Shoulder pain?
I have been having shoulder problems for the past week. It clicks and pops. It also feels "heavy" all the time. Sometimes there is a sharp pain that is stabbing nature but it comes and goes. Also, sometimes my fingers (4th and5th) on the affected side tingle but it is faint and rarely felt. There is some limited ROM of the shoulder. I have a postive arm drop on the affected shoulder. I would honestly like to not move it at all but with it being my dominant shoulder, I have little choice. Last Sunday, I went to the VA near my home and had x rays taken of the affected shoulder. The doc there said there was no dislocation or Fx. He actually didn’t even give me an answer. Just gave me some Aleve and said rest it. I get no relief from Aleve, Tylenol, advil, etc. Anyone have any ideas on what it is (i’m thinking maybe rotator cuff) and what possible home treatments I can do before I go see another Dr not w/ the VA? Thanks
Also should have mentioned that heat nor ice relieve symptoms.
Filed under: Shoulder Pain Treatment
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
Get an MRI! I had tingling and numbness in my whole arm from a car accident and shoulder pain. Tried doing physical therapy for about a year before I went in for surgery. I have a pinched nerve which was causing the tingling and numbness. I have a bone spur, a winged scapula, a two tears.
You need MRI’s done. Your doctor should have done that along with the XRays. It sounds to me like a rotator cuff, too. Good luck.
The problem may stem from the shoulder being what you yourself call "your dominant shoulder". Perhaps you use it too much so that you have got an iritation or inflammation of the tissues and tendons. You ought to have your shoulder X-rayed to see whether it’s muscular or maybe sits in the bones.
I am very surprised that the dr didn’t refer you to an orthepoedic specialist. Anyway, your symptoms seem to be a very classic description of herniated or buldging cervical (neck) discs. The disc(s) or compression of the spine could be putting pressure on the nerves the lead to your shoulder/arm/fingers.
You need an MRI to accurately diagnose the problem.
Go to a chiropractor – they could use laser or ultrasound or any of their other neat little toys on you…GP’s know squat!
try sitting with a heating pad on it, or laying, whichever is most comfortable. if you sleep on that side try not to, i had shoulder pain for a week or so for sleeping on it the wrong way. or you could possibly have some slight nerve damage which is more likely if you are having tingling or numbness of any kind in your fingers. tylenol rapid release is faster and better than aleve (in my opinion) best guess would be a pinched nerve.
If the results of the X-rays or MRI show there is really nothing physically wrong with you I recommend you see a acupucutrist for the sharp stabbing pains. I used to suffer from these.
They stick electrodes to the end of the needles that sent little electric shocks that made your muscles jump. Does not hurt at all. No more pain and only in one 1 hour session. It cost me $30. But was well worth it.
I know some are skeptical about acupuncture, so I am only speaking from my own personal experience. It was the best $30 I ever spent!
W
I had the same thing…I had to have some of the AC joint removed from that area…You really need to get a MRI done. The X-Ray, while helpful, will not detect a soft tissue injury. I would think that it is rotator Cuff
Use both shoulders… not just your dominate one
I swim so I get shoulder problems too, I strech them out at least 3 times a day for a long time, it really helps.
I get a massage every once in a while when it really hurts, that makes it all go away if your willing to pay for it
I know you say ice/heat doesnt make a differance, but try this:
Get a big towl and put it under hot but comfterable water, and lie down and get somebody to lie in over you. If the person is really nice, ask them to gently massage your shouldners. Then, put the towl under cold water and repeat. It helps me