The Arm Bone Is Connected

to the Shoulder Bone .. but sometimes not very well! 

Today was my trip to the Durham Bone and Joint Specialists who my family doctor thought might be able to help with my shoulder problem. 

Well, it seems that if I was younger, surgery would be the answer, but alas, it seems that that darned old rotator cuff loses its ability to respond well to surgery after the age of 65 and gets less able to do so as the years pass; hence for me, at age 79, surgery is not an option. 

But the good news is that the orthopaedic surgeon was really surprised and happy to see how well my bones had healed! He also explained why I was having trouble with all these post-accident issues with the joint and soft tissue around it; it seems they are a result of a slight twist in the humerus as it healed. He also reassured me that I had done so well in recovery that the current situation in that joint is much preferable to what it would be if they had done surgery at the time. 

So, the answer for me today was a shot of cortisone and a referral for physiotherapy along with a list of recommended exercises to build up strength in that arm. I will not have the range of mobility that I had before, but the outcome is much better than would have been expected. 

The shot was a nonevent - no pain but they recommended 2-3 days of rest for the joint and for heaven's sake, no lifting! So, my intention of heading north to the cottage which involves a whole lot of lifting and lugging, fell flat and as a result, I have delayed going north until at least the weekend,  if not later..

because also....

Shawn my neighbourhood gardener announced today that this weekend he is bringing in two of his gardening crew from the city to work in my back garden to help him attack the gout weed that has taken over the entire garden and to try their best to clear out not just the weeds, but also the errant plants that have strayed to inappropriate places. All this is in the hopes of being able to do some new plantings! 

Good luck with that, I say, but I am really curious to see how much they can do, so I want to be here when all that takes place even if it means delaying my first trip to the cottage! 

Meanwhile, Shawn has been cutting the lawn, pruning shrubs and today he came to fill those two urns that had been sadly neglected and sitting empty on the front porch. (extra)