Rick's shoulder and rotator cuff update

PT appointment yesterday. Talked quite a bit with Jeff (Physical Therapist) ... 
Rick is having good rotation in the shoulder/rotator cuff. He has good passive strength - meaning that Jeff can move his shoulder as much as he wants, with little to no pain or discomfort. But the aggressive strength is just not there. 

When Rick is given an exercise that requires strength to either raise his arm, extend his arm, or do anything (no matter how small) with the arm - just does not work. He is able now to do small things if the arm is kept low, the arm held close to his body and the arm not raised any more than the elbow is bent. Make sense? 

What is the problem? That is what we don't know at this time. The latest MRI showed good and strong healing in the rotator cuff. Dr. Devinney said that it might be a nerve compromised - and said that one way to release that nerve was with surgery. He also said that it could just be taking longer to heal because of the dialysis that Rick is having to do. Jeff agreed, and said also that with Rick's blood sugars running high - that that could be a major contributing factor. High blood sugar plays a definite role in healing and strength - and not a good or favorable role. Sigh. 

No word on the EMG nerve test even having been ordered, let alone approved, or scheduled. I cannot get an answer. So yesterday, we basically told Jeff that we were handing this off to him and Dr. Devinney to deal with. If no one will even talk to us - maybe they will talk to a professional? We hope. We are frustrated. Sigh. 

The Occupational Accident Insurance that Rick is under (not worker's comp) told us last week that he is insured for 116 weeks of care with them. Which is good ... we just need to know what that "care" is going to be!!!

Jeff told us yesterday that all we can do at this point is just keep plugging away with the exercises. That they will make sure Rick keeps what mobility he has right now, not allow the shoulder/rotator cuff to freeze, and will either work to loosen the compromised nerve (if that is what this is) or it won't. If it does, then great. If it doesn't, no big surprise. 

Physical therapy is 2 or 3 times a week right now ... and Rick is to be using the pulley and bands every day here at the house. 

And we wait ... wonder ... wait ...