Now I know why I've been sucking so bad

[BrassVols]

For several months I've lost distance on my shots and been leaving a lot of them out to the right, which was very uncommon for me.

I've had some low grade, dull pain in my right shoulder and saw my GP a couple weeks ago. He couldn't find anything wrong, nor did an x-ray (that ruled out arthritis).

So I went to a PT today that he referred me to. She performed probably about 20 different strength, range of motion, reflex and dexterity tests on me.

I had thought my shoulder felt a little "loose" when playing golf. I was stunned to find out that I have less than 1/4 the strength in my right shoulder and arm with many tests than my left arm (and I'm right handed).

When she had me resist force she applied to my left arm in a variety of directions and configurations I was able to do so with a lot of strength. When she tried the same tests on my right side, it was the weirdest sensation -- my brain said "resist" but she was able to move my arm in the direction she was pressing with ease.

She was surprised also at the "global" nature of it -- that it wasn't just one orientation or direction. My reflexes were also worse in that arm. She suspects a spinal problem in my neck that could be impairing nerve transmission to my right shoulder and arm.

Next step is an MRI. Needless to say I'm pretty spooked about this, as I've always been very athletic and have taken things like use of my arm for granted. I'm left with the impression that I now have some sense for what a person who is suffering from paralysis experiences -- your brain attempts to tell part of your body to do something, but it's just not getting the message.

I'm posting this here because (a) I discovered it playing golf; and (b) I was THAT close to going to take a lesson to see what was wrong with my swing. How ironic would that have been?

[PitiFulmer]

My suggestion would be to try a chiropractor for a month before going futher with anything. I went years with a back problem due to a car accident, and no pain meds nor physical therapy would do the trick. Just thousands of dollars pissed down the drain, and countless sleepless nights. It was so bad that my right shoulder was 4 inches lower than my right, and my arm would tingle and go numb occasionally. Plus, I had the posture of an ogre as nearly 70% of my body weight weighed down on my right hip.

After doing some research and finding out pretty much everything in your body relies on a healthy spinal column, I finally went to a chiropractor as last resort, and 4 years later I'm still going. My shoulders are now even, weight distribution evened out, and can't remember the last time I woke up with back pain. On top of that, my body feels better than it ever has.

[BrassVols]

I appreciate the advice and that is something I have queued up depending on what the MRI shows. I'm not one of those who thinks CPs are quacks.

[PitiFulmer]

No problem. I saw firsthand how my father was passed on from specialist to surgeons, and now he is considered disabled due to all the unnecessary back surgeries.

[el Jeffe]

Had a similar problem. Found out I had fractured my c-4 some time before. MRI, CT and mylogram later found out disk between c-4 & c-5 was about to inject itself into my spinal cord and the one between c-5 and c-6 was not much better. Had both removed and vertebrae fused. I still have numbness in my right hand and get stingers in rt shoulder a lot from nerve damage that won't heal because I tried to live with pain for too long.

If you need to be cut on, see a neurosurgeon, not a bone doc and make damn sure you request a cadaver bone for implant, it beats the hell out of having bone grafted from your hip. If I were you unless you are in imminent danger of permanent paralysis like i was I would not have surgery. It won't stop the pain very much at all and then authritis sets in as well.

[FLAVOLS]

Had a similar problem. Found out I had fractured my c-4 some time before. MRI, CT and mylogram later found out disk between c-4 & c-5 was about to inject itself into my spinal cord and the one between c-5 and c-6 was not much better. Had both removed and vertebrae fused. I still have numbness in my right hand and get stingers in rt shoulder a lot from nerve damage that won't heal because I tried to live with pain for too long.

If you need to be cut on, see a neurosurgeon, not a bone doc and make damn sure you request a cadaver bone for implant, it beats the hell out of having bone grafted from your hip. If I were you unless you are in imminent danger of permanent paralysis like i was I would not have surgery. It won't stop the pain very much at all and then authritis sets in as well.

I would also agree with seeing a neurosurgeon first before exploring any chiropractor. If it is a spinal issue you don't want to take any chance with a chiro's "adjustments". I unfortunately fractured my C2 vertebrae in a bad car accident and my neurosurgeon said to never go to a chiropractor since it could make something bad much worse. Get a valid diagnosis first.

[BrassVols]

- MRI showed "essentially normal" for someone my age (PS - I hope I NEVER have to get another one of those fucking things).
- There was some bulging of a disc around C4/C5
- No torn rotator cuff, which was suspected
- I've been doing extensive PT and have recovered a lot of strength in the arm.
- Was given a corticosteroid treatment on shoulder joint using a patch that has tiny battery and electrodes that cause small current to run through the joint, which I think is what allows the medication to hit the right spot.
- That cured the chronic pain in shoulder, which made me a happy camper!

Haven't played any golf in over a month, will be interesting to see how I hit it when I do.