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What Causes Pain And Numbness In The Left Arm And Shoulder?
Question: 10 weeks ago I was in my swimming pool, cleaning the tile at the water line in the deep end, supporting my weight on the left forearm. I've been in pain since - pain in my left shoulder also in my collar bone and numbness in my left hand. I've been the the doctor twice, she prescribed anti-inflamatory. I still have the pain. It's worse when I sit or lay down. When I stand I have minimal pain. Any suggestions?
Brief Answer:
Can be tendonitis or cervical spondylosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain and numbness in the left arm and shoulder that you have can be related to rotator cuff tendonitis, cervical spondylosis or a cardiac cause. All these need proper investigations like MRI scan and ECG to find the cause.
A cardiac cause is less likely as the pain is worse at rest.
Taking oral muscle relaxants, doing a hot compress and methylcobalamin supplements can help you till then.
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
Can be tendonitis or cervical spondylosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain and numbness in the left arm and shoulder that you have can be related to rotator cuff tendonitis, cervical spondylosis or a cardiac cause. All these need proper investigations like MRI scan and ECG to find the cause.
A cardiac cause is less likely as the pain is worse at rest.
Taking oral muscle relaxants, doing a hot compress and methylcobalamin supplements can help you till then.
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
Doctors indicated my symptoms sounded like I had rotater cuff tendonitis. Can you share with me the proper treatment for this? I asked my Doctor for an MRI and she said I had to go through many steps before she could order and MRI.
medicine tried, My Doctor ordered a stress test and a neck x-ray. The problem and the pain is in my left shoulder and left arm.
Thank you for your assistance.
medicine tried, My Doctor ordered a stress test and a neck x-ray. The problem and the pain is in my left shoulder and left arm.
Thank you for your assistance.
Brief Answer:
Pain killers and muscle relaxants will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Rotator cuff tendonitis or shoulder impingement syndrome causes irritation and inflammation of the rotator cuff and the bursa when doing overhead activity and hence pain.
Usually, there is enough room between the Acromion and the rotator cuff so that the tendons slide easily underneath the acromion as the arm is raised. But each time the arm is raised, there is a bit of rubbing or pinching on the tendons and the bursa. With overuse, this can cause irritation and swelling of the bursa.
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 the symptoms are severe then after confirming the diagnosis by MRI, you may need steroid injections or surgical arthroscopic technique (kept as last resort).
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Pain killers and muscle relaxants will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Rotator cuff tendonitis or shoulder impingement syndrome causes irritation and inflammation of the rotator cuff and the bursa when doing overhead activity and hence pain.
Usually, there is enough room between the Acromion and the rotator cuff so that the tendons slide easily underneath the acromion as the arm is raised. But each time the arm is raised, there is a bit of rubbing or pinching on the tendons and the bursa. With overuse, this can cause irritation and swelling of the bursa.
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 the symptoms are severe then after confirming the diagnosis by MRI, you may need steroid injections or surgical arthroscopic technique (kept as last resort).
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
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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