After 3 surgeries for various things including torn cartilage and loose bodies I started experiencing pain in my knee as I aged. As the pain got worse and I was literally dragging my keg behind me I decide to have it checked out. The doctor explained that the joint was riddled with bone spurs that was the start of arthiritis and would lead to eventual replacement. There was space left between the joint and no bone on bone so we thought I still had time. he suggested some experimental shots taken in a series but I declined. iw as going to opt for what I calle d a roto rooter procedure and clean out the bone spurs to buy some time. I started using glucosamine with chondritin and the culmative effect of the treatment really helped. However the pain did get worse and I opted for total knee replacement before I was too old to recover quickly. The best thing I ever did.

Multi-modal approach to permit return to activity after abatament/alleviation of symptoms

The drugs both helped while others we relaxing and helpful for a short amount of time. Cannabis allowed me to relax and to eat meals when the Vicoden upset my stomach. Chemical heated patched work to some degree and are well worth the price.

I've always had issues with bursitis in my hips and shoulders. About 6 months ago my left shoulder got so bad I couldn't move my arm at all. After some x-rays and tests I was diagnosed with severe bursitis and the complication of two bone spurs. I have been told that surgery will end up being the only option but I prefer to try other alternatives first. In addition to physical therapy, cortisone injections and some pain medication my doctor has started me on Lidoderm Patches. These were originally created to help with shingles pain but I will tell you that they are a godsend. The patch can be worn 12 hours on/12 hours off. I put it on at night when I am working and throughout my sleep. It doesn't kill all the pain but it deadens it quite a bit and my shoulder definitely has more mobility when I wear it. I find this to be a wonderful alternative to heating pads, etc because I can wear them when I need the extra relief (i.e., cleaning, cooking, working or even trying to wash my hair). If you suffer from this condition definitely talk this treatment over with your physician.

Describe what happened:
I was in a car accident, which was the cause of my diagnosis of Left Rotator Cuff Tendinitis.

How you treated it:
The proceduce performed at Mass General Hospital was called: Left shoulder arthroscopic acromioplasty and debridement.

What's going on today:
As the surgeon promised 85% of the burning pain would be eliminated with this surgery. And he was correct. There is that nagging 15% of the time though, that I will always have to tolerate.

Three years ago, I woke up and could not get out of bed. I had not had any serious injuries in the past.

I couldn't sit, walk or syand. It was miserable. I immediately saw a family practice physician who gave me pain medication, but the muscle spasms would not stop.

5 hours later, I stiil had no decrease in symptoms. I visited a chiropractor who saw me as an emergency patient. I had never been to a chiropractor before because I thought they were quacks.

The chirpractor was a short and small woman, I could not believe she was strong enough to adjust anything. I still could not walk or lie down. While still standing, she twisted my upper torso---and crack! I hurt so much that whatever made the sound didn't cause more pain.

Her husband is also a chiropractor, and both worked on me using manipulation, when they could, for about 30-45 minutes.

They gave me hot packs on my neck and back and later electrical stimulation from a TENS unit.

At the end of the treatments, I felt about 90% better! No drugs!

They gave me a diagnosis of "displaced rib head". I am a biologist, and this did not make any sense to me from an anatomical perspective. So I asked them what caused it, and how do I prevent it from EVER occuring again? They taught me some physical therapy type exercises for increasing strength and mobility of the affected muscles and joints. I asked when I should return and they replied, if the pain or stiffness does not completely go away, give us a call.

Within two days, I felt better than I have in many years. No pain, no stiffness. The episode of pain was so bad I NEVER want to experience that again.

I contacted other physicians (MD's) to get their more recognized scientific opinion.

Here is the cause: Two months before, I was driving my car. I had one of those yawns that you can not stop. I was driving fast and did not want to get in an accident because of the stupid yawn. So I turned my head slightly to the right to slow down and stop the car. At this exact same time, I sneezed! This all happened within a few seconds!

Yawn and sneeze at almost the same time. It felt painful at the time, but the pain went away.

It appears that the combination of yawn and sneeze ---both violent reflexes caused some type of mechanical change of my muscle and bone alignment..

Never sneeze and yawn and the same time. It sounds humorous, but it was very painful.

I developed chronic severe pain and spams due to my job as an ultrasound tech. Started experiencing a change in "headaches", along with major neck spasms, that would occur a day or two after physical activity involving the same muscle groups used during my job. Did not understand what was happening at that time-and neither did ANY physician, unfortunately. Going to work each day was re-injuring the tissues. In the end, I lost my career, my retirement, and my capacity to work. Am now on a medical retirement, as my condition is permanent....but it cost me my life savings getting disability pay. Am now without savings, and monthly pay only covers a mortgage. The pain still exists, but is better....and, I AM alive, and upright!!