By CK on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 11:42 pm:

Wanted to post my intro and ask for help: am 39, live here in CA. Over the past 7 years have been having more and more soft tissue injuries: patella femoral in both knees, unstable facet joints (low back), hip bursitis during/after PT, and now frozen shoulder after a vigorous overhead throw.

My orthopedic surgeon referred me to a rheumatologist in his clinic and she diagnosed with HMS (she called it benign) after a review of my medical history and a physical test. My primary MD did screen me for thyroid and rheumatoid arthritis through blood tests.

Bottom line: we think the rheumatologist diagnosis seems fairly accurate. However, when we asked her for a treatment plan she shook her head, said there wasn’t much out there and suggested we "look on the internet."

Which we did -- and went back to her with lots of questions about EDS (no, no link), mitral valve prolapse (no, no link), osteoarthritis (no, no increased risk). And another request this time from my physical therapist on how he should modify his treatment plan to prevent the cycle of injury (use "common sense”). She then handed me some pain pills and off we went.

What really concerned me was that she refused to confirm her diagnosis in a written note to my primary MD. Why? Because she said my problems were due to each specific injury, not HMS

Dr: "Your shoulder injury was caused by your vigorous overhead throw."
Me: "Why did an overhead throw cause the injury?"
Dr: "Cause your shoulder dislocated because the ligaments are weak."
Me: "why are my ligaments weak?"
Dr: “cause you have HMS."
Me: "so my shoulder injury was caused by the underlying HMS?
Dr: "No, it was caused by your throw. .
Me: “OK, any suggested on how to avoid reinjury?”
Dr. “Avoid extending your arm beyond your range of motion.”

So my questions to all:

1. Anyone know of any rheumotologist familiar enough with HMS to actually try to treat me here in the western US?

2. Anyone have any literature/tips for my physical therapist?

3. Any other suggestions or help?