On Cortisone and recovery
Many people ask me about cortisone and the role it played in my recovery, so I thought I’d write a little note on it. When I first had cortisone injections, it was administered by a regular doctor who just wanted to help. This was months before I finally got the correct diagnosis (a massive shoulder blade dysfunction) – and it did help, or rather so I thought. The pain disappeared, only to come back 2 months later with a vengeance, when the effect of the cortisone wore off. In other words, I returned to playing way too soon, and only made things worse by playing with a serious dysfunction. I just couldn’t feel the pain.
After I finally got the correct diagnosis from a orthopedic surgeon, and started my rehab program with the physiotherapist, it quickly became obvious that I had too much inflammation in the joint to be able to do the exercises that would eventually help, so I had 2 more shots spaced 2 months apart. This time, however, they were administered by the orthopedic surgeon working closely together with the physiotherapist, and this time it saved me. I had one shot in the space under the acromion, and another along the biceps tendon, and this allowed to do the exercises that over time restored my shoulder to healthy, normal function.
So in conclusion, cortisone used to mask pain or to allow you to play when you shouldn’t is a dangerous thing. Cortisone as part of conservative treatment (i.e. physiotherapy) can be necessary and very effective!
The full story
This is the full account of my injury survival story:
I am one of the lucky few that has made a full recovery from a near career ending shoulder injury. It took 2 years of intense, daily physiotherapy, economic hardship, depression, loss of work and a whole lot of pain, but I made it. I also learned a lot in the process and I am now determined to help others avoid the problems that I’ve had. Here is my story:
In the fall of 2005 I was living in Sweden and working full time in the Malmö Opera Orchestra, when I started experiencing a slight, but relentless pain on the front of my left shoulder when playing. (more…)