• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

  • Fitness
  • Workouts
    • Best Shoulder Workouts
    • Best Chest Workouts
    • Best Leg Workouts
    • Best Leg Exercises
    • Best Biceps Exercises
    • Best Kettlebell Exercises
    • Best Back Workouts
    • Best HIIT Workouts
    • Best Triceps Exercises
    • Best Arm Workouts
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Best Pre-Workout
      • Best BCAAs
      • Best Testosterone Boosters
      • Best Bodybuilding Supplements
      • Best Creatine
      • Best Supplements for Weight Loss
      • Best Multivitamins
      • Best Collagen Supplement
      • Best Probiotic
      • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout
      • Best Greens Powder
      • Best Magnesium Supplements
    • Protein
      • Best Protein Powder
      • Best Whey Protein
      • Best Protein Powders for Muscle Gain
      • Best Tasting Protein Powder
      • Best Vegan Protein
      • Best Mass Gainer
      • Best Protein Shakes
      • Best Organic Protein Powder
      • Best Pea Protein Powder
      • Best Protein Bars
    • Strength Equipment
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Weight Benches
      • Best Functional Trainers
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Resistance Bands
      • Best Trap Bars
    • Cardio Equipment
      • Best Cardio Machines
      • Best Rowing Machines
      • Best Treadmills
      • Best Weighted Vests
      • Concept2 RowErg Review
      • Hydrow Wave Review
      • Best Jump Ropes
  • News
  • Exercise Guides
    • Legs
      • Back Squat
      • Bulgarian Split Squat
      • Goblet Squat
      • Zercher Squat
      • Standing Calf Raise
      • Hack Squat
    • Chest
      • Bench Press
      • Dumbbell Bench Press
      • Close-Grip Bench Press
      • Incline Bench Press
    • Shoulders
      • Overhead Dumbbell Press
      • Lateral Raise
    • Arms
      • Chin-Up
      • Weighted Pull-Up
      • Triceps Pushdown
    • Back
      • Deadlift
      • Trap Bar Deadlift
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Inverted Row
      • Bent-Over Barbell Row
      • Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
      • Pendlay Row
Fitness

The Best Method for Talking to Your Doctor About Shoulder Injury

Communicating with doctors can be frustrating and overwhelming. Here are outlined questions you should ask your physician when you have a shoulder injury, to get the best quality treatment.

Written by Brandi Ross Last updated on Nov 22, 2021

I was sitting at the computer one day, looking over Facebook, when I noticed a friend had posted about his shoulder problems. It got me thinking and I wondered what I could do to help him. Well, the distance has been an issue, but what I was able to do was provide him with questions to ask his physician as he attempts to return to full duty. So, I began to think more about what questions a person should ask their physician in regards to various types of shoulder injuries, from acute to overuse.

Most people do not like going to a physician unless it is absolutely necessary. Athletes, especially, really dread going to the physician and hearing those deathly words “surgery,” “rest,” “physical therapy,” and “avoid your sport.” Hopefully, a few of these questions I am providing may help to ease the stress, strain, and anxiety of discussing a shoulder injury for the first time and help you get back to your active life.

Rotator Cuff Strain

One of the most common injuries is going to be the rotator cuff strain, which if left untreated, can turn into a complete tear. Just look at professional baseball players and the number who have had surgery.

Once a physician has said rotator cuff, begin to think of questions that affect that particular activity. For example, “What is the recommended treatment?” From there, questions that can be asked include “What type of physical therapy will be needed?” and “How long will I be in therapy?”

The scary part for many is approaching the subject of imaging and further diagnostic testing. My suggestion is, if the physician doesn’t recommend it right away ask why. Ask “How long do I try therapy before we do more testing?” Sometimes, physicians are hesitant to begin with imaging and try to take a more conservative approach. If you are that concerned, you can push the issue or ask for another opinion. Personally, I think pushing the issue may be the best initial approach.

Dislocation/Subluxation of the Shoulder

Another injury that happens quite frequently is the dislocation or subluxation of the shoulder. Here is where it gets tricky. A shoulder dislocation can cause damage to so many structures within the shoulder that the treatment is widely variable. Structures that can be injured range from the musculature to the ligaments to the labrum. All of these structures incorporate similar yet different physical therapy components.

shoulder injury, shoulder surgery, rotator cuff, rotator cuff strain

This is when it is important to ask the appropriate questions. First and foremost, ask about immobilization. How long will the shoulder need to be immobilized before physical therapy can begin? What are the short-term effects of being immobilized? What activities can I do while in the sling? Will there be additional imagining, such as an MRI? What are my limitations at work and/or in regards to activity? The fear people have is hearing the worst – that you can’t do anything. In most cases, physicians are willing to work with you on certain limitations, especially when it comes to work.

Remember, a dislocation will take some time to recover. Be patient, but be proactive at the same time. If you don’t understand what is being said, ask the physician to slow down and explain in terms that you understand. The worst feeling is leaving the office and not knowing what was said.

Shoulder Surgery

A dislocation or subluxation can lead to a worse scenario – surgery. That is most likely the worst word any person wants to hear. Believe me, I know. I have had four knee surgeries, one hand surgery, and one ankle surgery. Yes, the orthopedist likes to see me walk into the office.

When there is the chance the topic of surgery will be approached, go prepared with questions. Most importantly, find out what type of procedure will be used. Ask the physician to explain it. Then, find out what the risks are that are involved with surgery. What is the success rate of the procedure? A key question for people today is, “How much work am I going to have to miss?” The younger athlete may ask, “How long I am going to be out of my sport? Will this affect my chances of a scholarship?” These are all valid questions to consider when deciding on the course of action.

It even comes down to whether or not you want to do surgery with that physician. You have the right to a second opinion. Get it. If surgery is something that may affect your career, ask for a second opinion. You never know, maybe the other physician has a better procedure or has other options. It never hurts to check it out, especially when it can affect your livelihood.

Listen Carefully

The last bit of advice I can give is to listen carefully to what the physician is saying. Why? As the physician explains the injury, surgical procedure, or physical therapy, you may come up with additional questions that I didn’t include. If the questions are open-ended and require more than a yes/no answer, you should be able to go through a whole series of questions that will help you to ultimately get the answer for which you are looking.

Always ask, even if you think it is not important, if you are thinking about it then it is important to you. It’s your shoulder. It’s your health.

You might also like How To Self-Diagnose Your Shoulder Pain and this list of articles how to prevent and treat shoulder injuries.

About Brandi Ross

Brandi Ross, a certified athletic trainer at the University of California at Santa Barbara, is primarily responsible for the health, safety, and rehabilitation of their men’s soccer and track and field teams. She has extensive experience working with injured athletes from a wide array of sport levels, from working with high school athletics to volunteering at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista.

Brandi received her Master's degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, with an emphasis in Rehabilitation, from the California University of Pennsylvania. In October 2006, she published an article in BioMechanics Magazine entitled Proprioceptive Exercises Balance Ankle Stability and Activity. She received her Bachelor's degree in Biology in 1995 from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where she played softball. She finished her athletic training studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she worked with football and baseball.

Brandi has continued her education to become certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) and as a Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES). She has furthered her education by attending courses in GRASTON technique, Kinesiotaping, myofascial decompression techniques, and looks to add more advanced courses in the coming years.

Brandi herself remains active. Currently she is a purple belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. She holds a black belt in Kajukenbo and a purple belt in Ed Parker Kenpo. She completed the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in 2001. She stills bike rides, but has given up the running.

View All Articles

Related Posts

Fergus Crawley 5K Run Tips Photo
Fergus Crawley Shares 5 Tips For Running a Better 5K
Actor Chris Hemsworth in gym performing dumbbell row
Chris Hemsworth Diagrams a Killer Upper Body Workout Fit For an Action Star
Hugh Jackman Deadpool 3 Workouts Spring:Winter 2023
Hugh Jackman Returns to Wolverine Condition in Workouts for “Deadpool 3”
Method Man Incline Dumbbell Presses December 2022
Check Out Rapper Method Man Cruising Through 120-Pound Incline Dumbbell Presses for 10 Reps

Primary Sidebar

Latest Articles

New Year’s Fitness Sales (2025)

XWERKS Motion BCAA Review (2025): A Registered Dietitian’s Honest Thoughts

Assault Fitness AssaultBike Pro X Review (2025): Assault’s Best Bike Yet?

13 Best Exercise Bikes for Home Gyms (2025)

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Review (2025): The Key to Post-Workout Recovery?

Latest Reviews

Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt

Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt Review (2025)

Omre NMN + Resveratrol, Lifeforce Peak NMN, and partiQlar NMN on a red background

Best NMN Supplement: Fountain of Youth in a Bottle? (2025)

The Titan Series Adjustable Bench on a red background

Titan Series Adjustable Bench Review (2025)

A photo of the NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Dumbbells on a red background

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Review (2025): Are These Value Dumbbells Worth It?

woman lifting barbell

Be the smartest person in your gym

The Breaking Muscle newsletter is everything you need to know about strength in a 3 minute read.

I WANT IN!

Breaking Muscle is the fitness world’s preeminent destination for timely, high-quality information on exercise, fitness, health, and nutrition. Our audience encompasses the entire spectrum of the fitness community: consumers, aficionados, fitness professionals, and business owners. We seek to inform, educate and advocate for this community.

  • Reviews
  • Healthy Eating
  • Workouts
  • Fitness
  • News

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

© 2025 · Breaking Muscle · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Affiliate Disclaimer · Accessibility · About