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Margie S. "Rotator cuff problems are fairly common with Parkies?" That's really interesting, Margie.. None of the physicians I've seen for the problem (and admittedly, not a one was a movement disorder specialist, or even a neuro) ever related the problem to having PD. That's something I'll call to the attention of the ortho next time this thing kicks up again (and I expect it to, based upon past history). It seems that the MD's I've gone to over the years either blame EVERYTHING on the Parkinson's, or miss the connection by a mile. I know others having major chronic diseases often run into the same problem with their doctors. Kind of a medical "can't see the forest for the trees" type of situation.... Barb Mallut "Lil_Honey" on the PD Chat [log in to unmask] ---------- From: PARKINSN: Parkinson's Disease - Information Exchange Network on behalf of Dick Swindler Sent: Saturday, January 25, 1997 10:39 PM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Re: Bursitis-like Pain Barb (Mallut) - In a message dated 97-01-24 17:58:10 EST, you write: > It was concluded that the "rotator cuff" >in the shoulder was shot, and that this would be a chronic condition, >possibly >relieved by surgery in the future (and not the immediate future... as a last >resort) I've missed a few days of mail, so my apologies if what I'm passing on has already been said: A few years ago my husband had the same problem, got the cortisone shots (his fingerprints are still indented in the metal table top at the hospital), and was told by an orthopedist that surgery would be the only option. However, she said that there was only a 50% chance that it would actually help. So Dick, not liking those odds, wisely chose to forgo that option. After a few weeks the pain began to subside and has never returned - at least not at all to that extent. He hadn't thought to consult his PD specialist about the shoulder pain, but did mention it at his next visit. The doctor said fairly casually, "Oh, yeah, we see a lot of that (rotator cuff tears) in PD patients." He also seemed to think that surgery wasn't the answer. It has been so many years ago that I can't remember for sure, but I think he said that in PWP the tear will heal itself, unlike in PWOP (People Without Parkinson's), where once a rotator cuff tear occurs, it is more likely to need medical intervention. (My apologies to the doctor if I'm remembering this last part incorrectly). I thought this might be news to some on the list, as it was to us. We haven't encountered a single doctor aside from the PD specialist who had ever heard that rotator cuff tears were more common in PWP. Another good reason to consult a movement disorders specialist, right? Margie Swindler