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Wednesday, April 14, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Is surgery the answer for rotator cuff? Son and wife have shunned me DEAR DR. GOTT: I have not seen anything in your column about a torn rotator cuff. I have one in my right shoulder. I am a 79-year-old male and wonder if an operation would help me in any way. I had a triple bypass in 1977 and implants placed in my prostate. Other than that, I’m in good health. DEAR READER: The mus- cles and tendons that connect the upper arm bone to the shoulder blade and hold the ball of the bone firm- ly into the shoulder socket are known as the rotator cuff. Injuries result primarily from a fall with impact to the arm, the aging process, poor posture and from repetitive activity — specifically, that which is done overhead. Symptoms include loss of motion because of pain and shoulder weakness. A torn rotator cuff can occur because Dr. Peter Gott history should prevent you from having surgery; however, I rec- ommend you consider conserva- tive measures first. To provide related informa- tion, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Managing Chronic Pain” and “An Informed Approach to Surgery.” Other readers who would like copies should send a self- addressed stamped No. 10 enve- lope and a $2 check or money order for each report to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s) or print an order form off my website at www.AskDr- GottMD.com. Good luck. DEAR DR. GOTT: Since last June, I of bursitis, tendonitis or a tear or strain. Bursitis is irritation and/or inflammation of the bursa located between the shoulder joint and tendons of the rotator cuff. Ten- donitis is essentially inflammation of the tendons caused by excessive use, such as is seen in tennis players or carpenters. This excessive use can lead to tears or strains of the area. Diagnosis is commonly made by physical exam. When questions remain, your physician might choose to order an X-ray, ultrasound or MRI. Temporarily discontinuing the irritat- ing activity, applying cold packs, which can be purchased at your local pharmacy or improvised with a bag of frozen peas from your refrigerator, gentle daily exer- cise and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibupro- fen or acetaminophen, can ease the pain. If these conservative measures fail to provide relief, visit your physician to determine the next step that might be physical therapy, a steroid injection or surgery. If surgery is recommend, obtain a referral to an orthopedic specialist for confirmation. He or she will be able to repair any tears or remove any bone spurs or calcium deposits. I do not believe your age or medical have experienced tight neck muscles that make it a problem to sleep and drive my car. I’ve tried everything except acupunc- ture. My doctor is unconcerned. I’m 70 and in good health. I exercise three or four times a week on a stationary bike, garden and walk. Can you help me? DEAR READER: There are 33 verte- brae in the spine, seven of which are in the neck. The neck holds up your head, which, on average, weighs about 10 pounds. With poor posture, even a few centimeters of poorly distributed weight can place an enormous burden on the neck muscles. So muscles tighten up as a defense mechanism and cause pain. Other than posture, other possible causes are osteoarthritis of the neck, fibromyal- gia, polymyalgia rheumatica and hypothyroidism. I recommend you see a sports thera- pist or request a referral to the physical- therapy department of your local hospi- tal. You can be taught proper exercises that will strengthen the neck and, I hope, eliminate pain and stiffness. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com. Fire saftey class for seniors As part of a communi- ty-wide fire prevention effort, members of the Red Bluff Rotary will be visiting local residents on Saturday April 24 to per- form free smoke detector inspections, replacing batteries as needed and installing free smoke detectors as needed. "Roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths hap- pen in homes with no smoke detectors or no smoke detectors that work. Most victims are children and seniors," a Cal Fire spokesperson said. “Our goal: To make sure residents have the protection of a smoke detector,” said Red Bluff Rotary. Cal Fire has donated the smoke detec- tors so that with the help of the Red Bluff Rotary lives can be saved. Residents who wish to take advantage of this free service should call Tehama County Public Health at 527-6824 to schedule a home visit for Saturday April 24. Dear Annie: Ever since my son met his wife 12 years ago, he has allowed her and her family to insult me. For example, her fam- ily held a party for my grandson’s first birthday at their home and included the entire family, plus my ex-husband and his fifth wife. Because the fifth wife doesn’t like me, I wasn’t invited. They did, however, have a second, tiny party so I could bring my grandson a birthday present. My son went along with this insult. They live 45 minutes away, and I am not permit- ted to stop by and visit. I must phone with a specific date and time, and my son will call back after he has checked to see whether it is OK with his wife. Every holiday is spent with her family. The grandkids have never been to my house on Christmas Day. They are with her parents and then at her aunt’s. Two years ago, I had triple bypass surgery two days before Easter. My son and daughter-in-law stopped by the hospital to visit, and her parents called and said to hurry up because they were holding Easter dinner. Unbelievable. They have Caller ID, and my daughter-in-law never picks up when I phone. I do, however, get calls from them when they want money. I recently posted a comment on Facebook that was direct- ed at my son. Her aunt had the nerve to respond, so I wrote back that she should MYOB. Now my son says I am no longer allowed to see the grandchildren or come to their house. How do I deal with this? — Devastated and Frustrated Dear Devastated: We realize you don’t have a great relationship with your daughter-in- law, and although much of that may be her fault, you are not blameless. No one should drop in on the kids without calling first. Any com- ment posted on Facebook is fair game, and telling her aunt to MYOB was asking for trouble. You can service. The man is a clod and a boor and doesn’t deserve another thought. Our con- dolences. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar catch more flies with honey than vinegar, Mom. Stop antagonizing your daughter-in-law and look- ing for reasons to be angry. Instead, find something to like about this woman and focus on it. Apologize for upsetting her. Respect their privacy. Play nice even if it kills you. It’s the only route back into their lives. Dear Annie: My father recently died of cancer. During the interment, my husband’s uncle coinci- dentally was visiting a grave at the same ceme- tery. When he saw us, he walked over and interrupt- ed my father’s service to argue with the funeral director. Why? Because my father was not from this state and ‘‘Uncle Buck’’ felt Dad was taking a space that should go to a resident. As the funeral director was guiding my mother to my father’s gravesite, Buck stepped right between them. After- ward, he stood watching us, glaring and shaking his head. I am terribly hurt and angry with this man. Am I wrong? — Still Grieving Daughter Dear Still: Uncle Buck was amazingly insensitive and rude. Even if the cemetery has a provision to give preferential treat- ment to local residents, he should have had the decen- cy to discuss it after the Dear Annie: I read the letter from ‘‘At My Wits’ End,’’ whose daughter has bipo- lar disorder, but her husband ‘‘doesn’t believe it’s a true illness.’’ Please inform her that the Nation- al Alliance on Mental Ill- ness (NAMI) offers family support groups, a free 12- week family-to-family education course and a free 6-week NAMI basics course (the latter for par- ents and other caregivers of children living with a mental illness). She and her husband could attend these programs, and if her husband cannot go, she should go anyway because the information and sup- port are invaluable. To find out whether these programs are offered in her area, she can check nami.org and click on ‘‘Support and Programs.’’ — Guy Beales, President, NAMI North Central Mass- achusetts, Board of Direc- tors, NAMI Massachusetts Dear Guy Beales: We have recommended NAMI numerous times in the past. Thanks for reminding our readers of this wonder- ful organization. Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.ne t, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. ANY LARGE 3 TOPPING PIZZA Rodeo Special $749 + TAX FREE CRAZY COMBO® When you purchase any Two Large Pepperoni or Cheese Pizzas & a 2 Liter Soda Valid at Red Bluff location only. One coupon per order per visit. 108 Main Street, Suite C, Red Bluff • (530) 527-1121 Expires 04/30/2010