Shoulder pain

[237SJ]

A year or so ago my right shoulder started to hurt a bit. Nothing major but when I put my arm behind me to (for example) put on a coat, it hurt. I thought it was probably something to do with the way I sleep (on that side with my shoulder sort of crushed underneath me). I thought it was just an overstretch of the ligaments. Then the left one started to do it so I presumed that was caused by the same problem when I switch sides at night. A few nights ago the pain in the right shoulder woke me up and it`s hurt like mad ever since. I`ve been taking Ibuprofen (more for the inflammation than anything) but it doesn`t really touch the pain. I can lift my arms above my head without any problem. In fact, that`s the least painful position. It really hurts when I put my arm behind me (I couldn`t do my bra strap up this morning as I can`t get my arm round there). The pain is on the outer top muscle radiating up towards the neck. I was just wondering - from where the pain is, do you think it is muscular/a ligament or actually the joint? By the way, I`ve made a big effort to sleep in a different position over the last couple of nights but it hasn`t made any difference.

[woofgang]

Its impossible to control how we sleep at night. Go see a physio.

[Nibble]

Boxy has rotary cuff problems (caused by medication) - she's had physio, now trying chiropractic on it, which seems to be working.

[237SJ]

Thanks nibble I did think of that but I believe with rotary cuff it`s difficult to lift the arm above the head or forwards. My pain is when I lift the arm rearwards. I might be wrong though and will read up on it a bit more.

[cathfromsaron]

self-refer to NHS physio or pay for chiropractor?

hope you feel better soon!

cath x

[Sqad]

Just a little more information...have you got any weakness of the shoulder or arm muscles?

Is the grip in both hands normal?

Have you got any numbness down your arms?

[237SJ]

Thanks cath.
Sqad - my grip`s completely normal. No numbness either. No weakness really but just weakness in that it hurts so I can`t lift anything with a sideways lift. My right elbow`s been hurting for a while when I pull my suitcase but I don`t know if that is connected. If I lift my arm out 90 degs, it`s the muscle on the top of the arm where it meets the shoulder that hurts the most. When it`s really bad the pain radiates down the arm a bit and along the shoulderblade towards the neck.

[237SJ]

I`ve just remembered. The shoulder`s been clicking occasionally too.

[Sqad]

237SJ...it certainly sounds muscular and may well be supraspinatus tendinitis although it is not usually bilateral.

I agree with the advice of cath.

[237SJ]

Thanks sqad. I don`t think I`ll bother with a chiropractor - I don`t have much faith in them. I think it must be from the way I sleep so I might try two pillows so that my shoulder isn`t at such an awkward angle. Trouble is, I snore when I sleep on two pillows! I`ll google the tendonitis. Thanks again.

[woofgang]

Go and see a decent sports injury physio. Do you want to end up with permanent damage?

[jno]

physio or osteo if you don't like chiropractors maybe?

[Clanad]

While you're Googling, Sierra, take a look at Bursitis. Your symptoms sound like an experience I had about 5 years ago. My Dr. (here in the U.S.) diagnosed bursitis and we did a single cortisone injection. He stated that he could only administer the cortisone 3 or 4 times per year, but, amazingly, the pain never returned and I've not had a reocurrence.

Immediately after the injection the pain left but returned (much abated) about 48 hours later and gradually diminished to near zero in about 5 days. Dr. said the cortisone has a mild pain reliever (Lidocaine) mixed in it to provide the quick relief.
Needle looked like something from your worst nightmare but, really, it (the injection) was nearly painless... Best wishes!

[237SJ]

An update - the pain`s reduced by about 80% by itself as I have been careful not to fall asleep on that side. There is definitely something going on there though. Either an overstretch of the ligaments due to sleeping position or tendonitis. I can cope with it as it is because it doesn`t impede my lifestyle (swimming etc) but if it flares up again I might think about a cortisone jab. Thanks Clanad. I`m not sure it`s bursitis. It`s the left arm that hurts today though - blOOdy typhoid jabs!

[Sqad]

237SJ...thanks for the update and "well played old love."

[237SJ]

Oi, less of the "old" :-)

[boxtops]

237, I can only endorse what nibble said - after 2 years of no treatment (trying to get back to normal after statin pain, I won't go there) the treatment from the chiropractor really IS making a difference to getting the muscles working again, I can now take my bra off unaided (but not yet do it up at the back, but getting there!) I wish I'd gone earlier, physio made very little difference.

[puzzled54]

While you are googling, have a look at frozen shoulder too (adhesive capsulitis)