further stiff.
I hope this answer will be helpful to you. Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (31 minutes later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Sharm,

Thank you for your reply. If I don't have the operation is it OK for me to continue playing golf?

Also do you reccommend that i could have an injection so that I can continue playing golf? This will probably assist in keeping my shoulder XXXXXXX too.

Thank you i look forward to your answer.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You can play golf

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You can continue to play golf if pain does not bother you. There is no harm in any activity.If you want then you can get steroid injection in the shoulder. There is no harm in this but not more than two shots and there should be at least 3 months interval between those injections.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (19 minutes later)

Thank you again. There is just one more thing - i forgot to mention that it is a MAJOR tear of the ligament. Will this change your response at all regarding my playing golf and getting the steriod injection?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Tear is not going to heal now

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your rest is not going to heal the tear.So you can go ahead with your routine activity. Also this tear is not going to worsened with your game. If there is any pain than you should stop that activity.
thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar