Fractured Shoulder - Perm disabled?

[Jseams]

5 months ago I fell from a catwalk at work and sustained a fracture to the right shoulder (avulsion fracture, slightly displaced of the greater tuberosity). It was initialy diagnosed as a rotator cuff tear and then 2 weeks later the diagnosis was changed when they did an MRI.

I'm a veteran so decided to use the VA system and the injury is also covered by Federal
Workers Comp. However, after 5 months I still have range of motion issues and moderate pain. I can't lift my extended arm more than 90 degrees in any direction, there is pain and popping when I try. I cannot rotate my arm when it is extended (supination?) at all (no pain) and it is going to cost me my job if this can't be fixed. My job requires extensive overhead work and at this point I find it impossible.

The VA seems split - physical medicine and my physical therapist say the solution is surgical - but orthopedics (they don't have a shoulder specialist) refuses to see me stating that I'll basically have to live with a "disability" from now on.

I don't understand this... can't they restore full range of motion? Is this going to be a permanent disability? What options do I have. I haven't even had a second MRI - just an xray... which I find odd since the first xray showed so little they didn't even know I had a fracture till the MRI.

I'm very frustrated and am looking for a specialist outside the VA system now. My question is if I do find one, which is proving difficult as most don't seem to want to work with OWCP claims, can they do anything?

[Jseams]

Thanks for the reply. I'm currently waiting for a referral to an orthopedician outside of the VA system. They are not sure how long this is going to take so I'm also looking on my own with a list supplied by OWCP.

The range of motion issues are driving me nuts...

I find it especially strange that I cannot rotate my arm when it is extended. Fore example: I cannot move my hand from a shaking position to a palm up position with my arm in any position except bent and to my side. This is particulary strange to me because although I cannot do it there is no pain involved. I just can't do it no matter how hard I strain... the oddest sensation.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Most avulsion fractures are treated conservatively like soft tissue injuries and surgery is reserved for cases with increased displacement or deformity. I am not sure of the cause of your symptoms i.e. if it is related to the fracture or is there any other issue like muscle/ tendon/ ligamental/ neural injury involved. Well, the best I can suggest at this stage is to consider a second opinion with another orthopedician (preferably a shoulder specialist) with the previously done MRI, before deciding on the line of management.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!