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Shoulder arm problems

Posted , 3 users are following.

summertime1
summertime1

Hello, about 12 months ago my arm /shoulder started to feel stiff, I had banged it by walking into the door frame with my arms full of washing. cheesygrinIt seems to get worse over two/three weeks, I saw the doctor and he diagnosed me with frozen shoulder, I went back 3 months later as it was no better, I was given a steroid injection. This worked well but after 6/8 weeks it wore off. I had another injection and it didn't go to well so my doctor referred me to a specialist. I had an ultrasound done and they found I had an angry looking tendon and there was a small tear. I have since had another injection that was done by ultrasound so it was more precise. After 3 weeks again the stiffness started coming back and I could hardly move my arm. A couple of weeks ago I was putting on some jeans and I seem to have gained a little weight as I pulled them up I heard this cracking sound, since then I have not been able to move my arm its so painful at the joint of the shoulder, I didn't go back to the doctor as I am seeing the specialist on a follow up to the last injection . I take quite high doses of opioids meds for spondylosis of the spine and other problems, but they are not even touching the pain, it feels like somethings digging into my arm where it connects to the shoulder, I have been taking paracetamol as I already take Naproxen as part of my daily meds. I try to move my arm even typing hurts. I wonder have I made the tear worse pulling the too tight jeans on rolleyes

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • thechefshat
    thechefshat summertime1

    Posted

    The cracking sound could be anything, but if you already had a tear, there's a chance the two are related. Get an MRI scan or repeat ultrasound.

    • summertime1
      summertime1 thechefshat

      Posted

      Thank you, it was like a crunching cracking sound I seem to remember as it was about 3 weeks ago. As I have an appointment next week to see the specialist I thought I would wait. But the pain has gradually got be excruciating, on a pain level it's around a 9 that's with all my normal meds and extra paracetamol. I am unable to sleep on it either. Hopefully, the specialist will know what I have done. cry

  • ricochetred
    ricochetred summertime1

    Posted

    Reason I asked your age/gender is because peri/post menopausal women are more at risk for shoulder tendon tears due to decreasing amounts of estrogen. The tendons get brittle. Also, if you have had a couple of cortione injections, that can contribute to tendon degradation. Any osteoporosis add another level of risk. If you have taken any antibiotics in the past year or so such as levaquin or Cipro, that can put tendons at risk. Then you add to it the history of frozen shoulder and the collison with the door. It's good you will see the specialist and to begine with an x ray and if that is inconclusive I would think and MRI is definitely in order. I hope you find some answers.

    • summertime1
      summertime1 ricochetred

      Posted

      Thank you, I am on HRT, I haven't had an antibiotics. I do wish I had gone to the hospital after this ripping/cracking event, but I didn't want to complicate original problem I started with.The pain is quite severe and I will be happy to see the doctor next week. Thank you again 

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