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Limited mobility in right arm and shoulder with severe pain?

Posted , 8 users are following.

nathan97319
nathan97319

For the last three months, I've been having problems with my right arm and shoulder. The problem I've been having is that I now have very limited mobility in my shoulder and arm so that I cannot lift up my arm from my side properly (I can lift it up somewhat) without severe pain in my shoulder itself and in my upper arm. Also have severe pain just in my shoulder if I try and move my shoulder (something I don't do much now). Take paracetamol but nothing stops the pain . My physiotherapist isn't sure what's wrong but artheritis has been ruled out by blood tests and an MRI scan of my spine. Last month I was referred to the orthopaedic department at my local hospital and they think it might be nerve ending damage in my shoulder so will be having another MRI scan but of my shoulder itself. Am scared now as have no idea what could have caused it as haven't had any injuries to my shoulder that could cause it (as far as I know). Anyone have any idea? Also the mobility of my shoulder and arm have severely and progressively got worse since two months ago. Was prescribed course of Diclofenc but hasn't worked and neither did the exercises I was given by my physiotherapist (seems to me that the exercises I was given have made my shoulder worse). Can anyone please shed some light?

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • penny49988
    penny49988 nathan97319

    Posted

    Hi Nathan,

    the only thing that comes to mind for me is a rotater cuff injury. I have had it in the past and it can cause symptoms such as the ones you describe. Sometimes even lifting something too heavy can do it. I could be wrong but it's the only thing i could think of. good luck in finding some answers and hopefully it improves.

    Penny

    • nathan97319
      nathan97319 penny49988

      Posted

      Hi Penny,

      Thanks for the quick reply. Really appreciate it. You mention that you had a rotator cuff injury. How were you able to get past it? And how did you manage the pain? Just hope that it is a rotater cuff injury. Also, what was done to help you with your injury by the way? Thanks again for the quick reply.

      Nathan

    • penny49988
      penny49988 nathan97319

      Posted

      Hi Nathan,

      It's been quite awhile but as far as I can remember I used the RICE treatment. Mine still acts up if I'm not careful but it's partially my fault for not carrying through with followup. Now I try to take it easy and I find if I maneuver my arm in a rotation it helps to click it back into place. With that said I would not of been able to do that when it was initially injured.

      Take Care,

      Penny

  • nicola34580
    nicola34580 nathan97319

    Posted

    Hi Nathan, I had similar symptoms which initially were treated with a cortisone injection and later physio. The injection gave temporary relief as did the physio. In the end it was descovered that I had a 95% rotor cuff tear. I had the operation and now nearly 10 months on, have more or less full movement without pain.
    • nathan97319
      nathan97319 nicola34580

      Posted

      Hi Nicola,

      Thanks for the reply. I have a quick question for you which I hope you might be able to answer. Could nerve ending damage symptons be similar to a rotater cuff tear? Am just concerned that my physiotherapist and the orthopaedic specialist are unsure as to what is causing the issues with my shoulder.

      Nathan

  • nicola34580
    nicola34580 nathan97319

    Posted

    I'm not sure, but I would of thought nerve damage wouldn't restrict movement, maybe you have a bone spur? I had an scan on my shoulder to detect the problem.
    • nathan97319
      nathan97319 nicola34580

      Posted

      Hi Nicola,

      THanks for the quick answer as it's much appreciated again. And thanks for the info.

  • vanessa38261
    vanessa38261 nathan97319

    Posted

    Sounds like Adhesive Capsulitis, which can develop for seemingly no reason. I hope that the doctors are able to find out what the issue is.
  • jag0051
    jag0051 nathan97319

    Posted

    Nathan your problems sounds very similar to mine. I have severe osteoarthritis and I don't know what kind of blood test you took for arthritis but there is no blood test for osteoarthritis. I eventually had to have my shoulder replaced with new parts. It took two surgeries but it should have only been one the first one had defective parts that had to be replaced. My shoulder is better I won't lie to you and tell you it's pain-free because it's not but I have better Mobility and less pain and am able to do relatively normal things. I hope this is helpful shoulder pain really sucks I know I lived with it for many years I hope you can resolve your problem swiftly... good luck!

  • annette98828
    annette98828 nathan97319

    Posted

    Hi Nathan,

    I seem to have the same symptoms. Rotator cuff injury had been ruled out by scans. Thinking it may be a pinched nerve problem. 

  • joe60929
    joe60929 nathan97319

    Posted

    Nathan-  I am a 74 year old senior softball player.  Don't laugh, still play competitively and no slouch.  About 4 months ago I started having pain in my throwing shoulder.  I was managing with ibuprofen and ointments.  Pain got worse so went to doc and had MRI.  I have a partial tear of the supraspinatus tendon that runs from the shoulder joint, under the clavicle and up to the neck.  Since it is a partial tear, I am going to therapy and the plan is for the tendon to heal on its on.  I play 3rd base, so my fear is that when I begin throwing again I will reinjure it or completely tear the tendon, but that is the plan right now.  I hope you can get a good plan for healing your injury.  Do not go to a chiropractor and avoid surgery as long as you can.

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