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Can A History Of Rotator Cuff Tear Causes Severe Shoulder Pain?
Question: I have severe pain in my right shoulder and can not use my right arm properly (I.e., pain and difficulty moving right arm up, down, out to side, crossing arm over torso). I had a torn rotator cuff on this arm 12 years ago which resulted in surgery by orthopedic doctor (surgery was done twice six months apart due to hardware coming through bone due to senile osteoporosis). Is it possible (in this case) to have rotator cuff tear a second time on the same arm. My symptoms are the same as those 12 years ago. What should I do? I am in severe pain and can not get an appointment with my orthopedic group for approximately 3 to 5 weeks. Should I go to an Urgent Care facility?
Brief Answer:
Tendonitis likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
From the symptoms that you have described, it seems to be Rotator cuff tendonitis or shoulder impingement syndrome which causes irritation and inflammation of the rotator cuff and the bursa when doing overhead activity and hence pain. It can happen more often with a history of rotator cuff injury.
It causes local swelling and tenderness in the front of the shoulder and initially it presents as minor pain but gradually it causes severe pain and loss of motion.
You need to get an MRI scan done which is a more sensitive test for soft tissue and muscular injuries. An Orthopedician is the best person to be consulted.
Here are some general treatment measures which you can follow:
1) Provide complete rest and avoid overhead activities.
2) Apply cold compresses and take some anti inflammatory pain killer after consulting your doctor. If these pain relievers do not work then you can take Voltarin or a muscle relaxant after getting it prescribed from your primary doctor.
If the pain is unbearable then it is best to attend an urgent care facility.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Tendonitis likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
From the symptoms that you have described, it seems to be Rotator cuff tendonitis or shoulder impingement syndrome which causes irritation and inflammation of the rotator cuff and the bursa when doing overhead activity and hence pain. It can happen more often with a history of rotator cuff injury.
It causes local swelling and tenderness in the front of the shoulder and initially it presents as minor pain but gradually it causes severe pain and loss of motion.
You need to get an MRI scan done which is a more sensitive test for soft tissue and muscular injuries. An Orthopedician is the best person to be consulted.
Here are some general treatment measures which you can follow:
1) Provide complete rest and avoid overhead activities.
2) Apply cold compresses and take some anti inflammatory pain killer after consulting your doctor. If these pain relievers do not work then you can take Voltarin or a muscle relaxant after getting it prescribed from your primary doctor.
If the pain is unbearable then it is best to attend an urgent care facility.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. Praveen-Tayal:
I will follow up with my Orthopedic Group on Monday and ask if they can possibly get me in to see them this week. I have been using ice packs and I am trying not to use the arm. It is swollen, and the front of the shoulder has the most pain. The pain started about 5 days ago and was not too bad. On Thursday I had to reach out and over to take a one gallon container from a drive through a fast food restaurant and that is when my pain level went from a 4/5 to an 8/9. I know the orthopedic doctor will schedule an MRI. Because the pain is staying at 8/9 I will go to the Urgent Care and see if they can prescribe medication and a sling to carry me through until I can get an appointment with my orthopedic doctor.
Thank you for the information about rotator tendinitis and shoulder impingement syndrome and the general treatment measures to follow.
Thank you for answering my question.
Sincerely:
XXXXXXX P.
I will follow up with my Orthopedic Group on Monday and ask if they can possibly get me in to see them this week. I have been using ice packs and I am trying not to use the arm. It is swollen, and the front of the shoulder has the most pain. The pain started about 5 days ago and was not too bad. On Thursday I had to reach out and over to take a one gallon container from a drive through a fast food restaurant and that is when my pain level went from a 4/5 to an 8/9. I know the orthopedic doctor will schedule an MRI. Because the pain is staying at 8/9 I will go to the Urgent Care and see if they can prescribe medication and a sling to carry me through until I can get an appointment with my orthopedic doctor.
Thank you for the information about rotator tendinitis and shoulder impingement syndrome and the general treatment measures to follow.
Thank you for answering my question.
Sincerely:
XXXXXXX P.
Brief Answer:
You are welcome.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thank you.
I am happy I could help. Continue with a cold compress and apply a local analgesic gel on the area till then.
Please do recommend our services to others too in case you found them helpful. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Wishing you the best in whatever you do.
Best regards.
You are welcome.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thank you.
I am happy I could help. Continue with a cold compress and apply a local analgesic gel on the area till then.
Please do recommend our services to others too in case you found them helpful. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Wishing you the best in whatever you do.
Best regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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